[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 35 (Thursday, February 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11441-11448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03540]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Developing Hispanic-Serving 
Institutions Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

    Overview Information:
    Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program.
Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017.

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


Dates: 
    Applications Available: February 23, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 24, 2017.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 23, 2017.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The DHSI Program provides grants to assist 
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to expand educational 
opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic 
students. DHSI Program grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance 
the academic offerings, program quality, faculty quality, and 
institutional stability of colleges and universities that are educating 
the majority of Hispanic college students and help large numbers of 
Hispanic students and low-income individuals complete postsecondary 
degrees.
    Background: Hispanic students are enrolling in postsecondary 
institutions at higher rates than ever before; however, we continue to 
lose a substantial number of Hispanic students prior to degree 
completion.\1\ Additionally, while Hispanic students have very high 
enrollments at 2-year institutions, the transfer rate to 4-year 
institutions, as well as the rate of certificate and associate degree 
completion, continues to be low.\2\ This is unacceptable especially 
considering the evidence showing how essential postsecondary education, 
including certification programs, is to full participation in today's 
competitive workforce. Given the growth of the Hispanic population, it 
is imperative that we ensure educational success for our youngest and 
fastest growing population. As a nation, we cannot afford to have such 
a large portion of our population undereducated and therefore 
underrepresented in competitive careers in a global economy. Progress 
toward higher rates of Hispanics with postsecondary degrees requires 
intentional and on-going support throughout every level of the 
educational pipeline.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ www.http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d15/tables/dt15_326.20.asp.
    \2\ US Census Bureau, Population Division Survey, 2014 Annual 
Social and Economic Supplement, Table 1: Educational Attainment. 
2015. www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2014/tables.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To this end, in this competition, the Department is inviting 
applicants to focus on the various aspects of the teacher preparation 
pipeline. Currently, Hispanic teachers make up about 7.8 percent of the 
teacher workforce, yet Hispanic students make up over 24 percent of the 
public school system's elementary and secondary student

[[Page 11442]]

body.\3\ HSIs are in a position to enhance and develop programs that 
improve the preparation, support, and retention of Hispanic teachers. 
Investing in teacher preparation programs can provide benefits that 
lead to academic improvement of pre-kindergarten, elementary, and 
secondary students. A recent report by the Department, ``The State of 
Racial Diversity in the Educator Workforce,'' cited the social and 
academic gains for students of color when they are taught by teachers 
of color.\4\ These gains have the potential to contribute to positive 
academic outcomes for this targeted population. To increase the number 
of Hispanic teachers, we will need to ensure postsecondary success for 
this population. This means we must also further efforts to facilitate 
transfer programs between 2-year and 4-year institutions. In this 
competition, we also include a transfer model priority for 2-year HSIs 
to partner with 4-year institutions. This, we believe, is a 
comprehensive approach to support multiple levels of the educational 
pipeline leading to educational success.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_caa.asp.
    \4\ https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/highered/racial-diversity/state-racial-diversity-workforce.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference 
priorities and one invitational priority. The competitive preference 
priorities are from the authorized activities for the DHSI Program in 
section 503(b) of the HEA.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2017 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from 
this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an application up to 
10 additional points for each priority, depending on how well the 
application meets one of these priorities. Applicants may only respond 
to one of the priorities, for a total of up to 10 additional points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1 (up to 10 additional points).
    Projects that establish or enhance a program of teacher education 
designed to qualify teacher candidates to teach in public elementary 
schools and secondary schools.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to 10 additional points).
    Projects that develop or enhance articulation agreements and/or 
student support programs designed to facilitate the transfer from 2-
year to 4-year institutions.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2017 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets the invitational 
priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
    This priority is:
    Promoting the Teacher Profession for Hispanic Students.
    Projects that develop or enhance partnerships that:
    (1) Are designed to increase the number of effective teachers with 
linguistic and cultural competency serving in high-need schools (as 
defined in section 200(11) of the HEA);
    (2) Combine strong content knowledge with robust practical 
experience to meet the instructional needs of the local school 
district(s);
    (3) Develop strong teacher pipelines that support the preparation, 
placement, and retention of effective teachers;
    (4) Use outcome data of their recent graduates reported by their 
State, or otherwise obtained, to facilitate continuous improvement; and
    (5) Share best practices and other information on implementation 
with other institutions.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from the notice of final 
supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant 
programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014, (79 
FR 73425) (Supplemental Priorities) and the DHSI Program regulations 34 
CFR 606.7 and apply to the priorities and selection criteria in this 
notice:
    Cooperative arrangement means an arrangement to carry out allowable 
grant activities between an institution eligible to receive a grant 
under the DHSI Program and another eligible or ineligible institution 
of higher education, under which the resources of the cooperating 
institutions are combined and shared to better achieve the purposes of 
the DHSI program and avoid costly duplication of effort.
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.

    Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use 
resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Education Logic 
Model Application (www.relpacific.mcrel.org/PERR.html or http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED544779.pdf) to help design their logic 
models.

    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1101-1101d; 1103-1103g.
    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 OMB 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 606. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants--Individual Development Grants 
and Cooperative Arrangement Grants. Planning grants will not be awarded 
in FY 2017.

    Note: For cooperative arrangement grants, under 34 CFR 
606.12(a)(2) the application must include the names of participating 
institutions, the role of each institution, and the rational for 
each eligible participating institution's decision to request grant 
funds as part of a cooperative arrangement rather than as an 
individual grantee.

    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$107,795,000 for awards for the DHSI program for FY 2017, of which we 
intend to use an estimated $11,500,000 for this competition. The actual 
level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2018 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$750,000.
    Maximum Awards:
    Individual Development Grants: $550,000.
    Cooperative Arrangement Grants: $750,000.
    We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding 
these maximum amounts for a single budget

[[Page 11443]]

period of 12 months. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in 
the Federal Register.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 20.

    Note: The number of estimated awards is for total number of 
awards without distinction as an individual or cooperative 
arrangement grant.


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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Institutions of higher education (IHEs) 
that qualify as eligible HSIs are eligible to apply for new Individual 
Development Grants and Cooperative Arrangement Grants under the DHSI 
Program. To be an eligible HSI, an IHE must--
    (i) Have an enrollment of needy students, as defined in section 
502(b) of the HEA (section 502(a)(2)(A)(i) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(i));
    (ii) Have, except as provided in section 522(b) of the HEA, average 
educational and general expenditures that are low, per full-time 
equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student, in comparison with the average 
educational and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate student of 
institutions that offer similar instruction (section 502(a)(2)(A)(ii) 
of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii));

    Note: To demonstrate an enrollment of needy students and low 
average educational and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate 
student, an IHE must be designated as an ``eligible institution'' in 
accordance with 34 CFR 606.3 through 606.5 and the notice inviting 
applications for designation as an eligible institution for the 
fiscal year for which the grant competition is being conducted.


    Note: The notice announcing the FY 2017 process for designation 
of eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of 
eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on 
November 25, 2016 (81 FR 85210). Only institutions that the 
Department determines are eligible, or are granted a waiver, may 
apply for a grant in this program.

