[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43128-43135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21155]



[[Page 43127]]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part III





Department of Education





_______________________________________________________________________



Office of Postsecondary Education; Direct Grant Program and Fellowship 
Programs; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 20, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 43128]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Postsecondary Education: Direct Grant Programs and 
Fellowship Programs

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
1997.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education invites 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 1997 under a number of 
the Department's direct grant and fellowship programs and announces 
deadline dates for the transmittal of applications under these 
programs. This combined notice also lists other FY 1997 programs and 
competitions of the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) previously 
announced in the Federal Register, as well as FY 1997 programs and 
competitions to be announced at a later date.

DATES: For each program and competition announced in this notice, the 
chart includes the following dates: The date on which applications will 
be available, the deadline for submission of applications, and--for 
programs subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372 (Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs)--the deadline date for transmittal of State 
Process Recommendations by State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) and 
comments by other interested parties.

ADDRESSES: For Applications or Further Information: The address and 
telephone number for obtaining applications for, or further information 
about, an individual program are in the application notice for that 
program.
    For Users of TDD or FIRS: Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number, if any, listed in 
the individual application notices. If a TDD number is not listed for a 
given program, individuals who use a 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 Intergovernmental Review: The address for transmitting 
recommendations and comments under Executive Order 12372 is in the 
appendix to this notice. The appendix also contains the addresses of 
individual SPOCs.
    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; on the Internet Gopher Server (at gopher://gcs.ed.gov/); or on 
the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, the official 
application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice 
published in the Federal Register.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This combined application notice contains 
those application announcements that the Assistant Secretary for 
Postsecondary Education is able to publish at this time and references 
an announcement previously published.
    Later the Assistant Secretary intends to announce additional 
programs and competitions of the Office of Postsecondary Education 
under which the Department plans to make new awards for FY 1997. These 
include the following:
     CFDA No. 84.015. Higher Education Programs in Modern 
Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--National Resource Centers 
Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or Foreign Language and 
International Studies and Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships 
Program.
     CFDA No. 84.031H. Designation as an Eligible Institution 
for the Strengthening Institutions and Endowment Challenge Grant 
Programs.
     CFDA No. 84.200. Graduate Assistance in Areas of National 
Need Program.

Program Previously Announced

     CFDA No. 84.042. Student Support Services Program. 
Published in the Federal Register on August 14, 1996 (61 FR 42368).

Available Funds

    The Congress has not yet enacted a fiscal year 1997 appropriation 
for the Department of Education. The Assistant Secretary for 
Postsecondary Education is publishing this notice in order to give 
potential applicants adequate time to prepare applications. The 
estimates of the amounts of funds that will be available for these 
programs are based in part on the President's 1997 budget request and 
in part on the level of funding available for fiscal year 1996.
    Potential applicants should note, however, that the Congress is 
considering proposals to eliminate or reduce funding in 1997 for some 
of the discretionary grant programs administered by the Department. 
Final action on the 1997 appropriation may require the Department to 
cancel some of the competitions announced in this notice, as well as 
some of those the notice indicates will be announced at a later date.
    The Department of Education is not bound by any of the estimates in 
this notice.

Programs To Be Announced at a Future Date

    For FY 1997 some direct grant or fellowship programs of OPE will be 
governed by new regulations. Application notices for these programs 
will be published when final regulations are completed. For further 
information regarding some of these programs, readers are referred to 
the following notices of proposed rulemaking that have been published 
in the Federal Register:

Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area 
Studies--National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and 
International Studies--Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 61 FR 13996 (3/
28/96)
Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area 
Studies--Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program--Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking, 61 FR 14006 (3/28/96)

National Education Goals

    In developing this combined application notice the Assistant 
Secretary for Postsecondary Education has sought to ensure that 
programs awarding grants during FY 1997 will further achievement of the 
National Education Goals, as found in Pub.L. 103-227 (the Goals 2000: 
Educate America Act, enacted March 31, 1994). The Secretary encourages 
applicants under these programs to consider the National Education 
Goals in developing their applications.
    The National Education Goals for the year 2000 are as follows:
     All children in America will start school ready to learn.
     The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 
90 percent.
     All students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having 
demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter, including 
English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and 
government, economics, arts, history, and geography; and every school 
in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, 
so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, 
and productive employment in our Nation's modern economy.
     United States students will be first in the world in 
mathematics and science achievement.
     Every adult American will be literate and will possess the 
knowledge

[[Page 43129]]

and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the 
rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
     Every school in the United States will be free of drugs, 
violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol and 
will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning.
     The Nation's teaching force will have access to programs 
for the continued improvement of their professional skills and the 
opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to instruct and 
prepare all American students for the next century.
     Every school will promote partnerships that will increase 
parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, 
emotional, and academic growth of children.

