[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28533-28538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13041]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Special
Education Research Grant Programs
AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the
Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs,
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers 84.305A, 84.305B,
84.305C, 84.305D, 84.305R, 84.324A, 84.324B, and 84.324R. This notice
relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number
4040-0001.
DATES: The dates when applications are available and the deadlines for
transmittal of applications invited under this notice are indicated in
the chart at the end of this notice and in the
[[Page 28534]]
Requests for Applications (RFAs) that are posted at the following
websites: https://ies.ed.gov/funding, www.ed.gov/programs/edresearch/index.html, and www.ed.gov/programs/specialedresearch/index.html.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The contact person associated with a
particular research competition is listed in the chart at the end of
this notice, as well as in the relevant RFA and application package.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: In awarding these grants, the Institute of
Education Sciences (Institute) intends to provide national leadership
in expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and
school readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for
a disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early
childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3)
employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged
in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The
Institute's research grant programs are designed to provide interested
individuals and the general public with reliable and valid information
about education practices that support learning and improve academic
achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners.
These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners,
researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, the
Institute provides support for programs of research in areas of
demonstrated national need.
Competitions in This Notice: The Institute will conduct eight
research competitions in FY 2020 through two of its centers:
The Institute's National Center for Education Research (NCER) will
hold a total of five competitions--one competition in each of the
following areas: Education research; education research training;
education research and development centers; statistical and research
methodology in education; and systematic replication in education.
The Institute's National Center for Special Education Research
(NCSER) will hold a total of three competitions--one competition in
each of the following areas: Special education research; special
education research training, and systematic replication in special
education.
NCER Competitions
The Education Research Competition. Under this competition, NCER
will consider only applications that address one of the following
topics:
Career and Technical Education.
Cognition and Student Learning.
Early Learning Programs and Policies.
Education Technology.
Effective Instruction.
English Learners.
Improving Education Systems.
Postsecondary and Adult Education.
Reading and Writing.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Education.
Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning.
The Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences
Competition. Under this competition, NCER will consider only
applications that address one of the following topics:
Predoctoral Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in
the Education Sciences.
Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education
Sciences.
Methods Training for Education Researchers.
The Education Research and Development Centers Competition. Under
this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one
of the following topics:
Improving Opportunities and Achievement for English
Learners in Secondary School Settings.
Improving Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary
Institutions.
Improving Access, Instruction, and Outcomes in Gifted
Education.
The Statistical and Research Methodology in Education Competition.
Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that
address one of the following topics:
Statistical and Research Methodology Grants.
Early Career Statistical and Research Methodology Grants.
Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication. Under this
competition, NCER will consider only applications that address
identifying what works in education through systematic replication. The
list of interventions identified for replication is available on the
IES website at: https://ies.ed.gov/director/remarks/4-15-2019.asp.
NCSER Competitions
The Special Education Research Competition. Under this competition,
NCSER will consider only applications that address one of the following
topics:
Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Cognition and Student Learning in Special Education.
Early Intervention and Early Learning in Special
Education.
Families of Children with Disabilities.
Professional Development for Educators and School-Based
Service Providers.
Reading, Writing, and Language Development.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Education.
Social and Behavioral Outcomes to Support Learning.
Special Education Policy, Finance, and Systems.
Technology for Special Education.
Transition Outcomes for Secondary Students with
Disabilities.
Special Topics, which include--
Career and Technical Education for Students with
Disabilities.
English Learners with Disabilities.
Systems-Involved Students with Disabilities.
The Research Training Programs in Special Education Competition.
Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that
address one of the following three topics:
Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Special
Education and Early Intervention.
Early Career Development and Mentoring.
Methods Training Using Single Case Designs.
Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication. Under this
competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address
identifying what works in special education through systematic
replication. The list of interventions identified for replication is
available on the IES website at: https://ies.ed.gov/director/remarks/4-15-2019.asp.
Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the
Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to
section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C.
1232(d), and
[[Page 28535]]
is therefore not required to offer interested parties the opportunity
to comment on priorities, selection criteria, definitions, and
requirements.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98,
and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable,
except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103,
75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-
(c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, and 75.708. (b) The Office
of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted
and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c)
The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and
amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions
of higher education only.
Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not
apply for this competition.
II. Award Information
Types of Awards: Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements.
Fiscal Information: Although Congress has not yet enacted an
appropriation for FY 2020, the Institute is inviting applications for
these competitions now so that applicants can have adequate time to
prepare their applications. The actual level of funding, if any,
depends on final congressional action. The Department may announce
additional competitions later in 2019. The actual award of grants will
depend on the availability of funds.
