NCTA Grants Program

About the Program

The purpose of the grants program is to offer opportunities for professional development, to promote the development of resources for NCTA members, to encourage professional support activities, to stimulate research pertinent to the field of testing (for possible submission to the NCTA Journal), and to support the testing profession. Below you will find resources and valuable information to get you started on the grant application process. All questions and grant application materials can be submitted to [email protected].

Scope

The grants program is applicable to all active NCTA members in good standing. The overarching initiative is to identify and fund projects, research, and activities that clearly support the mission of the National College Testing Association.

Awards

There are two types of grant awards available:

  • Professional development grants (PDG) focus on projects and works intended to enhance professional testing practices, offer professional development opportunities and encourage professional support.
  • Research grants (RG) may fall into two areas.  Research relevant to the field of testing that may qualify for submission to the NCTA Journal, and research or works done to advance collaborative efforts among testing professionals, companies, and other policy-making agencies.

Application Process - Grant Year (GY) 2024-2025

The Grants Committee invite NCTA members to participate in the program by submitting an application to the Grants Committee by the annual deadline. For an application to be considered complete, applicants and key participants must meet all qualifying terms listed in the Grants Program Pre-Application Checklist, and the application must contain all required components and supporting documentation.

Once the application window closes, the Committee will review applications and provide feedback to all applicants. Applicants will have approximately three weeks to provide additional clarification, responses to questions, and/or submit modifications to the application. The committee will then conduct a second review, after which time it will forward its recommendations to the NCTA Governing Board for approval.  Below you will find resources and valuable information to get you started on the grant application process. Submit grant application materials, and send all questions to [email protected].

 

Exclusions

NCTA Grant Program will not award funds to applicants in support of establishing/launching of State or Regional Organizations in conjunction with advancing testing, testing programs or agencies related to the testing profession.  Below are examples of expenses deemed ineligible, and must not be included for grant proposal consideration.

  • Expenses associated with attending the annual NCTA Conference or any other conference (including but not limited to, expenses related to travel, lodging, or conference registration)
  • Test Center Certification and Recertification fees
  • Creating, developing, marketing, or otherwise supporting a project intended to compete with any NCTA corporate member
  • Staff salaries, including full-time, part-time, salaried, and hourly while working within the scheduled workday
  • Honoraria to NCTA corporate members
  • Office upgrades including, but not limited to, hardware and software purchases or new furniture
  • Purchasing study material
  • Any event not focused on testing professional development

Timeline

Individuals, institutions, agencies, associations, and certain groups are eligible to receive grants. Below is this year’s timeline for your information.  Submit interim and final reports by email to [email protected]

For All Grants
  • January 4, 2024: Application Period Begins
  • March 31, 2024 (Extended deadline): Application period closes
  • March 18 – April 19, 2024: Committee Review
  • April 22 – May 10, 2024: Application Modifications
  • May 13 – May 31, 2024: Committee Modifications Review 
  • June 3 – June 10, 2024: NCTA Governing Board Approval
  • June 14, 2024: Announcement of Grants
  • June 28, 2024: Grant fund payment distribution
  • July 1, 2024: Grant expenditure period begins. 
For Professional Development Grants
  • July 1, 2024: Grant expenditure period begins
  • January 24, 2025: Interim progress reports are due 
  • June 30, 2025: Grant expenditure period ends 
  • August 1, 2025: Final report due 
For Research Grants
  • July 1, 2024: Grant expenditure period begins
  • January 27, 2025: Interim progress report I
  • January 26, 2026: Interim progress report II 
  • August 3, 2026: Grant expenditure period ends and final report due

Terms and Conditions 

All grant recipients must submit a signed and completed Terms and Conditions agreement form that:

  • Requires recipients to be a member of NCTA and be in good standing.
  • Requires letter of support from the applicant’s institution. 
  • Defines and identifies a primary contact (applicant) for the grant.
  • Identifies the institution’s trustee responsible for overseeing the grant funds during the term of the grant.
  • Describes actions to take in the event the primary contact becomes unavailable.
  • Defines the period for which grant funds may be spent.
  • Outlines the expectations for the final report and sets due dates for this report and any unused funds.
  • Requires the applicant and trustee to read and sign the Terms and Conditions Agreement and return to NCTA treasurer for processing.
  • Must be returned with the primary contact’s (applicant) completed Grant Award Acceptance Form within 30 days of receipt of notification.

Grant Award Process

When the Grant Committee receives approval of its recommendations from the Governing Board, the committee chair will notify all applicants of the final status of their applications, send award notifications to recipients by email, and make an announcement to the NCTA.

Award Notification

The Grant Committee sends a notification letter to the primary contact/applicant informing them of the approved award. The notification letter provides instructions and other important information to aid in completing the final steps before the NCTA Treasurer disburses payment to the institution.  Included with this notification is the Award Acceptance Form. 

Grant Award Acceptance Form 

 The acceptance form requires acknowledgement as well as verification and completion of the follow three actions: 
  • The primary contact’s (applicant) signature
  • The designated institution’s grant award trustee by name and the trustee’s information as requested
  • The completed Grant Terms and Conditions Agreement within 30 days of receipt of notification
Please note that it is the responsibility of the grant award recipient to identify the appropriate contacts at your respective institutions/centers to facilitate a smooth and timely transfer of funds.