[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4024-4029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00766]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Graduate Assistance in Areas of
National Need
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 new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.200A. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0604.
DATES: Applications Available: January 15, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 1, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 30, 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: Rebecca Ell, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B-214, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-6348. Email: [email protected]; or ReShone
Moore, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B-
214, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone (202) 453-7624. 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 GAANN Program provides grants to academic
departments and programs of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to
support graduate fellowships for students with excellent academic
records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest
degree available in their course of study at the institution.
Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and one
competitive preference priority. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from the regulations for
this program (34 CFR 648.33(a) and Appendix to part 648--Academic
Areas). Please note that the codes next to selected academic areas
under the absolute priority are from the Appendix to part 648--Academic
Areas of the program regulations and can be found in the application
booklet as well as on www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f8ad0cf4f75cd9841b2bc1adb98c5739&mc=true&node=pt34.3.648&rgn=div5. The competitive preference priority is from the notice of final
administrative priorities for discretionary grant programs published in
the Federal Register on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640) (Administrative
Priorities).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year for which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
The absolute priority is:
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.
A project must provide fellowships in one or more of the following
areas of national need, in an interdisciplinary program of study
involving at least two of these areas, or for a multidisciplinary
project. A multidisciplinary project is one that requests fellowships
for more than a single academic department in one or more of the
following areas, and in which each department's program of study is
independent.
A. For the following academic areas, the project must provide
fellowships for programs that lead either to a Professional Science
Master's (PSM) degree, master's degree or a doctoral degree, whichever
is the highest degree awarded in the area of need at the institution.
1. Computer and Information Sciences. A degree or a degree with
specialization in one or more of the following areas:
Cybersecurity (the interdiscipline of ``11.01 Computer and
Information Sciences, General'' and ``11.05 Computer Systems
Analysis'').
Secure computer programming (the interdiscipline of
``11.01 Computer and Information Sciences, General'' and ``11.02
Computer Programming'').
Artificial Intelligence (the interdiscipline of ``11.02
Computer Programming,'' ``11.04 Information Sciences and Systems,'' and
``14.09 Computer Engineering'').
2. 14. Engineering.
14.01 Engineering, General
14.02 Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
14.03 Agricultural Engineering
14.04 Architectural Engineering
14.05 Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
14.06 Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
14.07 Chemical Engineering
14.08 Civil Engineering
14.09 Computer Engineering
14.10 Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering
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14.11 Engineering Mechanics
14.12 Engineering Physics
14.13 Engineering Science
14.14 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
14.15 Geological Engineering
14.16 Geophysical Engineering
14.17 Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
14.18 Materials Engineering
14.19 Mechanical Engineering
14.20 Metallurgical Engineering
14.21 Mining and Mineral Engineering
14.22 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
14.23 Nuclear Engineering
14.24 Ocean Engineering
14.25 Petroleum Engineering
14.27 Systems Engineering
14.28 Textile Sciences and Engineering
14.29 Engineering Design
14.30 Engineering/Industrial Management
14.31 Materials Science
14.32 Polymer/Plastics Engineering
B. For the following academic areas, the project must provide
fellowships in programs that lead either to a PSM degree, master's
degree, or a doctoral degree, whichever is the highest degree awarded
in the area of need at the institution. Students pursuing a degree in
one of these areas are planning a career in either teaching or
research.
26. Biological Sciences/Life Sciences.
26.01 Biology, General
26.02 Biochemistry and Biophysics
26.03 Botany
26.04 Cell and Molecular Biology
26.05 Microbiology/Bacteriology
26.06 Miscellaneous Biological Specializations
26.07 Zoology
42. Psychology.
42.01 Psychology
42.02 Clinical Psychology
42.03 Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
42.04 Community Psychology
42.06 Counseling Psychology
42.07 Developmental and Child Psychology
42.08 Experimental Psychology
42.09 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
42.11 Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
42.16 Social Psychology
42.17 School Psychology
51.16 Nursing. Applications from nursing programs must
focus on the preparation of nursing scholars for educational leadership
roles. Graduates will become teachers preparing students for careers in
nursing and will disseminate to the public new knowledge gained from
disciplined inquiry related to nursing and nursing education.
Note:
Not for clinical degrees.
Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional one
point to an application that meets this priority.
This priority is:
Applications from New Potential Grantees (1 point).
Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the
applicant does not, as of the deadline date for submission of
applications, have an active grant, including through membership in a
group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129,
under the program from which it seeks funds.
