[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 242 (Friday, December 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67182-67186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30201]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Overview 
Information; Indian Education--Professional Development Grants

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2010.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.299B.
    Dates: Applications Available: December 18, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 25, 2010.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 26, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of the Professional Development 
program are: (1) To increase the number of qualified Indian individuals 
in professions that serve Indians; (2) to provide training to qualified 
Indian individuals to become teachers, administrators, teacher aides, 
social workers, and ancillary educational personnel; and (3) to improve 
the skills of qualified Indian individuals who serve in the education 
field. Activities may include, but are not limited to, continuing 
education programs, symposia, workshops, conferences, and direct 
financial support.
    Priorities: This competition contains two absolute priorities and 
two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from the regulations for 
this program (34 CFR 263.5(c)). In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii) and (iv), the competitive preference priorities are 
from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 263.5(a) and (b)).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2010, these priorities are absolute 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications 
that meet one or both of the following priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority One--Pre-Service Training for Teachers:
    A project that provides support and training to Indian individuals 
in completing a pre-service education program that enables these 
individuals to meet the requirements for full State certification or 
licensure as a teacher through--
    (i) (A) Training that leads to a bachelor's degree in education 
before the end of the award period; or
    (B) For States allowing a degree in a specific subject area, 
training that leads to a bachelor's degree in the subject area so long 
as the training meets the requirements for full State teacher 
certification or licensure; or
    (C) Training in a current or new specialized teaching assignment 
that requires at least a bachelor's degree and in which a documented 
teacher shortage exists; and
    (ii) One-year induction services after graduation, certification, 
or licensure, provided during the award period to graduates of the pre-
service program while they are completing their first year of work in 
local educational agencies (LEAs) with significant American Indian and 
Alaska Native student populations.

    Note:  In working with various institutions of higher education 
and State certification and licensure requirements, we have found 
that States requiring a degree in a specific subject area (e.g., 
specialty areas or teaching at the secondary level) generally 
require a master's degree or completion of a five-year program 
before an individual can be certified or licensed as a teacher. 
Students pursuing those credentials would be eligible to

[[Page 67183]]

participate so long as their training meets the requirements for 
full State certification or licensure as a teacher.


    Note:  We clarify that, to meet the requirements of this 
priority, the degree received as a result of training and the one 
year of induction services are to be completed prior to the end of 
the award period.

    Absolute Priority Two--Pre-Service Administrator Training:
    A project that provides--
    (1) Support and training to Indian individuals to complete a 
master's degree in education administration that is provided before the 
end of the award period and that allows participants to meet the 
requirements for State certification or licensure as an education 
administrator; and
    (2) One year of induction services, during the award period, to 
participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, while they 
are completing their first year of work as administrators in schools 
with a significant American Indian and Alaska Native student 
population.

    Note:  We clarify that, to meet the requirements of this 
priority, the degree received as a result of training and the one 
year of induction services are to be completed prior to the end of 
the award period.

    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2010, these priorities 
are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we 
award up to an additional 10 points to an application, depending on how 
well the application meets one or both of these priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority One:
    We award five points to an application submitted by an Indian 
tribe, Indian organization, or Indian institution of higher education 
that is eligible to participate in the Professional Development 
program. A consortium application of eligible entities that meets the 
requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 of the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and includes an 
Indian tribe, Indian organization, or Indian institution of higher 
education will be considered eligible to receive the five competitive 
preference points. The consortium agreement, signed by all parties, 
must be submitted with the application in order for the application to 
be considered a consortium application.
    Competitive Preference Priority Two:
    We award five points to an application submitted by a consortium of 
eligible applicants that includes a tribal college or university and 
that designates that tribal college or university as the fiscal agent 
for the application. The consortium application of eligible entities 
must meet the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 of EDGAR to 
be eligible to receive the five competitive preference points. These 
points are in addition to the five competitive preference points that 
may be awarded under Competitive Preference Priority One. The 
consortium agreement, signed by all parties, must be submitted with the 
application in order for the application to be considered a consortium 
application.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7442.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) EDGAR in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 
80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The regulations for this 
program in 34 CFR part 263.

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian tribes.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$3,000,000 for new awards for this program for FY 2010. 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: $125,000-$400,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $333,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $400,000 for the first, second, or third 12-month 
budget periods. The last 12-month budget period of a 48-month award 
will be limited to induction services only, at a cost not to exceed 
$90,000. The Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 9.

