[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27057-27064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11337]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; First in the World Program--
Validation Grants

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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Overview Information

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE)--First in 
the World (FITW) Program--Validation Grants

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

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.116X.

    Dates:
    Applications Available: May 11, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 2015.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 31, 2015.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The FITW program is designed to support the 
development, replication, and dissemination of innovative solutions and 
evidence for what works in addressing persistent and widespread 
challenges in postsecondary education for students who are at risk for 
not persisting in and completing postsecondary programs, including, but 
not limited to, adult learners, working students, part-time students, 
students from low-income backgrounds, students of color, students with 
disabilities, and first-generation students. The focus of the FITW 
program is to build evidence for what works in postsecondary education 
by testing the effectiveness of these strategies in improving student 
persistence and completion outcomes.
    For FY 2015, the Department will award two types of grants under 
FITW: ``Development'' grants and ``Validation'' grants. These grants 
differ in terms of the level of evidence of effectiveness required for 
consideration of funding, the level of scale the funded project should 
reach, and, consequently, the amount of funding available to support 
the project.
    This notice invites applications for Validation grants only. 
Validation grants provide funding to support the expansion and 
replication of projects supported by moderate evidence of effectiveness 
(as defined in this notice) to a scaled multi-site sample (as defined 
in this notice), which would include multiple institutions of higher 
education, including multiple institutions within a State system.
    All Validation grantees must evaluate the effectiveness of the 
project at each partner entity. The evaluation design will be assessed 
on the extent to which it could meet What Works Clearinghouse Evidence 
Standards (as defined in this notice) without reservations.
    The Department has published a separate notice inviting 
applications for Development grants elsewhere in this issue of the 
Federal Register.
    Priorities: This notice contains four absolute priorities. The 
first three absolute priorities are from the notice of final 
priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criterion for this 
program (NFP), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 
Register. The fourth absolute priority is from the Department's notice 
of final supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary 
grant programs (Supplemental Priorities), published in the Federal 
Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73425).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2015 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider

[[Page 27058]]

only applications that address one of the four absolute priorities. 
Applicants must specify on the Abstract and Information page which 
absolute priority is addressed in the application.
    These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1: Improving Success in Developmental Education

    The Secretary gives priority to:
    Projects designed to improve student success in developmental 
education or accelerate student progress into credit-bearing 
postsecondary courses.

    Note:  Many students arrive at college unprepared for college-
level coursework. They often lack the critical thinking, analytical, 
and communication skills needed for success in college and 
preparation for the workforce.

    This priority invites applications for evidence-based interventions 
and solutions that engage students more quickly in credit-bearing 
courses, such as streamlined approaches through GED equivalency or high 
school credential equivalency for adult learners to allow them to begin 
taking formal postsecondary coursework.

Absolute Priority 2: Improving Teaching and Learning

    The Secretary gives priority to projects designed to improve 
teaching and learning.

    Note:  Methods of teaching have stayed largely static, with the 
traditional lecture as the core instructional design. New approaches 
to teaching and learning that incorporate curriculum and course re-
design, such as by using tools and strategies that go beyond the 
traditional lecture to support active learning or customize 
learning, must be tested and expanded to more postsecondary 
institutions to improve accessibility and quality and reduce cost.

Absolute Priority 3: Improving Student Support Services

    The Secretary gives priority to projects designed to improve the 
supports or services provided to students prior to or during the 
students' enrollment in postsecondary education.

    Note: Almost all institutions of higher education offer a 
diverse array of student support services to assist with financial 
aid, academic barriers and other issues related to persistence and 
completion. The range of services and support is extensive and 
includes interventions both inside and outside the classroom and 
campus. Many of these services are also provided by outside 
organizations, including non-profits.

    However, few student support services strategies are widely 
implemented on the basis of evidence of effectiveness. There is a great 
need to expand validated cost effective approaches, so that a greater 
number of students can be served.

Absolute Priority 4: Influencing the Development of Non-Cognitive 
Factors

    The Secretary gives priority to projects that are designed to 
improve students' mastery of non-cognitive skills and behaviors (such 
as academic behaviors, academic mindset, perseverance, self-regulation, 
social and emotional skills, and approaches toward learning strategies) 
and enhance student motivation and engagement in learning.

    Note:  The development of non-cognitive factors is critical 
during the postsecondary years as students face new academic 
challenges, social comparisons, and stereotypes regarding their 
potential for success. How students negotiate these changes has 
major implications for their academic futures.