Note: For the purpose of this priority, a grant or contract is
active until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding
period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the
grantee's or contractor's authority to obligate funds.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135e.
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.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,
98, and 99. (b) The 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. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 648. (e)
The Administrative Priorities.
Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not
apply to this program.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants, including funds redistributed
as graduate fellowships to individual fellows.
Estimated Available Funds: $20,425,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $101,460-$405,840.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $275,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 72.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Stipend Level: For the 2021-22 academic year, the institution must
pay the fellow a stipend at a level of support equal to that provided
by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Program, except that this amount must be adjusted as necessary so as
not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of financial need as
stated under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended.
Institutional Payment: For the 2021-22 academic year, the estimated
institutional payment is $16,730 per fellow. This amount was determined
by adjusting the previous academic year's institutional payment of
$16,370 per fellow by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price
Index for the 2020 calendar year.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Any academic department of an IHE that
provides a course of study that--
(i) Leads to a graduate degree in an area of national
need; and
(ii) Has been in existence for at least four years at the time of
an application for a grant under this competition; or
(b) An academic department of an IHE that--
(i) Satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section;
and
(ii) Submits a joint application with one or more eligible non-
degree-granting institutions that have formal arrangements for the
support of doctoral dissertation research with one or more degree-
granting institutions.
Note: Students are not eligible to apply for grants under this
program.
Note: 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
[[Page 4026]]
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) 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: An institution must provide, from
non-Federal funds, an institutional matching contribution equal to at
least 25 percent of the grant amount received. (See 34 CFR 648.7.)
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-
not-supplant funding requirements. (See 34 CFR 648.20(b)(5).)
c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: We specify unallowable costs
under IV. Application and Submission Information.
d. Administrative Cost Limitation: We specify unallowable costs
under IV. Application and Submission Information.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
4. Other: For requirements relating to selecting fellows, see 34
CFR 648.40.
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. 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 program.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR
648.64. We reference additional regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: Applications that do not follow the page
limit and formatting recommendations will not be penalized. The
application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the
selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We
recommend the following page limits and standards:
A project narrative in a single discipline or for an
interdisciplinary course of study should be limited to no more than 40
pages.
A project narrative for a multidisciplinary project should
be limited to no more than 40 pages for each academic department.
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins.
Double-space all text in the application project
narrative, and single-space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, and captions.
Use a 12-point font.
Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman,
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
Limit appendices to the following: Two-page version of a
curriculum vitae, per faculty member; a course listing; letters of
commitment showing institutional support; a bibliography; and one
additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposals,
recommended not to exceed five pages.
The recommended page limit does not include the Application for
Federal Assistance (SF 424) and the Department of Education
Supplemental Information for the SF 424 Form; the one-page abstract;
the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form; the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s)
Form; the Appendices; the Assurances and Certifications; or an optional
two-page table of contents.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 648.31 and are as follows:
(a) Meeting the purposes of the program (7 points). The Secretary
reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet
the purposes of the program, including the extent to which--
(1) The applicant's general and specific objectives for the project
are realistic and measurable;
(2) The applicant's objectives for the project seek to sustain and
enhance the capacity for teaching and research at the institution and
at State, regional, or national levels;
(3) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and
procedures to ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from
traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
(4) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and
procedures to ensure that it will award fellowships to individuals who
satisfy the requirements of 34 CFR 648.40.
(b) Extent of need for the project (5 points). The Secretary
considers the extent to which a grant under the program is needed by
the academic department by considering--
(1) How the applicant identified the problems that form the
specific needs of the project;
(2) The specific problems to be resolved by successful realization
of the goals and objectives of the project; and
(3) How increasing the number of fellowships will meet the specific
and general objectives of the project.
(c) Quality of the graduate academic program (20 points). The
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the
current graduate academic program for which project funding is sought,
including--
(1) The course offerings and academic requirements for the graduate
program;
(2) The qualifications of the faculty, including education,
research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to
graduate students;
(3) The focus and capacity for research; and
(4) Any other evidence the applicant deems appropriate to
demonstrate the quality of its academic program.
(d) Quality of the supervised teaching experience (10 points). The
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the
teaching experience the applicant plans to provide fellows under this
program, including the extent to which the project--
(1) Provides each fellow with the required supervised training in
instruction;
(2) Provides adequate instruction on effective teaching techniques;
(3) Provides extensive supervision of each fellow's teaching
performance; and
(4) Provides adequate and appropriate evaluation of the fellow's
teaching performance.
