Now that the 2026 Talent Search (TS) Program Application has been released, we at NEC have been analyzing the new application. Since we have been using the 2021 RFP as a foundation for proposal development until now, this webinar is designed to guide you through exactly what needs to change, what can remain as is, and how to ensure your proposal is fully aligned with the 2026 requirements. 

Who is this webinar for and how much does it cost?

• FREE for previous attendees/purchasers of the NEC TS Proposal Writing Workshop (PWW), TS Proposal Writing Online Course, or our TS Proposal Writing Workshop On-Demand Recordings (check your email for a free coupon code; if you don't see it, contact dwalls@nosotrosedu.org)  

• $500 for anyone new to our Proposal Writing Workshop offerings (Registration includes enrollment in the TS Proposal Writing Online Course so you can benefit from previously shared information.) 

This webinar is designed to build directly on the NEC TS PWW and course. While our 10-session TS PWW provided a complete foundation based on the 2021 competition, the 2026 application introduces important updates that must be addressed before submission. 

This session will help you bridge the gap between the 2021 framework and the 2026 competition expectations.  

What is the registration fee and what is included?

Registration fee is $500 (FREE for previous TS PWW or course attendees—check your email for a free coupon code; if you don't see it, contact dwalls@nosotrosedu.org)  

Registration includes:

• Admittance to the webinar 

• Downloadable resource materials 

• Presentation slide deck 

• Live Q&A session during the webinar 

• Recording of the webinar 

• For folks new to our TS PWW who will pay the $500 registration fee, you'll be enrolled in NEC's Talent Search Proposal Writing Online Course, so you can get started right away

What will be covered in this webinar?

Session 1 (1 PM – 2:30 PM) 

2021 vs. 2026 Program Application: What Changed and What it Means 

• Key differences between the 2021 and 2026 Program Applications  

• Updated budget guidelines and considerations in the 2026 RFP 

• Grant opportunity’s full alignment with America’s Talent Strategy 

• Priorities, Selection Criteria, program performance measures, and tiebreaker 

• Page limits, formatting requirements, and application checklist 

Session 2 (2:30 PM – 4 PM) 

Absolute, Competitive Preference, & Invitational Priorities 

• Overview of the Absolute and Invitational Priorities  

• How to structure and present the separate Priority responses 

• Where/how to reference the Priorities within your narrative 

• What can remain unchanged from your 2025 TS PWW-based draft 

Lead Presenter: Elizabeth "Lisa" Retamozo.

Lisa has more than 30 years of experience implementing, managing, supervising, and evaluating federal (TRIO) and state-funded educational and career opportunity programs serving low-income and potential first-generation college students.

In 2003, Lisa started her own consulting company, NOSOTROS Education Center. Since then, Lisa and the NEC team have provided TRIO Projects nationwide with short/long-term technical assistance, new project implementation, project evaluation; assistance with annual performance reporting, database customization/training; compliance assessments, in-service training, and professional development seminars; development of policies and procedures manuals, proposal writing, and technical review services.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her Masters in Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University.

Can’t attend live? No problem! Go ahead and register and receive the recordings after the live webinar has concluded.

Please note that this is a proposal development webinar and an unallowable cost. 

§200.460 Proposal costs. Proposal costs are the costs of preparing bids, proposals, or applications on potential Federal and non-Federal awards or projects, including the development of data necessary to support the non-Federal entity’s bids or proposals. Proposal costs of the current accounting period of both successful and unsuccessful bids and proposals normally should be treated as indirect (F&A) costs and allocated currently to all activities of the non-Federal entity.