    The selection criteria for the FY 2015 Validation competition are 
designed to ensure that applications selected for funding have the best 
potential to generate substantial improvements and research in student 
outcomes, and include well-articulated plans for the implementation, 
dissemination, and evaluation of the proposed projects. Applicants 
should review the selection criteria and submission instructions 
carefully to ensure their applications address this year's criteria.
    Applicants should note that we screen for eligibility at multiple 
points before, during, and after the review process. Applicants that 
are determined to be ineligible at any point in the review process will 
not receive a grant award regardless of peer reviewer scores or 
comments. If we determine that a Validation grant application is not 
supported by moderate evidence of effectiveness, either because the 
study submitted does not meet the standard or is not closely relevant 
to the proposed project, the application will not be considered for 
funding.
    Requirements: The following requirements are from the NFP and apply 
to all applications submitted under this competition:
    (a) Innovations that Improve Outcomes for High-Need Students: 
Grantees must implement projects designed to improve one or more of the 
following outcomes of high-need students (as defined in this notice) in 
postsecondary education:
    (i) Persistence.
    (ii) Academic progress.
    (iii) Time to degree.
    (iv) Completion.
    (b) Evidence and Sample Size Standards:
    (i) An application for a Validation grant must be supported by 
moderate evidence of effectiveness (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)).
    (ii) An application for a Validation grant must be supported by the 
following level of sample size: Scaled multi-site sample, such as 
across a system of institutions, across institutions in a State, a 
region, or nationally, or across institutions in a labor market sector.
    (iii) An applicant's project must propose to implement the core 
aspects of the process, product, strategy, or practice from the 
supporting study as closely as possible. Where modifications to a cited 
process, product, strategy, or practice will be made to account for 
student or institutional characteristics, resource limitations, or 
other special factors or to address deficiencies identified by the 
cited study, the applicant must provide a justification or basis for 
the modifications. Modifications may not be proposed to the core 
aspects of any cited process, product, strategy, or practice.
    (c) Evaluation:
    (i) The grantee must conduct an independent evaluation (as defined 
in this notice) of its project. The evaluation must estimate the impact 
of the FITW-supported practice (as implemented at the proposed level of 
scale) on a relevant outcome (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)).
    (ii) The grantee must make broadly available, digitally and free of 
charge, through formal (e.g., peer-reviewed journals) or informal 
(e.g., newsletters) mechanisms, the results of any evaluations it 
conducts of its funded activities. The grantee must also ensure that 
the data from its evaluation are made available to third-party 
researchers consistent with applicable privacy requirements.
    (iii) The grantee and its independent evaluator must agree to 
cooperate on an ongoing basis with any technical assistance provided by 
the Department or its contractor, including any technical assistance 
provided to ensure that the evaluation design meets the required 
evaluation standards, and comply with the requirements of any 
evaluation of the program conducted by the Department. This includes 
providing to the Department, within 100 days of a grant award, an 
updated comprehensive evaluation plan in a format and using such tools 
as the Department may require. Grantees must update this evaluation 
plan at least annually to reflect any changes to the evaluation and 
provide the updated evaluation plan to the Department. All of these 
updates must be consistent with the scope and objectives of the 
approved application.

[[Page 27059]]

    (d) Funding Categories: An applicant will be considered for an 
award only for the type of FITW grant (Development or Validation) for 
which it applies. Applicants may not apply for a FITW competition in 
which they currently have an active FITW grant. An applicant may submit 
only one FITW application in FY 2015.
    (e) Management Plan: Within 100 days of a grant award, the grantee 
must provide an updated comprehensive management plan for the approved 
project in a format and using such tools as the Department may require. 
This management plan must include detailed information about 
implementation of the first year of the grant, including key 
milestones, staffing details, and other information that the Department 
may require. It must also include a complete list of performance 
metrics, including baseline measures and annual targets. The grantee 
must update this management plan at least annually to reflect 
implementation of subsequent years of the project and provide the 
updated management plan to the Department.

