[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22722-22728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09492]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Strengthening Institutions Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

    Strengthening Institutions Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2015.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.031A.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 23, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 8, 2015.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 6, 2015.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) 
provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to 
help them become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve 
low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the 
institution's academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal 
stability.
    Priority: This notice contains one competitive preference priority. 
The competitive preference priority is from 34 CFR 75.226.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2015 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. 
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award three additional points to an 
application that meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Competitive Preference Priority--Supporting Strategies for which 
there is Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness (3 additional points).
    Projects that propose a process, product, strategy, or practice 
supported by moderate evidence of effectiveness (as defined in this 
notice).

    Note:  Applicants seeking to address this competitive preference 
priority should identify a minimum of one up to a maximum of two 
studies that support their proposed project and meet the definition 
of ``moderate evidence of effectiveness.'' Applicants should clearly 
identify if they are addressing the priority on the one-page 
abstract submitted with the application. All cited studies must also 
be submitted with the application as a PDF. If the Department 
determines that an applicant has provided insufficient information, 
the applicant will not have an opportunity to provide additional 
information at a later time.

    To qualify as moderate evidence of effectiveness, among other 
things, a study's evaluation design must meet What Works Clearinghouse 
(WWC) Evidence Standards (as defined in this notice). The What Works 
Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook describes in detail 
which types of study designs can meet WWC Evidence Standards with or 
without reservations including both quasi-experimental design studies 
and randomized controlled trials (as defined in this notice). The WWC 
review protocol for individual studies in the postsecondary education 
topic area, which describes the specific types of outcomes, 
populations, and other criteria that will be used by the Department to 
determine whether a study meets WWC Evidence Standards, can be found 
at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/reference_resources/wwc_pe_protocol_v3.0.pdf.
    Applicants may cite studies that (1) have already been determined 
by the Department to meet the WWC Evidence Standards (e.g., studies 
listed in the WWC-reviewed studies database or in the WWC database 
under the postsecondary topic area as having met WWC standards with or 
without reservations) or (2) have not yet been reviewed by the 
Department but that the applicant thinks will meet the WWC Evidence 
Standards. In the case of studies that have not yet been reviewed, the 
Department will review the studies to determine if they meet WWC 
Evidence Standards, in accordance with the procedures described under 
Review and Selection Process in section IV of this notice. In both 
cases, the studies will be reviewed by the Department to determine if 
they also meet the other requirements of the definition for ``moderate 
evidence of effectiveness.''
    In order to receive the three additional points under this 
competitive preference priority, applicants should propose to implement 
the strategy from their supporting study or studies as closely as 
possible and describe in the narrative response to this priority how 
they will do so. Where modifications to a cited strategy will be made 
to account for student or institutional characteristics, resource 
limitations, or other special factors, the applicant should provide a 
justification or basis for the modifications in the narrative response 
to this priority. Modifications may not be proposed to the core aspects 
of any cited strategy.
    Definitions: These definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1(c) and apply to 
the priority in this notice.
    Large sample means an analytic sample of 350 or more students (or 
other single analysis units), or 50 or more groups (such as classrooms 
or schools) that contain 10 or more students (or other single analysis 
units).
    Moderate evidence of effectiveness means one of the following 
conditions is met:
    (i) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
What Works Clearinghouse

[[Page 22723]]

Evidence Standards without reservations, found a statistically 
significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (with no 
statistically significant and overriding unfavorable impacts on that 
outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of 
the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the What Works 
Clearinghouse), and includes a sample that overlaps with the 
populations or settings proposed to receive the process, product, 
strategy, or practice.
    (ii) There is at least one study of the effectiveness of the 
process, product, strategy, or practice being proposed that meets the 
What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations, found a 
statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (with 
no statistically significant and overriding unfavorable impacts on that 
outcome for relevant populations in the study or in other studies of 
the intervention reviewed by and reported on by the What Works 
Clearinghouse), includes a sample that overlaps with the populations or 
settings proposed to receive the process, product, strategy, or 
practice, and includes a large sample and a multi-site sample. (Note: 
multiple studies can cumulatively meet the large and multi-site sample 
requirements as long as each study meets the other requirements in this 
paragraph.)
    Multi-site sample means more than one site, where site can be 
defined as an LEA, locality, or State.
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental design by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. These studies, depending on design and implementation, can 
meet What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with reservations (but 
not What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations).
    Randomized controlled trial means a study that employs random 
assignment of, for example, students, teachers, classrooms, schools, or 
districts to receive the intervention being evaluated (the treatment 
group) or not to receive the intervention (the control group). The 
estimated effectiveness of the intervention is the difference between 
the average outcomes for the treatment group and for the control group. 
These studies, depending on design and implementation, can meet What 
Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations.
    What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards means the standards set 
forth in the What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook 
(Version 3.0, March 2014), which can be found at the following link: 
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/DocumentSum.aspx?sid=19.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1057-1059d (title III, part A, of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)).

