[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 208 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60222-60226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23784]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Centers for International Business
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) 2022 for the Centers for
International Business Education (CIBE) program, Assistance Listing
Number 84.220A. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1840-0616.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 1, 2021.
Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed information regarding this webinar will
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be provided on the International and Foreign Language Education website
at https://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: December 16, 2021.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: February 14, 2022.
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: Timothy Duvall, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B225, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-7521. 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 purpose of the CIBE Program is to provide
funding to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of such
institutions for curriculum development, research, and training on
issues of importance to international business and U.S. trade
competitiveness.
Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference
priorities and one invitational priority. The competitive preference
priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2022 are from the notice of final
priorities for this program published in the Federal Register on June
3, 2014 (79 FR 31870) (NFP).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2022 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
five points depending on how well the application addresses Competitive
Preference Priority 1, and up to an additional five points depending on
how well the application addresses Competitive Preference Priority 2.
An applicant may receive a maximum of 10 additional points under the
competitive preference priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Collaboration with a
Professional Association or Business (up to 5 points).
Applications that propose to collaborate with one or more
professional associations and/or businesses on activities designed to
expand employment opportunities for international business students,
such as internships and work-study opportunities.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Collaboration with Minority-
Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Community Colleges (up to 5 points).
Applications that propose significant and sustained collaborative
activities with one or more MSIs (as defined in this notice) and/or
with one or more community colleges (as defined in this notice). These
activities must be designed to incorporate international,
intercultural, or global dimensions into the business curriculum of the
MSI(s) and/or community college(s). If an applicant institution is an
MSI, that institution may propose intra-campus collaborative activities
instead of, or in addition to, collaborative activities with other MSIs
or community colleges.
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 institution of higher education (as defined
in section 101 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1001)) 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 (MSI) 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 institutions designated eligible under Title III and
Title V may be viewed at the following link: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2022 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
This priority is:
Applications that propose programs or activities focused on
language instruction and/or performance testing and assessment to
strengthen the preparation of international business professionals.
Application Requirements: The following application requirements
for fiscal year (FY) 2022 are from section 612(f) of the HEA.
An applicant must submit, as part of its application--
(a) Evidence that the IHE, or consortium of such IHEs, will conduct
extensive planning prior to the establishment of a center concerning
the scope of the center's activities and the design of its programs in
accordance with 20 U.S.C. 1130-1(d)(1);
(b) Assurance of ongoing collaboration in the establishment and
operation of the center by faculty of the business, management, foreign
language, international studies, professional international affairs,
and other professional schools or departments, as appropriate;
(c) Assurance that the education and training programs of the
center will be open to students concentrating in each of these
respective areas, as appropriate, and that diverse perspectives will be
made available to students in programs under 612(f) of the HEA; and
(d) Assurance that the IHE, or consortium of such IHEs, will use
the assistance provided under this program to supplement and not to
supplant activities conducted by IHEs described in 20 U.S.C. 1130-
1(c)(1).
Program Authority: Title VI, part B, HEA (20 U.S.C. 1130-1 and 20
U.S.C. 1132 through 1132-7).
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 in 34 CFR parts 75, 76, 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 NFP.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
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Estimated Available Funds: $4,571,400.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in future fiscal years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $265,000-$305,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $285,000 per year.
Estimated Number of Awards: 16.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
The estimated range and average size of awards are based on a single
12-month budget period. We may use FY 2022 funds to support multiple
12-month budget periods for one or more grantees.
Project Period: Up to 48 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs (as defined in section 101 of the HEA)
or consortia of IHEs.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program requires cost sharing or
matching. The matching requirement is described in section 612(e) of
the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1130-1 (e)(2)(3)(4)) and requires that the Federal
share of the cost of planning, establishing, and operating centers
under this program shall be--
a. Not more than 90 percent for the first year in which Federal
funds are received;
b. Not more than 70 percent for the second year; and
c. Not more than 50 percent for the third year and for each year
thereafter.
The non-Federal share of the cost of planning, establishing, and
operating centers under this program may be provided either in cash or
in-kind.