Definitions

    The following definitions are from the NFP and from 34 CFR 77.1 and 
apply to the priorities, requirements, and selection criteria in this 
notice:
    High-need student means a student at risk of educational failure or 
otherwise in need of special assistance and support such as adult 
learners, working students, part-time students, students from low-
income backgrounds, students of color, first-generation students, 
students with disabilities, and students who are English learners. 
(Note: The Department does not limit the definition of high-need 
students to this list. This list is illustrative and may include other 
categories of high-need students).
    Independent evaluation means an evaluation that is designed and 
carried out independent of and external to the grantee, but in 
coordination with any employees of the grantee who develop a process, 
product, strategy, or practice and are implementing it.
    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).
    Minority-serving institution means an institution that is eligible 
to receive assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of Title 
III, under part B of Title III, or under Title V of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
    Moderate evidence of effectiveness means one of the following 
conditions is met:
    (a) 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 without reservations, found 
a statistically significant favorable impact on a relevant outcome (as 
defined in this notice) (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.
    (b) 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 (as 
defined in this notice) (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 
(as defined in this notice) and a multi-site sample (as defined in this 
notice). 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 a local educational agency, locality, or State.
    Nonprofit, as applied to an agency, organization, or institution, 
means that it is owned and operated by one or more corporations or 
associations whose net earnings do not benefit, and cannot lawfully 
benefit any private shareholder or entity.
    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 outcome 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.
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) (or the ultimate 
outcome if not related to students) the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of a program.
    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. 1138-1138d.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) 
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 NFP. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Available Funds: $60,000,000 total for the FITW program, with up to 
$16,000,000 set aside for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), in 
accordance with the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015. In 
implementing this set aside, the Department may fund applications from 
MSIs out of rank order in this competition, in the competition for 
Development grants or in both. We may allocate up to $40 million for 
Validation grants but the actual amount will

[[Page 27060]]

depend on the quality of the proposals in the Development and 
Validation grant competitions.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2016 or later years 
from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $6,000,000 to $10,000,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $7,000,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award for any application above 
the maximum award of $10,000,000 for a single budget period of 48 
months. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education may change 
the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 0-5.

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

    Project Period: 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, 
combinations of such institutions, and other public and private 
nonprofit institutions and agencies.
    To qualify as an eligible MSI under the FITW program, an 
institution of higher education must meet one of two criteria. The 
first criterion includes: Current eligibility approval as defined by 
the Department's FY 2015 eligibility process for Title III and/or Title 
V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; an open grant under 
one of the Department's Title III, Parts A and F and/or Title V 
programs; or a designation as a Historically Black College of 
University or a Tribally Controlled College. The second criterion 
includes: Specific enrollment percentages for minority students served; 
and, if applicable, needy student and educational and general 
expenditure criteria for determining income eligibility.
    More information on MSI eligibility is in the application package 
under the section entitled Eligibility. The Department will screen the 
applications to verify MSI eligibility based on these criteria and, if 
applicable, will use the most recent Integrated Postsecondary 
Educational Data Systems data. In the event an application does not 
qualify for MSI eligibility, it will still be reviewed.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. This competition does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

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: www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapp/index.html. To obtain a 
copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. 
Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), 
call, toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at 
its email address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.116X.
    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 the person or team 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 competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. There is a limit for the 
application narrative of 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.
     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.
    The page limit for the application does not apply to Part I, the 
cover sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative 
budget justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or 
the one-page abstract and information page, the resumes (three-page 
limit per resume), the bibliography, the appendices, or the letters of 
support.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: May 11, 2015.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 30, 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 
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: August 31, 2015.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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. 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.

[[Page 27061]]

    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: 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 for the 
FITW 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 FITW program, CFDA number 84.116X 
(Validation grants), 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 the FITW 
program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this program this competition by the CFDA 
number. Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search 
(e.g., search for 84.116, not 84.116X).
    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 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 (Portable Document) 
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,

[[Page 27062]]

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 person 
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: Frank Frankfort, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6166, Washington, DC 
20006.
    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 84.116X), 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 84.116X), 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.

    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 you a 
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 following selection criteria for the 
Validation competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and the NFP. The points 
assigned to each criterion are indicated in parentheses. We will award 
up to a total of 100 points to an application under the selection 
criteria.
    A. Significance (up to 20 points).
    The Secretary considers the significance of the proposed project. 
In determining the significance of the project, the Secretary considers 
the following factors:
    1. The potential contribution of the proposed project to increased 
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or 
effective strategies.
    2. The extent to which the proposed project is likely to yield 
findings that may be utilized by other appropriate agencies and 
organizations.
    3. The potential replicability of the proposed project or 
strategies, including, as appropriate, the potential for implementation 
in a variety of settings.
    B. Quality of the Project Design (up to 30 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the proposed project design, the 
Secretary considers the following factors:
    1. The extent to which the design of the proposed project includes 
a thorough, high-quality review of the

[[Page 27063]]

relevant literature, a high-quality plan for project implementation, 
and the use of appropriate methodological tools to ensure successful 
achievement of project objectives.
    2. The extent to which the proposed project is designed to build 
capacity and yield results that will extend beyond the period of 
Federal financial assistance.
    3. The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects 
up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
    C. Adequacy of Resources (up to 20 points).
    The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the adequacy of resources for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    1. The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment, 
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the 
lead applicant organization.
    2. The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the 
proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
    3. The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
number of persons to be served and to the anticipated results and 
benefits.
    4. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of the project director or principal investigator.
    D. Quality of Project Evaluation (up to 30 points).
    The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
project evaluation to be conducted, the Secretary considers the 
following factors:
    1. The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
    2. The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well-
implemented, produce evidence about the project's effectiveness that 
would meet the What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without 
reservations.
    3. The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 
of project consultants or subcontractors.

