The $500 Summer STEM Grant from the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) aims to increase summer learning opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Open to public, school, academic, and special (including tribal) libraries in Idaho, the grant will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying applicants. Grant recipients may use funds to create meaningful and engaging youth STEM programs and activities by purchasing STEM-related materials, supplies, and kits, and bring in educational presenters.

A. Strengthen the role of libraries and library staff as community educators and community connectors by increasing access to engaging, hands-on STEM activities for youth.

B. Increase children's access to books over the summer months.

C. Reduce children's learning loss during the summer months.

This grant is open to public, school, academic, and special (including tribal) libraries in Idaho. Multi-branch systems may submit multiple applications. For definitions of library types, please see ICfL’s grant eligibility requirements at https://libraries.idaho.gov/grants-funding/grant-eligibility/. In order to be eligible, the library must also be able to provide Summer STEM programming outside of their normal service model.

To apply for this grant, the organization must provide a non-proprietary Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from the federal System of Award Management (SAM.gov). The UEI is a requirement for grantees receiving federal funds administered by the ICfL and replaces the requirement for a DUNS number. Obtaining a UEI is free, but can take upwards of a week to several months for entities not already in the SAM system. Please see the SAM website for more information: https://sam.gov/content/home. Schools should check with their district business office to obtain the UEI for the school district, which is likely already registered in SAM. Libraries under city management may use the city's UEI number.

Applications deemed eligible and complete will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Approved applicants will receive an official award notification, signed by the ICfL authorizing official, the State Librarian, or alternate assigned official. The completed application signed by the applicant, along with the official award notification signed by the ICfL authorizing official, will serve as the agreement/contract for this grant.

Submit Applications: January 15 - Feburary 29, 2024

Grant Period: April 1 - September 15, 2024

Conduct STEM Programs/Activities: May - August, 2024

Final Report Due: September 15, 2024

1. Award Summary. The ICfL will disburse a $500 grant to each approved library for the purpose of facilitating STEM programming and outreach activities during the summer months.
   
   
2. Required Activities. The library agrees to:
   
   1. Use grant funds to support STEM programs and outreach activities for a minimum of five weeks during the months of May - August, 2024. 
   
   2. Expand the library's current services. Use grant funds to increase or supplement (not supplant or replace) the library's existing STEM programming.
   
   3. Public libraries must hold at least 40% of their programs away from the library. Take away STEM kits or virtual STEM programs are considered offsite outreach activities.
   
   4. See the grant webpage for additional programming recommendations (https://libraries.idaho.gov/stem/summer-stem/).
   
   
3. Allowable Expenditures. A grantee may only use program funds for allowable costs, which includes the requirement that costs be reasonable and necessary for the accomplishment of program objectives.
   
   The following is an abbreviated list of allowable grant expenses. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. Applicants should contact the ICfL if they are unsure if their proposed idea/expenditure is allowable.
   
   1. Materials and supplies for STEM programs and outreach activities. 
   
   2. Books focused on STEM topics.
   
   3. Professional and consultant services such as those for guest speakers, presenters, or facilitators, and community partner programming.
   
   4. Advertising or publicity specifically related to the grant such as publishing dates and times of programs/activities. No more than 10% ($50) may be spent on advertising and publicity.
   
   
4. Non-Allowable Expenditures. The following is an abbreviated list of non-allowable grant expenses. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. Applicants should contact the ICfL if they are unsure if a cost is allowable. The following items are not allowable grant expenses:
   
   1. Food and beverages. Food is allowable if used primarily as a supply in a learning activity.
   
   2. Capital expenditures related to the purchase of real property, buildings, or motor vehicles.
   
   3. Construction expenditures related to the improvement or expansion of buildings and facilities.
   
   4. Advertising or publicity not related directly to the programs carried out through the grant.
   
   5. Promotional items and memorabilia, including models, gifts, and souvenirs.
   
   6. Entertainment. Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment are primarily educational and fit the programmatic goals of the grant.
   
   7. Indirect costs.
   
   8. Apparel.
   
   9. Compensation including salaries, wages, and benefits for current library employees.
   
    
5. Reporting Requirements. The library agrees to:
   
   1. Document grant expenditures through receipts, accounting system reports, and/or invoices. Spending documentation must be submitted with the final report. Any grant funds not accounted for through documented spending must be returned to the ICfL.
   
   2. Collect program data required by the ICfL for submission with the final report. Plan to document program locations, attendance numbers, activities, and generally what people learned when asked at the end of the program. Please also document partners, successes and challenges, and whether you were able to reach underserved populations in your area.
   
   3. Submit final report by September 15, 2024. All funds must be expended, with documentation, by this date. Scan and submit receipts with the final report. Access the report from the grant webpage at https://libraries.idaho.gov/stem/summer-stem/.
   
   
6. Records Retention. The grantee must retain grant records for a period of three years following the end of the award period. Records include the grant application/agreement, award letter, correspondence, reports, financial records, and receipts.
   
   
7. Acknowledgement. This grant is administered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and is made possible with funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) award number LS-253624-OLS-23, Assistance Listing Number 45.310. Please acknowledge the IMLS and ICfL in signage, brochures, websites, press releases, and public events funded by or describing this grant program.
   
   
8. Funding. The ICfL plans to disburse funds to awarded libraries at the beginning of the grant period. A check will be mailed from the State of Idaho to the W-9 address provided by the library. An organization may choose to sign up for electronic deposits by contacting the ICfL. Disbursement of awards is conditional upon the ICfL’s receipt of funds from the IMLS. If funds become unavailable to the ICfL for any reason, the ICfL reserves the right to delay or withhold funding from awarded libraries, or cancel this grant program. The ICfL will notify awarded libraries in writing if funding becomes unavailable. 

