[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 135 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38061-38066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15364]



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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards--American History and Civics 
Education--Presidential and Congressional Academies for American 
History and Civics

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary 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 
Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and 
Civics (Academies) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.422A. This 
notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control 
number 1894-0006.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: July 19, 2021.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinars: The Office of Elementary and 
Secondary Education intends to post pre-recorded informational webinars 
designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants for 
grants under the Academies Program. These informational webinars will 
be available to the public on the Academies Program web page within two 
weeks of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register at 
https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/effective-educator-development-programs/american-history-and-civics-academies/.
    Note: For potential grantees new or unfamiliar with grantmaking at 
the Department, please consult our funding basics resource at 
www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf or a more 
detailed resource at www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101.pdf.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: August 18, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 18, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: October 4, 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: Diana Schneider, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3C152, Washington, DC 20202-
5960. Telephone: (202) 401-1456. 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 Academies Program supports the 
establishment of: (1) Presidential Academies for the Teaching of 
American History and Civics that offer workshops for both veteran and 
new teachers to strengthen their knowledge of American history, civics, 
and government education (Presidential Academies); and (2) 
Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics 
that provide high school students opportunities to enrich their 
understanding of these subjects (Congressional Academies).
    Background: The Academies Program supports projects to raise 
student achievement in American history and civics by improving 
teachers' and students' knowledge, understanding, and engagement with 
these subjects through intensive workshops with scholars, master 
teachers, and curriculum experts. Project activities should reflect the 
best available research and practice in teaching and learning. This 
program is authorized under section 2232 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).
    This competition includes two absolute priorities, one competitive 
preference priority, and two invitational priorities. Consistent with 
section 2232 of the ESEA, the absolute priorities address professional 
development and instruction in American history and civics for teachers 
and students. The competitive preference priority, from section 
2232(e)(4) of the ESEA, encourages applicants to develop programs using 
the resources from the National Park Service. This competitive 
preference priority is available only to applicants that address 
Absolute Priority 1.
    The Department continues to process, review, and fully respond to 
the significant number of public comments received in response to the 
notice of proposed priorities published in the Federal Register on 
April 19, 2021 (86 FR 20348) (NPP). As a result, it is not possible to 
issue a notice of final priorities in time to use the priorities 
included in that NPP as competitive preference priorities for this FY 
2021 competition. Because the Department has not yet issued final 
priorities, we are using these proposed priorities as invitational 
priorities. Consistent with the use of invitational priorities across 
grant competitions, applicants are not required to respond to the 
invitational priorities, and applications that meet invitational 
priorities do not receive a preference or competitive advantage over 
other applications.
    The Department believes that teaching and learning practices that 
reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and 
experiences of all students promote academic and social-emotional 
development for all groups of students. To that end, Invitational 
Priority 1 reinforces that American history and civics education 
programs can play an important role in supporting teaching and learning 
that reflects the depth and breadth of our Nation's diverse history and 
the vital role of diversity in our Nation's democracy. This can be 
accomplished, in part, through teaching and learning environments that 
provide students with a full and accurate understanding of our Nation's 
history, expose students to a range of important civics topics and 
equip them with the skills needed to fully participate in civic life, 
enable students to see themselves and their histories in the learning 
experience, and empower students by developing their problem-solving 
and critical thinking skills.
    Accordingly, Invitational Priority 1 encourages applicants to 
incorporate practices that reflect the diversity, identities, 
histories, contributions, and experiences of all students into teaching 
and learning and create inclusive, supportive, and identity-safe 
learning environments.
    Invitational Priority 2 encourages applicants to foster information 
literacy skills, including critical thinking, and promote student 
engagement in civics education through professional development 
opportunities for teachers.
    The Department fully recognizes and respects that curriculum 
decisions are made at the State and local levels, not by the Federal 
Government, and does not mandate, direct, or control curricula through 
this competition. Rather, the Department, through this competition, 
seeks to encourage efforts to implement more effective, student-
centered teaching practices and professional development activities 
while promoting learning practices that reflect the diversity, 
identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students 
to support enriched educational opportunity, equity, and success for 
all students.