Applicability of Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988

    A number of programs listed in this announcement provide that a 
grant, fellowship, traineeship, or other monetary benefit may be 
awarded to an individual. This award may be made to the individual 
either directly by the Department or by a grantee that receives Federal 
funds for the purpose of providing, for example, fellowships, 
traineeships, or other awards to individuals.
    Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690; 
21 U.S.C. 862) provides that a sentencing court may deny eligibility 
for certain Federal benefits to an individual convicted of drug 
trafficking or possession. Thus, an individual who applies for a grant, 
fellowship, or other monetary benefit under a program covered by this 
notice should understand that, if convicted of drug trafficking or 
possession, he or she is subject to denial of eligibility for that 
benefit if the sentencing court imposes such a sanction. This denial 
applies whether the Federal benefit is provided to the individual 
directly by the Department or is provided through a grant, fellowship, 
traineeship, or other award made available with Federal funds by a 
grantee.
    Any persons determined to be ineligible for Federal benefits under 
the provisions of section 5301 are listed in the General Services 
Administration's ``Lists of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement 
or Nonprocurement Programs.''

Applicability of the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act of 1990

    The programs listed in the chart make discretionary awards subject 
to the eligibility requirements of the Federal Debt Collection 
Procedures Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-647; 28 U.S.C. 3201). The Act 
provides that if there is a judgment lien against a debtor's property 
for a debt to the United States, the debtor is not eligible to receive 
a Federal grant or loan, except direct payments to which the debtor is 
entitled as beneficiary, until the judgment is paid in full or 
otherwise satisfied.

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    Certain programs in this notice are subject to the requirements of 
EO 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. These programs are 
identified in the chart by a date in the column headed ``Deadline for 
intergovernmental review.'' For further information, an applicant under 
a program subject to the Executive order--and other parties interested 
in that program--are directed to the appendix to this notice.

                                                       Chart 5.--Office of Postsecondary Education                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Deadline for                          Estimated                                       
      CFDA No. and name        Applications     Application    intergovernmental   Estimated range   average size of      Estimated number of awards    
                                 available     deadline date         review           of awards          awards                                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.016A  Undergraduate              8/30/96  11/4/96.........          1/3/97     $40,000-90,000..  $68,000.........  26.                               
 International Studies and                                                                                                                              
 Foreign Language Program.                                                                                                                              
84.017A  International              8/30/96  11/4/96.........             N/A     30,000-110,000..  94,031..........  19.                               
 Research and Studies Program.                                                                                                                          
84.019A  Fulbright-Hays             9/16/96  11/8/96.........             N/A     23,000-65,000...  36,309 (per       23 (indiv. fellowships).          
 Faculty Research Abroad                                                                             fellow).                                           
 Program.                                                                                                                                               
84.021A  Fulbright-Hays Group       8/26/96  10/21/96........             N/A     35,000-65,000...  58,000..........  27.                               
 Projects Abroad Program.                                                                                                                               
84.022A  Fulbright-Hays             9/16/96  11/8/96.........             N/A     14,000-72,000...  28,573 (per       63 (indiv. fellowships).          
 Doctoral Dissertation                                                                               fellow).                                           
 Research Abroad Program.                                                                                                                               
84.031G  Endowment Challenge        4/15/97  6/16/97.........             N/A     50,000-500,000..  350,000.........  6.                                
 Grant Program.                                                                                                                                         
84.120A  Minority Science           9/13/96  11/22/96........         1/31/97     Institutional     120,000.........  15.                               
 Improvement Program--                                                             Projects:                                                            
 Institutional, Design,                                                            100,000-300,000.                                                     
 Special, and Cooperative                                                                                                                               
 Projects.                                                                                                                                              
                                               ..............              xl     Design Projects:  18,000..........  2.                                
                                                                                   16,000-20,000.                                                       

