[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 46631-46632] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22450] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Availability of Funds for Technical and Administrative Support for the National Service Scholarship Program AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service. ACTION: Notice of availability of funds. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Corporation for National Service (the Corporation) announces the availability of up to $250,000 to provide technical and administrative support for a new National Service Scholarship Program to recognize high school juniors and seniors engaged in outstanding community service. Students selected for recognition will receive locally-funded scholarships, matched or supplemented with federal funds provided by the Corporation. Of the National Service Scholars, a small number selected at the State level will receive special recognition and larger scholarships, and an even smaller number selected at the national level will receive special recognition and still larger scholarships. The Corporation's goal in this effort is to highlight the outstanding community service performed by high school students across the country, to recognize the particularly noteworthy service accomplishments of outstanding young individuals, and to assist those individuals in pursuing higher education. As part of this effort, the Corporation is interested in selecting an organization to provide administrative and technical support related to this program. The successful applicant will assist in the design of the program, conduct outreach and promote the program, solicit input from interested nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise, work with local nonprofits and other organizations to carry out the program, and provide the administrative and technical support necessary to accomplish the objectives described above. DATES: The deadline for submission of applications is October 15, 1996. Applications must be received by the Corporation no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on that date. ADDRESSES: Applications must be addressed to: Corporation for National Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW, Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20525. Attention: Simon G. Woodard. Applications may not be submitted by facsimile. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact Simon G. Woodard at (202) 606-5000, ext. 114. This notice may be requested in an alternative format for the visually impaired by calling (202) 606- 5000, ext. 260. The Corporation's T.D.D. number is (202) 565-2799. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Corporation is a federal government corporation that encourages Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in community-based service. This service addresses the nation's educational, public safety, environmental and other human needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service. Pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12501, et seq. (the Act), the Corporation may ``support innovative and model programs.'' Under this authority, the Corporation intends to conduct a National Service Scholarship Program that will recognize high school juniors/seniors for outstanding service in their communities and provide modest scholarship support in recognition of such service. Through this notice, the Corporation invites proposals from interested applicants to design and implement the program. An outline of the program, and the expectations of performance are provided below. Purpose and Potential Design of the National Service Scholarship Program The purpose of this program is to highlight the outstanding community service performed by high school students across the country, to recognize the particularly noteworthy service accomplishments of outstanding young individuals, and to assist those individuals in pursuing higher education. The Corporation anticipates that the final design of this program will come from a collaboration involving the organization selected under this notice, an independent panel of experts in the field, and State and local stakeholders. The Corporation expects that the national service scholarship program will be implemented by local schools and communities across the country according to guidelines and procedures they will establish, consistent with the following general guidelines: (1) The volunteer activities of the high school junior/senior should demonstrate effort over a sustained period of no less than one year, and should have a significant impact in meeting the needs of the local community. (2) The awarding of the scholarship should be made by a local organization in recognition of the individual's community service and in accordance with procedures that are equitable and provide the opportunity for consideration of all eligible candidates. (3) It may be connected with service learning programs of the school district. (4) The selection process should be strictly non-partisan and non- political. [[Page 46632]] (5) The scholarship recipient should be acknowledged by the community and school in an appropriate fashion, such as high school graduation. (6) The scholarship should be provided by private funding sources, and should be a minimum of $500. The following is one potential design of the program to assist organizations in understanding the scope and magnitude of the effort required in this project. In this scenario, individuals might be selected by local high schools or community organizations as National Service Scholars. They, in turn, might complete a brief application and submit them to either the State Education Agency, which now administers service learning programs, or to the State Commission on National and Community Service, as determined by the governor of the State. That organization, based on merit criteria and consistent with the local guidelines, could select a number of individuals who would have their scholarship matched by the Corporation; and award a number of larger scholarships to particularly noteworthy individuals. The application might also include reference to the connection between service and school studies. Each State agency would forward the applications of the statewide scholarship recipients to a panel of nationally renowned individuals who will select several larger scholarship recipients across the nation. The scholarships provided by private organizations should be for the purpose of paying the cost of a student's higher education and will be granted under the terms and conditions set by those organizations. The matching amount provided by the Corporation, as well as the larger scholarships, would be paid directly to an institution of higher education. Eligible Applicants To be eligible, applicants must be a non-profit organization or educational institution. Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4), which engages in lobbying activities is not eligible. Required Activities of the Successful Applicant The organization selected will (1) Complete a final program design and implementation plan for approval by the Corporation; (2) publicize the program to local school districts, State agencies, and other affected parties; (3) provide assistance to local nonprofits and seek input from national nonprofit organization with relevant expertise and knowledge; (4) respond to inquiries from all parties in timely fashion; (5) organize the selection process for nationally-selected scholarships; and (6) provide administrative and technical support to the Corporation at all phases of the program. Corporation Involvement Substantial involvement is expected between the Corporation and the successful applicant when carrying out the program. The Corporation anticipates providing sufficient staff to support this effort and to oversee the provision of Corporation funds. The applicant must keep relevant Corporation staff informed of its activities; work with Corporation staff during development, delivery and assessment of services provided; and attend meetings/conferences at the Corporation's request. Project Duration The Corporation anticipates entering into a cooperative agreement covering a project period of approximately November, 1996 through approximately October, 1997, with the possibility of renewal based on performance, need, and the availability of funds at the discretion of the Corporation. Overview of Application Requirements The application should include a narrative section describing the organization's background and capacity to provide the technical and administrative support for this program, an implementation timeline, a staffing plan, and a certification that it will comply with all conditions attendant to the receipt of federal funding. The application may be no longer than 20 single-sided pages double-spaced in 12-point font. Initially all applications will be reviewed to confirm that the applicant is an eligible recipient and to ensure that the application contains the information required. The Corporation will assess applications based on the criteria listed below (in descending order of importance): (1) Quality (2) Organizational Capacity (3) Proposed Costs. The Corporation reserves the right to request additional written information from applicants subsequent to the submission of initial applications. Dated: August 28, 1996. Shirley Sagawa, Managing Director for Planning, Corporation for National Service. [FR Doc. 96-22450 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050-28-P