[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57014-57017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2356]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; 
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    Number: 84.021A

DATES: Applications Available: September 23, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 2, 2004.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 3, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: (1) Institutions of higher education, (2) 
State departments of education, (3) Private nonprofit educational 
organizations, and (4) Consortia of these entities.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$4,312,450 for new awards for this program for FY 2005. The actual 
level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$80,000 for short-term seminars, 
curriculum development or group research or study; $50,000-$310,000 for 
advanced overseas intensive language projects.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $70,696.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $100,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for 
short-term seminars, curriculum development, or group research or 
study. We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding 
$325,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for advanced overseas 
intensive language projects. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 61.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.


    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) 
Program supports overseas projects in training, research, and 
curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for 
groups of teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. 
Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, or 
group research or study. This competition will support advanced 
overseas intensive language projects.
    Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), these 
priorities are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 664.32).

[[Page 57015]]

Absolute Priority

    For FY 2005 this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    Specific geographic regions of the world: A group project funded 
under this priority must focus on one or more of the following 
geographic regions of the world: Africa, East Asia, South Asia, 
Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Western Hemisphere (Central and 
South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), East Central Europe and 
Eurasia, and the Near East.
    Within this absolute priority, we are establishing the following 
competitive preference and invitational priorities.

Competitive Preference Priority

    For FY 2005 this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), 664.30(b), and 664.31(g) we award up to 
an additional five (5) points to an application, depending on how well 
the application meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Short-term seminars that develop and improve foreign language and 
area studies at elementary and secondary schools.

Invitational Priority

    For FY 2005 this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets this invitational 
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Group Study projects that provide opportunities for nationally 
recruited undergraduate students to study in a foreign country for 
either a semester or a full academic year.

    Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
    (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.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants, redistributed as fellowships 
to individual beneficiaries in accordance with 34 CFR 662.2 and 662.3. 
As part of its FY 2005 budget request, the Administration proposed to 
continue to allow funds to be used to support the participation of 
individuals who plan to apply their language skills and knowledge of 
countries vital to the United States national security in fields 
outside teaching, including government, the professions, or 
international development. Therefore, institutions may propose projects 
for visits and study in foreign countries by individuals in these 
fields, in addition to those planning a teaching career. However, 
authority to use funds for participants outside of the field of 
teaching depends on final Congressional action. Applicants will be 
given an opportunity to amend their applications if such authority is 
not provided.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$4,312,450 for new awards for this program for FY 2005. The actual 
level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$350,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $70,696.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $350,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education may change the maximum 
amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 61.


    Note:  The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.


    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (1) Institutions of higher education, (2) 
State departments of education, (3) Private nonprofit educational 
organizations, and (4) Consortia of these entities.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

     Dr. Lungching Chiao, International Education Programs Service, 
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 6th floor, 
Washington, DC 20006-8521. Telephone: (202) 502-7624 or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed in this section.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Requirements concerning the content of an application, together 
with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this 
program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. You must limit part III to the equivalent of no more than 
40 pages, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. However, you may 
single space all text in charts, tables, figures and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-point 
font in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
    The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget 
section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances 
and certifications; the one-page abstract; or the appendices. However, 
you must include your complete response to the selection criteria in 
the application narrative.
    We will reject your application if--
     You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
     You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the 
page limit.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

    Applications Available: September 23, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 2, 2004.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    We are requiring that applications for grants under this program be 
submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System 
(e-Application) available through the Department's e-GRANTS system. For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically through the e-GRANTS system or to request a 
waiver of the electronic submission requirement,

[[Page 57016]]

please refer to Section IV. 6. Procedures for Submitting Applications 
in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 3, 2005.

4. Intergovernmental Review

     This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the 
application package for this program.