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                                               ..............              xl     Special           25,000..........  10.                               
                                                                                   Projects:                                                            
                                                                                   20,000-150,000.                                                      
                                               ..............              xl     Cooperative       293,000.........  2.                                
                                                                                   Projects:                                                            
                                                                                   200,000-500,000.                                                     
84.153A  Business and               8/30/96  11/8/96.........          1/7/97     50,000-90,000...  77,000..........  18.                               
 International Education                                                                                                                                
 Program.                                                                                                                                               
84.274A  American Overseas          8/30/96  11/1/96.........          1/2/97     35,000-75,000...  50,000..........  10.                               
 Research Centers Program.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)                                               
                                                                                                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.116A and B  Comprehensive        8/20/96  10/18/96                 5/15/97     15,000-150,000..  75,000..........  73.                               
 Program.                                     (Preapplication                                                                                           
                                              s).                                                                                                       
                                             3/15/97 (Final                                                                                             
                                              applications)                                                                                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



84.016A  Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language 
Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide grants to strengthen and improve 
undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign 
languages in the United States.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; combinations 
of institutions of higher education; and public and nonprofit private 
agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly 
associations.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 
655 and 658.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

    Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), 34 CFR 658.35, and section 
604(a)(4) of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended 
by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, the Secretary gives 
preference to applications that meet the following competitive 
priority. The Secretary awards five points to an application that meets 
this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points 
are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection 
criteria for the program:
    Applications from institutions of higher education or combinations 
of institutions that--
    (a) Require entering students to have successfully completed at 
least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction;
    (b) Require each graduating student to earn two years of 
postsecondary credit in a foreign language or have demonstrated 
equivalent competence in the foreign language;
    (c) In the case of a two-year degree granting institution, offer 
two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language.
    Supplementary Information: An institutional grantee shall pay a 
minimum of 50 percent of the cost of the project for each fiscal year.
    Project Period: 24 to 36 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Christine Corey, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9783.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124.

84.017A  International Research and Studies Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide grants to conduct research and 
studies to improve and strengthen instruction in modern foreign 
languages, area studies, and other international fields to provide full 
understanding of the places in which the foreign languages are commonly 
used.
    Eligible Applicants: Public and private agencies, organizations, 
and institutions; and individuals.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 
655 and 660.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), and 34 CFR 660.34(a)(1) 
and 660.10(f), the Secretary gives preference to applications that meet 
the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards five points to 
an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly 
effective way. These points are in addition to any points the 
application earns under the selection criteria for the program:
    Studies and surveys to assess the use of graduates of programs 
supported under title VI of the Higher Education Act, as amended, by 
governmental, educational, and private sector organizations; and other 
studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of programs supported 
under title VI.
    Project Period: 12 to 36 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Jose L. Martinez, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9784.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1125.

[[Page 43131]]

84.019A  Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Program

84.022A  Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad 
Program

    Purpose of Programs: (a) The Faculty Research Abroad Program offers 
opportunities to faculty members of higher education for research and 
study in modern foreign languages and area studies. (b) The Doctoral 
Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program provides opportunities 
for graduate students to engage in full-time dissertation research 
abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for these programs in 34 CFR parts 
662 and 663.
    Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), 34 CFR 663.32(c) (Higher 
Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area 
Studies--Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program), and 34 CFR 
662.32(c) (Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language 
Training and Area Studies--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad 
Fellowship Program) the Secretary gives an absolute preference to 
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds only 
applications that meet this absolute priority:
    Research projects that focus on one or more of the following: 
Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, the Near 
East, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and the Western 
Hemisphere (Central and South America, Canada, Mexico, and the 
Caribbean).

    Note: Applications that propose projects focused on Western 
Europe will not be funded.

    Project Period: Three to 12 months for Faculty Research Abroad; and 
6 to 12 months for Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad.
    For Applications or Information Contact:
    For Faculty Research Abroad Program: Eliza Washington, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9777.
    For Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program: Karla Ver Bryck 
Block, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9774.

    Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6).

84.021A  Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide grants to support overseas projects 
in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign 
languages and area studies by teachers, students, and faculty engaged 
in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, 
curriculum development, group research or study, or advanced intensive 
language projects.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; State 
departments of education; nonprofit private educational organizations; 
and consortia of these types of institutions, departments, and 
organizations.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 
664.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

Priorities

    Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and 34 CFR 664.32 the 
Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the 
following priority. The Secretary funds only applications that meet 
this absolute priority:
    Group projects that focus on one or more of the following: Africa, 
East Asia, the Western Hemisphere (Central and South America, Mexico, 
and the Caribbean), Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Central and Eastern 
Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, and South Asia.

