[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 178 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47830-47833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22875]




[[Page 47829]]

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Part IV





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National Institutes' 
Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 178 / Thursday, September 14, 1995 / 
Notices   

[[Page 47830]]


DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National 
Institutes' Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
1996.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary invites applications for new awards for fiscal 
year 1996 and announces closing dates for the transmittal of 
applications under the Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program supported 
by five new National Institutes: Student Achievement, Curriculum, and 
Assessment; Education of At-Risk Students; Educational Governance, 
Finance, Policymaking, and Management; Early Childhood Development and 
Education; and Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong 
Learning. The Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program will support 
educational research projects related to the missions of the 
Institutes.

DATES: The closing dates for transmitting applications under this 
notice are listed in Section I of this notice.

ADDRESSES: For Applications or Further Information: The address and 
telephone number for obtaining applications for, or further information 
about, individual Institutes are in Section II of this notice.
    For Users of TDD or FIRS: Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
time, Monday through Friday.
    For Electronic Access to Information: Information about the 
Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application 
notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the 
Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-
9950; or on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under 
Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases). However, the official 
application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice 
published in the Federal Register.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Educational Research, Development, 
Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (``Act'') (20 U.S.C. 6002 et 
seq.) established five National research institutes within the 
Department. Each of the Institutes will support a Field-Initiated 
Studies (FIS) Grant program to fund field-initiated research projects 
on topics related to the mission of the relevant Institute. The 
application announcement for each FIS Grant program, in Section II of 
this notice, contains a summary of the mission of each of the five 
Institutes. Section 931 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 6031) contains a complete 
description of the mission of each Institute.
    The Secretary has established invitational priorities for each of 
the FIS Grant program competitions. The invitational priorities provide 
examples of research projects that the Secretary believes would enhance 
the work of each Institute. The invitational priorities are examples 
only and applicants may propose education research projects on any 
topic within the mission of the relevant Institute.
    The Field-Initiated Studies Grant program provides assistance to 
institutions of higher education, public and private organizations, 
institutions, agencies, and individuals for educational research and 
demonstration to improve American education. The Act defines 
``educational research'' to include basic and applied research, inquiry 
with the purpose of applying tested knowledge gained to specific 
educational settings and problems, development, planning, surveys, 
assessments, evaluations, investigations, experiments, and 
demonstrations in the field of education and other fields relating to 
education (20 U.S.C. 6011(l)(6)). The Act also defines the term 
``field-initiated research'' to mean education research in which topics 
and methods of study are generated by investigators, including teachers 
and other practitioners (20 U.S.C. 6011(l)(7)).

Program Information Shared by All National Institutes

    Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, public and private organizations, institutions, agencies, 
and individuals, or a consortium thereof.
    Length of Application: The application narrative may not exceed 25 
double-spaced, 8\1/2\ x 11'' pages (on one side only). The applicant 
must use a non-proportional 12-point or larger font (i.e., no more than 
10 characters to the inch). The entire application package, including 
all forms, appendices, and attachments may not exceed 45 pages. All 
pages must have at least 1-inch margins on all sides. Pursuant to this 
Department's authority to establish instructions governing the form of 
application, applications which do not follow these specifications will 
not be considered for funding.
    Project Periods: Research projects may extend from one to three 
years.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 85 and 86 (part 86 applies to IHEs only); and (b) The 
regulations in 34 CFR part 700 (Standards for the Conduct and 
Evaluation of Activities Carried Out by OERI), as published elsewhere 
in this issue of the Federal Register.
    Applicable Evaluation Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 700.30, 
the Secretary applies the following evaluation criteria to the Field-
Initiated Studies Grant program competitions.
    (1) National Significance (30 points). (i) The Secretary considers 
the national significance of the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the national significance of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
    (A) The importance of the problem or issue to be addressed.
    (B) The potential contribution of the project to increased 
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or 
effective strategies.
    (C) The potential contribution of the project to the development 
and advancement of theory and knowledge in the field of study.
    (2) Quality of the Project Design (30 points). (i) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
    (A) Whether the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by 
the project are clearly specified and measurable.
    (B) Whether a specific research design has been proposed, and the 
quality and appropriateness of that design, including the scientific 
rigor of the studies involved.
    (3) Quality and potential contributions of personnel (15 points). 
(i) The Secretary considers the quality and potential contributions of 
personnel for the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the quality and potential contributions of 
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the 
following factors--
    (A) The qualifications, including training and experience, of the 
project director or principal investigator.
    (B) The qualifications, including training and experience, of key 
project personnel.
    (4) Adequacy of Resources (15 points). (i) The Secretary considers 
the adequacy of resources for the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--

