[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 239 (Thursday, December 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71454-71460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27228]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; National Resource Centers Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the National 
Resource Centers (NRC) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.015A. This 
notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control 
number 1840-0807.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: December 16, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 14, 2022.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 15, 2022.
    Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department held a pre-
application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants on November 
10, 2021. The link for the webinar is located on the International and 
Foreign Language Education website at https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsnrc/applicant.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.

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, International and Foreign Language Education, 400 Maryland

[[Page 71455]]

Avenue SW, Mailstop 258-40, 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 NRC Program provides grants to institutions 
of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of IHEs to establish, 
strengthen, and operate comprehensive and undergraduate centers that 
will be national resources for: (a) Teaching of modern foreign 
languages; (b) instruction in fields needed to provide a full 
understanding of world regions where the modern foreign languages are 
used; (c) research and training in international studies and 
international and foreign language aspects of professional and other 
fields of study; and (d) instruction and research on issues in world 
affairs.
    Priorities: This notice contains two absolute priorities and one 
competitive preference priority for the NRC Program. Absolute Priority 
1 is from section 602(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as 
amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1122(e)). Absolute Priority 2 is from the 
program regulations (34 CFR 656.23). The competitive preference 
priority is from the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and 
Definitions for Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal 
Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Absolute 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 absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1.
    Applications that (1) explain how the activities funded by the 
grant will reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and 
generate debate on world regions and international affairs; and (2) 
describe how the applicant will encourage government service in areas 
of national need, as identified by the Secretary, as well as in areas 
of need in the education, business, and non-profit sectors.
    Absolute Priority 2.
    Applications that propose teacher training activities on the 
language, languages, area studies, or thematic focus of the Center.
    Competitive Preference 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 a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 
five points to an application, depending on how well the application 
meets the priority.
    This priority is:
    Partnership with Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Community 
Colleges (up to 5 additional points).
    Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the project 
will be implemented by or in partnership with one or more of the 
following entities:
    (1) Community colleges (as defined in this notice).
    (2) Historically Black colleges and universities (as defined in 
this notice).
    (3) Tribal Colleges and Universities (as defined in this notice).
    (4) Minority-serving institutions (as defined in this notice).
    Definitions: The definitions below are from the Supplemental 
Priorities.
    Community college means ``junior or community college'' as defined 
in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended 
(HEA).
    Historically Black Colleges and Universities means colleges and 
universities that meet the criteria set out in 34 CFR 608.2.
    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.
    Tribal College or University has the meaning ascribed it in section 
316(b)(3) of the HEA.
    Note: The institutions designated eligible under title III and 
title V may be viewed at the following link: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html.
    Program Authority: Title VI, part A, HEA (20 U.S.C. 1122).
    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 regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 655 and 
656. (e) The Supplemental Priorities.
    Areas of National Need: In accordance with section 601(c) of the 
HEA (20 U.S.C. 1121(c)), the Secretary consulted with a wide range of 
Federal agencies and received recommendations regarding national need 
for expertise in foreign language and world regions. These agencies' 
recommendations may be viewed on this web page: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/languageneeds.html.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $23,709,231.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FYs 2023, 2024, and 2025 
from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $188,000-$270,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $215,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 100.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 48 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs (as defined in section 101 of the HEA 
(20 U.S.C. 1001)) or consortia of IHEs.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: The NRC Program has supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Under 34 CFR 656.33(b)(3), grant funds 
may not be used to supplant funds normally used by applicants for 
purposes of this program.
    c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a restricted 
indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or 
to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform

[[Page 71456]]

to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under 
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: IHEs, nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, or 
businesses. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has 
identified in the approved application or that it selects through a 
competition under procedures established by the grantee.
    4. Other: (a) Reasonable and Necessary Costs: Applicants must 
ensure that all costs included in the proposed budget are necessary and 
reasonable to meet the goals and objectives of the proposed project. 
Any costs determined by the Secretary to be unreasonable or unnecessary 
will be removed from the final approved budget.
    (b) Audits: (i) A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more 
during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have 
a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in 
accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR part 200. (2 CFR 200.501(a))
    (ii) A non-Federal entity that expends less than $750,000 during 
the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards is exempt from 
Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 
200.503 (Relation to Other Audit Requirements), but records must be 
available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal 
agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
(2 CFR 200.501(d)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
656.30(b). We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of 
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the priorities, 
selection criteria, and application requirements that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the 
application narrative to no more than 50 pages for single institution 
applications, and to no more than 60 pages for consortia applications 
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. Charts, tables, 
figures, and graphs in the application narrative may be single spaced 
and will count toward the recommended page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, or no 
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-
point font in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Use one of the 
following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit applies to the entirety of the 
application narrative. The recommended page limit does not apply to the 
Application for Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424); the 
supplemental SF 424 form; Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs 
(ED 524); the detailed line item budget; the assurances and 
certifications, and the response to section 427 of the General 
Education Provisions Act; the project abstract, the table of contents, 
the list of acronyms, the response to the diverse perspectives/areas of 
need requirements, the NRC project profile form, and the appendices 
(curriculum vitae, course list, and, letters of support).
    5. Award Basis: In determining whether to approve a grant award and 
the amount of such award, the Department will consider, among other 
things, the applicant's performance and use of funds under a previous 
or existing award under any Department program (34 CFR 75.217(d)(3)(ii) 
and 75.233). In assessing the applicant's performance and use of funds 
under a previous or existing award, the Secretary will consider, among 
other things, the outcomes the applicant has achieved and the results 
of any Departmental grant monitoring, including the applicant's 
progress in remedying any deficiencies identified in such monitoring.