The Education Research and Development Center for Improving Access,
Instruction and Outcomes in Gifted Education would be supported with
funding authorized through the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented
Students Education Act. The Administration's budget request for FY 2020
does not include funds for the Javits program. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Estimated Range of Awards: See chart at the end of this notice.
Estimated Size and Number of Awards: The size of the awards will
depend on the scope of the projects proposed. The number of awards made
under each competition will depend on the quality of the applications
received for that competition, the availability of funds, and the
following limits on awards for specific competitions and topics set by
the Institute. See the chart at the end of this notice for additional
information.
The Institute may waive any of the following limits on awards for a
specific competition or topic in the special case that the peer review
process results in a tie between two or more grant applications, making
it impossible to adhere to the limits without funding only some of the
equally ranked applications. In that case, the Institute may make a
larger number of awards to include all applications of the same rank.
For NCER's Education Research and Development Center competition,
we intend to fund one grant under each of the three topics.
For NCER's Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences
competition, we intend to fund five grants under the Predoctoral
Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in the Education Sciences
topic. However, should funding be available, we may consider making
additional awards to high-quality applications that remain unfunded
after five awards are made.
For NCSER's Research Training Programs in Special Education
competition, we intend to fund no more than one grant for Methods
Training Using Single Case Designs.
Contingent on the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2021 from the list of
highly-rated unfunded applications from the FY 2020 competitions.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: See chart at the end of this notice.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Applicants that have the ability and
capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to
apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, nonprofit
and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and
institutions of higher education, such as colleges and universities.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: These programs do not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
activities described in its application--to the following types of
entities: Nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private
agencies and institutions of higher education. The grantee may award
subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Other Information: Information regarding program and application
requirements for the competitions will be contained in the NCER and
NCSER RFAs, which will be available on or before June 24, 2019, on the
Institute's website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. The dates on which
the application packages for these competitions will be available are
indicated in the chart at the end of this notice.
3. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application are contained in the RFA for
the specific competition. The forms that must be submitted are in the
application package for the specific competition.
4. Submission Dates and Times: The deadline date for transmittal of
applications for each competition is indicated in the chart at the end
of this notice and in the RFAs for the competitions.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
5. Intergovernmental Review: These competitions are not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: For all of its grant competitions, the
Institute uses selection criteria based on a peer-review process that
has been approved by the National Board for Education Sciences. The
Peer Review Procedures for Grant
[[Page 28536]]
Applications can be found on the Institute's website at https://ies.ed.gov/director/sro/peer_review/application_review.asp.
For the 84.305A, 84.305D, 84.324A, 84.305R, and 84.324R
competitions, peer reviewers will be asked to evaluate the significance
of the application, the quality of the research plan, the
qualifications and experience of the personnel, and the resources of
the applicant to support the proposed activities. These criteria are
described in greater detail in the RFAs.
For the 84.305B and 84.324B competitions, peer reviewers for the
predoctoral, postdoctoral, and methods training programs will be asked
to evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
research training plan, the qualifications and experience of the
personnel, and the resources of the applicant to support the proposed
activities. Peer reviewers for the early career development and
mentoring program will be asked to evaluate the significance of the
application, the quality of the research plan, the quality of the
career development plan, the qualifications and experience of the
personnel, and the resources of the applicant to support the proposed
activities. These criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.
For the 84.305C competition, peer reviewers will be asked to
evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
research plan for the focused program of research, the quality of the
plans for other center activities, the quality of the management and
institutional resources, and the qualifications and experience of the
personnel. These criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.
For all of the Institute's competitions, applications should
include budgets no higher than the relevant maximum award as set out in
the relevant RFA. The Institute will not make an award exceeding the
maximum award amount as set out in the relevant RFA.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Institute 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 Institute 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 Institute
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
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.205, before awarding grants under these competitions, the
Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2
CFR 3474.10, the Institute may impose specific 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
$250,000), 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 the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a 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. 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. Grant Administration: Applicants should budget for an annual
two-day meeting for project directors to be held in Washington, DC.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under one of the
competitions announced in this notice, 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
Institute. 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 Institute under 34
CFR 75.118. The Institute 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.
5. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
education research and special education research grant programs, the
Institute annually assesses the percentage of projects that result in
peer-reviewed publications and the number of Institute-supported
interventions with evidence of efficacy in improving learner education
outcomes. In addition, NCSER annually assesses the number of newly
developed or modified interventions with evidence of promise for
improving learner education outcomes. School readiness outcomes include
pre-reading, reading, pre-writing, early mathematics, early science,
and social-emotional skills that prepare young children for school.
