[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7754-7758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02651]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; American Overseas Research Centers
Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the American
Overseas Research Centers (AORC) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.274A. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 11, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 27, 2020.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 26, 2020.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed information regarding the webinar will be provided on the
website for the AORC program at www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsaorc/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.
[[Page 7755]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl E. Gibbs, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 257-09, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-5690. 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The AORC program provides grants to consortia
of United States institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish
or operate overseas centers to promote postgraduate research,
exchanges, and area studies. AORC grants may be used to pay all or a
portion of the costs for the operation and maintenance of overseas
facilities; organizing and managing conferences; teaching and research
materials; the acquisition, maintenance, and preservation of library
collections; bringing visiting scholars and faculty to the center to
teach or to conduct research; faculty and staff stipends and salaries;
faculty, staff, and student travel; and publication and dissemination
of materials for the scholarly and general public.
Priorities: Under this competition we are particularly interested
in applications that address the following priorities.
Invitational Priorities: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets these
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
These priorities are:
Invitational Priority 1--Professional Development Opportunities for
Community Colleges and Minority Serving Institutions.
Provide professional development opportunities to participants from
community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The opportunities
must include: Foreign language instruction at the beginning level to
introduce participants to the languages of the center, or at the
intermediate and advanced levels to strengthen participants' foreign
language proficiency; curriculum development workshops for
incorporating global content into courses; and conferences related to
the scholarly focus of the center. The professional development
opportunities may be provided in the United States or overseas where
the center is located.
For the purpose of this priority:
Community college means an institution that meets the definition in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)
(20 U.S.C. 1058(f)); or an institution of higher education (as defined
in section 101 of the HEA) that awards degrees and certificates, more
than 50 percent of which are not bachelor's degrees (or an equivalent)
or master's, professional, or other advanced degrees.
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 HEA.
Note: The list of institutions currently designated as eligible
under title III and title V is available at: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#el-inst.
Invitational Priority 2--Open Access to Center-related Research,
Instructional, and Scholarly Resources.
Projects that promote international scholarship by providing open
access to center-related research studies, conference proceedings,
online libraries, digital archives, foreign language instructional
materials, scholarly publications, and other resources related to the
thematic focus of the center.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1128a.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86,
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Available Funds: $1,000,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2021 from the list of
unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $46,000-$70,000 for each 12-month budget
period.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $58,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 17.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Consortia of United States IHEs that
receive more than 50 percent of their funding from public or private
United States sources, have a permanent presence in the country in
which the center is located, and are organizations described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which are exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its 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.go v/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the AORC grant
competition, your application may include business information that you
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information''
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended). Because we plan to post on our website a selection of FY 2020
AORC funded abstracts and applications' narrative sections, you may
wish to request confidentiality of business information.
Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page
number or numbers on which we can find this information.
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For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this competition.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate the application. We recommend
that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 30 pages
and (2) 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.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, Application
for Federal Assistance cover sheet (SF 424); the Supplemental
Information Form SF 424B; Part II, ED 524 (Summary Budget A) and the
detailed budget justification (Summary Budget C); or Part IV,
assurances and certifications. The recommended page limit also does not
apply to the project abstract, curriculum vitae, or letters of support.
However, the recommended page limit does apply to the entire
application narrative.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from section 609 of the HEA and 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score
for all selection criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
(a) Program purpose (up to 20 points).
The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to
which the proposed project promotes postgraduate research, exchanges,
and area studies.
(b) Need for project (up to 10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or
the activities to be carried out by the proposed project.
(c) Quality of the project design (up to 10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(ii) The extent to which fellowship recipients or other project
participants are to be selected on the basis of academic excellence.
(d) Quality of project services (up to 20 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the quality and
sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the extent to which the
services to be provided by the proposed project are appropriate to the
needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those services.
(e) Quality of project personnel (up to 15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will
carry out the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel.
(ii) The extent to which time commitments of the project director
and other key project personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet
the objectives of the proposed project.
(f) Adequacy of resources (up to 10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project.
(ii) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization.
(g) Quality of the project evaluation (up to 15 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate
to the context within which the project operates.
(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project.
(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
timely guidance for quality assurance.
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
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).
All applications submitted to the FY 2020 AORC competition will be
evaluated and scored by peer reviewers who are subject matter experts
in area studies, international studies, and world languages. The
Department will develop a rank order slate of all applicants in the
competition, from the highest score to the lowest score. Applications
selected
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for funding will be determined by the applicant's rank order in the
competition.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific 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 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 the
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 the 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 the approved application as part of the binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables.
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. 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).
AORC program grantees are required to submit their performance
reports into the web-based International Resource Information System
(IRIS) data reporting system. For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: The purpose of the AORC program is to
promote area studies, exchanges, and postgraduate research. In
compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, the
Department will use the following measures to assess the impact of the
AORC program on project participants and researchers:
AORC Performance Measure 1: The number of individuals conducting
postgraduate research utilizing the services of title VI AORCs.
AORC Performance Measure 2: The percentage of AORC program
participants who advanced in their professional field within two years
after their participation.
The grantee performance reports collected in IRIS will be the data
source for these measures. The AORC program reporting screens may be
viewed at: http://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/AORC.pdf.
6. 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. 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.
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 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
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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.
Robert L. King,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-02651 Filed 2-10-20; 8:45 am]
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