[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33256-33259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13250]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Business and International Education 
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) 2021 for the Business and 
International Education (BIE) program, Assistance Listing Number 
84.153A. This notice relates to the approved information collection 
under OMB control number 1840-0794.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 24, 2021.
    Pre-Application Webinar information: The Department will hold a 
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants. 
Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the 
International and Foreign Language Education website at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/index.html. Additionally, for new 
potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, 
please consult our funding basics resources at www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 13, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 13, 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: Tanyelle Richardson, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 258-14, Washington, DC 
20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6391. 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 BIE Program provides grants to enhance 
international business education programs and to expand the capacity of 
the business community to engage in international economic activities.
    Priorities: This notice contains two invitational priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are an 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--Minority Serving-Institutions and 
Community Colleges.
    Applications from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (as defined 
in this notice) and community colleges (as defined in this notice), for 
the purposes of pursuing the activities authorized under this program.
    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 IHE (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 Eligibility Matrix that lists of institutions of higher 
education and identifies the title III and title V programs for which 
they are currently eligible is available at: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#el-inst.
    Invitational Priority 2--Training in Less Commonly Taught Languages 
or Thematic Focus on International Business Programs.
    Applications that propose programs or activities focused on 
language training or the development of area or international busines 
programs focused on contemporary topics or themes in conjunction with 
training in foreign languages, except French, German, or Spanish.

[[Page 33257]]

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1130-1130b.
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 85, 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 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 parts 655 and 661.
    Program Assurances: Each application must include an assurance 
that, where applicable, the activities funded by this grant will 
reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views on world regions 
and international affairs. (20 U.S.C. 1130a(c)).

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,663,532.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $70,000-$95,000 for each 12-month budget 
period.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $84,210.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 20.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs) 
that have entered into agreements with business enterprises, trade 
organizations, or associations that are engaged in international 
economic activity--or a consortium of these enterprises, organizations, 
or associations--for the purposes of pursuing the activities authorized 
under this program.
    2.a. Cost Sharing or Matching: To be eligible for an award, an 
applicant must provide matching funds through non-Federal 
contributions, either in cash or in-kind donations. The applicant must 
propose the amount of cash or in-kind resources to be contributed for 
each year of the grant. As described in section 613(d) of the HEA (20 
U.S.C. 1130a(d)), the applicant's share of the total cost of carrying 
out a program supported by a grant under the BIE Program must be no 
less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project in each fiscal 
year.
    b. Supplement not Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Grantees must use BIE grant funds to 
supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal, State, and local funds 
that would otherwise have been available to carry out authorized 
activities, which are described in section 604(a)(7)(D) of the HEA, 20 
U.S.C. 1124(a)(7)(D).
    c. 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.
    d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    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: IHEs, nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, or 
businesses. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has 
identified in the approved application or that it selects through a 
competition under procedures established by the grantee.

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. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the BIE 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 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. 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 program. Please note that, 
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day 
intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of 
FY 21.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
658.40. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, 
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the 
application narrative to no more than 35 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 the cover sheet; 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurance and

[[Page 33258]]

certifications; or the abstract, the resumes, the biography, or letters 
of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of 
the application narrative.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
in 34 CFR 661.31 and 34 CFR 655.31. The maximum score for all of the 
selection criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion 
is included in parentheses following the title of the specific 
selection criterion. Each criterion also includes the factors that 
reviewers will consider in determining the extent to which an applicant 
meets the criterion.
    The selection criteria are as follows:
    (a) Need for the project (up to 25 points).
    The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows 
the need for the project, and the extent to which the proposed project 
will promote linkages between institutions of higher education and the 
business community involved in international economic activities.
    (b) Plan of operation (up to 20 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) High quality in the design of the project;
    (ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and 
efficient administration of the project;
    (iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project 
relate to the purpose of the program;
    (iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel 
to achieve each objective; and
    (v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal 
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members 
of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as--
    (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
    (B) Women; and
    (C) persons with disabilities.
    (c) Qualifications of the key personnel (up to 10 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on 
the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be 
used);
    (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used in the project. In the case of faculty, the qualifications of the 
faculty and the degree to which that faculty is directly involved in 
the actual teaching and supervision of students;
    (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) 
and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
    (iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its 
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic 
minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
    (3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary 
considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related 
to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the 
applicant provides.
    (d) Budget and cost effectiveness (up to 15 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project 
activities; and
    (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.
    (e) Evaluation plan (up to 25 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of 
evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent 
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
    (f) Adequacy of resources (5 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the 
project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) Other than library, facilities that the applicant plans to use 
are adequate (language laboratory, museums, etc.); and
    (ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are 
adequate.
    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).
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, 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 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.

[[Page 33259]]

    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 the following:
    (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) 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
    (d) 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). 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. 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. Grantees are required to use the electronic data 
instrument, International Resource Information System (IRIS), to 
complete both the annual and final reports. 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) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993 and for purposes of Department reporting under 34 
CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance measure 
to evaluate the success of the BIE program:
    Percentage of BIE projects judged to be successful by the program 
officer, based on a review of information provided in annual 
performance reports.
    The Department will use information provided by grantees in their 
performance reports submitted via IRIS as the source of data for these 
measures. Reporting screens for institutions can be viewed at: 
www.ieps-iris.org/iris/pdfs/BIE.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, whether 
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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 person 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 your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-13250 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P