Apereo Grant Funding Prioritization Framework

Overview

This Funding Prioritization Framework has been designed to allow the Apereo Foundation to evaluate funding opportunities, particularly grants, as a means to prioritize where to focus limited time and resources.  Three primary evaluation criteria have been developed:

1. Alignment with Funding Opportunity - To what degree does the funding agency’s focus and funding requirements align with Apereo’s mission and strategic initiatives?
2. Capacity to Pursue Funding - Based on an assessment of the proposal requirements, does Apereo have the resources and time needed to develop a competitive proposal?
3. Capability to Execute on Funding - If funded, will Apereo have the resources, expertise and time to successfully execute on the proposed activities?

Rather than producing a “static” prioritization rating, the framework is designed to be used in a more continuous manner, re-assessing alignment, capacity and capability over time as more research is conducted.  As this happens, prioritization ratings will either increase or decrease providing a regularly updated “dashboard” to track funding opportunities and make strategic decisions as to where to focus time and effort.

For example, we are currently tracking OSS-related funding from the U.S.-based National Science Foundation and have initially assessed it as a “Low” priority given potential misalignment with Apereo.  We’ve also identified areas for active outreach and research that will allow us to refine our alignment assessment.  If the outcome is that there is “good” or “excellent” alignment then prioritization would shift to “medium” or “high”, provided we have the necessary capacity and capabilities.

Opportunities and prioritization are documented in the Apereo Fundering Tracker (v1.1)

Prioritization Criteria Definitions

Alignment - To what degree does the funding agency’s focus and funding requirements align with Apereo’s mission and strategic initiatives?

• Excellent - RFP requirements and evaluation criteria align very closely with existing Apereo strategy, projects and/or service offerings. 
• Good - Most but not all RFP requirements and evaluation criteria align well with existing Apereo strategy, projects and/or service offerings.
• Potential  - Some mismatches with RFP requirements and evaluation criteria and existing Apereo strategy, projects and/or services but may match well if adjustments to strategy or service offerings are made or the funder is open to different approaches.
• Research - Assessment of alignment pending additional research on requirements and proposal evaluation criteria.
• None - RFP requirement and evaluation criteria do not match with Apereo strategy, projects, and/or services.

Capacity - Does the Apereo Foundation, with support from the community, have the staffing, knowledge and resources to develop a competitive proposal within the defined time constraints?

• Yes - Based on answering the capacity questions below
• Needed - Many but not all resources are available, will need to seek additional support
• No - Based on answering the capacity question below
• Research - Assessment of capacity is pending additional research.

The following capacity questions would guide how we assess this:

• What is the total length (pages) required for the proposal?
• Does the proposal require conducting extensive literature reviews?
• What budget details are required? Do we need to submit financial records?
• Does the proposal require partnerships? If so, we already have established relationships with the required partners or would new relationships need to be established?
• Does the proposal require letters of support? If so, how many and from whom? Do we have strong relationships with contacts who can provide these letters? Will we need to provide them with drafts?
• Subject-matter expertise at Apereo - do we have expertise to answer question and/or access to data/information we need, (e.g., AI open source, would we have the knowledge to go after OR are there people in our network who can help)
• Do we have the necessary time to develop a competitive proposal given requirements and staffing resources?

Capability - If funding is received, will we be capable of successfully executing on activities and deliverables within defined budget and timelines?

• Yes - Apereo Foundation and/or community has the necessary subject matter expertise and resources to successfully execute on the work within the defined budget and timeline.
• Needed - Apereo Foundation and/or community would need to partner with others to gain the subject matter expertise and resources to successfully execute on the work within the defined budget and timeline.
• No - Apereo Foundation and/or community itself nor through partnership could likely gain the subject matter expertise and resources to successfully execute on the work within the defined budget and timeline.
• Research - Assessment is pending additional research.