[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5856-5863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01316]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary
Grants Programs; Professional Development Program (PD)--Training Grants
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 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) 2025 for
Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs PD--Training Grants.
DATES:
Applications Available: January 17, 2025.
Date of Pre-Application Webinar: February 11, 2025.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: February 18, 2025.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2025.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 26, 2025.
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 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Brake, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202-6335. Telephone:
(202) 987-0796. 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 purposes of the PD Program that are
relevant to this competition are to increase the number of qualified
Indian individuals in professions that serve Indian students and to
provide training and support to qualified Indian individuals to become
teachers and administrators.
Assistance Listing Number: 84.299B.
OMB Control Number: 1810-0580.
Background: To be successful, every student should have access to
[[Page 5857]]
outstanding, well-prepared, well-supported educators who reflect the
diversity of the students they serve. The PD Training Grants program
provides critical support to increase the number of qualified Indian
educators and administrators serving Indian students who can help meet
the unique linguistic and cultural needs of Native American students.
It is the policy of the United States to fulfill the Federal
Government's unique and continuing trust relationship with and
responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian
children. The Federal Government will continue to work with local
educational agencies (LEAs), Indian Tribes and organizations,
postsecondary institutions, and other entities toward the goal of
ensuring that programs that serve Indian children are of the highest
quality. The Department is committed to supporting opportunities for
educator recruitment, preparation, and retention in a way that creates
a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.
The PD Training Grants program can support multiple types of
training, including Registered Apprenticeships (RA).
We encourage applicants to consider creative ways to meet the needs
of Indian students by identifying and overcoming barriers to training
and supporting future Indian teachers and administrators.
Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and
two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from 34 CFR 263.6(b)(1)
and (2), as amended pursuant to the notice of final regulations for
this program published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register
(Final Rule), and the competitive preference priorities are from 34 CFR
263.6(a)(1) and (2), as amended by the Final Rule.
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one of these
priorities.
Note: The Department may create two funding slates--one for
applicants that meet Absolute Priority 1 and one for applicants that
meet Absolute Priority 2. As a result, the Department may fund
applications out of the overall rank order, provided there is a
sufficient number of high-quality applications, but the Department is
not bound to do so. Applicants must clearly identify the specific
absolute priority the proposed project addresses in the project
abstract and narrative; an applicant that wishes to apply under both
priorities should submit two separate applications.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Pre-Service Training for Teachers.
Projects that--
(a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete
a pre-service education program before the end of the award period that
enables the individuals to meet the requirements for full State
certification or licensure as a teacher through--
(1) Training that leads to a degree in education;
(2) For States allowing a degree in a specific subject area,
training that leads to a degree in the subject area;
(3) Training in a current or new specialized teaching assignment
that requires a degree and in which a documented teacher shortage
exists; or
(4) Training in the field of Native American language instruction;
(b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to
participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two
years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in
schools in local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve a high
proportion of Indian students; and
(c) Include goals for the--
(1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
(2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
(3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
(4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within 12
months of completion.
Absolute Priority 2: Pre-service Administrator Training.
Projects that--
(a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete
a graduate degree in education administration that is provided before
the end of the award period and that allows participants to meet the
requirements for State certification or licensure as an education
administrator;
(b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to
participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two
years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in
schools in LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students; and
(c) Include goals for the--
(1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
(2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
(3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
(4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within
twelve months of completion.
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2025 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 an additional 5
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1
or an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive
Preference Priority 2. Applicants are eligible for points under either
Competitive Preference Priority 1 or 2, not both; thus, the maximum
number of points is 5.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Applicants (Zero or five
points).
An application submitted by an Indian Tribe, Indian organization,
or Tribal college or university (TCU) that is eligible to participate
in the Professional Development program. A consortium application of
eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through
75.129 and includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU will
be considered eligible to receive preference under this priority only
if the lead applicant for the consortium is the Indian Tribe, Indian
organization, or TCU. In order to be considered a consortium
application, the application must include the consortium agreement,
signed by all parties.