    Note: Applications that propose projects focused on Western 
Europe or Canada will not be funded.

    Competitive Priority: Within the absolute priority specified in 
this notice, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) and 34 CFR 
664.32, gives preference to applications that meet the following 
competitive priority. The Secretary awards up to five points to an 
application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly 
effective way. These points are in addition to any points the 
application earns under the selection criteria for the program:
    Short-term seminars that develop and improve foreign language and 
area studies at elementary and secondary schools.
    Project Period: four to six weeks.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Lungching Chiao, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9772.

    Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6).

84.031G  Endowment Challenge Grant Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide matching grants to eligible 
institutions of higher education to establish or increase their 
endowment funds.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education that are 
designated as eligible. The Secretary publishes separately in the 
Federal Register a notice informing interested parties how to be 
designated as eligible to apply for Endowment Challenge Grant funds.

    Note: In the fiscal year 1997 budget request, the President has 
proposed to limit eligibility. If the President's proposal is 
enacted, only historically black colleges and universities that meet 
the eligibility requirements of this program would be eligible to 
apply for support.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 74.61(h) or 34 CFR 80.26 
and the appendix to 34 CFR part 80, as applicable; 74.80, 74.84 and 
74.85; 75.100 through 75.102 and 75.217; and in 34 CFR parts 82, 85, 
and 86; and (b) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 628.
    Project Period: 240 months (20 years).
    For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Louis Venuto, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5337. Telephone: (202) 708-8839. Applications will be sent to 
those institutions designated as eligible.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1065.

84.120A  Minority Science Improvement Program--Institutional, Design, 
Special, and Cooperative Projects

    Purpose of Program: To effect long-range improvement in science 
education at predominantly minority institutions and to increase the 
flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority 
women, into scientific careers.

Eligible Applicants

    (a) For institutional, design, and special projects described in 34 
CFR 637.14 (a), (b) and (c): Public and nonprofit private minority 
institutions.

    Note: A minority institution is defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b) as an 
accredited college or university whose enrollment of a single 
minority group or combination of minority groups, as defined in 34 
CFR 637.4(b), exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment.


[[Page 43132]]


    (b) For special projects described in 34 CFR 637.14 (b) and (c): 
Non-profit science-oriented organizations; professional scientific 
societies; and nonprofit accredited colleges and universities that 
render a needed service to a group of eligible minority institutions, 
as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), or that provide inservice training of 
project directors, scientists, and engineers from eligible minority 
institutions.
    (c) For cooperative projects: Groups of nonprofit accredited 
colleges and universities whose primary fiscal agent is an eligible 
minority institution, as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 
637.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Argelia Velez-
Rodriguez, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Courtyard Suite C-80, Portals Building, Washington, DC 20202-5329. 
Telephone: (202) 260-3261 or by internet to 
([email protected]). The Department encourages 
applicants to FAX requests for applications to: (202) 260-7615.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b-1135b-3, 1135d-1135d-6.

84.153A  Business and International Education Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide grants both to enhance international 
business education programs and expand the capacity of the business 
community to engage in international economic activities.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education that have 
entered into agreements with business enterprises, trade organizations, 
or associations engaged in international economic activity.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 
655 and 661.
    Supplementary Information: A grantee shall pay a minimum of 50 
percent of the cost of the project for each fiscal year.
    Project Period: 24 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Sarah T. Beaton, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9778.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1130-1130b.

84.274  American Overseas Research Centers Program

    Purpose of Program: To provide assistance to eligible consortia to 
establish or operate overseas research centers that promote 
postgraduate research, exchanges, and area studies.
    Eligible Applicants: Consortia of U.S. institutions of higher 
education.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 
85, and 86; and (b) Because there are no program-specific regulations 
for this program, applicants are directed to the authorizing statute 
for the American Overseas Research Centers, section 610 of part A, 
title VI, of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 
1130-1).
    Selection Criteria: In evaluating applications for grants under 
this program, the Secretary uses the EDGAR selection criteria in 34 CFR 
75.210. The selection criteria and the points assigned to each criteria 
are included in the application package.
    Project Period: 36 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Cheryl E. Gibbs, U.S. 
Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9782.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1127.

