[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]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P