V. Application Review Information

    1. General: For the FY 2022 NRC competition, all applications will 
be assigned to peer review panels based on world region--such as 
Africa, Asia, or the Middle East--or international focus, as specified 
in the NRC application profile form. Readers who serve on the peer 
review panels are selected based on their expertise in the specialized 
area studies, international studies, and modern foreign language(s) 
necessary to review, score, and rank the assigned applications in each 
distinct category. The Department will select applications for funding 
based on the ranking of each application in its distinct regional or 
thematic focus panel.
    2. Selection Criteria: The following selection criteria for this 
program are from 34 CFR 656.21 and apply to applications for a 
comprehensive Center or an undergraduate Center, as indicated. The 
maximum possible points for the selection criteria, taken together with 
the maximum number of points awarded to applicants for addressing the 
competitive preference priorities, is 129 points.
    Comprehensive Center Selection Criteria:
    (a) Commitment to the subject area on which the Center focuses (up 
to 5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the 
extent to which the institution provides financial and other support to 
the operation of the Center, teaching staff for the Center's subject 
area, library resources, linkages with institutions abroad, outreach 
activities, and qualified students in fields related to the Center.
    (b) Quality of the Center's language instructional program (up to 
14 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center provides instruction in the 
languages of the Center's subject area and the extent to which students 
enroll in the study of the languages of the subject area through 
programs or instruction offered by the Center or other providers;
    (2) The extent to which the Center provides three or more levels of 
language training and the extent to which courses in disciplines other 
than language, linguistics, and literature are offered in appropriate 
foreign languages;
    (3) Whether sufficient numbers of language faculty are available to 
teach the languages and levels of instruction described in the 
application and the extent to which language teaching staff

[[Page 71457]]