84.116A; 84.116B  Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education--
Comprehensive Program (Preapplications and Applications)

    Purpose of Program: To provide grants or enter into cooperative 
agreements to improve postsecondary education opportunities.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs); 
combinations of IHEs; and nonprofit private educational institutions 
and agencies.

    Note: All applicants must submit a preapplication to be eligible 
to submit a final application.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
82, 85, and 86, with the exceptions noted in 34 CFR 630.4a(2); and (b) 
The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Part 630.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

    Priorities
    Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), 34 CFR 630.12 and 34 
CFR 630.11(a), the Secretary gives an absolute preference to 
applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds 
under this competition only applications that meet this absolute 
priority:
    Projects that respond to immediate problems or issues and that seek 
to improve postsecondary educational opportunities.
    Invitational Priorities: Within the absolute priority specified in 
this notice, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) and 34 CFR 
630.12, 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--Projects to support new ways of ensuring 
equal access to postsecondary education, and to improve rates of 
retention and program completion, especially for low income and 
underrepresented minority students, whose retention and completion 
rates continue to lag disturbingly behind those of other groups.
    Invitational Priority 2--Projects to create programs that (1) 
prepare students for entering the workforce and (2) serve the 
continuing education and retraining needs of workers.
    Invitational Priority 3--Projects to improve the campus climate by 
creating an environment that is safe, welcoming, and conducive to 
learning for all students.
    Invitational Priority 4--Projects (1) to restructure institutions 
in ways that reassert the primacy of teaching and learning; and (2) to 
increase learning productivity; that is, to transform programs and 
teaching to promote more student learning relative to institutional 
resources expended.
    Invitational Priority 5--Projects to promote cooperation between 
colleges and universities and elementary and secondary schools in order 
to improve students' preparation for, access to, and success in 
college. In particular, the Secretary seeks innovative school-college 
partnerships to improve articulation and develop new ways to improve 
both pre-service and in-service teacher education at both the 
elementary and secondary level.
    Invitational Priority 6--Projects to support innovative reforms of 
undergraduate, graduate, and professional curricula that improve not

[[Page 43133]]

only what students learn, but how they learn.
    Invitational Priority 7--Projects to support the development of 
faculty as professionals by (1) assessing and rewarding effective 
teaching; (2) helping institutions and faculty find ways to increase 
their emphasis on teaching and other means of involvement with student 
learners; (3) promoting new and more effective teaching methods; and 
(4) improving the preparation--especially the teaching skills--of 
graduate students who will be future faculty members.
    Invitational Priority 8--Projects to disseminate to other 
institutions innovative postsecondary educational programs that have 
been locally developed and implemented.

Selection Criteria

    In evaluating applications for grants under this program 
competition, the Secretary uses the following selection criteria chosen 
from those listed in 34 CFR 630.32:
    (a) Significance for postsecondary education. The Secretary reviews 
each proposed project for its significance in improving postsecondary 
education by determining the extent to which it would--
    (1) Address an important problem or need;
    (2) Represent an improvement upon, or important departure from, 
existing practice;
    (3) Involve learner-centered improvements;
    (4) Achieve far-reaching impact through improvements that will be 
useful in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings; and
    (5) Increase the cost-effectiveness of services.
    (b) Feasibility. The Secretary reviews each proposed project for 
its feasibility by determining the extent to which--
    (1) The proposed project represents an appropriate response to the 
problem or need addressed;
    (2) The applicant is capable of carrying out the proposed project, 
as evidenced by, for example--
    (i) The applicant's understanding of the problem or need;
    (ii) The quality of the project design, including objectives, 
approaches, and evaluation plan;
    (iii) The adequacy of resources, including money, personnel, 
facilities, equipment, and supplies;
    (iv) The qualifications of key personnel who would conduct the 
project; and
    (v) The applicant's relevant prior experience;
    (3) The applicant and any other participating organizations are 
committed to the success of the proposed project, as evidenced by, for 
example--
    (i) Contribution of resources by the applicant and by participating 
organizations;
    (ii) Their prior work in the area; and
    (iii) The potential for continuation of the proposed project beyond 
the period of funding (unless the project would be self-terminating); 
and
    (4) The proposed project demonstrates potential for dissemination 
to or adaptation by other organizations, and shows evidence of interest 
by potential users.
    (c) Appropriateness of funding projects. The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine whether support of the proposed project by the 
Secretary is appropriate in terms of availability of other funding 
sources for the proposed activities.
    Under 630.32, the Secretary determines the methods to be used in 
applying the selection criteria.
    For preapplications (preliminary applications) the Secretary gives 
greater weight to the selection criteria under (a) Significance for 
Postsecondary Education. The Secretary gives equal weight to (b) 
Feasibility and (c) Appropriateness of funding projects.
    For final applications (applications) the Secretary gives equal 
weight to all three criteria and, within each of these criteria, equal 
weight to each of the subcriteria.
    In applying the criteria, the Secretary first analyzes a 
preapplication or application in terms of each individual criterion and 
subcriterion. The Secretary then bases the final judgment of an 
application on an overall assessment of the degree to which the 
applicant addresses all selection criteria.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    For Applications or Information Contact: Fund for the Improvement 
of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education, 600 
Independence Avenue, SW., room 3100, ROB-3, Washington, D.C. 20202-
5175. Telephone: (202) 708-5750.
    Through World Wide Web at: <http://www.ed.gov/prog__info/FIPSE>.
    Through Internet E-mail: [email protected] (Application materials will 
be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. Please indicate 
``Comprehensive Program'' and give us your postal mailing address. 
Informational inquiries by e-mail will be given to the appropriate 
staff member and will be answered by return e-mail.)

