[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23012-23019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07904]


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

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Developing Hispanic-Serving 
Institutions Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the 
Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program, Assistance 
Listing Number (ALN) 84.031S. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0745.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: April 14, 2023.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 13, 2023.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 14, 2023.

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: Njeri Clark, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B186, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-6224. 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 DHSI Program provides grants to assist 
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) with expanding educational 
opportunities for, and improving the academic attainment of, Hispanic 
students. DHSI Program grants enable HSIs to expand and enhance the 
academic offerings, program quality, faculty quality, and institutional 
stability of colleges and universities that are educating the largest 
enrollment of Hispanic college students and help large numbers of 
Hispanic students and other low-income individuals complete 
postsecondary degrees.
    Background: In a February 2022 article published in the Chronicle 
of Higher Education titled, ``The Missing Hispanic Students: Higher 
ed's future and the economy depends on their coming back to college,'' 
the author highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the progress 
made in postsecondary enrollment of Hispanic students over the last 
decade and calls attention to the negative impact on institutions and 
communities from the

[[Page 23013]]

loss of Hispanic students.\1\ According to the National Student 
Clearinghouse Research Center, Hispanic undergraduate enrollment fell 7 
percent from 2019 to 2021.\2\ To address this decline, the re-
engagement and retention of students, especially Hispanic students, 
will require targeted supports, including those that leverage 
technology, and holistic wraparound services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ www.chronicle.com/article/the-missing-hispanic-students.
    \2\ https://nscresearchcenter.org/stay-informed/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Through leadership, practice, and data that support evidence-based 
decision-making, HSIs can foster a strong sense of belonging and 
implement robust academic programs that focus on student learning 
through high-impact practices. In FY 2022, the Department's Hispanic-
Serving Institutions Division held a listening session with 
institutions recognized for their leadership in serving Hispanic 
students. In the listening session, these institutions identified a 
number of practices that, when implemented intentionally, may 
contribute to student success. The institutions identified academic 
offerings such as undergraduate research experiences and support 
services such as advising and mentoring that promote retention and 
degree completion. Additionally, these institutions noted the 
importance of having leadership that is committed both to promoting 
access to the institution, but also to providing the necessary 
academic, social, and emotional supports needed to promote student 
success.
    To this end, this competition includes two competitive preference 
priorities and one invitational priority that are designed to support 
students holistically and promote continual success.
    Priorities: This notice contains two competitive preference 
priorities and one invitational priority. The competitive preference 
priorities are 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 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 
5 points to an application for each priority, depending on how well the 
application meets each of these priorities. Applicants may respond to 
one or both priorities, for a total of up to 10 additional points.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Meeting Student Social, 
Emotional, and Academic Needs (up to 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to improve students' social, emotional, 
academic, and career development, with a focus on underserved students 
by creating a positive, inclusive, and identity-safe climate at 
institutions of higher education through one or more of the following 
activities:
    (a) Fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for underserved 
students.
    (b) Implementing evidence-based practices for advancing student 
success for underserved students.
    (c) Providing evidence-based professional development opportunities 
designed to build asset-based mindsets for faculty and staff on campus 
and that are inclusive with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, 
language, and disability status.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: Increasing Postsecondary 
Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post-Enrollment 
Success (up to 5 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) Increasing postsecondary education access and reducing the cost 
of college by creating clearer pathways for students between 
institutions and making transfer of course credits more seamless and 
transparent.
    (b) Increasing the number and proportion of underserved students 
who enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs, which may 
include strategies related to college preparation, awareness, 
application, selection, advising, counseling, and enrollment.
    (c) Establishing a system of high-quality data collection and 
analysis, such as data on persistence, retention, completion, and post-
college outcomes, for transparency, accountability, and institutional 
improvement.
    (d) Supporting the development and implementation of student 
success programs that integrate multiple comprehensive and evidence-
based services or initiatives, such as academic advising, structured/
guided pathways, career services, credit-bearing academic undergraduate 
courses focused on career, and programs to meet basic needs, such as 
housing, childcare and transportation, student financial aid, and 
access to technological devices.
    Invitational Priority: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this 
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    This priority is:
    Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students, Educators, and 
Faculty.
    Projects that are designed to address the impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic, including impacts that extend beyond the duration of the 
pandemic itself, on the students most impacted by the pandemic, with a 
focus on underserved students and the educators who serve them, through 
one or more of the following priority areas:
    (a) Providing resources and supports to meet the basic, 
fundamental, health and safety needs of students and educators.
    (b) Addressing educator, faculty, and staff well-being.
    (c) Using evidence-based instructional approaches or supports to 
assist individuals who did not enroll in, withdrew from, or reduced 
course loads in postsecondary education or training programs due to 
COVID-19 to enroll in, remain enrolled in, and complete credit-bearing 
coursework and earn recognized postsecondary credentials.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 77.1 and the 
Supplemental Priorities and apply to the priorities and selection 
criteria in this notice:
    Baseline means the starting point from which performance is 
measured and targets are set.
    Budget period means an interval of time into which a project period 
is divided for budgetary purposes.
    Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in 
the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation 
findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve 
relevant outcomes.
    Department means the U.S. Department of Education.
    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

