[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16931-16934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06255]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Statistical and Research Methodology
in Education and Using Longitudinal Data To Support State Education
Policymaking 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) 2021 for the
Statistical and Research Methodology in Education and the Using
Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking Grant
Programs, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers 84.305D
and 84.305S. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 4040-0001.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 7, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 30, 2020.
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: For the Statistical and Research
Methodology in Education competition (84.305D): Phill Gagne, U.S.
Department of Education, 550 12th Street SW, Room 4122, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7139. Email:
[email protected]. For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State
Education Policymaking competition (84.305S): Allen Ruby, U.S.
Department of Education, 500 12th Street SW, Room 4148, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-8145. 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: Through the National Center for Education
Research (NCER), the Institute of Education Sciences (Institute)
provides support for
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programs of research in areas of demonstrated national need. 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.
Through the Statistical and Research Methodology in Education grant
program, NCER intends to support the development of a wide range of
methodological and statistical tools to better enable applied education
scientists to conduct rigorous education research. Through the Using
Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking grant
program, NCER intends to expand the research use of State Longitudinal
Data Systems to examine long-term learner outcomes and pathways in
order to provide evidence for State education policymaking.
Competitions in This Notice: The Institute's NCER is announcing two
competitions--one competition in statistical and research methodology
in education and one competition in using longitudinal data to support
State education policymaking.
The Statistical and Research Methodology in Education Competition.
Under this ccompetition, NCER will consider only applications that
address one of the following topics:
Statistical and Research Methodology Grants.
Early Career Statistical and Research Methodology Grants.
Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking.
Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that
expand the research use of State Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) to
provide evidence for State education policymaking. Through this new
grant program, IES will increase its support for the research use of
SLDS beyond its ongoing research grants program and Grants for
Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems.
Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the
Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, the Institute is not
subject to section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20
U.S.C. 1232(d), and 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 these competitions.
II. Award Information
Types of Awards: Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements.
Fiscal Information: Although Congress has not yet enacted an
appropriation for FY 2021, 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 will announce
additional competitions later in FY 2020.
Estimated Range of Awards: For the Statistical and Research
Methodology in Education competition (84.305D): $40,000 to $300,000.
For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking
competition (84.305S): $40,000 to $333,000. The size of the awards will
depend on the scope of the projects proposed.
Estimated Number of Awards: The number of awards made under each
competition will depend on the quality of the applications received and
the availability of funds.
Contingent on the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022 from the list of
highly-rated unfunded applications from the FY 2021 competitions.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: For the Statistical and Research
Methodology in Education grant program, applicants that have the
ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are
eligible to apply. These 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.
For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking
grant program, eligible applicants must be a State educational agency
(SEA), defined as a State or Territory's K-12 authority, alone, or in
conjunction with research organizations such as universities and
research firms, and/or with other appropriate organizations (such as
other State agencies or local educational agencies). The SEA must be
the grantee and must provide the Principal Investigator.
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
Requests for Applications (RFAs), which will be available on or before
April 1, 2020 on the Institute's website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. Application packages for these competitions will be available
on May 7, 2020.
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 Deadline: July 30, 2020 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
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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 Applications can be found on the
Institute's website at https://ies.ed.gov/director/sro/peer_review/application_review.asp.
For the 84.305D competition, 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, the
resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities, and the
quality of the dissemination history and dissemination plan. These
criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.
For the 84.305S competition, peer reviewers will be asked to
evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
research plan, the applicability and availability of the data to be
analyzed, and the quality of the plans to disseminate and use the
findings in State decision-making. 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. For the Statistical and Research Methodology in
Education competition, the maximum award for the Regular Grants is
$900,000 and the maximum award for the Early Career Grants is $225,000.
For the Using Longitudinal Data to Support State Education Policymaking
competition, the maximum award is $1,000,000. The Institute will not
make an award exceeding the maximum award amount.
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 will 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 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.
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
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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 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 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.
[FR Doc. 2020-06255 Filed 3-24-20; 8:45 am]
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