(including faculty and instructional assistants) have been exposed to 
current language pedagogy training appropriate for performance-based 
teaching; and
    (4) The quality of the language program as measured by the 
performance-based instruction being used or developed, the adequacy of 
resources for language teaching and practice, and language proficiency 
requirements.
    (c) Quality of the Center's non-language instructional program up 
to 14 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The quality and extent of the Center's course offerings in a 
variety of disciplines, including the extent to which courses in the 
Center's subject matter are available in the institution's professional 
schools;
    (2) The extent to which the Center offers depth of specialized 
course coverage in one or more disciplines of the Center's subject 
area;
    (3) The extent to which the institution employs a sufficient number 
of teaching faculty to enable the Center to carry out its purposes and 
the extent to which instructional assistants are provided with pedagogy 
training; and
    (4) The extent to which interdisciplinary courses are offered for 
undergraduate and graduate students.
    (d) Quality of curriculum design (up to 13 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center's curriculum has incorporated 
undergraduate instruction in the applicant's area or topic of 
specialization into baccalaureate degree programs (for example, major, 
minor, or certificate programs) and the extent to which these programs 
and their requirements (including language requirements) are 
appropriate for a Center in this subject area and will result in an 
undergraduate training program of high quality;
    (2) The extent to which the Center's curriculum provides training 
options for graduate students from a variety of disciplines and 
professional fields and the extent to which these programs and their 
requirements (including language requirements) are appropriate for a 
Center in this subject area and result in graduate training programs of 
high quality;
    (3) The extent to which the Center provides academic and career 
advising services for students; and
    (4) The extent to which the Center has established formal 
arrangements for students to conduct research or study abroad and the 
extent to which these arrangements are used; and the extent to which 
the institution facilitates student access to other institutions' study 
abroad and summer language programs.
    (e) Quality of staff resources (up to 13 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which teaching faculty and other staff are 
qualified for the current and proposed Center activities and training 
programs, are provided professional development opportunities 
(including overseas experience), and participate in teaching, 
supervising, and advising students;
    (2) The adequacy of Center staffing and oversight arrangements, 
including outreach and administration and the extent to which faculty 
from a variety of departments, professional schools, and the library 
are involved; and
    (3) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its 
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic 
minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
    (f) Strength of library (up to 6 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine--
    (1) The strength of the institution's library holdings (both print 
and non-print, English and foreign language) in the subject area and at 
the educational levels (graduate, professional, undergraduate) on which 
the Center focuses; and the extent to which the institution provides 
financial support for the acquisition of library materials and for 
library staff in the subject area of the Center; and
    (2) The extent to which research materials at other institutions 
are available to students through cooperative arrangements with other 
libraries or online databases and the extent to which teachers, 
students, and faculty from other institutions are able to access the 
library's holdings.
    (g) Impact and evaluation (up to 25 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center's activities and training 
programs have a significant impact on the university, community, 
region, and the Nation as shown through indices such as enrollments, 
graduate placement data, participation rates for events, and usage of 
Center resources;
    (2) The applicant's record of placing students into post-graduate 
employment, education, or training in areas of national need and the 
applicant's stated efforts to increase the number of such students that 
go into such placements;
    (3) The degree to which activities of the Center address national 
needs, and generate information for and disseminate information to the 
public;
    (4) The extent to which the applicant provides an evaluation plan 
that is comprehensive and objective and that will produce quantifiable, 
outcome-measure-oriented data; and the extent to which recent 
evaluations have been used to improve the applicant's program; and
    (5) The extent to which the applicant supplies a clear description 
of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment of 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic 
minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
    (h) Outreach activities (up to 9 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which the Center 
demonstrates a significant and measurable regional and national impact 
of, and faculty and professional school involvement in, domestic 
outreach activities that involve--
    (1) Elementary and secondary schools;
    (2) Postsecondary institutions; and
    (3) Business, media, and the general public.
    (i) Program planning and budget (up to 25 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the applicant provides a development plan 
or timeline demonstrating how the proposed activities will contribute 
to a strengthened program and whether the applicant uses its resources 
and personnel effectively to achieve the proposed objectives;
    (2) The extent to which the activities for which the applicant 
seeks funding are of high quality and directly related to the purpose 
of the National Resource Centers Program;
    (3) The extent to which the costs of the proposed activities are 
reasonable in relation to the objectives of the program; and
    (4) The long-term impact of the proposed activities on the 
institution's undergraduate, graduate, and professional training 
programs.
    Undergraduate Center Selection Criteria:
    (a) Commitment to the subject area on which the Center focuses (up 
to 5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the 
extent to which the institution provides financial and other support to 
the operation of the Center, teaching staff for the Center's subject 
area, library resources, linkages with institutions abroad, outreach

[[Page 71458]]