    Note: In 2008, the HEA was amended by the Higher Education 
Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) (Pub. L. 110-315). The HEOA made a 
number of technical and substantive revisions to SIP, and the 
program regulations in 34 CFR part 607 have not yet been updated to 
reflect these statutory changes.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines 
to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) 
in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the 
Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative 
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal 
Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended in 2 CFR part 3474. 
(d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 607.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants--Individual Development Grants 
and Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $18,197,309.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2016 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.

Individual Development Grants

    Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$450,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $425,000 per year.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $450,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education may 
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 36.

Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants

    Estimated Range of Awards: $600,000-$650,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $625,000 per year.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $650,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education may 
change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 3.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months for each type of award.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) This program is authorized by title 
III, part A, of the HEA. To qualify as an eligible institution under 
any title III, part A program, an institution must be--
    (i) Accredited or pre-accredited by a nationally recognized 
accrediting agency or association that the Secretary has determined to 
be a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training 
offered;
    (ii) Legally authorized by the State in which it is located to be a 
junior or community college or to provide an educational program for 
which it awards a bachelor's degree;
    (iii) Designated as an ``eligible institution'' by demonstrating 
that it has: (A) an enrollment of needy students as described in 34 CFR 
607.3; and (B) low average educational and general expenditures per 
full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student as described in 34 CFR 
607.4.

    Note: For purposes of establishing eligibility for this 
competition, the notice inviting applications for eligibility 
designation for FY 2015 was published in the Federal Register on 
November 3, 2014 (79 FR 65197) and applications were due on December 
22, 2014. Only institutions that submitted the required application 
and received designation through this process are eligible to submit 
applications for this competition.

    (b) A grantee under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions 
(HSI) Program, which is authorized under title V of the HEA, may not 
receive a grant under any HEA, title III, part A program, including 
SIP. Furthermore, a current HSI Program grantee may not give up its HSI 
grant to receive a grant under SIP or any title III, part A program as 
described in 34 CFR 607.2(g)(1).
    An eligible HSI that is not a current grantee under the HSI Program 
may apply for a FY 2015 grant under all title III, part A programs for 
which it is eligible, as well as receive consideration for a grant 
under the HSI Program. However, a successful applicant may receive only 
one grant as described in 34 CFR 607.2(g)(1).
    (c) An eligible IHE that submits an application for an Individual

[[Page 22724]]

Development Grant and a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant may 
be awarded both grants.
    (d) An eligible IHE that currently has a SIP Individual Development 
Grant may apply for and be awarded a Cooperative Development Grant. A 
grantee with an Individual Development Grant or Cooperative Arrangement 
Development Grant may be a partner or subgrantee in one or more 
Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants. The lead institution in a 
Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant must be an eligible 
institution. Partners or subgrantees are not required to be eligible 
institutions.
    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching unless the grantee uses a portion of its grant for 
establishing or improving an endowment fund. If a grantee uses a 
portion of its grant for endowment fund purposes, it must match those 
grant funds with non-Federal funds (20 U.S.C. 1059c(c) (3)(B)).
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Grant funds shall be used so that they 
supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would 
otherwise be available for the activities to be carried out under the 
grant and in no case supplant those funds (34 CFR 607.30(b)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application via the Internet using the following address: 
www.Grants.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet, please 
contact one of the program contact persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting one of the program contact persons 
listed UNDER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 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 (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria and the 
competitive preference priority that reviewers use to evaluate your 
application. We have established the following mandatory page limits 
for Individual Development Grant and Cooperative Arrangement 
Development Grant applications:
     If you are not addressing the competitive preference 
priority you must limit your application narrative to no more than 50 
pages for an Individual Development Grant application and to no more 
than 70 pages for a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant 
application.
     If you are addressing the competitive preference priority 
you must limit your application narrative to no more than 55 pages for 
an Individual Development Grant application and 75 pages for a 
Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant application.
    Applicants should provide information addressing the competitive 
preference priority in the section of the application titled 
``Competitive Preference Priority--Supporting Strategies for which 
there is Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness.''
    For the purpose of determining compliance with the page limit, each 
page on which there are words will be counted as one full page. 
Applicants must use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an 
identifier may be within the 1'' margins.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. Text in charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs in the application narrative may be single 
spaced and will count toward the page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-
point font in charts, tables, figures, graphs, footnotes, and endnotes.
     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 applies to all of the application narrative section, 
including your complete response to the selection criteria and the 
competitive preference priority. However, the page limit does not apply 
to Part I, the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424-cover sheet); 
the Department of Education Supplemental Information Form (SF 424); 
Part II, the Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED 
524); Section A--Budget Summary--U.S. Department of Education Funds; 
Section B--Budget Summary--Non-Federal Funds; and Section C--Budget 
Narrative; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; the one-page 
program abstract; or bibliography. The page limit also does not apply 
to any copies of studies that are submitted in response to the 
competitive preference priority. However, if you include any 
attachments or appendices not specifically listed in this section or 
requested in the application package, these items will be counted as 
part of your application narrative for the purpose of the page-limit 
requirement.

    Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED 
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the 
Budget section of the selection criteria.

    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: April 23, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 8, 2015.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). 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.7. 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 
one of the program contact persons 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: August 6, 2015.
    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

[[Page 22725]]

is in the application package for this program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: (a) General. We specify unallowable costs 
in 34 CFR 607.10(c). We reference additional regulations outlining 
funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this 
notice.
    (b) Applicability of Executive Order 13202. Applicants that apply 
for construction funds under the title III, part A, HEA programs must 
comply with Executive Order 13202, as amended. This Executive order 
provides that recipients of Federal construction funds may not 
``require or prohibit bidders, offerors, contractors, or subcontractors 
to enter into or adhere to agreements with one or more labor 
organizations, on the same or other construction project(s)'' or 
``otherwise discriminate against bidders, offerors, contractors, or 
subcontractors for becoming or refusing to become or remain signatories 
or otherwise to adhere to agreements with one or more labor 
organizations, on the same or other related construction project(s).'' 
Projects funded under this program that include construction activity 
will be provided a copy of this Executive order and will be asked to 
certify that they will adhere to it.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), the 
Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one to two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by 
an entity. Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal 
financial assistance under a program administered by the Department, 
please allow sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number 
and TIN. We strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note:  Once your SAM registration is active, you will need to 
allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in 
Grants.gov and before you can submit an application through 
Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under the 
Strengthening Institutions Program 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 Strengthening Institutions 
Program, CFDA number 84.031A, must be submitted electronically using 
the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through 
this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application 
package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your 
application. You may not email an electronic copy of a grant 
application to us.
    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.
    You may access the electronic grant application for this 
competition at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include 
the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.031, 
not 84.031A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News

[[Page 22726]]

and Events on the Department's G5 system home page at www.G5.gov.
     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 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 upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a PDF read-only, non-
modifiable format. Do not upload an interactive or fillable PDF file. 
If you upload a file type other than a read-only, non-modifiable PDF 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.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the persons 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The 
Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether 
your application will be accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    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 the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; 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: Nalini Lamba-Nieves, 
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6024, Washington, 
DC 20006-8513. FAX: (202) 502-7861.
    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 84.031A), 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 84.031A), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, 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.


[[Page 22727]]