The online application must be completed in one sitting and cannot be saved for completion at a later time. We suggest drafting responses in a separate document prior to completing the online form. The application must be signed and submitted with an electronic signature on or before February 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MT. This application will serve as your official grant agreement if you are notified in writing that you have been approved for funding. The ICfL will notify all applicants whether or not they were selected for funding.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact either of the following staff members at the Idaho Commission for Libraries:

• Jennifer Redford, Youth Services Consultant, Jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov or (208) 639-4147
  
  
• Talela Florko, Grants/Contracts Officer, at talela.florko@libraries.idaho.gov or (208) 334-2150

Applicants receiving federal grant funds administered by the ICfL must agree to comply with the following federal assurances and certifications. 

Nondiscrimination
The applicant certifies that it will comply with the following nondiscrimination statues and their implementing regulations:  

A. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (note: as clarified by Executive Order No. 13166, the applicant must take reasonable steps to ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) persons have meaningful access to the applicant’s programs (see IMLS guidance at 68 Federal Register 17679, April 10, 2003);

B. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. including §794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability (note: IMLS applies the regulations in 45 C.F.R. part 1170 in determining compliance with section 504 as it applies to recipients of Federal assistance);

C. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §§ 16811683, 1685–1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs;

D. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; and

E. The requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply.

Debarment and Suspension
The applicant shall comply with 2 C.F.R. part 3185 and 2 C.F.R. part 180, as applicable. The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that neither the applicant nor any of its principals:

A. Are presently excluded or disqualified;

B. Have been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in 2 C.F.R. §180.800(a) or had a civil judgment rendered against it or them for one of those offenses within that time period;

C. Are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any of the offenses listed in 2 C.F.R. §180.800(a); or 

D. Have had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated within the preceding three years for cause or default.

Where the applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, the authorized representative shall attach an explanation.

The applicant is required to comply with 2 C.F.R. part 180 subpart C (Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) as a condition of participation in the award. The applicant is also required to communicate the requirement to comply with 2 C.F.R. part 180 subpart C (Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) to persons at the next lower tier with whom the applicant enters into covered transactions.

Federal Debt Status
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that the applicant is not delinquent in the repayment of any Federal debt, including but not limited to unpaid Federal tax liability.

Prohibition Against Lobbying, Publicity, and Propaganda
In accordance with Federal appropriations law, no funds provided through this grant or contract may be used for publicity or propaganda purposes for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, electronic communication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before the Congress or any State or local legislature or legislative body or designed to support or defeat any proposed or pending regulation, administrative action, or order issued by the executive branch of any State or local government. No IMLS funds may be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action or Executive order proposed or pending before the Congress or any State government, State legislature or local legislature or legislative body.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities
For applicants entering into a grant or cooperative agreement in excess of $100,000 (as required by 31 U.S.C. § 1352), the applicant certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that:

A. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the authorized representative, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

B. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person (other than a regularly employed officer or employee of the applicant, as provided in 31 U.S.C. § 1352) for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the authorized representative shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,” in accordance with its instructions.

C. The authorized representative shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed when the transaction is made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into the transaction imposed by 31 U.S.C. § 1352.

Trafficking in Persons
The applicant must comply with Federal law pertaining to trafficking in persons. Under 22 U.S.C. §7104(g), any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement entered into by a Federal agency under which funds are to be provided to a private entity shall include a condition that authorizes the Federal agency (IMLS) to terminate the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, or take other authorized actions, if the grantee or any subgrantee, or the contractor or any subcontractor, engages in, or uses labor recruiters, brokers, or other agents who engage in trafficking in persons, the procurement of a commercial sex act, the use of forced labor, or acts that directly support or advance trafficking in persons.

Internet Safety
The applicant shall comply with Idaho Code 33-2741, if applicable. If Federal funds are used to purchase computers used to access the internet or to pay for direct costs associate with accessing the internet, the authorized representative provides assurances that the applicant is in compliance with 20 U.S.C. § 9134(f), which sets out standards relating to internet safety for libraries that do not receive services at discount rates under § 254(h)(6) of 47 U.S.C.

Drugfree Workplace
The applicant must comply with drug-free workplace requirements in Subpart B (or Subpart C, if the recipient is an individual) of 2 CFR part 3186, which adopts the Governmentwide implementation (2 CFR part 182) of sec. 5152–5158 of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–690, Title V, Subtitle D; 41 U.S.C. 701–707). This includes, but is not limited to: making a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, to maintain a drug-free workplace; publishing a drug-free workplace statement; establishing a drug-free awareness program for employees; taking actions concerning employees who are convicted of violating drug statutes in the workplace; and identifying (either at the time of application or upon award, or in documents kept on file in the recipient’s offices) all known workplaces under federal awards.

Please review the following statements before signing and submitting this application.

A. If awarded, the library agrees to meet the grant requirements outlined in this application/agreement.

B. If awarded, the applicant’s legal entity agrees to expend all funds received for the purposes outlined in this application/agreement and understands that any grant funds that are not expended at the end of the grant period must be returned to the ICfL.

C. I certify that the statements herein are true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

D. I certify that I have the authority to submit this application on behalf of my organization.

If you have any questions about this program or your application please contact Jennifer Redford, Youth Services Consultant, Jennifer.redford@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4147 or Grants/Contracts Officer Talela Florko at talela.florko@libraries.gov, (208) 639-4164.

Applicants will be notified of their grant status by March 22, 2024.