[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 225 (Friday, November 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74328-74331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25665]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Research Networks Focused on 
Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice, and Transformative 
Research in the Education Sciences

AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the 
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and 
Practice, and the Transformative Research in the Education Sciences 
Grant Programs, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.305N and 84.305T. This 
notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control 
number 4040-0001.

DATES: Applications Available: December 17, 2020. Deadline for 
Transmittal of Applications: February 25, 2021.

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 Research Networks Focused on 
Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice competition 
(84.305N): Meredith Larson. Telephone: (202) 245-7037. Email: 
[email protected]. For the Transformative Research in the 
Education Sciences competition (84.305T): Erin Higgins. Telephone: 
(202) 706-8509. 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 programs of research in areas of demonstrated 
national need. The Institute's research grant programs are designed to 
provide interested

[[Page 74329]]

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 Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of 
Education Policy and Practice grant program, NCER focuses resources and 
attention on specific education problems or issues that are a high 
priority for the Nation, and establishes both a structure and process 
for researchers who are working on these issues to share ideas, build 
new knowledge, and strengthen their research and dissemination 
capacity. The Institute is establishing both the Adult Skills Network 
and the Digital Learning Platforms Network to fulfill the requirements 
in section 133(c)(1) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 for 
national research and development centers.
    Through the Transformative Research in the Education Sciences grant 
program, NCER intends to support innovative or unconventional research 
that has the potential to lead to new scientific paradigms, new and 
more effective approaches to education practice or policy, or 
transformative technologies that substantially increase learner 
outcomes.
    Competitions in This Notice: The Institute's NCER is announcing two 
competitions--one competition in research networks and one competition 
in transformative research.
    Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy 
and Practice. Under this competition, NCER will consider only 
applications that address one of the following topics:

 Adult Skills Network, which includes:
    [cir] Network Lead.
    [cir] Research Teams.
 Digital Learning Platforms Network, which includes:
    [cir] Network Lead.
    [cir] Platform Development Teams.

    Transformative Research in the Education Sciences. Under this 
competition, NCER will consider only applications that demonstrate the 
potential to produce a major impact in an area relevant to the 
Institute's mission through innovative or unconventional research.
    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.
    Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner consistent 
with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the U.S. 
Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.

II. Award Information

    Types of Awards: 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.
    Estimated Range of Awards: For the Research Networks Focused on 
Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice competition 
(84.305N): $1,000,000 to $3,800,000. For the Transformative Research in 
the Education Sciences competition (84.305T): $500,000 to $3,000,000. 
The size of the awards will depend on the type and 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, 
the availability of funds, and the following limits on awards for the 
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and 
Practice competition.
    The Institute may waive any of the following limits on awards for 
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and 
Practice competition 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 the Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education 
Policy and Practice competition, we intend to fund up to six grants for 
research teams and one grant for the network lead under the Adult 
Skills topic; and we intend to fund up to five grants for platform 
development teams and one grant for the network lead under the Digital 
Learning Platforms topic. However, should funding be available, we may 
consider making additional awards to high-quality applications that 
remain unfunded after these maximum limits are met.
    For both competitions, 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 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: 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.
    If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may 
demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the 
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an 
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State 
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the 
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and 
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private 
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly 
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4)

[[Page 74330]]

any item described above if that item applies to a State or national 
parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent 
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: These competitions do not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information. This program uses a restricted 
indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or 
to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    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 
December 3, 2020 on the Institute's website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. Application packages for these competitions will be available 
on or before December 17, 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: February 25, 2021 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern 
Time.
    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 84.305N competition, peer reviewers will be asked to 
evaluate the significance of the application; the quality of the 
research plan, platform development plan, or network lead plan 
(depending on the topic and type of application); 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 if the application is for the Research 
Teams under the Adult Skills Network. These criteria are described in 
greater detail in the RFA.
    For the 84.305T competition, peer reviewers will be asked to 
evaluate the significance of the transformative idea, the quality and 
logic of the research approach, the quality and achievability of the 
deliverables and metrics, the quality and appropriateness of the 
personnel, the quality and availability of resources, and the quality 
and relevance of the dissemination history and plan. 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 Research Networks Focused on Critical 
Problems of Education Policy and Practice competition, the maximum 
awards for the Adult Skills Network are $3,800,000 for the research 
team grants and $3,000,000 for the network lead grant; and the maximum 
awards for the Digital Learning Platforms Network are $2,000,000 for 
the platform development team grants and $3,000,000 for the network 
lead grant.
    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

[[Page 74331]]

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 3-
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. These measures were 
established for the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 
(GPRA).
    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: On request to the appropriate program contact 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with 
disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the RFA in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    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. 2020-25665 Filed 11-19-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P