[[Page 23014]]

English language learner as defined in section 203(7) of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act.
    Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by 
promising evidence or evidence that demonstrates a rationale.
    Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare 
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are 
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment 
group receiving a project component or a control group that does not. 
Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, 
and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental 
studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g., 
sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression 
discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) 
standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbooks:
    (i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for 
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the 
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to 
receive the project component (the control group).
    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project 
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning 
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental 
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of 
outcomes.
    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case 
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in 
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to 
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the 
treatment.
    Fiscal year means the Federal fiscal year--a period beginning on 
October 1 and ending on the following September 30.
    Grant period means the period for which funds have been awarded.
    Grantee means the legal entity to which a grant is awarded and that 
is accountable to the Federal Government for the use of the funds 
provided. The grantee is the entire legal entity even if only a 
particular component of the entity is designated in the grant award 
notice (GAN). For example, a GAN may name as the grantee one school or 
campus of a university. In this case, the granting agency usually 
intends, or actually intends, that the named component assume primary 
or sole responsibility for administering the grant-assisted project or 
program. Nevertheless, the naming of a component of a legal entity as 
the grantee in a grant award document shall not be construed as 
relieving the whole legal entity from accountability to the Federal 
Government for the use of the funds provided. (This definition is not 
intended to affect the eligibility provision of grant programs in which 
eligibility is limited to organizations that may be only components of 
a legal entity.) The term ``grantee'' does not include any secondary 
recipients, such as subgrantees and contractors, that may receive funds 
from a grantee pursuant to a subgrant or contract.
    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be 
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.
    Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use 
resources such as the Pacific Education Laboratory's Logic Model 
Application (www.ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp).
    Performance measure means any quantitative indicator, statistic, or 
metric used to gauge program or project performance.
    Performance target means a level of performance that an applicant 
would seek to meet during the course of a project or as a result of a 
project.
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Promising evidence means that there is evidence of the 
effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant 
outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:
    (i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a ``strong evidence 
base'' or ``moderate evidence base'' for the corresponding practice 
guide recommendation;
    (ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a 
``positive effect'' or ``potentially positive effect'' on a relevant 
outcome with no reporting of a ``negative effect'' or ``potentially 
negative effect'' on a relevant outcome; or
    (iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, 
that--
    (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or 
a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with 
statistical controls for selection bias (e.g., a study using regression 
methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a 
comparison group); and
    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive 
(i.e., favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.
    Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that 
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a 
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important 
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation 
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being 
compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet 
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbooks.
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Subgrant means an award of financial assistance in the form of 
money, or property in lieu of money, made under a grant by a grantee to 
an eligible subgrantee. The term includes financial assistance when 
provided by contractual or any other form of legal agreement, but does 
not include procurement purchases, nor does it include any form of 
assistance that is excluded from the definition of ``grant or award'' 
in this part (See 2 CFR 200.92, ``Subaward'').
    Underserved student means a student in postsecondary education 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) An English learner.
    (d) A disconnected youth.
    (e) A technologically unconnected youth.
    (f) A migrant student.
    (g) A student experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
    (h) A student without documentation of immigration status.
    (i) A student who is the first in their family to attend 
postsecondary education.
    (j) A student enrolling in or seeking to enroll in postsecondary 
education for the first time at the age of 20 or older.
    (k) A student who is working full-time while enrolled in 
postsecondary education.

