AUTHORIZATION:

Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins and Fellowship Foundation, Title IV, Section 400-429, Public Law 102-281, 106 Stat. 139-145, 20 U.S.C 5701-5708.

OBJECTIVES:

The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science and technology program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four with an adult coach, to identify an issue in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

All members of two Gold Medal winning teams are presented with U.S. Savings Bonds. The grant must be used to further develop the team's solution to the community issue they addressed in the competition. The grant team will work with a community partner on the project throughout the next year.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Applicants are teams of three to four students in sixth through eighth grade with a coach, who identify a problem in their community and solve it using the scientific method.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   U.S. citizens, middle school students.

Credentials/Documentation:   No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application materials may be requested by individuals who meet the eligibility requirements stated above. Entry forms and all competition information are available for download at: www.christophercolumbusawards.com or may be requested by calling (800) 291-6020 ext. 3154. Completed entries must be received by February 9, 2009. The program is sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and managed by MMS Education, 105 Terry Drive, Newtown, PA 18940, Attn: Stephanie Hallman. Entries are accepted from teams of three to four students in grades six to eight from all 50 states, territories and possessions only. All team entries must include: a Christopher Columbus Awards Entry form (signed by team members and the coach), a team-written section and the visual component. To enter, mail the original and two copies of the team's community solution to: Christopher Columbus Awards, 105 Terry Drive, Suite 120, Newtown, PA 18940.

Award Procedure:   The Christopher Columbus Awards have three judging phases. The teams' entries are reviewed by a regional panel of judges who select 30 semifinalist teams. Another judging panel selects eight finalist teams and their coaches. The finalist teams receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend National Championship Week and compete for U.S. Savings Bonds and the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant. The finals and the Christopher Columbus Academy are held at Walt Disney Resorts, Orlando, FL, from June 14-18, 2009.

Deadlines:   Feb 09, 2009 The deadline is in early February each year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Not Applicable.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

Not Applicable.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

12-18 months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: U.S. Savings Bonds are presented following the awards ceremony. The grant is paid in installments upon the approval and under the direction of the Program Manager.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Program reports are not applicable. No cash reports are required. Interim progress reports regarding the grant project. Final report on project. Receipts of all expenses and travel incurred regarding the grant project. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits:   Not Applicable.

Records:   No Data Available.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

76-0100-0-7-502.

Obligations:   (Project Grants (Special)) FY 08 $215,000; FY 09 est $250,000; FY 10 est $265,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

$2,000 U.S. Savings bonds
$25,000 Grant.

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