    (iii) Be 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, or making 
reasonable progress toward accreditation, according to such an agency 
or association (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iv));
    (iv) Be legally authorized to provide, and provide within the 
State, an educational program for which the institution awards a 
bachelor's degree (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA), or be a 
junior or community college (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii));
    (v) Have an enrollment of undergraduate FTE students that is at 
least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year 
immediately preceding the date of application (section 502(a)(5)(B) of 
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)(B)); and
    (vi) Provide, as an attachment to the application, the 
documentation the IHE relied upon in determining that at least 25 
percent of the IHE's undergraduate FTE students are Hispanic. The 25 
percent requirement applies only to undergraduate Hispanic students and 
is calculated based upon FTE students as defined in section 502(a)(4) 
of the HEA. Instructions for formatting and submitting the verification 
documentation to Grants.gov are in the application package for this 
competition.
    (b) For this program, the ``end of the award year immediately 
preceding the date of application'' refers to the end of the fiscal 
year prior to the application due date. For purposes of this 
competition, the data that we will use to determine percent enrollment 
is Fall 2015 enrollment.
    (c) In considering applications for grants under this program, the 
Department will compare the data and documentation the institution 
relied on in its application with data reported to the Department's 
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the IHE's 
State-reported enrollment data, and the institutional annual report. If 
different percentages or data are reported in these various sources, 
the institution must, as part of the 25 percent assurance verification, 
explain the reason for the differences. If the IPEDS data show that 
less than 25 percent of the institution's undergraduate FTE students 
are Hispanic, the burden is on the institution to show that the IPEDS 
data are inaccurate. If the IPEDS data indicate that the institution 
has an undergraduate FTE less than 25 percent, and the institution 
fails to demonstrate that the IPEDS data are inaccurate, the 
institution will be considered ineligible.
    (d) A grantee under the DHSI Program, which is authorized by title 
V of the HEA, may not receive a grant under any HEA, title III, part A 
or part B program (section 505 of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101D). The title 
III, part A programs include: The Strengthening Institutions Program; 
the American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities 
Program; the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions 
Programs; the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-
Serving Institutions Program; and the Native American-Serving Non-
Tribal Institutions Program. Furthermore, a current DHSI Program 
grantee may not give up its HSI grant in order to receive a grant under 
any title III, part A program (Sec.  606.2(c)(1)).
    (e) An eligible HSI may only submit one application as an 
Individual Development Grant applicant and/or one under a Cooperative 
Arrangement Grant applicant.
    (f) An eligible HSI that submits a Cooperative Arrangement Grant 
with a partnering branch campus that is a part of the same institution 
will not be awarded a grant (34 CFR 606.7(b)).
    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 (section 503(c)(2) of the HEA; 20 
U.S.C. 1101b(c)(2)).
    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 606.30(b).)

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request Application Package: Njeri Clark, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW., Room 4C137, Washington, 
DC 20202-0001. Telephone: (202) 453-6224 or by email: 
[email protected].
    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 the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content and form of an application, together with the 
forms you must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, 
address the selection criteria, the competitive

[[Page 11444]]

preference priority and the invitational priority that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We have established mandatory page limits. 
You must limit the application narrative that addresses the selection 
criteria and the priorities (if applicable) to no more than 55 pages. 
How the pages are allocated within the 55 page limit is up to the 
applicant.
    Accordingly, under no circumstances may the application narrative 
exceed 55 pages.
    Please include a separate heading for the competitive preference 
priority that you address.
    For the purpose of determining compliance with the page limits, 
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, captions and all text in charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs. These items may be single-spaced. Charts, 
tables, figures, and graphs in the application narrative count toward 
the page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, or no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-
point font in charts, tables, figures, 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 
which is your complete response to the selection criteria, the 
invitational priority (if applicable), and your response to one of the 
competitive preference priorities (if applicable). However, the page 
limit does not apply to the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 
424); the Department of Education Supplemental Information form (SF 
424); Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524); the 
assurances and certifications; or the one-page project abstract, 
program profile form, program activity budget detail form and 
supporting budget narrative. If you include any attachments or 
appendices not specifically requested in the application package, these 
items will be counted as part of your application narrative for 
purposes of the page-limit requirement.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 23, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 24, 2017.
    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 Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV 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: June 23, 2017.
    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. This 
program does not allow indirect costs.
    (b) Applicability of Executive Order 13202. Applicants that apply 
for construction funds under the DHSI Program 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) 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 at the 
following Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 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 you enter into the SAM database. 
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, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and 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,

[[Page 11445]]

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 
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the DHSI Program, CFDA number 
84.031S, 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 DHSI 
Program 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 84.031S).
    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. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     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 read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the application 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF.
     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. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that contains special characters). You will 
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you 
must still meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to 
submit a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     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

[[Page 11446]]

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. We will 
contact you after we determine 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: Beatriz Ceja, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C133, 
Washington, DC 20202-0001. FAX: (202) 401-8466.
    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 84.031S), 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.