Competitive Preference Priority 2: Consortium Applicants, Non-
Tribal Lead (Zero or three points).
A consortium application of eligible entities that--
(a) Meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 and
includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU; and
(b) Is not eligible to receive a preference under Competitive
Preference Priority 1.
Application Requirements: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, applicants must meet the following application
requirements from 34 CFR 263.5.
Each applicant must:
(a) Describe how it will--
(1) Recruit qualified Indian individuals, such as students who may
not be of traditional college age, to become teachers, principals, or
school leaders, if applicable;
(2) Use funds made available under the grant to support the
recruitment, preparation, retention, and professional
[[Page 5858]]
development of Indian teachers or principals in LEAs that serve a high
proportion of Indian students, as applicable; \1\ and
(3) Assist participants who receive pre-service training in meeting
the payback requirements under 34 CFR 263.9(b), if applicable;
(b) Submit one or more letters of support from LEAs that serve a
high proportion of Indian students. Each letter must include--
(1) A statement that the LEA agrees to consider program graduates
for employment;
(2) Evidence that the LEA meets the definition of ``LEA that serves
a high proportion of Indian students''; and
(3) The signature of an authorized representative of the LEA;
(c) If applying as an Indian organization, demonstrate that the
entity meets the definition of ``Indian organization'';
(d) If it is an affected LEA that is subject to the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), consult with
appropriate officials from Tribe(s) or Tribal organizations approved by
the Tribes located in the area served by the LEA prior to its
submission of an application, as required under ESEA section 8538; and
(e) Comply with any other requirements in the application package.
Statutory Hiring Preference:
(a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That
section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee--
(1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
(2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in
connection with the administration of the grant.
(b) For purposes of this preference, an Indian is a member of any
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 263.3, as
amended by the Final Rule, and apply to this competition.
BIE-funded school means a Bureau of Indian Education school, a
contract or grant school, or a school for which assistance is provided
under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
Dependent allowance means costs for the care of minor children
under the age of 18 who reside with the training participant and for
whom the participant has responsibility. The term does not include
financial obligations for payment of child support required of the
participant.
Full course load means the number of credit hours that the
institution requires of a full-time student.
Graduate degree means a post-baccalaureate degree awarded by an
institution of higher education.
Indian means an individual who is--
(1) A member of an Indian Tribe or band, as membership is defined
by the Indian Tribe or band, including any Tribe or band terminated
since 1940, and any Tribe or band recognized by the State in which the
Tribe or band resides;
(2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the
requirements of paragraph (1) of this definition;
(3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for
any purpose;
(4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
(5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant
under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October
19, 1994.
Indian organization means an organization that--
(1) Is legally established--
(i) By Tribal or inter-Tribal charter or in accordance with State
or Tribal law; and
(ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of
incorporation;
(2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of
Indians;
(3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is
Indian;
(4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction
or by charter of the governing body of that reservation;
(5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the
direct control of, any institution of higher education or TCU; and
(6) Is not an agency of State or local government.
Induction services means services provided--
(1)(i) By educators, local traditional leaders, or cultural
experts;
(ii) For the two years of qualifying employment; and
(iii) In LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students;
(2) To support and improve participants' professional performance
and promote their retention in the field of education and teaching, and
that include, at a minimum, these activities:
(i) High-quality mentoring, coaching, and consultation services for
the participant to improve performance.
(ii) Access to research materials and information on teaching and
learning.
(iii) Assisting new teachers with use of technology in the
classroom and use of data, particularly student achievement data, for
classroom instruction.
(iv) Clear, timely, and useful feedback on performance, provided in
coordination with the participant's supervisor.
(v) Periodic meetings or seminars for participants to enhance
collaboration, feedback, and peer networking and support.