[[Page 47831]]

    (A) Whether the budget is adequate to support the project; and
    (B) Whether the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, 
design, and potential significance of the project.
    (5) Quality of the Management Plan (10 points). (i) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan of the proposed project.
    (ii) In determining the quality of the management plan of a 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
    (A) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the project, including the specification of staff responsibility, 
timelines, and benchmarks for accomplishing project tasks.
    (B) Whether time commitments of the project director or principal 
investigator and other key personnel are appropriate and adequate to 
meet project objectives.
    (C) How the applicant will ensure that persons who are otherwise 
eligible to participate in the project are selected without regard to 
race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.

Organization of Notice

    This notice contains two sections. Section I includes a chart 
listing the common closing date, and other pertinent information about 
each competition covered by this notice. Section II consists of the 
individual application announcement for each competition under the 
Field-Initiated Studies Grant program.

                                                   Section I.--Institutes and FIS Grant Closing Dates                                                   
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                                                                                                                                   Estimated            
                                                                  Application                  Estimated                            average    Estimated
         Title of program and CFDA number           Applications    deadline    Tentative      available     Estimated range of     size of    number of
                                                      available       date      award date       funds             awards            annual      awards 
                                                                                                                                     awards             
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National Institute on Student Achievement,                                                                                                              
 Curriculum, and Assessment FIS Grant Program                                                                                                           
 (84.305F)........................................      10/13/95     01/05/96     06/28/96      $2,580,000      $100,000-300,000     $250,000         10
National Institute on the Education of At-Risk                                                                                                          
 Students FIS Grant Program (84.306F).............      10/13/95     01/05/96     06/28/96       2,580,000       100,000-300,000      250,000         10
National Institute on Early Childhood Development                                                                                                       
 and Education FIS Grant Program (84.307F)........      10/13/95     01/05/96     06/28/96       1,290,000       100,000-250,000      200,000          6
National Institute on Educational Governance,                                                                                                           
 Finance, Policymaking, and Management FIS Grant                                                                                                        
 Program (84.308F)................................      10/13/95     01/05/96     06/28/96         860,000        50,000-300,000      150,000          6
National Institute on Postsecondary Education,                                                                                                          
 Libraries, and Lifelong Learning FIS Grant                                                                                                             
 Program (84.309F)................................      10/13/95     01/05/96     06/28/96       1,290,000       100,000-400,000      250,000          5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section II--Application Notices

CFDA No. 84.305F--The National Institute on Student Achievement, 
Curriculum, and Assessment, Field-Initiated Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on 
Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment is to provide 
leadership to improve student achievement in core content areas. The 
institute is to support research and development to identify and 
develop innovative and exemplary methods to improve student knowledge 
at all levels in the core content areas.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly 
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following 
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications:
    Invitational Priority 1. Methods and activities to reduce and 
prevent violence in schools.
    Invitational Priority 2. Effective use of technology to improve 
learning, teaching, and testing.
    Invitational Priority 3. Methods of delivering teacher education 
and inservice professional training that lead to improved student 
achievement.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Clara Lawson-Holmes, 
National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment, 
U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 510, 
Washington, DC 20208-5573. Telephone (202) 219-2079, or 
[email protected].

CFDA No. 84.306F--The National Institute on the Education of At-Risk 
Students, Field-Initiated Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute for the 
Education of At-Risk Students is to expand research-based knowledge and 
strategies that will promote excellence and equity in the education of 
children and youth placed at risk of educational failure because of 
limited-English proficiency, poverty, race or ethnicity, or geographic 
location. The Institute will carry out a program of research and 
development to identify and assist others to replicate and adapt 
programs and models which promote greater achievement and educational 
success by at-risk students, including innovative methods of 
instruction, student assessments, professional development, and 
curricula.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly 
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following 
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications: 

[[Page 47832]]

    Invitational Priority 1. Increasing academic achievement and 
reducing the dropout rates of American Indian and Alaska Native 
students.
    Invitational Priority 2. Improving the success of students at-risk 
through coordinated school, community, and family programs, including 
programs designed to increase learning time.
    Invitational Priority 3. Improving student outcomes in schools 
where a majority of students live in poverty.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Beth Fine, National 
Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students, U.S. Department of 
Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 610, Washington, DC 20208-
5521. Telephone (202) 219-2239, or [email protected].