    Note: Successful applications will be those that have an 
evaluation design that has the potential to meet the What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations. The response 
to this selection criterion should include a description and number 
of students who will receive the intervention at each partner 
institution as well as a description and number of students to whom 
they will be compared at each partner institution. Finally, 
applicants should also address whether the person or firm conducting 
the independent evaluation (as defined in this notice) has 
experience in the design and management of evaluations designed to 
meet What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards.

    We encourage eligible applicants to review the following technical 
assistance resources on evaluation:
    (1) What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook: 
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/references/idocviewer/doc.aspx?docid=19&tocid=1; and
    (2) IES/NCEE Technical Methods papers: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/tech_methods/.
    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.
    Before making awards, we will screen applications submitted in 
accordance with the requirements in this notice to determine whether 
the application meets the eligibility requirements. This screening 
process may occur at various stages of the process. Applicants that are 
determined to be ineligible at any stage of the review process will not 
be considered further or receive a grant.
    We will use independent peer reviewers with varied backgrounds and 
professions, such as college and university educators, researchers and 
evaluators, social entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, and others with 
education expertise for the peer review process. All reviewers will be 
thoroughly screened for conflicts of interest to ensure a fair and 
competitive review process. Peer reviewers will read the assigned 
applications, prepare a written evaluation, and score the applications 
using the selection criteria provided in this notice.
    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).
    For FITW Validation grant applications the Department will create 
review panels comprised of content and evaluation experts. Content 
reviewers will review all eligible proposals but score only the first 
three selection criteria: A. Significance; B. Quality of the Project 
Design; and C. Adequacy of Resources. Evaluation experts will review 
all eligible proposals but score only the fourth criterion, D. Quality 
of the Project Evaluation.
    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; 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.
    To ensure that the Federal investment of these funds has as broad 
an impact as possible and to encourage innovation in the development 
and dissemination of learning materials, FITW grantees will be required 
to license to the public all intellectual property (except for computer 
software source code, as discussed below) created with the support of 
grant funds, including both new content created with grant funds and 
modifications made to pre-existing, grantee-owned content using grant 
funds. That license must be worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, 
perpetual, irrevocable, and grant the public permission to access, 
reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display, adapt, distribute, and 
otherwise use the intellectual property referenced above

[[Page 27064]]

(except for computer software source code, discussed below) for any 
purposes, conditioned only on the requirement that attribution be given 
to authors as designated. Further, the Department requires that all 
computer software source code developed or created with FITW funds will 
be released under an intellectual property license that allows others 
to freely use and build upon them.
    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. You must also submit a final evaluation report. 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. You must also submit an annual evaluation report. 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. Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993, the Department will use the following performance 
measures in assessing the successful performance of FIPSE's FITW 
grants:
    (1) The extent to which funded projects are replicated (i.e., 
adopted or adapted by others).
    (2) The extent to which projects are institutionalized and 
continued after funding.
    (3) The extent to which the metrics used to assess and evaluate 
project results measure performance under the absolute priority the 
project is designed to address.
    (4) The percentage of projects supported by FITW grants that 
produce evidence of their effectiveness (that meets What Works 
Clearinghouse Evidence Standards without reservations) at improving 
student outcomes and college affordability, especially for low-income 
students.
    (5) The percentage of projects supported by FITW grants that 
provide high-quality implementation data and performance feedback that 
allow for periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended 
outcomes.
    (6) The cost per student served by FITW grants.
    (7) The cost per successful student outcome.
    If funded, you will be asked to collect and report data from your 
project on steps taken toward achieving the outcomes evaluated by these 
performance measures.
    Consequently, applicants are advised to include these outcomes in 
conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their 
proposed projects.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Frankfort, U.S. Department of 
Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 6166, Washington, DC 20006-8544. 
Telephone: (202) 502-7513. FAX: (202) 502-7877 or by email. You may 
send emails to [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, 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 compact disc) on request to 
the 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: May 5, 2015.
Jamienne S. Studley,
Deputy Under Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-11337 Filed 5-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P