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    Priorities: This notice contains two absolute priorities, one 
competitive preference priority, and two invitational priorities. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), the absolute priorities are 
from section 2232(e)(1) and (f)(1) of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 6662. The 
competitive preference priority is from section 2232(e)(4) of the ESEA.
    Absolute 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 absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet both of these 
priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1--Presidential Academies for the Teaching of 
American History and Civics.
    Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a 
Presidential Academy that offers a seminar or institute for teachers of 
American history and civics, which--
    (a) Provides intensive professional development opportunities for 
teachers of American history and civics to strengthen such teachers' 
knowledge of the subjects of American history and civics;
    (b) Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are 
accomplished in the field of American history and civics;
    (c) Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    (d) Is of not less than two weeks and not more than six weeks in 
duration.
    Absolute Priority 2--Congressional Academies for Students of 
American History and Civics.
    Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a 
seminar or institute for outstanding students of American history and 
civics, which--
    (a) Broadens and deepens such students' understanding of American 
history and civics;
    (b) Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are 
accomplished in the field of American history and civics;
    (c) Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    (d) Is of not less than two weeks and not more than six weeks in 
duration.
    Competitive Preference Priority: For applications addressing 
Absolute Priority 1, we give competitive preference to applications 
that address the following 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 up to an additional 
three points to an application, depending on how well the application 
meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Using the Resources of the National Parks. (up to 3 points)
    Applicants that propose to develop innovative and comprehensive 
programs using the resources of the National Parks, including, to the 
extent practicable, through coordination or alignment of activities 
with the National Park Service National Centennial Parks initiative.
    Note: The Department recognizes that the National Park Service 
Centennial occurred in 2016, and that consequently it may not be 
feasible to coordinate activities with this initiative. However, 
applicants can address this priority by proposing to develop innovative 
and comprehensive programs using other resources of the National Parks.
    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 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--Projects That Incorporate Racially, 
Ethnically, Culturally, and Linguistically Diverse Perspectives into 
Teaching and Learning.
    Projects that incorporate teaching and learning practices that 
reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and 
experiences of all students and create inclusive, supportive, and 
identity-safe learning environments that--
    (a) Take into account systemic marginalization, biases, inequities, 
and discriminatory policy and practice in American history;
    (b) Incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and 
linguistically diverse perspectives and perspectives on the experience 
of individuals with disabilities;
    (c) Encourage students to critically analyze the diverse 
perspectives of historical and contemporary media and its impacts;
    (d) Support the creation of learning environments that validate and 
reflect the diversity, identities, and experiences of all students; and
    (e) Contribute to inclusive, supportive, and identity-safe learning 
environments.
    Invitational Priority 2--Promoting Information Literacy Skills.
    Projects that describe how they will foster critical thinking and 
promote student engagement in civics education through professional 
development or other activities designed to support students in--
    (a) Evaluating sources and evidence using standards of proof;
    (b) Understanding their own biases when reviewing information, as 
well as uncovering and recognizing bias in primary and secondary 
sources;
    (c) Synthesizing information into cogent communications; and
    (d) Understanding how inaccurate information may be used to 
influence individuals, and developing strategies to recognize accurate 
and inaccurate information.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in 
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be 
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Application Requirements: The following requirements are from 
section 2232(e)(2), (e)(3), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of the ESEA. Applicants 
submitting applications under Absolute Priority 1 of this competition 
must meet requirements (a) and (b) listed in this section. Applicants 
submitting applications under Absolute Priority 2 must meet 
requirements (c), (d), and (e) listed in this section. Applicants 
submitting applications under both Absolute Priority 1 and Absolute 
Priority 2 must meet requirements (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) listed in 
this section.
    (a) Selection of teachers. Each year, each Presidential Academy 
shall select between 50 and 300 teachers of