CFDA 84.307F--The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and 
Education, Field Initiated Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on Early 
Childhood Development and Education is to identify, develop, evaluate 
and assist others to replicate methods and approaches that improve 
early childhood development and education. The Institute is to carry 
out a program of research and development in areas such as the social 
and educational development of young children; factors relating to 
readiness, including prenatal care, health services, and nutrition; 
family literacy; the role of parental involvement in their children's 
learning; effective learning methods and curriculum for young children; 
methods for integrating learning in settings other than the classroom; 
the impact of outside influences, such as television, violence, and 
drug abuse; and instruction that considers the cultural environment of 
children.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly 
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following 
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications:
    Invitational Priority 1. The development of pre-reading, reading, 
and family literacy skills.
    Invitational Priority 2. Improving long-term outcomes for teenage 
parents and young children.
    Invitational Priority 3. Developing programs that use technology to 
involve low-income families in the teaching of basic skills to young 
children.
    Invitational Priority 4. Developing methods that enable early 
childhood caregivers to identify behavior problems early in young 
children and effectively use interdisciplinary intervention strategies 
that will replace those problem behaviors with positive behaviors.
    Invitational Priority 5. Determining the effectiveness of programs 
or curricula that address the development of motor, language, speech 
and other skills needed for young children to be successful in a 
variety of settings.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Joe Caliguro, National 
Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education, U.S. Department 
of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5520 
Telephone (202) 219-1935.
CFDA 84.308F--The National Institute on Educational Governance, 
Finance, Policy-Making, and Management, Field Initiated Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on 
Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Management is to 
improve student achievement through restructuring and reform of the 
education system. The Institute is to carry out a program of research 
and development to provide a sound basis from which to identify, 
develop, and evaluate approaches in elementary and secondary education 
governance, finance, policy-making, and management at the State, local, 
tribal, school building, and classroom level which promise to improve 
educational equity and excellence.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly 
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following 
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications:
    Invitational Priority 1. The development and coordination, 
integration, and coherence of governance, finance, policymaking and 
management strategies that promote and sustain education innovations 
and raise levels of learning for all students.
    Invitational Priority 2. The costs and effects of particularly 
promising approaches for improving the learning of different groups of 
students in different settings.
    Invitational Priority 3. The impact on student learning of open 
enrollment programs, public school choice, magnet schools and other 
systems through which parents may select the public schools and 
educational programs in which their children enroll.
    Invitational Priority 4. The impact on student learning of 
improving the context in which learning occurs through professional 
development; participatory governance structures; caring, concerned, 
and disciplined learning environments; and other innovative or improved 
ways to enhance learning.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Elizabeth DeBra or Edward 
Fuentes, National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-
Making, and Management, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5510. Telephone (202) 219-2021 or-
2032.

CFDA 84.309F--The National Institute on Postsecondary Education, 
Libraries and Lifelong Learning, Field Initiated Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the National Institute on 
Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning is to improve 
postsecondary education and adult learning so that adults will be 
better prepared to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights 
and responsibilities of citizenship. The institute will carry out a 
program of research and development that will include subjects such as 
the development of human capital through postsecondary and adult 
education; the role of special mission educational institutions such as 
women's colleges and historically black colleges and universities; new 
models of service delivery through library systems; effective methods 
of adult literacy education; and the uses and application of new 
technology to improve teaching and lifelong learning.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) the Secretary is particularly 
interested in applications that meet one or more of the following 
invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more 
of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications:
    Invitational Priority 1. To examine how public library systems and 
other community-based educational institutions can take full advantage 
of the potential of new information technologies to expand 
opportunities for adult lifelong learners.
    Invitational Priority 2. To examine innovative and experimental 
approaches used by community-based education providers with respect to: 
instruction, the provision of information on self-directed learning, 
assessment of learner needs, and collaborative activities with other 
community-based education providers. Community-based education 
providers include libraries, museums, and local continuing education 
programs. 

[[Page 47833]]

    Invitational Priority 3. To examine the capacities of special 
mission institutions to provide access and excellence in higher 
education. Special mission institutions include Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, Tribally-Controlled Indian Community 
Colleges, women's colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions and 
institutions serving students with disabilities.
    Invitational Priority 4. To examine the effectiveness of various 
model approaches to the provision of family literacy programs.
    Invitational Priority 5. To increase our understanding of workplace 
education and training approaches to improve workforce productivity and 
meet the challenges of the international economy.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Delores Monroe, National 
Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning, 
U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 620, 
Washington, DC 20208-5531. Telephone (202) 219-2229, or 
[email protected].

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6031 (c)(2)(B).

    Dated: September 11, 1995.
Sharon P. Robinson,
Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 95-22875 Filed 9-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P