Table of Contents
2022 AmeriCorps VISTA Priorities
VISTA Concept Paper and Application Process
Deadlines
Guidance and Instructions
Resources for Applicants
Training and Technical Assistance
Founded in 1965, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a federal anti-poverty national service program designed to provide resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to address poverty and poverty-related problems in the United States.
Through this opportunity, AmeriCorps seeks concept papers for the AmeriCorps VISTA program from outcome-driven organizations that share the AmeriCorps VISTA mission.
2022 AmeriCorps VISTA Priorities
AmeriCorps VISTA seeks to prioritize investment of national service resources in the following areas:
- Economic Opportunity
- Healthy Futures
- Education
- Veterans and Military Families
- Environmental Stewardship
- Priority Populations: Rural Communities, Indian Country, and areas of deep poverty.
- Additional priority consideration for projects that work in the above areas and populations that address issues of racial equity
VISTA Concept Paper and Application Process
- Step 1: AmeriCorps VISTA Concept Paper
Organizations submit an AmeriCorps VISTA concept paper via eGrants. The concept paper is a preliminary screening tool that AmeriCorps uses to evaluate whether the organization would be an appropriate VISTA sponsor and if the proposed project meets core criteria. - Step 2: AmeriCorps VISTA Project Application
If the concept paper is accepted, the organization is invited to submit a full AmeriCorps VISTA Project Application, which includes additional narratives and performance measures.
Concept Paper Deadline
No longer accepting concept papers.
Guidance and Instructions
2022 Request for Concept Papers Notice (PDF)
2022 Annual Program Guidance for Current and Potential Project Sponsors (PDF)
2022 Concept Paper Instructions (PDF)
2022 Application Instructions (PDF)
2022 Standard Budget Instructions (PDF)
AmeriCorps VISTA Performance Measure Instructions (PDF)
Resources for Applicants
VISTA Program Regulations
Create and Manage an eGrants account
Training and Technical Assistance Calls & Webinars
The video recordings include external links to YouTube’s video platform. YouTube’s privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps’. AmeriCorps is not responsible for these links nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website.
2022 Request for Concept Papers
In this session, we will review what AmeriCorps VISTA is, what it can and can’t do for your organization, and how to begin the application process.
Live Call Dates and Time:
- Cycle 1: Thursday, September 30, 2021, 3:00-4:30 PM ET
- Recording: https://youtu.be/AmJd08rPIuY
- Webinar Resources: Request for Concept Paper Webinar Slide Deck
- Cycle 2: Thursday, January 6, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM ET
- Recording: https://youtu.be/VhaQaHdzogc
- Webinar Resources: Request for Concept Paper Webinar Slide Deck
- Cycle 3: Thursday, February 24, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM ET
- Recording: https://youtu.be/N5zlj8YZbn0
- Recording: https://youtu.be/N5zlj8YZbn0
- Cycle 4: Thursday, May 5, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM ET
- Recording: hhttps://youtu.be/mfkPpcR7dXw
Please note that local AmeriCorps Regional Offices may conduct additional webinars. To email staff handling programming in your state, email the two-letter state abbreviation followed by @cns.gov (e.g., MD@cns.gov or CA@cns.gov).
If you are having technical difficulties with creating an account or preparing or submitting the Concept Paper in eGrants, please contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800)942-2677 or via Questions.
For all other application questions, please contact VISTA@americorps.gov.