    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.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the deadline 
date.
    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 84.031S), 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 selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 606.22 and 34 CFR 75.210 and are as follows:
    (a) Quality of the applicant's comprehensive development plan. (Up 
to 20 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; (up to 5 
points)
    (2) The goals for the institution's academic programs, 
institutional management, and fiscal stability are realistic and based 
on comprehensive analysis; (up to 5 points)
    (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 (up to 5 points)
    (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. (Up to 
5 points)
    (b) Quality of the project design. (up to 5 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the

[[Page 11447]]

proposed project is supported by strong theory (as defined in this 
notice).
    (c) Quality of activity objectives. (Up to 15 points)
    The extent to which the objectives for each activity are--
    (1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results; (up to 5 
points) and
    (2) Directly related to the problems to be solved and to the goals 
of the comprehensive development plan. (up to 10 points)
    (d) Quality of implementation strategy. (Up to 15 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) The implementation strategy for each activity is comprehensive; 
(up to 5 points)
    (2) The rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity 
is clearly described and is supported by the results of relevant 
studies or projects; (up to 5 points) and
    (3) The timetable for each activity is realistic and likely to be 
attained. (up to 5 points)
    (e) Quality of project management plan. (Up to 10 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) Procedures for managing the project are likely to ensure 
efficient and effective project implementation; (up to 5 points) 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. (up to 5 points)
    (f) Quality of key personnel. (Up to 5 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) The past experience and training of key professional personnel 
are directly related to the stated activity objectives; (up to 2 
points) and
    (2) The time commitment of key personnel is realistic. (up to 3 
points)
    (g) Quality of evaluation plan. (Up to 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; (up to 5 points)
    (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; (up to 5 points) and
    (3) The evaluation will provide guidance about effective strategies 
suitable for replication or testing in other settings. (up to 5 points)
    (h) Budget. (up to 5 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).
    Tiebreaker: In tie-breaking situations for development grants 
described in 34 CFR 606.23(b), the DHSI Program regulations require 
that we award one additional point to an application from an IHE that:
    (1) Has an endowment fund of which the current market value, per 
FTE enrolled student, is less than the average current market value of 
the endowment funds, per FTE enrolled student, at comparable 
institutions that offer similar instruction;
    (2) Has expenditures for library materials per FTE enrolled student 
that are less than the average expenditures for library materials per 
FTE enrolled student at comparable institutions that offer similar 
instruction; or
    (3) Proposes to carry out one or more of the following activities--
    (i) Faculty development;
    (ii) Funds and administrative management;
    (iii) Development and improvement of academic programs;
    (iv) Acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening management 
and academic programs;
    (v) Joint use of facilities; or
    (vi) Student services.
    For the purpose of these funding considerations, we use 2014-2015 
data.
    If a tie remains after applying the tiebreaker mechanism above, 
priority will be given in the case of applicants for (a) Individual 
Development Grants, to applicants that addressed the statutory priority 
found in section 521(d) of the HEA; and (b) Cooperative Arrangement 
Grants, to applicants in accordance with section 524(b) of the HEA, 
under which the Secretary determines that the cooperative arrangement 
is geographically and economically sound or will benefit the applicant 
HSI.
    If a tie still remains after applying the additional point(s) and 
the relevant statutory priority, we will determine the ranking of 
applicants based on the lowest endowment values per FTE enrolled 
student.
    3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program, the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. 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.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2), we must make a judgment about 
your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under 
Federal awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before 
we make an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about 
you that is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred 
to as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS), accessible through SAM. You may review and comment on any 
information yourself that Federal agency previously entered and that is 
currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S.

[[Page 11448]]

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 multiyear 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    4. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the 
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the DHSI Program:
    a. The annual rate of degree or certificate completion for all 
students, and specifically for Hispanic students, at DHSI grantee 
institutions.
    b. The annual persistence rate at DHSI grantee institutions for all 
students, and for Hispanic students in particular, from one year to the 
next.
    c. The percent of all students, and of Hispanic students in 
particular, that transfer from a 2-year HSI to a 4-year institution.
    d. The annual percent change in the number of Hispanic students 
completing a teacher preparation program.
    e. The number of all students, and the number of Hispanic students 
in particular, served by any direct student service supported by the 
grant.
    f. Federal cost per undergraduate and graduate degree at 
institutions in the DHSI program.
    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 award, 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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C137, Washington, DC 20202-
0001. Telephone: (202) 453-6224 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.
    Applicants should periodically check the DHSI Program Web site for 
further information. The address is: www.ed.gov/programs/idueshsi/index.html.

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 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.

    Dated: February 17, 2017.
Linda Byrd-Johnson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Programs, and 
Senior Director, Student Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03540 Filed 2-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P