[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11199-11202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4436]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview 
Information; Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education 
Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2005

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.206A.


DATES: Applications Available: March 8, 2005.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent To Apply: April 4, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2005.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 21, 2005.
    Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), local 
educational agencies (LEAs), or both.
    Estimated Available Funds for New Awards: $3,522,122. Contingent 
upon the availability of funds and quality of applications, the 
Secretary may make additional awards in FY 2006 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000-$400,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $270,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13.

    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 purpose of this program is to carry out a 
coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration 
projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities designed to 
build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools 
nationwide to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented 
students.
    Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), this priority 
implements section 5464(c) of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented 
Students Education Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. 7253 et seq.).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2005 and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards based on the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is based on the ``Special Rule'' in section 5464(c) 
of the statute, which provides that in a year in which the Javits 
appropriation exceeds the appropriation for FY 2001, the Secretary must 
use such excess funds to award grants, on a competitive basis, to State 
educational agencies, local educational agencies, or both, to implement 
activities described in section 5464(b). In accordance with section 
5464(c) and because the FY 2001 Javits appropriation was $7.5 million 
and the FY 2005 appropriation is $11 million, the Secretary will 
utilize approximately $3.5 million to fund new awards under the 
``Special Rule.'' Therefore, the Secretary establishes an absolute 
priority for this competition such that applications submitted in 
response to this announcement must propose to carry out one or more of 
the following 5464(b) activities:
    (1) Conducting--
    (A) Scientifically based research on methods and techniques for 
identifying and teaching gifted and talented students and for using 
gifted and talented programs and methods to serve all students; and
    (B) Program evaluations, surveys, and the collection, analysis, and 
development of information needed to

[[Page 11200]]

accomplish the purpose of the Javits program.
    (2) Carrying out professional development (which may include 
fellowships) for personnel (which may include leadership personnel) 
involved in the education of gifted and talented students.
    (3) Establishing and operating model projects and exemplary 
programs for serving gifted and talented students, including innovative 
methods for identifying and educating students who may not be served by 
traditional gifted and talented programs (such as summer programs, 
mentoring programs, service learning programs, and cooperative programs 
involving business, industry, and education).
    (4) Implementing innovative strategies, such as cooperative 
learning, peer tutoring, and service learning.
    (5) Carrying out programs of technical assistance and information 
dissemination, including assistance and information with respect to how 
gifted and talented programs and methods, where appropriate, may be 
adapted for use by all students.
    (6) Making materials and services available through State regional 
educational service centers, institutions of higher education, or other 
entities.
    (7) Providing funds for challenging, high-level course work, 
disseminated through technologies (which may include distance 
learning), for individual students or groups of students in schools and 
local educational agencies that would not otherwise have the resources 
to provide such course work.

    Program Authority:  20 U.S.C. 7253 et seq.

    Applicable Regulations: The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
81, 82, 84, 85, 97, 98, and 99.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $3,522,122. Contingent upon the 
availability of funds and quality of applications, the Secretary may 
make additional awards in FY 2006 from the list of unfunded applicants 
from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $200,000-$400,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $270,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 13.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: State educational agencies (SEAs), local 
educational agencies (LEAs), or both.
    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: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll 
free): 1-877-433-7827. Fax: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 
1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA number 84.206A.
    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 under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of 
this notice.
    You may also obtain an application package for this program via the 
Internet at the following address: http://www.ed.gov/programs/javits/applicant.html.
    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.
    Notice of Intent to Apply: We strongly encourage each potential 
applicant to notify us by April 4, 2005, of its intent to submit an 
application for funding. We will be able to develop a more efficient 
process for reviewing grant applications if we have an estimate of the 
number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this 
competition. Notifications should be sent by e-mail to the following 
Internet address: [email protected]. Please put ``Notice of Intent'' in the 
subject line. Applicants that do not provide this e-mail notification 
may still apply for funding.
    Page Limit: It is recommended that the program narrative not exceed 
20 pages, size 12 font, double-spaced.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: March 8, 2005.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: April 4, 2005.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2005.
    Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants system, or in 
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates 
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by 
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements in this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 21, 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 competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by 
mail or hand delivery.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. If you choose to submit 
your application to us electronically, you must use e-Application 
available through the Department's e-Grants system, accessible through 
the e-Grants portal page at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     Your participation in e-Application is voluntary.
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. The e-Application system will not accept an application 
for this competition after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do 
not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process.
     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.