[[Page 23015]]

    (l) A student who is enrolled in or is seeking to enroll in 
postsecondary education who is eligible for a Pell Grant.
    (m) An adult student in need of improving their basic skills or an 
adult student with limited English proficiency.
    What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks (WWC Handbooks) means the 
standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Standards Handbook, 
Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, 
or in the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 
2.1 (all incorporated by reference, see 34 CFR 77.2). Study findings 
eligible for review under WWC standards can meet WWC standards without 
reservations, meet WWC standards with reservations, or not meet WWC 
standards. WWC practice guides and intervention reports include 
findings from systematic reviews of evidence as described in the WWC 
Handbooks documentation.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1101-1101d and 1103-1103g.
    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 606. (e) 
The Supplemental Priorities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants. Five-year Individual 
Development Grants only. Cooperative Arrangement Grants and Planning 
Grants will not be awarded in FY 2023.
    Estimated Available Funds: $38,048,815.
    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: $500,000-$600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $575,000.
    Maximum Awards: We will not make an award exceeding $600,000 for a 
single budget period of 12 months.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 65.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information and Supplemental Requirements

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Institutions of higher education (IHEs) 
that qualify as eligible HSIs are eligible to apply for new Individual 
Development Grants under the DHSI Program. To be an eligible HSI, an 
IHE must--
    (i) Have an enrollment of needy students, as defined in section 
502(b) of the HEA (section 502(a)(2)(A)(i) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(i));
    (ii) Have, except as provided in section 522(b) of the HEA, average 
education and general expenditures that are low, per full-time 
equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student, in comparison with the average 
education and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate student of 
institutions that offer similar instruction (section 502(a)(2)(A)(ii) 
of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(ii));
    Note: To demonstrate an enrollment of needy students and low 
average education and general expenditures per FTE undergraduate 
student, an IHE must be designated as an ``eligible institution'' in 
accordance with 34 CFR 606.2 through 606.5 and the notice inviting 
applications for designation as an eligible institution for the fiscal 
year for which the grant competition is being conducted.
    Note: The notice announcing the FY 2023 process for designation of 
eligible institutions, and inviting applications for waiver of 
eligibility requirements, was published in the Federal Register on 
January 17, 2023 (88 FR 2611). Only institutions that the Department 
determines are eligible, or are granted a waiver, may apply for a grant 
in this program.
    (iii) Be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency 
or association that the Secretary has determined to be a reliable 
authority as to the quality of education or training offered, or making 
reasonable progress toward accreditation, according to such an agency 
or association (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iv) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iv));
    (iv) Be legally authorized to provide, and provides within the 
State, an education program for which the institution awards a 
bachelor's degree (section 502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 
1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii)), or be a junior or community college (section 
502(a)(2)(A)(iii) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2)(A)(iii));
    (v) Have an enrollment of undergraduate FTE students that is at 
least 25 percent Hispanic students at the end of the award year 
immediately preceding the date of application (section 502(a)(5)(B) of 
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)(B)); and
    (vi) Provide, as an attachment to the application, the 
documentation the IHE relied upon in determining that at least 25 
percent of the IHE's undergraduate FTE students are Hispanic. The 25 
percent requirement applies only to undergraduate Hispanic students and 
is calculated based upon FTE students as defined in section 502(a)(4) 
of the HEA. Instructions for formatting and submitting the verification 
documentation to Grants.gov are in the application package for this 
competition.
    (b) For this program, the ``end of the award year immediately 
preceding the date of application'' refers to the end of the fiscal 
year prior to the application due date. For purposes of this 
competition, the data that we will use to determine percent enrollment 
is for academic year 2021-2022.
    (c) In considering applications for grants under this program, the 
Department will compare the data and documentation the institution 
relied on in its application with data reported to the Department's 
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the IHE's 
State-reported enrollment data, and the institutional annual report. If 
different percentages or data are reported in these various sources, 
the institution must, as part of the 25 percent assurance verification, 
explain the reason for the differences. If the IPEDS data show that 
less than 25 percent of the institution's undergraduate FTE students 
are Hispanic, the burden is on the institution to show that the IPEDS 
data are inaccurate. If the IPEDS data indicate that the institution 
has an undergraduate FTE less than 25 percent, and the institution 
fails to demonstrate that the IPEDS data are inaccurate, the 
institution will be considered ineligible.
    (d) A grantee under the DHSI Program, which is authorized by title 
V of the HEA, may not receive a grant under any HEA, title III, part A 
or part B program (section 505 of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101d). The title 
III, part A programs include the Strengthening Institutions Program, 
the American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities 
Program, the Alaska Native

