We would like some input regarding interpretation of the 2002 National
Endowment for the Arts Grants to Organizations (GTO) guidelines.  The NEA
has not been able to provide much help.

According to GTO guidelines, organizations may submit only one application,
with the following exceptions:

"Parent organizations that have separately identifiable and independent
components (e.g., an art museum that is located on a university campus) may
submit a separate application for each such component as well as one
application on its own behalf.  The parent organization must meet the
eligibility requirements for all applicants.

An independent component must be a unit that is both prgrammatically and
administratively distinct from the parent organization; have its own staff
and budget; and generally have an independent board or other advisory group
that has significant responsibility for oversight and management.  Academic
departments of colleges and universities do not qualify as independent
components."

The NEA says it does not believe many academic departments will be able to
advance its goals so applications from them are limited, yet it does not
want to exclude academic departments from applying.  This is clear.  What is
unclear is the definition of "independent components", leaving us uncertain
how to manage limitation to a single submission.  Our museums, specialty
libraries, auditorium, etc. have unique advisory boards and their own staffs
and budgets, but not a truly separate governing board nor their own fiscal
charters.  Their employees are paid by the Univeristy and their proposals
are submitted through this office.  Should these entities be considered
independent, or should they be considered in the same way as academic
departments?  How are other colleges and universities interpreting this?

Kerry Slough, Grant Development Specialist
Sponsored Research Services
Indiana University
Bloomington IN  47405
PH:(812) 855-0516 FAX:(812) 855-9943

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