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

    Project Period: Up to 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for this program are 
institutions of higher education, including Indian institutions of 
higher education; State educational agencies (SEAs) or local 
educational agencies (LEAs) in consortium with an institution of higher 
education; Indian tribes or organizations in consortium with an 
institution of higher education; and Department of the Interior/Bureau 
of Indian Education-funded schools in consortium with an institution of 
higher education. LEAs include charter schools that are considered LEAs 
under State law.
    An application from a consortium of eligible entities must meet the 
requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129. An application from a 
consortium of eligible entities must submit a consortium agreement, 
signed by all parties, with the application. Letters of support do not 
meet the requirement for a consortium agreement.
    In order to be considered an eligible entity, applicants, including 
institutions of higher education, must be eligible to provide the level 
and type of degree proposed in the application or must apply in a 
consortium with an institution of higher education that is eligible to 
grant the target degree.
    Applicants applying in consortium with or as an ``Indian 
organization'' must demonstrate eligibility by showing how the ``Indian 
organization'' meets all requirements of the definition in 34 CFR 
263.3.
    The term ``Indian institution of higher education'' means an 
accredited college or university within the United States cited in 
section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 301 note), any other institution that qualifies for funding 
under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 
1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), and Dine College (formerly Navajo 
Community College), authorized in the Navajo Community College 
Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 640a et seq.).
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: Projects funded under this competition are encouraged to 
budget for a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC 
during each year of the project period. In addition, the Department 
strongly encourages grantees to begin to provide training by January 
2011.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: http://

[[Page 67184]]

www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
    To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: 
Education Publications Center, 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), call, 
toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or at its e-mail address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.299B.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or computer diskette) by contacting the person listed under Accessible 
Format in section VIII of this notice.
    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 the application narrative to no more than 
35 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, as well as 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).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget 
section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances 
and certifications; or the one-page abstract, table of contents, the 
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the page 
limit does apply to all of the application narrative section.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit; or if 
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: December 18, 2009.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 25, 2009.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 19, 2010.
    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: Under 34 CFR 263.4, a project funded under 
this program may include, as training costs, assistance to either fully 
finance a student's educational expenses or supplement other financial 
aid for meeting a student's educational expenses. For the payment of 
stipends to project participants receiving training, the Secretary 
expects to set the stipend maximum at $1,800 per month for full-time 
students and provide for a $300 allowance per month per dependent 
during an academic term. The terms ``stipend,'' ``full-time student,'' 
and ``dependent allowance'' are defined in 34 CFR 263.3. Stipends may 
be paid only to full-time students.
    We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions 
in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the Professional Development 
Program--CFDA Number 84.299B must be submitted electronically using e-
Application, accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: 
http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    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:
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this 
competition after 4:30:00 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 hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of 
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. 
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. 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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described

[[Page 67185]]

elsewhere in this section, and submit your application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your 
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the 
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     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 acknowledgment 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 SF 424 to the Application Control 
Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 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 SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 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 e-Application 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application 
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to 
enable you 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) E-Application 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) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 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 acknowledgment 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 e-Application is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system 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 e-Application.
    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through e-Application because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
e-Application; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you 
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax 
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed 
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Lana Shaughnessy, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E231, 
Washington, DC 20202. FAX: (202) 260-7779.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, 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 84.299B) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    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.
    (4) Any other 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.
    (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 qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You 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 84.299B) 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 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 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix 
letter, if any, of the competition under

[[Page 67186]]

which you are submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification 
of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this grant 
notification 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

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
from 34 CFR 263.6 and are listed in the application package.

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 notify you informally, also.
    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 directed by the Secretary 
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent 
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements 
on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the 
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the Professional Development program: (1) The percentage of 
participants in administrator preparation projects who become 
principals, vice principals, or other school administrators in LEAs 
that enroll five percent or more American Indian and Alaska Native 
students; (2) the percentage of participants in teacher preparation 
projects who become teachers in LEAs that enroll five percent or more 
American Indian and Alaska Native students; (3) the percentage of 
program participants who meet the definition of ``Highly Qualified'' in 
section 9101(23) of the ESEA; (4) the percentage of program 
participants who complete their service requirement on schedule; (5) 
the cost per individual who successfully completes an administrator 
preparation program, takes a position in an LEA with a significant 
American Indian and Alaska Native student population, and completes the 
service requirement in that LEA; and (6) the cost per individual who 
successfully completes a teacher preparation program, takes a position 
in an LEA with a significant American Indian and Alaska Native student 
population, and completes the service requirement in that LEA.
    We encourage applicants to demonstrate a strong capacity to provide 
reliable data on these measures in their responses to the selection 
criteria ``Quality of project services'' and ``Quality of the project 
evaluation.''
    All grantees will be expected to submit, as part of their 
performance report, information with respect to these performance 
measures.

VII. Agency Contact

    For further information contact: Lana Shaughnessy, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3E231, Washington, DC 
20202-6335. Telephone: (202) 205-2528 mail to: or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g. braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request 
to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can 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.

    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:December 15, 2009.
Thelma Mel[eacute]ndez de Santa Ana,
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. E9-30201 Filed 12-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P