[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 216 (Friday, November 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62796-62800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24645]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad
Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting
applications for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the Fulbright-Hays Group
Projects Abroad (GPA) Program, Assistance Listing Numbers 84.021A and
84.021B. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1840-0792.
DATES:
Applications Available: November 12, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 11, 2022.
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 GPA
website at www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsgpa/index.html. Additionally, for
prospective applicants that have never received a grant from the
Department and those that are interested in learning more about the
process, please review the grant funding basics resource at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf.
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: Cory Neal, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 258-12, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-6137. 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 Fulbright-Hays GPA Program
is to promote, improve, and develop the study of modern foreign
languages and area studies in the United States. The program provides
opportunities for faculty, teachers, and undergraduate and graduate
students to conduct group projects overseas. Projects may include
either (1) short-term seminars, curriculum development, or group
research or study, or (2) long-term advanced intensive language
programs.
This competition invites applicants to submit an application to
request support for either a Fulbright-Hays GPA short-term project (GPA
short-term project 84.021A) or a Fulbright-Hays GPA long-term project
(GPA long-term project 84.021B). Applicants must clearly indicate on
the SF 424, the Application for Federal Assistance cover sheet, whether
they are applying for a GPA short-term project (84.021A) or a GPA long-
term project (84.021B). Additional submission requirements are included
in the application package.
There are three types of GPA short-term projects: (1) Short-term
seminar projects of four to six weeks in length designed to help
participants integrate international studies into the curriculum at an
institution of higher education (IHE) or a school system by focusing on
a particular aspect of area studies, such as the culture of an area or
country of study (34 CFR 664.11); (2) curriculum development projects
of four to eight weeks in length that provide participants the
opportunity to acquire resource materials for curriculum
[[Page 62797]]
development in modern foreign language and area studies for use and
dissemination in the United States (34 CFR 664.12); and (3) group
research or study projects of three to twelve months in duration
designed to give participants the opportunity to undertake research or
study in a foreign country (34 CFR 664.13).
GPA long-term projects are advanced overseas intensive language
projects designed by the applicant that may be carried out during a
full year, an academic year, a semester, a trimester, a quarter, or a
summer. GPA long-term projects provide participants an opportunity to
use and strengthen their advanced language training overseas while
experiencing the culture in the foreign country. Participants should
have successfully completed at least two academic years of training in
the language to be studied to be eligible to participate in a GPA
intensive advanced language training program. In addition, the language
to be studied must be indigenous to the host country and maximum use
must be made of local institutions and personnel (34 CFR 664.14).
Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and five
competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from the regulations for
this program (34 CFR 664.32). Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2
are from the notice of final priorities and definitions published in
the Federal Register on June 16, 2016 (81 FR 39196) (the 2016 NFP);
Competitive Preference Priority 3 is from the regulations for this
program (34 CFR 664.32); Competitive Preference Priority 4 is from the
notice of final priorities published in the Federal Register on
September 24, 2010 (75 FR 59050) (the 2010 NFP); and Competitive
Preference Priority 5 is from the regulations for this program (34 CFR
664.32).
Absolute 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 absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Specific Geographic Regions of the World.
A group project that focuses on one or more of the following
geographic regions of the world: Africa, East Asia, South Asia,
Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Western Hemisphere (Central and
South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), Eastern and Central Europe
and Eurasia, and the Near East.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2022, there are five
competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we
award three additional points to an application that meets Competitive
Preference Priority 1; two additional points to an application that
meets Competitive Preference Priority 2; two additional points for
short-term projects or four additional points for long-term projects to
an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 3; two
additional points to an application that meets Competitive Preference
Priority 4; and two additional points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 5. Applicants for GPA short-term
projects may address Competitive Preference Priorities 1, 3, 4, and 5.
Applicants for GPA long-term projects may address Competitive
Preference Priorities 2 and 3. In the application narrative, an
applicant must indicate the priority or priorities being addressed and
provide a substantive description of how the proposed activities
support the applicant's selected priority or priorities and provide
documentation supporting such claims.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Applications for GPA Short-Term
Projects from Selected Institutions and Organizations (3 Points).
Applications for GPA short-term projects from the following types
of institutions and organizations:
Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (as defined in this
notice);
Community colleges (as defined in this notice);
New applicants (as defined in this notice); or
State educational agencies (SEAs) (as defined in this
notice).
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Applications for GPA Long-Term
Projects from MSIs (2 Points).
Applications for GPA long-term advanced overseas intensive language
training projects from MSIs.
Competitive Preference Priority 3--Substantive Training and
Thematic Focus on Less Commonly Taught Languages (2 Points for short-
term projects or 4 Points for long-term projects).
Applications that propose GPA short-term projects (2 points) or GPA
long-term projects (4 points) that provide substantive training and
thematic focus on any modern foreign language except French, German, or
Spanish.
Competitive Preference Priority 4--Inclusion of K-12 Educators (2
Points).
Applications that propose short-term projects abroad that develop
and improve foreign language studies, area studies, or both at
elementary and secondary schools by including K-12 teachers or K-12
administrators as at least 50 percent of the project participants.
Competitive Preference Priority 5--Thematic Focus on Academic
Fields (2 Points).