[[Page 11201]]

Thursday until midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that 
the system is unavailable on Sundays, and between 7 p.m. on Wednesdays 
and 6 a.m. on Thursdays, Washington, DC time, for maintenance. Any 
modifications to these hours are posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you submit your application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     Any narrative sections of your application should be 
attached as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement that will include a PR/Award 
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the 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.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the ED 424.
    (4) Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically 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) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic 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 
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. If the system is down and therefore 
the application deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all 
registered users who have initiated an e-Application.
    Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the 
unavailability of the Department's e-Application system. If the e-
Application system is available, and, for any reason, you are unable to 
submit your application electronically or you do not receive an 
automatic acknowledgement of your submission, you may submit your 
application in paper format by mail or hand delivery in accordance with 
the instructions in this notice.
    Submission of Paper Applications by Mail: If you submit your 
application in paper format by mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or 
a commercial carrier), you must mail the original and two copies of 
your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the 
Department at the applicable following address:
    By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: CFDA Number 84.206A, 
400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260; or
    By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: CFDA Number 84.206A, 
7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.
    Regardless of which address you use, 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
    (4) Any proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. 
Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, 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 postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery. If you submit 
your application in paper format by hand delivery, you (or a courier 
service) must deliver the original and two copies of your application 
by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department 
at the following address:
    U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, 
Attention: CFDA Number 84.206A, 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, 
Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.
    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 ED 424 the CFDA number--and suffix letter, 
if any--of the competition under which you are submitting your 
application.
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application 
receipt to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt 
acknowledgement within 15 business days from the application deadline 
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application 
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: We use the following selection criteria from 
34 CFR 75.210 to evaluate applications for new grants under this 
competition. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in 
parenthesis.
    We evaluate an application by determining how well the proposed 
project meets the following criteria:
    (a) Need for project (20 points). The Secretary considers the need 
for the proposed project. In determining the

[[Page 11202]]

need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to 
which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or 
opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the 
proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or 
weaknesses.
    (b) Quality of the project design (25 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the design of the proposed project. In 
determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    ii. The extent to which the design of the proposed project is 
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target 
population or other identified needs.
    iii. The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach for meeting statutory purposes and requirements.
    (c) Quality of project personnel (10 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary 
considers the following:
    i. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    ii. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of key project personnel.
    (d) Quality of the management plan (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the adequacy of the management plan to 
achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within 
budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and 
milestones for accomplishing project tasks.
    (e) Quality of the project evaluation (25 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    i. The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the 
proposed project.
    ii. The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other 
settings.

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.
    4. Performance Measures: Pursuant to the Government Performance and 
Results Act (GPRA), the Department developed two measures for 
evaluating the overall effectiveness of projects funded under the 
Javits program. These measures gauge project quality and improvements 
in professional knowledge for teachers and academic achievement in 
students served by the projects by assessing: (1) The number of project 
designs that are rated by an independent review panel of qualified 
scientists and practitioners as being of ``high or above'' quality; and 
(2) the number of projects that have evidence of significant gains in 
teacher knowledge or student achievement, or both.
    The Department will collect data for these measures from grantees' 
annual performance reports and other existing data sources.

VII. Agency Contact

    For Further Information Contact: Danita Woodley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3W253, Washington, DC 20202-
6200. Telephone: (202) 260-8735 or by e-mail: [email protected]. If 
you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call 
the Federal 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: March 3, 2005.
Raymond Simon,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 05-4436 Filed 3-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P