571—33.21(455A) Competitive grant project planning and review committee.

1. 33.21(1)  Review committee.

   1. a. The director shall appoint a five-person review and selection committee to evaluate project applications. This committee shall include one representative of the department appointed by the director, one representative of the department of education science consultant or designee, one representative of the Iowa conservation education council, one representative of the Iowa association of naturalists, and one representative of the Iowa association of county conservation boards. Additionally, there shall be at least one alternate identified and designated by the director from each represented organization. Terms of appointment to the committee shall be on a three-year staggered term basis.
   2. b. An individual who is a member, volunteer, or employee of an entity that has submitted a project shall not serve on the scoring committee during that award cycle. Instead, one of the alternates shall review and score in the individual’s place.

2. 33.21(2)  Competitive grant project selection criteria.

   1. a. Under the competitive grant program, a project planning and review committee shall establish criteria and scoring systems to be utilized in project evaluation. The criteria and scoring systems shall be submitted to the natural resource commission for approval.
   2. b. The department shall publish on its website the date and time for submitting a funding proposal and the criteria and scoring system, providing at least 90 days’ notice. Applications must be submitted to the department as described on the website.
   3. c. Upon recommendation of the planning and review committee, the natural resource commission shall award the grants.

3. 33.21(3)  Dissemination plan.

   1. a. After completion of the project awarded through the large grants, and prior to final request for reimbursement, the awardee shall complete a dissemination plan as provided on the department’s website. Projects funded with conservation education program funds are intended to be replicable by other educators or conservation programs in Iowa.
   2. b. Annually, the review and selection committee will review dissemination plans; select successful projects per criteria developed and approved by the natural resource commission; and offer additional award opportunities, not to exceed $10,000 per awardee, of up to $50,000 of conservation education program funds for other educators or conservation education programs to implement.
4. 33.21(4)  Nonapplication of copyright. Program materials developed from REAP funds for conservation education materials shall bear the REAP logo. However, materials developed under this grant shall not be copyrighted by the grantee unless the department gives permission. A digital copy of all program materials developed shall be supplied to the department as part of the dissemination plan.

[ARC 9409C, IAB 7/9/25, effective 8/13/25]