If you are new to the online grant system, welcome! Your first step as a new applicant is to visit TUPE GEMS (https://tupegems.ucsd.edu/) and create an account. You may do so by clicking on the “Register” button in the upper right hand corner of the web page. After you submit the registration form, be sure to check your email and click on the verification link to confirm your account (Tip: check your spam folder if necessary).
Once you log in to your account, click the green "New Application" button and choose the Rural Initiative Center Grant from the “Available Grants” list.
The system will create a grant application and will automatically designate you as the Lead on the application template.
You may click on each section to view its requirements. Section 1: Applicant Summary is form based, while the remainder of the Sections are file based, meaning you'll need to download available templates and upload the files in the designated areas, that are provided in the sections.
Once the application is complete, the Lead user must ensure to click on "Lock Section". to ensure the status of each section is marked as complete. Once all sections are marked as complete, the Sign and Submit link will be enabled, and signatures from Lead and Superintendent/Designee will be compiled, to be electronically signed through DocuSign.
For more pointers on the online system, see the section below on Using TUPE GEMS.
Rural Initiative Center Grant RFA Webinar: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Submission deadline for complete applications: Friday, May 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Questions regarding the Request for Applications should be directed to the TUPE RFA Helpdesk (available TBD). Please email TUPE@cde.ca.gov.
Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) funds support health education efforts aimed at the prevention and reduction of tobacco use by youth. TUPE in grades six through twelve is funded through a competitive application process. Funding will support existing youth education and outreach, as well as the development of new educational campaigns in tobacco prevention for California student communities. Funding will help to counter trends by developing up to two Rural Initiative Centers to increase student access to Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) services in underserved rural areas.
Program Questions: TUPE Office, email: tupe@cde.ca.gov, phone: 916-323-1540
Downloading Questions: Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Office, email: TUPE@cde.ca.gov, phone: 916-323-1540
Looking for information on how to prepare for your Rural Initiative Center Grant application? Review the TUPE office's program guidance here.
Webinar Recording from March 26, 2025
The TUPE office held a webinar on March 26,2025 for the purpose of providing program guidance for COEs interested in applying for the Rural Initiative Center Request for Applications (RFA), a brief overview of TUPE GEMS functionality for completing and submitting an application, and answer questions about the RFA that were submitted to the TUPE Office through March 25, 2025.
New to TUPE GEMS or wondering how to access and create an online application?
View our tutorial clips on how to register and navigate the Rural Initiative Center Grant on TUPE GEMS application.
Have a question? See if your question has already been addressed by the TUPE program office in the Questions and Answers for the Rural Initiative Center Grant.
Have a question not answered in Q&As? Email the TUPE RFA Helpdesk at TUPE@cde.ca.gov.
Looking for information on how to prepare the Rural Initiative Center Grant? Review the TUPE fiscal office's guidance here.
View the scoring rubric for the Rural Initiative Center Grant Application.
Templates for each section may be downloaded from within your TUPE GEMS application. In addition to the below sections, signatures from the Lead and Superintendent/Designee will be required prior to submission.
Section 1: Applicant Summary - Required
Sections 2 - 6 : Application Narrative - Required*
Section 7: Assurances - Required*
Section 8: Project Budget - Required**
*Note: This grant application, with the exception of Section 1: Applicant Summary, is solely a file based application. Please ensure to read all instructions and review templates. When you are ready to upload files, please ensure that files are being uploaded in their respective upload areas.
**Budget Excel Templates are provided for this grant. Please review the Budget Guidance document for instructions on this section.
New to the online system or need to talk to someone for tech support? We're happy to help!
Email us at tupegems@health.ucsd.edu (screenshots of any problems are helpful!)
Call and leave us a message: 858-300-1045
Monday - Friday, 9:00AM - 3:00PM (closed holidays)
Lead User Responsibilities
Once the application Sections are complete, the Lead user has 3 special responsibilities:
Locking sections: Mark every Section as "Locked" (including any optional sections you choose to skip) as complete. You will find these at the bottom of each Section's screen. (The system will run a check to validate your entries and notify you if any errors or missing items must be addressed before locking the section).
Complete signatures: Click on the Signatures link to enter the name and email address of Lead Applicant and Superintendent/Designee, to request signatures. Signees will receive an email from DocuSign to review and electronically sign the applications signature packet. Once you have obtained the required signatures, the application will be automatically submitted.
Auto-Submission of Application: Once the signature packet is complete, your application will be automatically submitted at the top of the hour. You will receive an email confirmation upon your submission. Submissions are automatically disabled after the Application Deadline (listed above).
I would like to invite another user to collaborate on my application. How do I do that?
Once you are logged in as a Lead user, click on User Management on the sidebar. On the application you wish to share, click "Invite Member." Enter the email address (double check for any typos and delete extra spaces), check "Invite as co-applicant", and click "Invite." The invitee will receive an email notification directing them to register for an account. Upon logging in, they will see your invite as a banner. Once they click "Accept," they are added to your application and can view/edit your sections.
What is the difference between a Lead user and a Co-Applicant in TUPE GEMS?
Good question. The system automatically designates whoever submitted the ITS (Intent to Submit) form as the application's Lead. This user has special privileges to verify sections, invite collaborators, access Signatures, and ultimately, submit the application. Co-Applicants are restricted to viewing and editing each section, and they will not see functions such as the verification box or signatures. It is up to the Lead to review and "lock" each section, obtain signatures, and ultimately submit.
I already locked my section, but found I need to make more edits. Help?
If you are the Lead for your application, you can simply address the alerts (found at the bottom of each section's screen) to identify where to make your edits. Make sure to click on "Validate" or "Lock Section" when complete. Please note that changes to any section of the application are not allowed, once the status of your application is "In Signature." If you are a Co-Applicant needing to update a locked section, check with your Lead to see if they can unlock the section for you..
I would like to download a copy of my entire application. How do I do that?
You can download a copy of the entire application after all sections have been verified, or after the application has been submitted (recommended). On your application's overview page, click the button in the lower right to download a ZIP file of your entire application. Most sections will be printed to a PDF labeled "Sections" while the other miscellaneous items (e.g., Excel) will be included as separate files in the ZIP folder.
Will I be able to sign or submit immediately after the application deadline?
No, unfortunately the system is programmed to disable signatures and submission immediately at each deadline. Please plan ahead and contact the TUPE office if you have any questions.
I think I have a question on TUPE GEMS that is not listed here, and I would like some individual assistance.
Please send us an email or give us a call. Someone from our team will be happy to help you in any way we can!
How do I convert files from Word format into PDF? Do I also need to convert my Excel files?
The CDE requires that edited Word templates be converted into PDFs before uploading into GEMS. Excel files do not need to be converted, so no worries on those files. To convert your completed document into PDF from the Microsoft Word application, follow these steps:
Windows users : Click File > Print. Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" as your printer. Click Print. You will be shown a dialog asking where you wish the PDF to be saved. Choose the folder you wish and click Save.
Mac users: Click File > Print. In the Print dialog that appears, there is a drop-down in the lower left labeled "PDF". Click the drop-down menu and select "Save as PDF." Choose the folder you wish and click Save.
That's it! You can open your PDF to make sure everything looks right. If you have any trouble, just reach out to our helpdesk.