[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 37 (Thursday, February 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9273-9274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4277]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/HS FY 2000-02]


Fiscal Year 2000 Discretionary Announcement for University-Head 
Start Partnerships and Graduate Student Head Start Research Grants: 
Availability of Funds and Request for Proposals

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ACF, DHHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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

    Statutory Authority: The Head Start Act, as amended 42 U.S.C. 
9801 et. seq. CFDA: 13.600

SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families, Administration 
on Children, Youth and Families, Head Start Bureau announces the 
availability of funds for two Priority Areas; University-Head Start 
Partnerships (1.01) and Graduate Student Head Start Research Grants 
(1.02). These priority areas will support research activities in the 
areas of infant and toddler development within the cultural context, 
school readiness, mental health and field-initiated research which will 
increase our knowledge of low-income children's development for the 
purpose of improving services or have significant policy implications.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications is 5 P.M. EDT April 
24, 2000.

    Note: Applications should be submitted to the ACYF Operations 
Center at: 1815 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 
22209. However, prior to preparing and submitting an application, in 
order to satisfactorily compete under this announcement it will be 
necessary for potential applicants to read the full announcement 
which is available through the addresses listed below.


ADDRESSES: applications, including all necessary forms can be 
downloaded from the Head Start web site at www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb. The web site also contains a listing of all Head Start and Early 
Start programs. Hard copies of the application may be obtained by 
writing or calling the Operations Center or sending an email or 
[email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N. 
Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209 or (1-800) 351-
2293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Priority Areas

Priority Area 1.01  University-Head Start Partnerships

    Eligible Applicants: Universities and four-year colleges on behalf 
of a faculty member who holds a doctorate or equivalent in their 
respective field.
    Project Duration: The announcement for Priority Area 1.01 is 
soliciting applications for project periods of three years, with the 
first year as a planning grant. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be 
for the first one-year planning budget period. Applications for 
continuation funds under these awards beyond the first-year budget 
period, but within the established project period, will be entertained 
in subsequent years on a non-competitive basis, subject to availability 
of funds, satisfactory progress of the grantee, and a determination 
that continued funding would be in the best interests of the 
Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share is 
$75,000 for the first-year budget period. The Federal share for the 
subsequent years is approximately $150,000 for each year of the project 
period. The Federal Share in inclusive of indirect costs.
    Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
4-6 projects will be funded.

Priority Area 1.02  Master's-Level and Doctoral Head Start Research 
Grants

    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education on behalf of 
graduate students at both the Master's and Doctorate levels. Doctoral 
students must have completed their Master's degree or equivalent in 
that field prior to applying for this grant or by the time grants are 
awarded, and have sent formal notification of having been granted the 
degree to ACYF. To be eligible to administer the grant on behalf of the 
student, the institution must be fully accredited by one of the 
regional accrediting commissions recognized by the Department of 
Education and the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation. In addition, 
the specific graduate student on whose behalf the application is made 
must be identified.
    Project Duration: The announcement for Priority Area 1.02 is 
soliciting applications for project periods up to two years. Awards, on 
a competitive basis, will be for a one-year budget period, although 
project periods may be for two years. It should be noted, that if the 
graduate student, on whose behalf the university is applying, expects 
to receive a degree by the end of the first

[[Page 9274]]

year budget period, the applicant should request a one-year project 
period only. A second year budget will not be granted if the student 
has graduated by the end of the first year. Applications for 
continuation grants will be entertained in the subsequent year on a 
non-competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory 
progress of the grantee and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.
    Federal Share of Project Costs: The maximum Federal share shall 
range between $10,000-$20,000 for the first-year budget period or a 
maximum of $40,000 for a two-year project period.
    Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements.
    Anticipated Number of Projects to be Funded: It is anticipated that 
between 5 and 10 projects will be funded with an unspecified mixture of 
master's-level and doctoral level applicants. No university will be 
funded for more than one candidate, unless there are no other approved 
applications. Applications from the master's-level students will be 
evaluated separately from the applications form doctoral-level 
students.
Criteria for Priority Areas 1.01 and 1.02
    Reviewers will consider the following factors when assigning 
points.

1. Results or Benefits Expected--25 points

     The research questions are clearly stated.
     The extent to which the questions are of importance and 
relevance for low-income children's development and welfare.
     The extent to which the research study makes a significant 
contribution to the knowledge base.
     The extent to which the literature review is current and 
comprehensive and supports the need for the study, the questions to be 
addressed or the hypotheses to be tested.
     The extent to which the questions that will be addressed 
or the hypotheses that will be tested are sufficient for meeting the 
stated objectives.

2. Approach--40 points

     The extent to which the research design is appropriate and 
sufficient for addressing the questions of the study.
     The extent to which child outcomes are the major focus of 
the study.
     The extent to which the planned research specifies the 
measures to be used and the analyses to be conducted.
     The extent to which the planned measures are appropriate 
and sufficient for the questions of the study.
     The extent to which the planned measures and analyses both 
reflect knowledge and use of state-of-the-art measures and analytic 
techniques and advance the state-of-the-art.
     The extent to which the analytic techniques are 
appropriate for the question under consideration.
     The extent to which the proposed sample size is sufficient 
for the study.
     The scope of the project is reasonable for the funds 
available for these grants.
     The extent to which the planned approach reflects 
sufficient input from and partnership with the Head Start or Early Head 
Start program.

3. Staff and Position Data--35 points

     The extent to which the principal investigator (or for 
1.02, the graduate student) and other key research staff possess the 
research expertise necessary to conduct the study as demonstrated in 
the application and information contained in their vitae.
     For Priority Area 1.01 the principal investigator(s) has 
earned a doctorate or equivalent in the relevant field and has first or 
second author publications in major research journals.
     The extent to which the proposed staff reflect an 
understanding of and sensitivity to the issues of working in a 
community setting and in partnership with Head Start/Early Head Start 
program staff and parents.
     The adequacy of the time devoted to this project by the 
principal investigator and other key staff in order to ensure a high 
level of professional input and attention. For graduate students, the 
adequacy of the supervision provided by the graduate student's mentor.

Required Notification of the Single Point of Contact

    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, and 45 CFR part 100, 
Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs.
    All States and Territories except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, 
Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, and American Samoa have elected to participate in 
the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of 
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-three jurisdictions need 
take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be 
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from 
the requirements of E.O. 12372. Otherwise, applicants should contact 
their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert them of the prospective 
applications and receive any necessary instructions. Applicants must 
submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so that 
the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the 
award process. It is imperative that the applicant submit all required 
materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal 
(or the date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard 
Form 424, item 16a.
    Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.
    SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations.
    Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between 
mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations 
which may trigger the accommodate or explain rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: William Wilson, Head Start Bureau, 330 C Street, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20447, Attn: Head Start University Partnerships or 
Graduate Student Head Start Research. A list of the Single Points of 
Contact for each State and Territory can be found on the web site 
http://www.dhhs.gov/progorg/grantsnet/laws-reg/spoq0695.htm.

    Dated: February 16, 2000.
Patricia Montoya,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 00-4277 Filed 2-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M