Applications that propose short-term projects abroad in modern
foreign languages and area studies with an academic focus on any of the
following academic fields: science, technology, engineering,
mathematics, computer science, education (comparative or
international), international development, political science, public
health, or economics.
Definitions: The following definitions are from the 2016 NFP and
are intended to provide clarity for applicants addressing Competitive
Preference Priorities 1 and 2.
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
(20 U.S.C. 1001)) that awards degrees and certificates, more than 50
percent of which are not bachelor's degrees (or an equivalent).
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.
New applicant means any applicant that has not received a
discretionary grant from the Department of Education under the
Fulbright-Hays Act prior to the deadline date for applications under
this program.
State educational agency (SEA) means the State board of education
or other agency or officer primarily responsible for the supervision of
public elementary and secondary schools in a State. In the absence of
this officer or agency, it is an officer or agency designated by the
Governor or State law.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6).
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, 77, 81, 82, and 86. (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
[[Page 62798]]
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 664. (e)
The 2010 NFP. (f) The 2016 NFP.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$8,811,000 for awards for the Fulbright-Hays Overseas program for FY
2022, of which we intend to use an estimated $3,332,000 for this
competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final
congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow
enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates
funds for this program.
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 Available Funds: $3,332,000.
Estimated Range of Awards:
GPA short-term projects: $50,000-$180,000.
GPA long-term projects: $50,000-$300,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
GPA short-term projects: $100,059.
GPA long-term projects: $215,025.
Maximum Award: We will not make a GPA short-term award exceeding
$180,000 for a single project period of 18 months. We will not make a
GPA long-term project award exceeding $300,000 for a single budget
period of 24 months.
Estimated Number of Awards: 21.
GPA short-term projects: 10.
GPA long-term projects: 11.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period:
GPA short-term projects: Up to 18 months.
GPA long-term projects: Up to 24 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: (1) IHEs, (2) SEAs, (3) private nonprofit
educational organizations, and (4) consortia of these entities.
Eligible Participants: Citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
of the United States, who are (1) faculty members who teach modern
foreign languages or area studies at an IHE, (2) teachers in elementary
or secondary schools, (3) experienced education administrators
responsible for planning, conducting, or supervising programs in modern
foreign language or area studies at the elementary, secondary, or
postsecondary levels, or (4) graduate students, or juniors or seniors
in an IHE, who plan teaching careers in modern foreign languages or
area studies.
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. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
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 Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR
664.33. We reference additional regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
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 40 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 or
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurance and certifications; or the one-page 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 34 CFR 664.31 and are as follows:
(a) Plan of operation. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information to
determine 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 insures 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 ensure that
project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are
selected without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age,
or handicapping condition.
(b) Quality of key personnel. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information to
determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on
the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
[[Page 62799]]
(i) The qualifications of the project director;
(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be
used in the project;
(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)
and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and
(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its
nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel
are selected for employment without regard to race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or handicapping condition.
(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.
(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 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.
(d) Evaluation plan. (20 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 that the methods
of evaluation are appropriate for the project and, to the extent
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
(e) 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 that the
facilities, equipment, and supplies that the applicant plans to use are
adequate.
(f) Specific program criteria. (35 points)
(1) In addition to the general selection criteria contained in this
section, the Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the project meets the specific program criteria.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The potential impact of the project on the development of the
study of modern foreign languages and area studies in American
education. (15 points)
(ii) The project's relevance to the applicant's educational goals
and its relationship to its program development in modern foreign
languages and area studies. (10 points)
(iii) The extent to which direct experience abroad is necessary to
achieve the project's objectives and the effectiveness with which
relevant host country resources will be utilized. (10 points)
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For FY 2022, proposed GPA short-term projects will be reviewed by
peer review panels with expertise in the world area that is the focus
of the application. All proposed GPA long-term projects will be
reviewed by one peer review panel. The International and Foreign
Language Education office will prepare separate rank order slates for
GPA short-term projects and GPA long-term projects recommended for new
awards in FY 2022. Each slate will include the peer reviewers' scores
for all applications evaluated, from the highest score to the lowest
score. In cases where several applications have the same final
numerical score in the rank order listing, and there are insufficient
funds to support all the applications, the scores under Criterion F
(2)(iii) will be used as a tiebreaker. If the scores remain tied, then
the scores under Criterion F (2)(i) will be used to break the tie.
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 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 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
[[Page 62800]]
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: For the purposes of the Government
Performance and Results Act of 1993 and Department reporting under 34
CFR 75.110, the following measure will be used by the Department to
evaluate the success of the GPA short-term program: The percentage of
GPA short-term project participants who disseminated information about
or materials from their group project abroad through more than one
outreach activity within six months of returning to their home
institution. The following measure will be used by the Department to
evaluate the success of the GPA long-term program: The percentage of
GPA long-term project participants who increased their reading,
writing, and/or listening/speaking foreign language scores by one
proficiency level. The efficiency of the GPA long-term program will be
measured by considering the cost per GPA participant who increased his/
her foreign language score in reading, writing, and/or listening/
speaking by at least one proficiency level.
The information provided by grantees in their performance reports
submitted via the International Resource Information System (IRIS) will
be the source of data for this measure. Reporting screens for
institutions can be viewed at: http://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/gpa_director.pdf and http://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/gpa_participant.pdf.
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. 2021-24645 Filed 11-10-21; 8:45 am]
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