[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51078-51082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17850]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Research Networks Focused on
Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice and Special
Education Research and Development Center Program
AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and
Practice and Special Education Research and Development (R&D) Center
Grant Programs, Assistance Listing Numbers (ALNs) 84.305N and 84.324C.
This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB
control number 4040-0001.
DATES: The dates when applications are available and the deadlines for
transmittal of applications invited under this notice are indicated in
the chart at the end of this notice and in the Requests for
Applications (RFAs) that are posted at the following website: https://ies.ed.gov/funding.
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and,
in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in
SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the
implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information
on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The contact person associated with a
particular research competition is listed in the chart at the end of
this notice, as well as in the relevant RFA and application package.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Programs:
Through the National Center for Education Research (NCER), the
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) provides support for programs of
research in areas of demonstrated national need. The IES research grant
programs are designed to provide interested individuals and the general
public with reliable and valid information about education practices
that support learning and improve academic achievement and access to
education opportunities for all learners.
Through the Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of
Education Policy and Practice grant program, NCER focuses resources and
attention on specific education problems or issues that are a high
priority for the Nation. NCER also establishes both a structure and
process for researchers who are working on these issues to share ideas,
build new knowledge, and strengthen their research and dissemination
capacity. Through this program, NCER seeks to establish a new Career
and Technical Education Research Network and seeks to expand the
Digital Learning Platforms Network, also known as SEERNet (https://www.seernet.org), which was originally established in FY 2021.
Additional information about the Career and Technical Education
Research Network topic is available in the notice inviting applications
under the Lead of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Network:
Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and
Practice published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
Within IES, the National Center for Special Education Research
(NCSER) supports research to expand knowledge and understanding of the
needs of infants, toddlers, and youth with disabilities to improve the
developmental, education, and transition outcomes of such individuals.
Through NCSER, IES invests in Special Education Research and
Development Centers (R&D Centers) that contribute to the body of
special
[[Page 51079]]
education knowledge in the United States by engaging in research,
development, evaluation, and national leadership activities aimed at
improving the education system and, ultimately, student achievement.
Through this program, NCSER seeks to establish a new R&D Center on
Supporting Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education.
Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing two research
competitions:
NCER is announcing one competition in research networks focused on
critical problems of policy and practice.
NCSER is announcing one competition in special education research
and development centers.
NCER Competition
The Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of Education
Policy and Practice Competition (ALN 84.305N). Under this competition,
NCER will consider only applications that address one of the following
topics:
Career and Technical Education Research Network, which
includes a single Network Lead in FY23. (The CTE Network will conduct
research on CTE through projects funded by other IES grant
competitions). For additional information about this topic, please see
the notice inviting applications for the Lead of a Career and Technical
Education (CTE) Network: Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems
of Education Policy and Practice published elsewhere in this issue of
the Federal Register.
Digital Learning Platforms Network, which includes:
[cir] Research Teams.
NCSER Competition
The Special Education Research and Development Center Competition
(ALN 84.324C). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only
applications that address the following topic:
Research Center on Supporting Students with Disabilities
in Postsecondary Education.
Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the
Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to
section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C.
1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the
opportunity to comment on priorities, selection criteria, definitions,
and requirements.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.
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 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98,
and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable,
except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103,
75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-
(c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, 75.250(a), and 75.708. (b)
The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part
180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3474.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not
apply to these competitions.
II. Award Information
Types of Awards: Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements.
Fiscal Information: Although Congress has not yet enacted an
appropriation for FY 2023, IES is inviting applications for these
competitions now so that applicants can have adequate time to prepare
their applications. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on
final congressional action.
Estimated Range of Awards: See chart at the end of this notice. The
size of the awards will depend on the scope of the projects proposed.
Estimated Number of Awards: The number of awards made under each
competition will depend on the quality of the applications received for
that competition, the availability of funds, and the following limits
on awards for the Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of
Education Policy and Practice competition and the Special Education
Research and Development Center competition.
IES may waive any of the following limits on awards for the Digital
Learning Network Research Teams topic within the Research Networks
Focused on Critical Problems of Education Policy and Practice and the
Special Education Research and Development Center competitions in the
special case that the peer review process results in a tie between two
or more grant applications, making it impossible to adhere to the
limits without funding only some of the equally ranked applications. In
that case, IES may make a larger number of awards to include all
applications of the same rank.
For the Digital Learning Platforms Network, we intend to fund up to
10 grants for Research Teams.
For the Special Education Research and Development Center
competition, we intend to fund up to one grant for the Postsecondary
Center.
Should funding be available, we may consider making additional
awards to high-quality applications that remain unfunded after these
maximum limits are met. Contingent on the availability of funds and the
quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2024 from
the list of highly rated unfunded applications submitted in response to
the FY 2023 competition announcement.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: See chart at the end of this notice.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Applicants that have the ability and
capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to
apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, nonprofit
and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and
institutions of higher education, such as colleges and universities.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: These programs do not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an
unrestricted 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.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary to 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 the
NCER Research Networks and NCSER R&D Center competitions may award
subgrants--to directly carry out project activities described in its
application--to the following types of entities: nonprofit and for-
profit organizations and public and private agencies and institutions
of higher education. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has
identified in an approved application.