[[Page 23016]]

and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Programs, the Asian American 
and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program, the 
Predominantly Black Institutions Program, and the Native American-
Serving Non-Tribal Institutions Program. Furthermore, a current DHSI 
Program grantee may not give up its HSI grant in order to receive a 
grant under any title III, part A program (34 CFR 606.2(c)(1)).
    (e) An eligible HSI may only submit one Individual Development 
Grant application.
    (f) Nothing in this notice alters a grantee's obligations to comply 
with nondiscrimination requirements in Federal civil rights laws, 
including nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, or national 
origin, among others.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching unless the grantee uses a portion of its grant for 
establishing or improving an endowment fund. If a grantee uses a 
portion of its grant for endowment fund purposes, it must match or 
exceed those grant funds with non-Federal funds (section 503(c)(2) of 
the HEA; 20 U.S.C. 1101b(c)(2)).
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. Grant funds must be used so that they 
supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would 
otherwise be available for the activities to be carried out under the 
grant and in no case supplant those funds. (34 CFR 606.30(b)).
    c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: A grantee may not use an 
indirect cost rate to determine allowable costs under its grant.
    d. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under 
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project 
activities described in its application--to the following types of 
entities: local educational agencies; State educational agencies; IHEs; 
nonprofit organizations. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it 
has identified in an approved application or that it selects through a 
competition under procedures established by the grantee.

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 DHSI Program, 
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 program.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
606.10(c). We reference additional 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 55 pages and (2) use the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and 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 applies to the Project Narrative, which 
is your complete response to the selection criteria, and any responses 
to the priorities, if applicable. However, the page limit does not 
apply to the Application for Federal Assistance form (SF-424); the ED 
SF-424 Supplement form; the Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs form (ED 524); the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page project abstract, the program profile form, and supporting 
narrative.
    6. Notice of Intent To Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage 
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an 
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to 
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name 
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to 
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice 
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information 
provided.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210, 606.8, and 606.22. Applicants should address 
each of the following selection criteria separately for each proposed 
activity. We will award up to 100 points to an application under the 
selection criteria and up to 10 additional points to an application 
under the competitive preference priorities, for a total score of up to 
110 points. The maximum score for each criterion is noted in 
parentheses.
    (a) Quality of the applicant's comprehensive development plan. (Up 
to 25 points)
    The Secretary evaluates each application for a development grant 
based on the extent to which--

[[Page 23017]]

