About This InitiativeFrequently Asked Questions
Frequenty asked questions about submitting proposals to the OSI Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap initiative.
What is the Request for Proposal process?
Applicants must first complete a self-analysis of their jurisdiction’s readiness and capacity to increase resources to close the treatment gap using the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap Self Assessment Tool. Completed proposals should follow the format outlined in the RFP and should be a maximum of 15 double spaced pages, 12 point type face, 1” margin, exclusive of Appendix materials. From submitted proposals, finalists will be selected for site visit. Upon completion of the site visit, awardees will be notified by OSI.
Download a copy of the RFP, including the Self-Assessment Tool.
What is the Self Assessment Tool? Why do applicants have to complete it?
The Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap Self Assessment Tool is a questionnaire/form on which grant applicants can rate their readiness to close the gap on five different domains: consumer expectations, community awareness, financing and coverage, purchasing practices, and treatment system characteristics. The completed tool need not be submitted with the proposal; however, applicants are expected to make liberal use of the tool as it informs their application.
What is the maximum amount of grant money that will be awarded to an applicant?
Up to $600,000 will be awarded for the entirety of the grant period, including overhead costs. Actual awards may vary due to the scope of the work proposed and/or the participation of local funders.
Can you review my program and let me know if we can apply for a Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap grant?
We cannot provide any prospective advice on proposals. If you are uncertain as to whether or not your program is an appropriate fit for Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap, you are encouraged to participate in the Applicant Question-and-Answer Workshop conference call on Monday, February 25, 2008. View workshop dial-in information.
What kinds of programs are eligable for funding? Can direct services facilities apply?
As stated in the Call for Proposals, "grant funds may not be used to pay for the costs of expanded or new treatment services, to subsidize individuals for the costs of their health care, to support clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices, to construct or renovate facilities, to support lobbying, or to substitute funds currently being used to support similar activities" (p. 12). As such, applications that seek to expand direct services or to add new direct service positions will not be eligible.
What constitutes a jurisdiction in which an applicant will work to expand addiction treatment capacity?
A jurisdiction in which applicants will work to expand addiction treatment capacity can be a state, tribal jurisdiction, or any cohesive governmental territory within a state including a city, county, or region.
What is the Open Society Institute?
The Open Society Institute, a private operating and grantmaking foundation, aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses. OSI was created in 1993 by investor and philanthropist George Soros to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to other areas of the world where the transition to democracy is of particular concern. The Soros foundations network encompasses more than 60 countries, including the United States.
What is the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap Initiative?
The Open Society Institute’s initiative on Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap aims to increase the availability of quality treatment for addiction to drugs and alcohol to all individuals who need it. The program works with multi-stakeholder partnerships in jurisdictions at the state, county or city level to raise awareness of and eliminate the disparity between demand for addiction treatment and the resources available.
How do I contact the OSI initiative on Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap?
Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap
201 North Charles Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
USA
Tel. 1-410-234-1091
Fax. 1-410-234-2816
www.treatmentgap.org
Are there certain preferred financing strategies that applicants should propose?
A key indicator of the project’s success is to increase the resources available to pay for treatment. Therefore, preference will be given to applicants that implement a range of financing strategies that increase appropriations or insurance availability for expanding treatment capacity. Specifically, these strategies should increase the total amount of funding (local, state and or federal) for treatment services during the project.
Please explain "real-dollar contributions" (item 9, page 9 of the Call for Proposals).
Applicants that receive actual cash contributions from a third party (e.g., a local foundation) to finance and/or sustain this project will be given preference in the selection process. While we recognize that in-kind contributions provide valuable support, these will not be given the same weight as a proposal that obtains and commits specific funds for the operation of the project.
Is the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap grant open to applications that focus on youth, including those with dual disorders of substance abuse and mental health?
The Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap initiative's strategies (see the Call for Proposals, pages 4-7) aim to increase resources for all who need treatment, including youth, people with HIV, and persons with various co-occurring disorders. Applicants should not develop a program to increase resources exclusively for one group when it occurs at the expense of all who need treatment. The success of the initiative will be measured in part by a net increase in all resources available for treatment when the strategies are implemented.
Can funds be used to expand training for our program?
Please review the strategies outlined in the Call for Proposals, pages 4-7. While we appreciate that training can successfully impact treatment quality, the intent of this initiative is to increase real-dollar resources for treatment. We would discourage the use of grant dollars for training purposes and encourage potential applicants to create budgets that reflect the efficiency strategies that are outlined on page 7.
Are jurisdictions outside of the United States eligible for grants from this initiative?
Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap is a national initiative available only to applicants within the United States. Note that jurisdictions in Puerto Rico are eligible and welcome to apply.
Will grant proposals be accepted again next year? What is the application cycle for the initiative?
At this time the initiative is a three-year, one-time effort. There will not be another round next year. If there are other future opportunities, they will be posted on this website.
Are indirect costs allowed in proposed budgets? If so, what is the maximum amount?
If the organization is actually contributing functions that are not allocated in direct costs, an overhead rate up to 10% is allowed. If all incurred expenses are covered by direct costs, no overhead is allowed. If overhead is included in your budget, please include a statement that describes expenses covered by overhead.