Student academic outcomes include learning and achievement in academic
content areas, such as reading, writing,
[[Page 28537]]
math, and science, as well as outcomes that reflect students'
successful progression through the education system, such as course and
grade completion; high school graduation; and postsecondary enrollment,
progress, and completion. Social and behavioral competencies include
social and emotional skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are
important to academic and post-academic success. Additional education
outcomes for students with or at risk of a disability (as defined in
the relevant RFA) include developmental outcomes for infants and
toddlers (birth to age three) pertaining to cognitive, communicative,
linguistic, social, emotional, adaptive, functional, or physical
development; and developmental and functional outcomes that improve
education outcomes, transition to employment, independent living, and
postsecondary education for students with disabilities.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Institute 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
Institute has established performance measurement requirements, whether
the grantee has met the performance targets in the grantee's approved
application.
In making a continuation award, the Institute 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. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the RFA in an accessible format (e.g., braille,
large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the appropriate
program contact person listed in the chart at the end of this notice.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. 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.
Mark Schneider,
Director, Institute of Education Sciences.
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Deadline for
Application transmittal Estimated range For further
CFDA No. and name package of of awards * Project period information
available applications contact
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Center for Education Research (NCER)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.305A Education Research 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $100,000 to Up to 5 years... Erin Higgins,
[ssquf] Career and Technical $660,000. Erin.Higgins@e
Education d.gov.
[ssquf] Cognition and
Student Learning.
[ssquf] Early Learning
Programs and Policies.
[ssquf] Education
Technology.
[ssquf] Effective
Instruction.
[ssquf] English Learners.
[ssquf] Improving
Education Systems.
[ssquf] Postsecondary and
Adult Education.
[ssquf] Reading and
Writing.
[ssquf] Science,
Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics
Education.
[ssquf] Social and
Behavioral Context for
Academic Learning.
84.305B Research Training 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $100,000 to Up to 5 years... Katina
Programs in the Education $920,000. Stapleton,
Sciences Katina.Staplet
[ssquf] Predoctoral [email protected].
Interdisciplinary Research
Training Program in the
Education Sciences
[ssquf] Postdoctoral
Research Training
Program in the Education
Sciences.
[ssquf] Methods Training
for Education
Researchers.
84.305C Education Research 7/11/19....... 9/26/19...... $1,000,000 to Up to 5 years... Corinne Alfeld,
and Development Centers $2,000,000. Corinne.Alfeld
[ssquf] Improving ,@ed.gov.
Opportunities and
Achievement for English
Learners in Secondary School
Settings
[ssquf] Improving
Teaching and Learning in
Postsecondary
Institutions.
[ssquf] Improving Access,
Instruction and Outcomes
in Gifted Education..
84.305D Statistical and 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $40,000 to Up to 3 years... Phill Gagne,
Research Methodology in $300,000. Phill.Gagne@ed
Education .gov.
[ssquf] Statistical and
Research Methodology Grants
[ssquf] Early Career
Statistical and Research
Methodology Grants.
84.305R Research Grants 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $400,000 to Up to 5 years... Christina
Focused on Systematic $800,000. Chhin,
Replication [email protected].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.324A Special Education 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $100,000 to Up to 5 years... Sarah Brasiel,
Research $660,000. Sarah.Brasiel@
[ssquf] Autism Spectrum ed.gov.
Disorders
[[Page 28538]]
[ssquf] Cognition and
Student Learning in
Special Education.
[ssquf] Early
Intervention and Early
Learning in Special
Education.
[ssquf] Families of
Children with
Disabilities.
[ssquf] Professional
Development for
Educators and School-
Based Service Providers.
[ssquf] Reading, Writing,
and Language Development.
[ssquf] Science,
Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics
Education.
[ssquf] Social and
Behavioral Outcomes to
Support Learning.
[ssquf] Special Education
Policy, Finance, and
Systems.
[ssquf] Technology for
Special Education.
[ssquf] Transition
Outcomes for Secondary
Students with
Disabilities.
[ssquf] Special Topics...
[cir] Career and
Technical Education
for Students with
Disabilities.
[cir] English
Learners with
Disabilities.
[cir] Systems-
Involved Students
with Disabilities.
84.324B Research Training 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $100,000 to Up to 5 years... Katherine
Programs in Special $225,000. Taylor,
Education. Katherine.Tayl
[ssquf] Postdoctoral Research [email protected].
Training Program in Special
Education and Early
Intervention.
[ssquf] Early Career
Development and
Mentoring.
[ssquf] Methods Training
Using Single Case
Designs.
84.324R Research Grants 7/11/19....... 8/29/19...... $400,000 to Up to 5 years... Katherine
Focused on Systematic $800,000. Taylor,
Replication. [email protected].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These estimates are annual amounts.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Note: If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
[FR Doc. 2019-13041 Filed 6-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P