    (1) The strengths, weaknesses, and significant problems of the 
institution's academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal 
stability are clearly and comprehensively analyzed and result from a 
process that involved major constituencies of the institution (Up to 5 
points);
    (2) The goals for the institution's academic programs, 
institutional management, and fiscal stability are realistic and based 
on comprehensive analysis (Up to 5 points);
    (3) The objectives stated in the plan are measurable, related to 
institutional goals, and, if achieved, will contribute to the growth 
and self-sufficiency of the institution (Up to 5 points);
    (4) The plan clearly and comprehensively describes the methods and 
resources the institution will use to institutionalize practice and 
improvements developed under the proposed project, including, in 
particular, how operational costs for personnel, maintenance, and 
upgrades of equipment will be paid with institutional resources (Up to 
5 points); and
    (5) The five-year plan describes how the applicant will improve its 
services to Hispanic and other low-income students (Up to 5 points).
    Note: Under 34 CFR 606.8(a), a comprehensive development plan is an 
institution's strategy for achieving growth and self-sufficiency by 
strengthening its--
    (1) Academic programs;
    (2) Institutional management; and
    (3) Fiscal stability.
    (b) Quality of the project design. (Up to 15 points)
    The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice) (Up to 10 points); and
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by 
promising evidence (as defined in this notice) (Up to 5 points).
    Note: To establish that their projects ``demonstrate a rationale,'' 
applicants must use a logic model (as defined in this notice) and 
identify research or evaluation findings suggesting that a key project 
component is likely to improve a relevant outcome. To establish that 
their projects are supported by ``promising evidence,'' applicants 
should cite the supporting study or studies that meet the conditions in 
the definition of ``promising evidence'' and attach the study(ies) as 
part of the application attachments. In addressing ``promising 
evidence,'' applicants are encouraged to align the direct student 
services proposed in this application to evidence-based practices 
identified in the selected studies. Note that the research cited to 
address the ``promising evidence'' criterion can be the same research 
provided to demonstrate a rationale, but only applications that include 
logic models can receive full points under the ``demonstrates a 
rationale'' selection factor.
    (c) Quality of activity objectives. (Up to 10 points)
    The extent to which the objectives for each activity are--
    (1) Realistic and defined in terms of measurable results (Up to 5 
points); and
    (2) Directly related to the problems to be solved and to the goals 
of the comprehensive development plan (Up to 5 points).
    (d) Quality of implementation strategy. (Up to 20 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) The implementation strategy for each activity is comprehensive 
(Up to 10 points);
    (2) The rationale for the implementation strategy for each activity 
is clearly described and is supported by the results of relevant 
studies or projects (Up to 5 points); and
    (3) The timetable for each activity is realistic and likely to be 
attained (Up to 5 points).
    (e) Quality of the project management plan. (Up to 10 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) Procedures for managing the project are likely to ensure 
efficient and effective project implementation (Up to 5 points); and
    (2) The project coordinator and activity directors have sufficient 
authority to conduct the project effectively, including access to the 
president or chief executive officer (Up to 5 points).
    (f) Quality of key personnel. (Up to 5 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) The past experience and training of key professional personnel 
are directly related to the stated activity objectives (Up to 2 
points); and
    (2) The time commitment of key personnel is realistic (Up to 3 
points).
    (g) Quality of evaluation plan. (Up to 10 points)
    The extent to which--
    (1) The data elements and the data collection procedures are 
clearly described and appropriate to measure the attainment of activity 
objectives and to measure the success of the project in achieving the 
goals of the comprehensive development plan (Up to 5 points); and
    (2) The data analysis procedures are clearly described and are 
likely to produce formative and summative results on attaining activity 
objectives and measuring the success of the project on achieving the 
goals of the comprehensive development plan (Up to 5 points).
    (h) Budget. (Up to 5 points)
    The extent to which the proposed costs are necessary and reasonable 
in relation to the project's objectives and scope.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    A panel of three non-Federal reviewers will review and score each 
application in accordance with the selection criteria in this notice, 
as well as the competitive preference priorities. 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.
    In tie-breaking situations for development grants described in 34 
CFR 606.23(b), the DHSI Program regulations in 34 CFR part 606, subpart 
C require that we award additional points to an application from an IHE 
that:
    (1) Has an endowment fund of which the current market value, per 
FTE enrolled student, is less than the average current market value of 
the endowment funds, per FTE enrolled student, at comparable 
institutions that offer similar instruction (1 point);
    (2) Has expenditures for library materials per FTE enrolled student 
that are less than the average expenditures for library materials per 
FTE enrolled student at comparable institutions that offer similar 
instruction (1 point); or
    (3) Proposes to carry out one or more of the following activities--
    (i) Faculty development (1 point);
    (ii) Funds and administrative management (1 point);

[[Page 23018]]

    (iii) Development and improvement of academic programs (2 points);
    (iv) Acquisition of equipment for use in strengthening management 
and academic programs (1 point);
    (v) Joint use of facilities (2 points); or
    (vi) Student services (2 points).
    If a tie remains after applying the tiebreaker mechanism above, 
priority will be given to applicants that addressed the priority in 
section 521(d) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1103): the Secretary gives 
priority to an application that contains satisfactory evidence that the 
Hispanic-Serving Institution has entered or will enter into a 
collaborative arrangement with at least one local educational agency or 
community-based organization to provide such agency or organization 
with assistance (from funds other than funds provided under title 20 of 
the U.S. Code) in reducing dropout rates for Hispanic students, 
improving rates of academic achievement for Hispanic students, and 
increasing the rates at which Hispanic secondary school graduates 
enroll in higher education.
    If a tie still remains after applying the additional point(s) and 
the statutory priority, we will determine the ranking of applicants 
based on the applicant that scores the highest under the selection 
criterion ``Quality of the applicant's comprehensive development 
plan,'' followed by ``Quality of implementation strategy.''
    If a tie still remains, we will select the applicant with the 
lowest endowment per FTE enrolled student.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this program, 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 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 this 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.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case, the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the 
following

[[Page 23019]]

key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of the DHSI 
Program under 34 CFR 75.110:
    (a) The annual rate of degree or certificate completion for all 
students, and specifically for Hispanic students, at DHSI grantee 
institutions.
    (b) The annual persistence rate at DHSI grantee institutions for 
all students, and for Hispanic students in particular, from one year to 
the next.
    (c) The percentage of all students, and of Hispanic students in 
particular, who transfer from a two-year HSI to a four-year 
institution.
    (d) The number of all students, and the number of Hispanic students 
in particular, served by any direct student service supported by the 
grant.
    (e) The Federal cost per undergraduate and graduate degree at 
institutions in the DHSI program.
    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: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.
    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 H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023-07904 Filed 4-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P