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

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 607.22(a)-(g). Applicants must address each of the 
following selection criteria. The total maximum number of points under 
the selection criteria is 100 points; the maximum score under each 
criterion is noted in parentheses. The complete text of the selection 
criteria is in the application package for this competition.
    (a) Quality of the Applicant's Comprehensive Development Plan. 
(Maximum 25 Points) The extent to which--
    (1) The strengths, weaknesses, and significant problems of the 
institution's academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal 
stability are clearly and comprehensively analyzed and result from a 
process that involved major constituencies of the institution;
    (2) The goals for the institution's academic programs, 
institutional management, and fiscal stability are realistic and based 
on comprehensive analysis;
    (3) The objectives stated in the plan are measurable, related to 
institutional goals, and, if achieved, will contribute to the growth 
and self-sufficiency of the institution; and
    (4) The plan clearly and comprehensively describes the methods and 
resources the institution will use to institutionalize practice and 
improvements developed under the proposed project, including, in 
particular, how operational costs for personnel, maintenance, and 
upgrades of equipment will be paid with institutional resources.
    (b) Quality of Activity Objectives. (Maximum 15 Points) The extent 
to which the objectives for each activity are--
    (1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results; and
    (2) Directly related to the problems to be solved and to the goals 
of the comprehensive development plan.
    (c) Quality of Implementation Strategy. (Maximum 20 Points) The 
extent to which--
    (1) The implementation strategy for each activity is comprehensive;
    (2) The rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity 
is clearly described and is supported by the results of relevant 
studies or projects; and
    (3) The timetable for each activity is realistic and likely to be 
attained.
    (d) Quality of Key Personnel. (Maximum 7 Points) The extent to 
which--
    (1) The past experience and training of key professional personnel 
are directly related to the stated activity objectives; and
    (2) The time commitment of key personnel is realistic.
    (e) Quality of Project Management Plan. (Maximum 10 Points) The 
extent to which--
    (1) Procedures for managing the project are likely to ensure 
efficient and effective project implementation; and
    (2) The project coordinator and activity directors have sufficient 
authority to conduct the project effectively, including access to the 
president or chief executive officer.
    (f) Quality of Evaluation Plan. (Maximum 15 Points) The extent to 
which--
    (1) The data elements and the data collection procedures are 
clearly described and appropriate to measure the attainment of activity 
objectives and to measure the success of the project in achieving the 
goals of the comprehensive development plan; and
    (2) The data analysis procedures are clearly described and are 
likely to produce formative and summative results on attaining activity 
objectives and measuring the success of the project on achieving the 
goals of the comprehensive development plan.
    (g) Budget. (Maximum 8 Points) The extent to which the proposed 
costs are necessary and reasonable in relation to the project's 
objectives and scope.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    Awards will be made in rank order according to the average score 
received from an evaluation performed by a panel of non-Federal 
reviewers based on responses to the selection criteria and, if 
applicable, the competitive preference priority. If an application is 
scored highly, has the possibility of being funded, and includes a 
response to the competitive preference priority, IES will review the 
studies cited in the application to determine whether they meet the 
``moderate evidence of effectiveness'' standard. Only those 
applications that address the competitive preference priority and have 
the possibility of being funded because of high scores and available 
funds for new awards will undergo further review by IES. At least one 
study submitted must be found to meet the definition of ``moderate 
evidence of effectiveness,'' in order for applicants to receive the 
additional points.
    Tie-breaker for Development Grants. In tie-breaking situations for 
Development Grants, 34 CFR 607.23(b) requires that we award one 
additional point to an application from an IHE that has an endowment 
fund of which the current market value, per full time equivalent (FTE) 
enrolled student, is less than the average current market value of the 
endowment funds, per FTE enrolled student, at comparable type 
institutions that offer similar instruction. We also award one 
additional point to an application from an IHE that has expenditures 
for library materials per FTE enrolled student that are less than the 
average expenditure for library materials per FTE enrolled student at 
similar type institutions. We also add one additional point to an 
application from an IHE that proposes to carry out one or more of the 
following activities--
    (1) Faculty development;
    (2) Funds and administrative management;
    (3) Development and improvement of academic programs;
    (4) Acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening management 
and academic programs;
    (5) Joint use of facilities; and
    (6) Student services.
    For the purpose of these funding considerations, we use 2012-2013 
data.

[[Page 22728]]

    If a tie remains after applying the tie-breaker mechanism above, 
priority will be given in the case of applicants for: (a) Individual 
Development Grants, to applicants that have the lowest endowment values 
per FTE student; and (b) Cooperative Arrangement Development Grants, to 
applicants in accordance with section 394(b) of the HEA, if the 
Secretary determines that the cooperative arrangement is geographically 
and economically sound or will benefit the applicant institution.
    3. Special Conditions: Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the Secretary may 
impose special conditions and, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk 
conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially 
stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or 
other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 
200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant (34 
CFR 607.24(c)(2)); or is otherwise not responsible.

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); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your 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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 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 Strengthening Institutions Program:
    a. The percentage change, over the five-year period, of the number 
of full-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled at SIP 
institutions. Note that this is a long-term measure, which will be used 
to periodically gauge performance;
    b. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking 
undergraduate students at four-year SIP institutions who were in their 
first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are 
enrolled in the current year at the same SIP institution;
    c. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking 
undergraduate students at two-year SIP institutions who were in their 
first year of postsecondary enrollment in the previous year and are 
enrolled in the current year at the same SIP institution;
    d. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking 
undergraduate students enrolled at four-year SIP institutions 
graduating within six years of enrollment;
    e. The percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking 
undergraduate students enrolled at two-year SIP institutions graduating 
within three years of enrollment; and
    f. The cost per successful program outcome: Federal cost per 
undergraduate and graduate degree at SIP institutions.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application. In making a 
continuation grant, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is 
operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved 
application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws 
that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving 
Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 
106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nalini Lamba-Nieves, Pearson Owens, or 
Don Crews, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6024, 
Washington, DC 20006-8513. You may contact these individuals at the 
following email addresses and telephone numbers:

[email protected]; (202) 502-7562
[email protected]; (202) 502-7804
[email protected]; (202) 502-7574

    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, 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 compact disc) on request to 
either program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site 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). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.
    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Jamienne S. Studley, Deputy Under Secretary, to perform 
the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education.

    Dated: April 20, 2015.
Jamienne S. Studley,
Deputy Under Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-09492 Filed 4-22-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P