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135a-3.

    Dated: August 14, 1996.
David A. Longanecker,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.

Appendix--Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    This appendix applies to each program that is subject to the 
requirements of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    The objective of the Executive order is to foster an 
intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by 
relying on State and local processes for State and local government 
coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.
    Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of 
Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process 
under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform 
activities in more than one State should immediately contact the 
Single Point of Contact for each of those States and follow the 
procedure established in each of those States under the Executive 
order. A listing containing the Single Point of Contact for each 
State is included in this appendix.
    In States that have not established a process or chosen a 
program for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities 
may submit comments directly to the Department.
    Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by 
a State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, 
areawide, regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-
delivered by the date indicated in this notice to the following 
address: The Secretary, EO 12372--CFDA# [commenter must insert 
number--including suffix letter, if any], U.S. Department of 
Education, room 6213, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20202-0124.
    Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as 
applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be 
hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date 
indicated in this notice.
    Please note that the above address is not the same address as 
the one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do 
not send applications to the above address.

State Single Points of Contact

    Note: In accordance with Executive Order #12372, this listing 
represents the designated State Single Points of Contact. Because 
participation is voluntary some States no longer participate in the 
process. These include: Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, 
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

Alabama

Jon C. Strickland, Alabama Department of Economic and Community 
Affairs, Planning and Economic Development Division, 401 Adams 
Avenue,

[[Page 43134]]

Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690, Telephone: (205) 242-5483, FAX: 
(205) 242-5515

Arizona

Joanne Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue, 
Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 280-1315, 
FAX: (602) 280-8144

Arkansas

Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of 
Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 1515 W. 7th Street, room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 
72203, Telephone: (501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206

California

Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning and Research, 1400 Tenth 
Street, room 121, Sacramento, California 95814, Telephone: (916) 
323-7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018

Delaware

Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact, Executive Department, 
Thomas Collins Building, P.O. Box 1401, Dover, Delaware 19903, 
Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661

District of Columbia

Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants 
Management and Development, 717 14th Street, N.W., Suite 500, 
Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 727-6554, FAX: (202) 727-1617

Florida

Florida State Clearinghouse, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 
Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, Telephone: (904) 
922-5438, FAX: (904) 487-2899

Georgia

Tom L. Reid, III, Administrator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 254 
Washington Street, SW., room 401J, Atlanta, Georgia 30334, 
Telephone: (404) 656-3855 or 656-3829, FAX: (404) 656-7938

Illinois

Barbara Beard, State Single Point of Contact, Department of Commerce 
and Community Affairs, 620 East Adams, Springfield, Illinois 62701, 
Telephone: (217) 782-1671, FAX: (217) 534-1627

Indiana

Amy Brewer, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, Indianapolis, 
Indiana 46204, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: (317) 233-3323

Iowa

Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department 
of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 
50309, Telephone: (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4859

Kentucky

Ronald W. Cook, Office of the Governor, Department of Local 
Government, 1024 Capitol Center Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-
8204, Telephone: (502) 573-2382, FAX: (502) 573-2512

Maine

Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, State House Station #38, 
Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: (207) 287-6489

