Like the flowers returning in the spring after being dormant all winter, Funding Attractions is back up again after a lengthy break while we updated the program’s software. And what an exciting time it is to return!

(This post originally appeared on Title I-Derland, Thompson’s blog on federal K-12 education, and was written by Chuck Edwards, senior executive director for Thompson’s education products.) One of the things that immediately jumps out on reading the recent Reading First decision is the simple fact that it took five years to resolve the audit. The program itself ended three years ago!

(This post originally appeared on Title I-Derland, Thompson’s blog on federal K-12 education, and was written by Chuck Edwards, senior executive director for Thompson’s education products.)

(The following was excerpted from an article in the Single Audit Information Service.) The Employment and Training Administration is requiring states to enhance their quality service plans to prevent, detect and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program in response to concerns raised by a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit.

(This post originally appeared on Title I-Derland, Thompson’s blog on federal K-12 education, and was written by Chuck Edwards, senior executive director for Thompson’s education products.) More than five years after the Office of Inspector General issued an audit report criticizing New York State’s process for awarding Reading First subgrants to its districts, the U.S. Department of Education has informed New York that it should be more careful with its paperwork in grant competitions.

It’s that time of year again. The time when some people go nuts trying to pick the winners in the NCAA basketball tournament, and many will even call in sick on Thursday and Friday to watch the games (ahem, definitely not me). Some may care less, but personally, I find pretty exciting the process of 68 teams getting winnowed down until finally, you have two teams playing for the national championship.

(This guest post was written by Karen Norris, grants manager for Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. She has more than 20 years of experience supporting educational institutions in the state of Maryland and as a grants consultant. She is currently a board member of the National Grants Management Association.) (PRODUCT) Red is a private initiative unrelated to federal grants management; however, its origins and impact are impressive, and may serve as a model or generate some ideas when seeking partner support. In 2002, the Global Fund was established to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa. By 2005, the fund had raised $2 million. In 2006, rock star Bono of U2 and Bobby Shriver of the Kennedy family created the concept of (PRODUCT) Red to better engage the private sector through the sale of sought-after brands and products that are red in color. From 10-50% of the sale of selected products support the Global Fund. Retail partners include, but are not limited to: the Gap, Apple, Converse, Hallmark, Nike, Dell, Starbucks, and others. The purchase of a red iPod, for example, will send funding to the cause. By 2012, $180 million was raised providing services to 7.5 million people in need, including treatment for HIV AIDS and tuberculosis, and the distribution of 230 million mosquito nets to prevent malaria.

(The following was excerpted from an article in the Federal Grants Management Handbook.) The National Science Foundation is planning how to implement recommendations to revise its merit review criteria. Handed down by a National Science Board task force, the recommendations defined three merit review principles and specified five key elements that reviewers should consider when evaluating research proposals.

They’re gonna need more time! That’s the mantra I keep saying to myself after seeing a couple of major items come across my desk.

(This post is based on an upcoming article in Thompson’s Local/State Funding Report. Subscribers can read the entire piece in their March 12 issue.) President Obama used his audience at the recent meeting of the National Governors Association as an opportunity to underscore his administration’s emphasis on secondary and higher education and to challenge governors to make them priorities in their state budgets.