activities, and qualified students in fields related to the Center.
    (b) Quality of the Center's language instructional program (up to 
14 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center provides instruction in the 
languages of the Center's subject area and the extent to which students 
enroll in the study of the languages of the subject area through 
programs offered by the Center or other providers;
    (2) The extent to which the Center provides three or more levels of 
language training and the extent to which courses in disciplines other 
than language, linguistics, and literature are offered in appropriate 
foreign languages;
    (3) Whether sufficient numbers of language faculty are available to 
teach the languages and levels of instruction described in the 
application and the extent to which language teaching staff (including 
faculty and instructional assistants) have been exposed to current 
language pedagogy training appropriate for performance-based teaching; 
and
    (4) The quality of the language program as measured by the 
performance-based instruction being used or developed, the adequacy of 
resources for language teaching and practice, and language proficiency 
requirements.
    (c) Quality of the Center's non-language instructional program (up 
to 14 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The quality and extent of the Center's course offerings in a 
variety of disciplines;
    (2) The extent to which the Center offers depth of specialized 
course coverage in one or more disciplines of the Center's subject 
area;
    (3) The extent to which the institution employs a sufficient number 
of teaching faculty to enable the Center to carry out its purposes and 
the extent to which instructional assistants are provided with pedagogy 
training; and
    (4) The extent to which interdisciplinary courses are offered for 
undergraduate students.
    (d) Quality of curriculum design (up to 13 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center's curriculum has incorporated 
undergraduate instruction in the applicant's area or topic of 
specialization into baccalaureate degree programs (for example, major, 
minor, or certificate programs) and the extent to which these programs 
and their requirements (including language requirements) are 
appropriate for a Center in this subject area and will result in an 
undergraduate training program of high quality;
    (2) The extent to which the Center provides academic and career 
advising services for students; and
    (3) The extent to which the Center has established formal 
arrangements for students to conduct research or study abroad and the 
extent to which these arrangements are used; and the extent to which 
the institution facilitates student access to other institutions' study 
abroad and summer language programs.
    (e) Quality of staff resources (up to 13 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which teaching faculty and other staff are 
qualified for the current and proposed Center activities and training 
programs, are provided professional development opportunities 
(including overseas experience), and participate in teaching, 
supervising, and advising students;
    (2) The adequacy of Center staffing and oversight arrangements, 
including outreach and administration and the extent to which faculty 
from a variety of departments, professional schools, and the library 
are involved; and
    (3) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its 
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic 
minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
    (f) Strength of library (up to 6 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine--
    (1) The strength of the institution's library holdings (both print 
and non-print, English and foreign language) in the subject area and at 
the educational levels (graduate, professional, undergraduate) on which 
the Center focuses; and the extent to which the institution provides 
financial support for the acquisition of library materials and for 
library staff in the subject area of the Center; and
    (2) The extent to which research materials at other institutions 
are available to students through cooperative arrangements with other 
libraries or on-line databases and the extent to which teachers, 
students, and faculty from other institutions are able to access the 
library's holdings.
    (g) Impact and evaluation (up to 25 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the Center's activities and training 
programs have a significant impact on the university, community, 
region, and the Nation as shown through indices such as enrollments, 
graduate placement data, participation rates for events, and usage of 
Center resources; the extent to which students matriculate into 
advanced language and area or international studies programs or related 
professional programs;
    (2) The extent to which the applicant provides an evaluation plan 
that is comprehensive and objective and that will produce quantifiable, 
outcome-measure-oriented data; and the extent to which recent 
evaluations have been used to improve the applicant's program;
    (3) The degree to which activities of the Center address national 
needs, and generate information for and disseminate information to the 
public;
    (4) The applicant's record of placing students into post-graduate 
employment, education, or training in areas of national need and the 
applicant's stated efforts to increase the number of such students that 
go into such placements; and
    (5) The extent to which the applicant supplies a clear description 
of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment of 
eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic 
minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
    (h) Outreach activities (up to 9 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application to determine the extent to which the Center 
demonstrates a significant and measurable regional and national impact 
of, and faculty and professional school involvement in, domestic 
outreach activities that involve--
    (1) Elementary and secondary schools;
    (2) Postsecondary institutions; and
    (3) Business, media, and the general public.
    (i) Program planning and budget (up to 25 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine--
    (1) The extent to which the applicant provides a development plan 
or timeline demonstrating how the proposed activities will contribute 
to a strengthened program and whether the applicant uses its resources 
and personnel effectively to achieve the proposed objectives;
    (2) The extent to which the activities for which the applicant 
seeks funding are of high quality and directly related to the purpose 
of the National Resource Centers Program;
    (3) The extent to which the costs of the proposed activities are 
reasonable in relation to the objectives of the program; and

[[Page 71459]]

    (4) The long-term impact of the proposed activities on the 
institution's undergraduate training program.
    3. 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).
    4. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under these programs 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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 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 NRC Program must be submitted 
electronically into the 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/NRC.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 evaluating the success 
of the NRC Program under the Government Performance and Results Act of 
1993 and Department reporting under 34 CFR

[[Page 71460]]

75.110, the Department has established the following performance 
measures:
    (a) Percentage of priority languages defined by the Secretary of 
Education taught at NRCs.
    (b) Percentage of NRCs teaching intermediate or advanced courses in 
priority languages as defined by the Secretary of Education.
    (c) Percentage of NRCs that increased the number of intermediate or 
advanced level language courses in the priority area and/or less and 
least commonly taught languages (LCTLs) during the course of the grant 
period.
    (d) Percentage of NRCs that increased the number of certificate, 
minor, or major degree programs in the priority area and/or LCTLs, area 
studies, or international studies during the course of the four-year 
grant period.
    (e) Percentage of LCTLs taught at NRCs.
    (f) Cost per NRC that increased the number of intermediate or 
advanced level language courses in the priority area and/or LCTLs 
during the course of the grant period.
    The information provided by grantees in their performance reports 
submitted via the International Resource Information System (IRIS) will 
be the source of data for these measures. Reporting screens for 
institutions can be viewed at: http://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/NRC.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.

Annmarie Weisman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning and Innovation, Office 
of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-27228 Filed 12-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P