[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46781-46785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15379]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Special 
Education Research Grant Programs

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) 2024 for the 
Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs, 
Assistance Listing Numbers (ALNs) 84.305A, 84.324A, 84.324B, 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 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede 
the version published on December 27, 2021.

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 Program: In awarding the research grants, the Institute 
of Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in 
expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school 
readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a 
disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early 
childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3) 
employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged 
in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). 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. 
These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners, 
researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES 
provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated 
national need. In awarding research training grant programs, IES aims 
to prepare individuals to conduct rigorous and relevant education and 
special education research that advances knowledge within the field and 
addresses issues important to education policymakers and practitioners.
    Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing four research 
competitions through two of its centers:
    The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is announcing 
one competition in the following area: education research.
    The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is 
announcing three competitions--one competition in each of the following 
areas: special education research, special education research training, 
and special education research and development center.

NCER Competition

    The Education Research Competition (ALN 84.305A). Under this 
competition, NCER will consider only applications that address one of 
the following topics:
     Career and Technical Education.
     Civics Education and Social Studies.
     Cognition and Student Learning.
     Early Learning Programs and Policies.
     Improving Education Systems.
     Literacy.
     Policies, Practices, and Programs to Support English 
Learners.
     Postsecondary and Adult Education.
     Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) 
Education.
     Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Context for Teaching and 
Learning.
     Teaching, Teachers, and the Education Workforce.

NCSER Competitions

    The Special Education Research Competition (ALN 84.324A). Under 
this competition, NCSER encourages a broad range of research, including 
studies that may have more than one research focus (such as reading and 
behavior) and may focus broadly on students with disabilities or on a 
particular disability (such as autism spectrum disorders). The range of 
research supported through this program includes, but is not limited 
to, programs to improve child development and school readiness; 
academic and/or behavioral interventions; instructional practices and/
or professional development programs for teachers and other school-
based personnel; strategies for improving the family support and 
engagement critical to the success of students with disabilities; 
policies and systems-level interventions and programs to address school 
finance, school-community collaborations, or school structures that 
affect educational progress for students with disabilities; transition 
from secondary school to postsecondary education, career, and/or 
independent living; as well as access to, persistence in, and 
completion of postsecondary education.
    The Research Training Programs in Special Education Competition 
(ALN 84.324B). Under this competition, NCSER will consider only 
applications that address Early Career Development and Mentoring.
    Special Education Research and Development Center (R&D Center) (ALN 
84.324C). Under this competition, NCSER will consider applications that 
address Research and Development Center on the K-12 Special Education 
Teacher Workforce.
    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 matters relating to grants.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.


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    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, and 75.250(a). (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 2024, 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. IES intends to announce additional 
competitions later in 2023.
    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 and the availability of funds.
    For the Special Education Research and Development Center 
competition (ALN 84.324C), we intend to fund up to one grant for the 
Special Education Teacher Workforce Center.
    For the Special Education Research Competition (ALN 84.324A), 
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: For the Early Career Development and 
Mentoring Program under the Research Training Programs in Special 
Education (ALN 84.324B), applicants must be an institution of higher 
education in the United States and its territories.
    For all other competitions in this notice, 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: These programs use 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.
    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: 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.

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 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, 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. Other Information: Information regarding program and application 
requirements for the competitions is in the currently available IES 
Application Submission Guide and in the NCER and NCSER RFAs, which are 
available on the IES website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. The dates 
on which the application packages for these competitions will be 
available are indicated in the chart at the end of this notice.
    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 84.305A and 84.324A competitions, peer reviewers 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 RFAs.
    For the 84.324B competition, peer reviewers will be asked to 
evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the 
research plan, the quality of the career development plan, the 
qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the 
applicant to support the proposed activities, and

[[Page 46783]]

the quality of the dissemination plan. These criteria are described in 
greater detail in the RFA.
    For the 84.324C competition, peer reviewers 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 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).
    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);
    (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 also notify you 
informally.
    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

[[Page 46784]]

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; and 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.

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                                                                   Deadline for
             ALN and name               Application  package      transmittal of       Estimated range of       Project period          For further
                                             available             applications             awards *                                information contact
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                                                      National Center for Education Research (NCER)
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84.305A Education Research...........  July 20, 2023........  September 21, 2023...  $300,000 to $800,000.  Up to 5 years........  Lara Faust,
                                                                                                                                    [email protected],
                                                                                                                                    (202) 245-6532.
    [ssquf] Career and Technical
     Education
    [ssquf] Civics Education and
     Social Studies
    [ssquf] Cognition and Student
     Learning
    [ssquf] Early Learning Programs
     and Policies
    [ssquf] Improving Education
     Systems
    [ssquf] Literacy
    [ssquf] Policies, Practices, and
     Programs to Support English
     Learners
    [ssquf] Postsecondary and Adult
     Education
    [ssquf] Science, Technology,
     Engineering, and Mathematics
     (STEM) Education
    [ssquf] Social, Emotional, and
     Behavioral Context for Teaching
     and Learning
    [ssquf] Teaching, Teachers, and
     the Education Workforce
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                                                 National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
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84.324A Special Education Research...  July 20, 2023........  September 21, 2023...  $200,000 to $760,000.  Up to 5 years........  Emily Weaver,
                                                                                                                                    [email protected],
                                                                                                                                    (202) 987-0072.
84.324B Research Training Programs in  July 20, 2023........  September 21, 2023...  $100,000 to $200,000.  Up to 4 years........  Katherine Taylor,
 Special Education.                                                                                                                 [email protected], (202) 987-0071.
    [ssquf] Early Career Development
     and Mentoring
84.324C Special Education Research     September 21, 2023...  January 11, 2024.....  $500,000 to            Up to 5 years........  Katherine Taylor,
 and Development Center.                                                              $1,000,000.                                   [email protected], (202) 987-0071.
    [ssquf] Research and Development
     Center on the K-12 Special
     Education Teacher Workforce
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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.


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[FR Doc. 2023-15379 Filed 7-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P