Maryland

William G. Carroll, Manager, State Clearinghouse for 
Intergovernmental Assistance, Maryland Office of Planning, 301 W. 
Preston Street--Room 1104, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2365, Staff 
Contact: Linda Janey, Telephone: (410) 225-4490, FAX: (410) 225-4480

Michigan

Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 1900 
Edison Plaza, 660 Plaza Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: 
(313) 961-4266, FAX: (313) 961-4869

Mississippi

Cathy Mallette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and 
Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202-
3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX (601): 359-6764

Missouri

Lois Pohl, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office of 
Administration, P.O. Box 809, room 760, Truman Building, Jefferson 
City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (314) 751-4834, FAX: (314) 751-7819

Nevada

Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse, Capitol Complex, 
Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-4065, FAX: (702) 
687-3983

New Hampshire

Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning, 
Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process/Mike Blake, 2\1/2\ Beacon 
Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, Telephone: (603) 271-2155, 
FAX: (603) 271-1728

New Mexico

Robert Peters, State Budget Division, room 190, Bataan Memorial 
Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-3640, 
FAX: (505) 827-3861

New York

New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget, State Capitol, 
Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605

North Carolina

Chrys Baggett, Director, N.C. State Clearinghouse, Office of the 
Secretary of Admin., 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 
27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX: (919) 733-9571

North Dakota

North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of Intergovernmental 
Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-
0170, Telephone: (701) 224-2094, FAX: (701) 224-2308

Ohio

Larry Weaver, State Single Point of Contact, State Clearinghouse, 
Office of Budget and Management, 30 East Broad Street, 34th Floor, 
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0411

    Please direct correspondence and questions about 
intergovernmental review to:

Linda Wise, Telephone: (614) 466-0698, FAX: (614) 466-5400

Rhode Island

Daniel W. Varin, Associate Director, Department of Administration, 
Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th Floor, Providence, Rhode 
Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 277-2656, FAX: (401) 277-2083

    Please direct correspondence and questions to:

Review Coordinator, Office of Strategic Planning

South Carolina

Omeagia Burgess, State Single Point of Contact, Grant Services, 
Office of the Governor, 1205 Pendleton Street, room 477, Columbia, 
South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803) 734-0385

Texas

Tom Adams, Governors Office, Director, Intergovernmental 
Coordination, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711, Telephone: (512) 
463-1771, FAX: (512) 463-1888

Utah

Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and 
Budget, room 116, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, 
Telephone: (801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547

Vermont

Nancy McAvoy, State Single Point of Contact, Pavilion Office 
Building, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609, Telephone: 
(802) 828-3326, FAX: (802) 828-3339

West Virginia

Fred Cutlip, Director, Community Development Division, West Virginia 
Development Office, Building #6, room 553, Charleston, West Virginia 
25305, Telephone: (304) 558-4010, FAX: (304) 558-3248

Wisconsin

Martha Kerner, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin 
Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street, 6th Floor, 
P.O. Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-2125, 
FAX: (608) 267-6931

Wyoming

Sheryl Jeffreis, State Single Point of Contact Office of the 
Governor, State Capitol, Room 124, Cheyenne, WY 82002, Telephone: 
(307) 777-5930, FAX: (307) 632-3909

Territories

Guam

Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and 
Management Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, 
Guam 96910, Telephone: 011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825

North Mariana Islands

Mr. Alvaro A. Santos, Executive Officer, Office of Management and 
Budget, Office

[[Page 43135]]

of the Governor, Saipan, MP 96950, Telephone: (670) 664-2256, FAX: 
(670) 664-2272

    Contact person:

Ms. Javoba T. Seman, Federal Programs Coordinator, Telephone: (670) 
664-2289, FAX: (670) 664-2272

Puerto Rico

Norma Burgos/Jose B. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning 
Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center, 
P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 
727-4444 or 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270 or 724-3103

Virgin Islands

Jose George, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 
Norregade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, 
Virgin Islands 00802

    Please direct all questions and correspondence about 
intergovernmental review to:

Linda Clarke, Telephone: (809) 774-0750, FAX (809): 776-0069

    Note: This list is based on the most current information 
provided by the States. Information on any changes or apparent 
errors should be provided to Sherron Duncan (Telephone (202) 395-
3914) at the Office of Management and Budget and to the State in 
question. Changes to the list will only be made upon formal 
notification by the State.

[FR Doc. 96-21155 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P