(e) Recruitment plan (5 points). The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of the applicant's recruitment
plan, including--
(1) How the applicant plans to identify, recruit, and retain
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the
academic program for which fellowships are sought;
(2) How the applicant plans to identify eligible students for
fellowships;
(3) The past success of the academic department in enrolling
talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented
backgrounds; and
(4) The past success of the academic department in enrolling
talented graduate students for its academic program.
[[Page 4027]]
(f) Project administration (8 points). The Secretary reviews the
quality of the proposed project administration, including--
(1) How the applicant will select fellows, including how the
applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise
eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition;
(2) How the applicant proposes to monitor whether a fellow is
making satisfactory progress toward the degree for which the fellowship
has been awarded;
(3) How the applicant proposes to identify and meet the academic
needs of fellows;
(4) How the applicant proposes to maintain enrollment of graduate
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
(5) The extent to which the policies and procedures the applicant
proposes to institute for administering the project are likely to
ensure efficient and effective project implementation, including
assistance to and oversight of the project director.
(g) Institutional commitment (15 points). The Secretary reviews
each application for evidence that--
(1) The applicant will provide, from any funds available to it,
sufficient funds to support the financial needs of the fellows if the
funds made available under the program are insufficient;
(2) The institution's social and academic environment is supportive
of the academic success of students from traditionally underrepresented
backgrounds on the applicant's campus;
(3) Students receiving fellowships under this program will receive
stipend support for the time necessary to complete their courses of
study, but in no case longer than five years; and
(4) The applicant demonstrates a financial commitment, including
the nature and amount of the institutional matching contribution, and
other institutional commitments that are likely to ensure the
continuation of project activities for a significant period of time
following the period in which the project receives Federal financial
assistance.
(h) Quality of key personnel (5 points). The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant
plans to use on the project, including--
(1) The qualifications of the project director;
(2) The qualifications of other key personnel to be used in the
project;
(3) The time commitment of key personnel, including the project
director, to the project; and
(4) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard
to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling
condition, except pursuant to a lawful affirmative action plan.
(i) Budget (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to
determine the extent to which--
(1) The applicant shows a clear understanding of the acceptable
uses of program funds; and
(2) The costs of the project are reasonable in relation to the
objectives of the project.
(j) Evaluation plan (15 points). The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the
project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of
evaluation--
(1) Relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the
project;
(2) Assess the effect of the project on the students receiving
fellowships under this program, including the effect on persons of
different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages, and on
persons with disabilities who are served by the project;
(3) List both process and product evaluation questions for each
project activity and outcome, including those of the management plan;
(4) Describe both the process and product evaluation measures for
each project activity and outcome;
(5) Describe the data collection procedures, instruments, and
schedules for effective data collection;
(6) Describe how the applicant will analyze and report the data so
that it can make adjustments and improvements on a regular basis; and
(7) Include a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes
and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks.
(k) Adequacy of resources (5 points). The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the
applicant makes available to graduate students receiving fellowships
under this program, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.
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
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR
648.31 and the competitive preference priority, if that applies. The
individual scores of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by
the number of reviewers to determine the peer review score received in
the review process.
Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an
award are in 34 CFR 648.32.
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 200.206(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
[[Page 4028]]
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.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with--
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115--232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in
alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798)
and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at
Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (2 CFR 200.300, 200.303,
200.339, and 200.341);
(d) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(e) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
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. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
(c) Grantees will be required to submit a supplement to the Final
Performance Report two years after the expiration of their GAANN grant.
The purpose of this supplement is to identify and report the
educational outcome of each GAANN fellow.
4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993, the following measures will be used by the
Department in assessing the performance of the GAANN Program and for
Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110:
(1) The percentage of GAANN fellows completing the terminal degree
in the designated areas of national need.
(2) The median time to completion of master's and doctoral degrees
for GAANN fellows.
(3) The percentage of GAANN fellows who have placements in faculty
or professional positions in the area of their studies within one year
of completing the degree.
If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your
project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.590) on those measures
and steps taken toward improving performance toward those outcomes.
Consequently, applicants are advised to include these outcome measures
in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their
proposed projects. These outcome measures should be included in the
project evaluation plan, in addition to measures of your progress
toward the goals and objectives specific to your project.
All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance
report documenting their success in addressing these performance
measures.
5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact persons listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package 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
[[Page 4029]]
your search to documents published by the Department.
Christopher J. McCaghren,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-00766 Filed 1-14-21; 8:45 am]
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