[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19117-19122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06581]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Minority Science and Engineering
Improvement Program (MSEIP)
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the MSEIP,
Assistance Listing Number 84.120A. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0109.
DATES:
Applications Available: March 30, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 30, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 28, 2023.
Pre-Application Webinar information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the
MSEIP website at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/index.html.
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 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B125, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453-7913. Email: [email protected].
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 Program: The MSEIP is designed to effect long-range
improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly
minority institutions and to increase the participation of
underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into
scientific and technological careers, consistent with nondiscrimination
requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.
Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference
priorities. Competitive Preference Priority 1 is from the Secretary's
Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for Discretionary Grant
Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR
70612) (Supplemental Priorities). Competitive Preference Priority 2 is
from 34 CFR 637.31(c).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
9 points to an applicant that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1,
depending on how well the application meets the priority, and an
additional 3 points to an applicant that meets Competitive Preference
Priority 2.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1: Increasing Postsecondary
Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post-Enrollment
Success (Up to 9 points).
Projects that are designed to increase postsecondary access,
affordability, completion, and success for underserved students by
addressing one or more of the following priority areas:
(a) Supporting the development and implementation of high-quality
and accessible learning opportunities, including learning opportunities
that are accelerated or hybrid online, credit-bearing, work-based, and
flexible for working students. (Up to 3 points).
(b) Supporting the development and implementation of evidence-based
strategies to promote students' development of knowledge and skills
necessary for success in the workforce and civic life. (Up to 3
points).
(c) Providing secondary school students with access to career
exploration and advising opportunities to help students make informed
decisions about their postsecondary enrollment decisions and to place
them on a career path. (Up to 3 points).
Competitive Preference Priority 2: New Potential Grantees (3
points).
Under this priority, we award an additional three points to
applicants that have not received MSEIP funding within seven years
before the deadline date for submission of applications under this
program competition.
Note: Consistent with Federal recordkeeping requirements and
Department recordkeeping practices, as well as the Department's
Administrative Priorities for Discretionary Grant Programs published
in the Federal Register on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640), rather than
require applicants to have never received MSEIP funding, the
Department has established a look-back period of seven years.
Note: Applicants may verify their eligibility for Competitive
Preference Priority 2 by examining ``Grant Recipients'' on the MSEIP
website: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/awards.html. Only
applicants that did not receive new or non-competing continuation
awards between FY 2016 and FY 2022 may receive points under this
priority.
Definitions: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition,
the following definitions apply. The definitions of ``children or
students with disabilities,'' ``disconnected youth,'' ``English
learner,'' ``evidence-based,'' ``military- or veteran-connected
[[Page 19118]]
student,'' and ``underserved student'' are from the Supplemental
Priorities.
Children or students with disabilities means children with
disabilities as defined in section 602(3) of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401(3)) and 34 CFR 300.8,
or students with disabilities, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(37).
Disconnected youth means an individual, between the ages 14 and 24,
who may be from a low-income background, experiences homelessness, is
in foster care, is involved in the justice system, or is not working or
not enrolled in (or at risk of dropping out of) an educational
institution.
English learner means an individual who is an English learner as
defined in section 8101(20) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965, as amended, or an individual who is an English language
learner as defined in section 203(7) of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act.
Evidence-based has the meaning ascribed to it in 34 CFR 77.1
Military- or veteran-connected student means one or more of the
following:
(a) A child participating in an early learning program, a student
enrolled in preschool through grade 12, or a student enrolled in career
and technical education or postsecondary education who has a parent or
guardian who is a member of the uniformed services (as defined by 37
U.S.C. 101), in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard,
Space Force, National Guard, Reserves, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, or Public Health Service or is a veteran of the
uniformed services with an honorable discharge (as defined by 38 U.S.C.
3311).
(b) A student who is a member of the uniformed services, a veteran
of the uniformed services, or the spouse of a service member or
veteran.
(c) A child participating in an early learning program, a student
enrolled in preschool through grade 12, or a student enrolled in career
and technical education or postsecondary education who has a parent or
guardian who is a veteran of the uniformed services (as defined by 37
U.S.C. 101).
Underserved student means students in K-12 programs, students in
postsecondary education or career and technical education, and adult
learners, in one or more of the following subgroups:
(a) A student who is living in poverty or is served by schools with
high concentrations of students living in poverty.
(b) A student of color.
(c) A student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian
Tribe.
(d) An English learner.
(e) A child or student with a disability.
(f) A disconnected youth.
(g) A technologically unconnected youth.
(h) A migrant student.
(i) A student experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
(j) A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or
intersex (LGBTQI+) student.
(k) A student who is in foster care.
(l) A student without documentation of immigration status.
(m) A pregnant, parenting, or caregiving student.
(n) A student impacted by the justice system, including a formerly
incarcerated student.
(o) A student who is the first in their family to attend
postsecondary education.