5. Funding Restrictions

     We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Procedures for Submitting Applications

    We are requiring that applications for grants under this program be 
submitted electronically, unless the applicant requests a waiver of 
this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications

    Applications for grants under the Fulbright-Hays Groups Projects 
Abroad Program--CFDA Number 84.021A must be submitted electronically 
using e-Application available through the Department's e-GRANTS system. 
The e-GRANTS system is accessible through its portal page at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    Unless a waiver of the electronic submission requirement has been 
requested by the applicant in accordance with the procedures in this 
section, all portions of the application must be submitted 
electronically.
    If you are unable to submit an application through the e-GRANTS 
system, you must submit a written request for a waiver of the 
electronic submission requirement. In your request, you should explain 
the reason or reasons that prevent you from using the Internet to 
submit your application. You should address this request to: Dr. 
Lungching Chiao, International Education Programs Service, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 6th floor, Washington, DC 
20006-8521. Please submit the request no later than two weeks before 
the application deadline date. Your paper application must be submitted 
in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in 
this notice.
    If, within two weeks of the application deadline date, you are 
unable to submit an application electronically, you must submit a paper 
application in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions 
described in this notice. The paper application must include a written 
request for a waiver documenting the reasons that prevented you from 
using the Internet to submit your application.
    When using e-Application to complete the application, you will be 
entering data online. Do not e-mail an electronic copy of any part of a 
grant application to us. The data that is entered online will be saved 
into a database.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
     You must submit the grant application electronically 
through the Internet using the software provided on the e-Grants Web 
site (http://e-grants.ed.gov) by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. The regular hours of operation of the e-
Grants Web site are 6 a.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 6 a.m. 
Thursday until midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that 
the system is unavailable on Sundays, and after 7 p.m. on Wednesdays 
for maintenance, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours 
are posted on the e-Grants Web site. We strongly recommend that you do 
not wait until the application deadline date to initiate an e-
Application package.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit the application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you request a waiver and submit the application in paper format 
because you were prevented from submitting the application 
electronically as required.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) and all 
necessary assurances and certifications.
     Your e-Application must comply with any page limit 
requirements described in this notice.
     After you submit your application to the Department, you 
will receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will include a PR/
Award number (an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after you submit your electronic 
application, you must fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal 
Education Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after 
following these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    2. The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard copy signature page of the ED 424. Fax the signed ED 424 to the 
Application Control Center at (202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you give us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from submitting your application 
on the application deadline date because the e-Application system is 
unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day in 
order to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand 
delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    1. The applicant's Project Director is a registered user of e-
Application and has initiated an e-Application for this competition; 
and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
GRANTS help desk at 1-888-336-8930.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail

    If you have requested a waiver of the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your paper application to the Department. The 
original and two copies of the application must be mailed on or before 
the application deadline date to the following address: U.S. Department 
of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 
84.021A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    1. A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service Postmark;
    2. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service;
    3. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier; or

[[Page 57017]]

    4. Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the U.S. Secretary of 
Education.
    If you mail the application through the U.S. Postal Service, please 
note that we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    1. A private metered postmark, or
    2. A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If 
your application is post marked after the application deadline date, we 
will notify you that we will not consider the application.


    Note:  Applicants should note that the U.S. Postal Service does 
not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this 
method, applicants should check with their local post office.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery

    If you have requested a waiver of the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver the paper 
application to the Department by hand. The original and two copies of 
your application must be hand-delivered on or before the application 
deadline date to the following address: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.021A), 550 12th 
Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-
4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts deliveries daily between 8 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays and 
Federal holidays. A person delivering an application must show 
identification to enter the building.
    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail 
or hand deliver your application to the Department:
    1. You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the 
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting the 
application.
    2. The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application 
Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the notification 
of application receipt within 15 days from the mailing of your 
application, you should call the U.S. Department of Education 
Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 664.31 and are as follows: The selection criteria for this 
program are as follows: (a) Plan of operation (25 points), (b) quality 
of key personnel (15 points), (c) budget and cost effectiveness (10 
points), (d) evaluation plan (10 points), (e) adequacy of resources (5 
points), (f) impact (15 points), (g) relevance to institutional 
development (5 points), (h) need for overseas experiences (10 points), 
and (i) the extent to which the proposed project addresses the 
competitive preference priority (5 points).

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. 
Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the 
application package and reference these and other requirements in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting

    At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 
CFR 75.118. The applicant is required to use the electronic data 
instrument
    Evaluation of Exchange, Language, International, and Area Studies 
(EELIAS) system to complete the final report.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Lungching Chiao, International 
Education Programs Service, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K 
Street, NW., 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006-8521. Telephone: (202) 
502-7624 or by e-mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

Electronic Access to This Document:

    You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this 
Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable 
Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat 
Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions 
about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll 
free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-
1530.


    Note:  The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: September 20, 2004.
Sally L. Stroup,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
 [FR Doc. E4-2356 Filed 9-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P