Waiver of non-Federal share: Under section 612(e)(4) of the HEA, in
the case of an IHE receiving a grant under the CIBE Program and
conducting outreach or consortium activities with another IHE in
accordance with section 612(c)(2)(E), the Secretary may waive a portion
of the requirements for the non-Federal share equal to the amount
provided by the IHE receiving the grant to the other IHE for carrying
out the outreach or consortium activities. Any such waiver is subject
to the terms and conditions the Secretary may deem necessary for
carrying out the purposes of the program.
d. 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 https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/faq.html.
e. 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 an 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 CIBE 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.
4. 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, 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 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
from section 612 of the HEA and 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for
all of the selection criteria, taken together with the maximum number
of points awarded to applicants that address the competitive preference
priorities, is 110 points. The maximum score for each selection
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
Note: In addressing the selection criteria below, refer to sections
611 and 612 of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1130-1).
(a) Meeting the purpose of the authorizing statute. (up to 20
points)
The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the
applicant describes how it will establish and operate Centers for
International Business Education which--
(1) Will be national resources for the teaching of improved
business techniques, strategies, and methodologies which emphasize the
international context in which business is transacted;
(2) Will provide instruction in critical foreign languages and
international fields needed to provide understanding
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of the cultures and customs of United States trading partners; and
(3) Will provide research and training in the international aspects
of trade, commerce, and other fields of study.
(b) Significance. (up to 20 points)
In determining the significance of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers--
(1) The national significance of the proposed project.
(2) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely
to be attained by the proposed project.
Note: You may discuss the significance of regional and local
activities to address selection criterion (b)(2).
(c) Quality of the project design. (up to 10 points)
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project,
the Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed activities
constitute a coherent, sustained program of research and development in
the field, including, as appropriate, a substantial addition to an
ongoing line of inquiry.
(d) Quality of the management plan. (up to 10 points)
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers 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.
(e) Quality of project personnel. (up to 10 points)
In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary
considers--
(1) The extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability.
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator.
(3) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel.
Note: Briefly describe key staff and faculty in this section.
Supplemental materials should include resumes for staff, business and
other faculty, and some Advisory Board members, in alphabetical order,
two resumes per page, single-spaced. Provide title including
department, education, research and teaching experience, major
publications, awards, etc. Suggested maximum length: 20 pages, 40
resumes.
(f) Adequacy of resources. (up to 10 points)
In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project,
the Secretary considers--
(1) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(2) The adequacy of support, including facilities, equipment,
supplies, and other resources, from the applicant organization or the
lead applicant organization.
(g) Quality of the project evaluation. (up to 20 points)
In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project.
(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are appropriate
to the context within which the project operates.
(3) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
timely guidance for quality assurance.
(4) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward
achieving intended outcomes.
Note: Please carefully review the section on ``Guidance on
Developing an Evaluation Plan'' in the application package for detailed
instructions on how to address this criterion.
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 program 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 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) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials
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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.
Performance reports for the CIBE Program must be submitted
electronically into the office of International and Foreign Language
Education (IFLE) web-based reporting system, International Resource
Information System (IRIS). For information about IRIS and to view the
reporting instructions, please go to https://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/CIBE.pdf.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. If
a grantee is provided additional funding for this purpose, the
Secretary establishes a data collection period.
5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 and Department reporting under 34
CFR 75.110, the following measures will be used by the Department to
evaluate the success of the CIBE Program:
(a) Percentage of CIBE Program participants who advanced in their
professional field two years after their participation.
(b) Percentage of CIBE projects that established or
internationalized a concentration, degree, or professional program with
a focus on or connection to international business over the course of
the CIBE grant period. (long-term measure).
(c) Percentage of CIBE projects for which there was an increase in
the export business activities of the project's business industry
participants.
The information provided by grantees in their performance reports
submitted via IRIS will be the source of data for these measures.
Reporting screens for institutions can be viewed at: http://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/CIBE.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. 2021-23784 Filed 10-29-21; 8:45 am]
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