(p) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll in postsecondary
education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.
(q) A student who is working full-time while enrolled in
postsecondary education.
(r) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in
postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.
(s) An adult student in need of improving their basic skills or an
adult student with limited English proficiency.
(t) A student performing significantly below grade level.
(u) A military- or veteran-connected student.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1067-1067k.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in
Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 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 part 637. (e)
The Supplemental Priorities.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $5,951,303.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: Institutional Project Grants, Special
Project Grants, and Cooperative Project Grants: $250,000-$300,000 for
up to 36 months.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $275,000 for up to 36 months.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $300,000 for a
12-month period or $900,000 for a 36-month period.
Estimated Number of Awards:
Institutional Project Grants: 17.
Special Project Grants: 2.
Cooperative Project Grants: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: The eligibility of an applicant is
dependent on the type of MSEIP grant the applicant seeks. There are
four types of MSEIP grants: institutional project, special project,
cooperative project, and design project.
Institutional project grants are grants that support the
implementation of a comprehensive science improvement plan, which may
include any combination of activities for improving the preparation of
minority students, particularly minority women, for careers in science.
There are two types of special project grants. First, there are
special project grants for which only minority institutions are
eligible. These special project grants support activities that (1)
improve quality training in science and engineering at minority
institutions; or (2) enhance the minority institutions' general
scientific research capabilities. There also are special project grants
for which all applicants are eligible. These special project grants
support activities that (1) provide a needed service to a group of
eligible minority institutions; or (2) provide in-service training for
project directors, scientists, and engineers from eligible minority
institutions.
Cooperative project grants assist groups of nonprofit accredited
colleges and universities to work together to conduct a science
improvement project.
Design project grants assist minority institutions that do not have
their own
[[Page 19119]]
appropriate resources or personnel to plan and develop long-range
science improvement programs. We will not award design project grants
in the FY 2023 competition.
(a) For institutional project grants, eligible applicants are
limited to--
(1) Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education
that (i) award baccalaureate degrees; and (ii) are minority
institutions;
(2) Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education
that (i) award associate degrees; and (ii) are minority institutions
that (A) have a curriculum that includes science or engineering
subjects; and (B) enter into a partnership with public or private
nonprofit institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate
degrees in science and engineering.
(b) For special project grants for which only minority institutions
are eligible, eligible applicants are described in paragraph (a).
(c) For special project grants for which all applicants are
eligible, eligible applicants include those described in paragraph (a),
and--
(1) Nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional
scientific societies, and institutions of higher education that award
baccalaureate degrees that (i) provide a needed service to a group of
minority institutions; or (ii) provide in-service training to project
directors, scientists, and engineers from minority institutions; or
(2) A consortia of organizations that provide needed services to
one or more minority institutions, the membership of which may include
(i) institutions of higher education that have a curriculum in science
or engineering; (ii) institutions of higher education that have a
graduate or professional program in science or engineering; (iii)
research laboratories of, or under contract with, the Department of
Energy, the Department of Defense, or the National Institutes of
Health; (iv) relevant offices of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and
Technology; (v) quasi-governmental entities that have a significant
scientific or engineering mission; or (vi) institutions of higher
education that have State-sponsored centers for research in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(d) For cooperative project grants, eligible applicants are groups
of nonprofit accredited colleges and universities whose primary fiscal
agent is an eligible minority institution as defined in 34 CFR
637.4(b).
Note: As defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), ``minority institution''
means an accredited college or university whose enrollment of a
single minority group or a combination of minority groups as defined
in 34 CFR 637.4 exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment. The
Secretary verifies this information from the data on enrollments
(Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 12-Month
Enrollment survey) furnished by the institution to the National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES), United States Department of
Education.
Note: The Secretary uses IPEDS data to verify enrollment in lieu
of the Higher Education General Information Surveys HEGIS XIII
survey data specified in 34 CFR 637.4(b), as those surveys are no
longer conducted.
Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51,
you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof
that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant
as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from
a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that
the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the
State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any
private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the
applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it
clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4)
any item described above if that item applies to a State or national
parent organization, together with a statement by the State or
parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit
affiliate.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. 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 and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554, which contain requirements and
information on how to submit an application. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the version published on December 27,
2021.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the MSEIP grant
competition, your application may include business information that you
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information''
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as
amended).
Because we plan to make successful applications available to the
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business
information. Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in
your application any information that you believe is exempt from
disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of
your application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the
page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For
additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this competition.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 65 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
[[Page 19120]]
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.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet;
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurance and certifications; the eligibility form; or the one-page
abstract, the resumes, the biography, or letters of support. However,
the recommended page limit does apply to all the application narrative.