[[Page 51080]]
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 December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13,
2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to
register in SAM.gov a DUNS number to the implementation of the UEI.
More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf.
2. Other Information: Information regarding program and application
requirements for the competitions will be contained in the NCER and
NCSER RFAs, which will be available on the IES website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. The Special Education Research and Development
Center Competition (ALN 84.324C) will be posted on or before September
30, 2022. The Research Networks Focused on Critical Problems of
Education Policy and Practice Competition (ALN 84.305N) will be posted
on or before October 20, 2022. The dates on which the application
packages for these competitions will be available are indicated in the
chart at the end of this notice. Application submission information is
available in the IES Application Submission Guide at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/pdf/FY2023_submission_guide.pdf.
3. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application are contained in the RFA for
the specific competition. The forms that must be submitted are in the
application package for the specific competition.
4. Submission Dates and Times: The deadline date for transmittal of
applications for each competition is indicated in the chart at the end
of this notice and in the RFAs for the competitions.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
5. Intergovernmental Review: These competitions are not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: For all of its grant competitions, IES uses
selection criteria based on a peer review process that has been
approved by the National Board for Education Sciences. The Peer Review
Procedures for Grant Applications can be found on the IES website at
https://ies.ed.gov/director/sro/peer_review/application_review.asp.
For the 84.305N competition, peer reviewers of the Research Teams
applications to the Digital Learning Platforms Network will be asked to
evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
research plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, the
resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities, and the
quality of the dissemination history and dissemination plan. These
criteria will be described in greater detail in the RFA.
For the 84.324C competition, peer reviewers for the special
education research and development centers program will be asked to
evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
research plan, the quality of the national leadership plan, the
qualifications and experience of the personnel, and the resources of
the applicant to support the proposed activities. These criteria are
described in greater detail in the RFA.
For all IES competitions, applications must include budgets no
higher than the relevant maximum award as set out in the relevant RFA.
IES will not make an award exceeding the maximum award amount as set
out in the relevant RFA.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
IES 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, compliance with the
IES policy regarding public access to research, and compliance with
grant conditions. IES 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, IES 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 these competitions, the
Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2
CFR 200.208, IES 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
these competitions 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);
[[Page 51081]]
(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. Grant Administration: Applicants should budget for an annual
meeting of up to three days for project directors to be held in
Washington, DC.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under one of the
competitions announced in this notice, 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
IES. 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 IES under 34 CFR
75.118. IES 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: To evaluate the overall success of its
education research and special education research grant programs, IES
annually assesses the percentage of projects that result in peer-
reviewed publications and the number of IES-supported interventions
with evidence of efficacy in improving learner education outcomes. In
addition, NCSER annually assesses the number of newly developed or
modified interventions with evidence of promise for improving learner
education outcomes. School readiness outcomes include pre-reading,
reading, pre-writing, early mathematics, early science, and social-
emotional skills that prepare young children for school. Student
academic outcomes include learning and achievement in academic content
areas, such as reading, writing, math, and science, as well as outcomes
that reflect students' successful progression through the education
system, such as course and grade completion; high school graduation;
and postsecondary enrollment, progress, and completion. Social and
behavioral competencies include social and emotional skills, attitudes,
and behaviors that are important to academic and post-academic success.
Employment and earnings outcomes include hours of employment, job
stability, and wages and benefits, and may be measured in addition to
student academic outcomes. Additional education outcomes for students
with or at risk of a disability (as defined in the relevant RFA)
include developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers (birth to age
three) pertaining to cognitive, communicative, linguistic, social,
emotional, adaptive, functional, or physical development; developmental
and functional outcomes that improve education outcomes, transition to
employment, independent living, and postsecondary education; and
employment and earning outcomes for students with disabilities.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, IES 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; whether a grantee
is in compliance with the IES policy regarding public access to
research; and if IES 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, IES 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 relevant program contact
person listed in the chart at the end of this notice, as well as in the
relevant RFA and application package, individuals with disabilities can
obtain this document and a copy of the RFA 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.
Mark Schneider,
Director, Institute of Education Sciences.
[[Page 51082]]
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For further
ALN and name Application package Deadline for transmittal Estimated range of awards Project period information
available of applications * contact
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National Center for Education Research (NCER)
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84.305N Research Networks
Focused on Critical Problems
of Education Policy and
Practice:
[ssquf] Digital Learning October 20, 2022.......... February 23, 2023........ $80,000 to $200,000....... Up to 2 years...... Erin Higgins,
Platform Network Research Erin.Higgins@ed
Teams. .gov, (202) 987-
1531.
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National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
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84.324C Special Education
Research and Development
Center:
[ssquf] Supporting September 30, 2022........ January 12, 2023......... $500,000 to $1,000,000.... Up to 5 years...... Akilah Nelson,
Students with Akilah.Nelson@e
Disabilities in d.gov, (202)
Postsecondary Education 245-7352.
(Postsecondary Center).
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* These estimates are annual amounts.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Note: If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
[FR Doc. 2022-17850 Filed 8-18-22; 8:45 am]
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