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American history and civics from public or private elementary schools 
and secondary schools to attend the seminar or institute.
    (b) Teacher stipends. Each teacher selected to participate in a 
seminar or institute under this competition shall be awarded a fixed 
stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that 
such teacher does not incur personal costs associated with the 
teacher's participation in the seminar or institute.
    (c) Selection of students. Each year, each Congressional Academy 
shall select between 100 and 300 eligible students to attend the 
seminar or institute under this competition.
    (d) Eligible students. A student shall be eligible to attend a 
seminar or institute offered by a Congressional Academy under this 
competition if the student--
    (i) Is recommended by the student's secondary school principal or 
other school leader to attend the seminar or institute; and
    (ii) Will be a secondary school junior or senior in the academic 
year following attendance at the seminar or institute.
    (e) Student stipends. Each student selected to participate in a 
seminar or institute under this competition shall be awarded a fixed 
stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that 
such student does not incur personal costs associated with the 
student's participation in the seminar or institute.
    Program Authority: Section 2232 of the ESEA.
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the 
Federal civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 
97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $1,700,000.
    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: $300,000-$500,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $400,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $500,000 to any 
applicant per 12-month budget period. The Department plans to fully 
fund awards made under this notice with FY 2021 funds.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An institution of higher education, or 
nonprofit educational organization, museum, library, or research center 
with demonstrated expertise in historical methodology or the teaching 
of American history and civics; or a consortium of these entities.
    In its application, an applicant must submit documentation of its 
organization's demonstrated expertise in historical methodology or the 
teaching of American history or civics.
    Note: Consortium applicants must follow the procedures for group 
applications described in 34 CFR 75.127 through 34 CFR 75.129.
    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 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: Under section 2232(g)(1) of the 
ESEA, each grant recipient must provide, from non-Federal sources, an 
amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant, which may be 
provided in cash or in-kind contributions, to carry out the activities 
supported by the grant. To meet this requirement, grantees must provide 
matching contributions on an annual basis relative to the amount of 
Academies Program funds received for a fiscal year.
    Under section 2232(g)(2) of the ESEA, the Secretary may waive the 
matching requirement for any fiscal year for a grantee if the Secretary 
determines that applying the matching requirement would result in 
serious hardship or an inability to carry out project activities. 
Applicants that wish to apply for a waiver for one or more fiscal years 
may include a request in their application that describes how the 100 
percent matching requirement would cause serious hardship or an 
inability to carry out project activities.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 2301 of the 
ESEA, funds made available under this program must be used to 
supplement, and not supplant, other non-Federal funds that would 
otherwise be expended to carry out activities under this program.
    c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information 
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more 
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated 
indirect cost rate, please see https://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: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education

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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 Academies 
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, consistent with the process followed in the FY 2017 
Academies competition, we plan to post on our website the application 
narrative sections of all Academies grants, 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.
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this competition. 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 2021.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 2 CFR 200, 
subpart E. 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 50 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, including 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; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, 
the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended 
page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
    6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage 
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an 
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to 
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name 
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to 
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice 
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information 
provided.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210. An applicant may earn up to a total of 100 points 
based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for addressing each 
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    (a) Quality of the project design. (35 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the 
proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale. (20 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the 
competition. (15 points)
    (b) Need for project. (25 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the 
proposed project. (8 points)
    (ii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, 
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be 
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude 
of those gaps or weaknesses. (10 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project are focused on those with greatest needs. (7 points)
    (c) Quality of the management plan. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for 
the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the 
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (ii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and 
continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project.
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be 
conducted of the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    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

[[Page 38065]]

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.
    5. In General: In accordance with OMB'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) 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); 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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    5. Performance Measures: The Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) 
performance objective for the Academies Program:
    Participants will demonstrate through pre- and post-assessments an 
increased understanding of American history and civics that can be 
linked to their participation in the Presidential or Congressional 
Academy.
    For purposes of GPRA and Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, 
we will track performance on this objective through the following 
measures:
    Presidential Academies: The average percentage gain on an 
assessment after participation in the Presidential Academy.
    Congressional Academies: The average percentage gain on an 
assessment after participation in the Congressional Academy.
    We advise applicants for grants under this program to give careful 
consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the approach and 
evaluation of a proposed project. Each grantee will be required to 
provide, in its annual and final performance reports, data about its 
performance with respect to these measures.
    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

[[Page 38066]]

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 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.

Ian Rosenblum,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-15364 Filed 7-16-21; 8:45 am]
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