Note: The Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs Form (ED
524) Sections A-C are not the same as the narrative response to the
Budget section of the selection criteria.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 637.32. Applicants should address each of the selection
criteria. The points assigned to each criterion are indicated in the
parentheses next to the criterion. An applicant may earn up to a total
of 100 points based on the selection criteria. All applications will be
evaluated based on the selection criteria as follows:
(a) Identification of need for the project (Total 5 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the identification of need for the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) An adequate needs assessment;
(ii) An identification of specific needs in science; and
(iii) Involvement of appropriate individuals, especially science
faculty, in identifying the institutional needs.
(b) Plan of operation (Total 20 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) Higher quality in the design of the project;
(ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and
efficient administration of the project;
(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project
relate to the purpose of the program;
(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel
to achieve each objective; and
(v) Methods of coordination. (See 34 CFR 75.580)
(c) Quality of key personnel (Total 10 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on
the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be
used);
(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be
used in the project;
(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (c)(2)(i)
and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
(iv) 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 a racial or ethnic
minority group, women, handicapped persons, and the elderly.
(3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary
considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related
to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the
applicant provides.
(d) Budget and cost effectiveness (Total 10 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project
activities; and
(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objective of the
project.
Note: The Comprehensive Budget Narrative will be part of the
information reviewed under this selection criterion.
(e) Evaluation plan (Total 15 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project. (See 34 CFR
75.590)
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of
evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
Note: In considering the quality of an evaluation plan, for
each proposed objective, the Secretary may consider, among other
things, the baseline indicators of progress for each proposed grant
year, the methods of evaluation, the types of data that will be
collected to assess the final project outcomes and the data
collection procedures that will be used, the proposed timetable for
conducting the evaluation, and the procedures for analyzing and
using both formative and summative data.
Note: In considering whether an evaluation plan shows methods
of evaluation that are objective, the Secretary considers whether
the evaluation is to be conducted by an independent evaluator.
(f) Adequacy of resources (Total 5 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the
project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate;
and
(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are
adequate.
Note: An Applicant should indicate if these resources are
available at its institution or at partner institutions or if the
applicant plans to acquire them.
(g) Potential institutional impact of the project (Total 10
points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent
to which the proposed project gives evidence of potential for enhancing
the institution's capacity for improving and maintaining quality
science education for its minority students, particularly minority
women.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) For an institutional or cooperative project, the extent to
which both the established science education program(s) and the
proposed project will expand or strengthen the established program(s)
in relation to the identified needs; or
(ii) For a special project, the extent to which it addresses needs
that have not been adequately addressed by an existing institutional
science program or takes a particularly new and exemplary approach that
has not been taken by any existing institutional science program.
(h) Institutional commitment to the project (Total 5 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the applicant plans to continue the project activities when
funding ceases.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) Adequate institutional commitment to absorb any after-the-grant
burden initiated by the project;
(ii) Adequate plans for continuation of project activities when
funding ceases;
[[Page 19121]]
(iii) Clear evidence of past institutional commitment to the
provision of quality science programs for its minority students; and
(iv) A local review statement signed by the chief executive officer
of the institution endorsing the project and indicating how the project
will accelerate the attainment of the institutional goals in science.
(i) Expected outcomes (Total 10 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent
to which minority students, particularly minority women, will benefit
from the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) Expected outcomes likely to result in the accomplishment of the
program goal;
(ii) Educational value for science students; and
(iii) Possibility of long-term benefits to minority students,
faculty, or the institution.
(j) Scientific and educational value of the proposed project (Total
10 points).
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows its potential for contributions to science education.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The relationship of the proposed project to the present state
of science education;
(ii) The use or development of effective techniques and approaches
in science education; and
(iii) Potential use of some aspects of the project at other
institutions.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
also 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).
A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each
application in accordance with the selection criteria. A rank order
funding slate will be made from this review. Awards will be made in
rank order according to the average score received from the peer review
and from the competitive preference priorities addressed by the
applicant.
Based on 34 CFR 637.32, if the Secretary has insufficient funding
to award multiple applications with the same score, the Secretary gives
priority to previous grantees with a proven record of success, as well
as to applications that contribute to achieving balance among funded
projects with respect to (1) geographic region; (2) academic
discipline; and (3) project type.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition, the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR
3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant
if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not
responsible.
4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with:
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer 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
[[Page 19122]]
identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted
under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use
of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is
awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these
public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and
submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for
funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements
please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20.
4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: For the purposes of Department reporting
under 34 CFR 75.110, we have established the following performance
measures for the MSEIP grants: (1) the percentage of change in the
number of full-time, degree-seeking minority undergraduate students at
the grantee's institution enrolled in the fields of engineering or
physical or biological sciences, compared to the average minority
enrollment in the same fields in the three-year period immediately
prior to the beginning of the current grant; and (2) the percentage of
minority students enrolled at four-year minority institutions in the
fields of engineering or physical or biological sciences who graduate
within six years of enrollment. Please see the application package for
details of data collection and reporting requirements for these
measures.
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.
Nasser Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023-06581 Filed 3-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P