In-service training means activities and opportunities designed to
enhance the skills and abilities of individuals in their current areas
of employment.
Institution of higher education (IHE) has the meaning given that
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)).
Local educational agency (LEA) that serves a high proportion of
Indian students means--
(1) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high
proportion of Indian students in the LEA as compared to other LEAs in
the State; or
(2) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high
proportion of Indian students in the school in which the participant
works compared to other LEAs in the State, even if the LEA as a whole
in which the participant works does not have a high proportion of
Indian students compared to other LEAs in the State.
Native American means ``Indian'' as defined in section 6151(3) of
the ESEA, which includes Alaska Native and members of federally-
recognized or State-recognized Tribes; Native Hawaiian; and Native
American Pacific Islander.
Native American language means the historical, traditional
languages spoken by Native Americans.
Participant means an Indian individual who is being trained under
the Professional Development program.
Payback means work-related service or cash reimbursement to the
Department of Education for the training received under the
Professional Development program.
Pre-service training means training to Indian individuals to
prepare them to meet the requirements for licensing or certification in
a professional field requiring at least a baccalaureate degree, or
licensing or certification in the field of Native American language
instruction.
Qualifying employment means employment in an LEA that serves a high
proportion of Indian students.
[[Page 5859]]
Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Education or an
official or employee of the Department acting for the Secretary under a
delegation of authority.
Stipend means that portion of an award that is used for room,
board, and personal living expenses for participants in pre-service
training who are living at or near the institution providing the
training.
Tribal college or university (TCU) has the meaning given that term
in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b)).
Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or
instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for
supporting Tribal students' elementary and secondary education.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7442.
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, 81, 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
(Uniform Guidance), as adopted and amended as regulations of the
Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in
34 CFR part 263, as amended by the Final Rule.
Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the
provisions stated in the updated Uniform Guidance (89 FR 30046, April
22, 2024) when preparing an application. For more information about
these regulations please visit: https://www.cfo.gov/resources-coffa/uniform-guidance/.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $72,000,000
for Special Programs for Indian Children, of which we intend to use an
estimated $13,000,000 for this competition. The actual level of
funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are
inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant
process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2026 and subsequent
years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$500,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $450,000.
Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $500,000 for the
first, second, or third 12-month budget period. The last two 12-month
budget periods will be limited to induction services only, at a cost
not to exceed $120,000 per year. We will not make an award exceeding
$120,000 for the fourth or fifth 12-month budget period.
Estimated Number of Awards: 29.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months with the potential for renewal of
up to an additional 24 months. We will award grants for an initial
period of not more than three years and may renew such grants for an
additional period of not more than two years if we find that the
grantee is achieving the objectives of the grant. The Department
requests that applicants provide budget information in their
applications for the full period, up to 60 months, for which they hope
to be funded.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants:
(a) An eligible applicant must be--
(1) An IHE, including a TCU;
(2) A State educational agency in a consortium with an IHE or a
TCU;
(3) An LEA in a consortium with an IHE or a TCU;
(4) An Indian Tribe or Indian organization in a consortium with an
IHE or a TCU; or
(5) A BIE-funded school in a consortium with at least one TCU,
where feasible. BIE-funded schools are eligible applicants for a pre-
service training program when the BIE-funded school applies in
consortium with an institution of higher education that meets the
requirements in paragraph(c) of this section.
(b) Eligibility of an applicant that is an IHE or a TCU, or an
applicant requiring a consortium with an IHE or a TCU, requires that
the IHE or TCU be accredited to provide the coursework and level of
degree or Native American language certificate required by the project.
Post Award Requirements:
(a) Requirement for payback meeting. Prior to providing funds or
services to a participant, the grantee must conduct a payback meeting
with the participant to explain the costs of training and payback
responsibilities following training.
(b) Requirement for payback agreement. (1) Prior to providing funds
or services to a participant, and for each subsequent year that
training funds are disbursed, the grantee must enter into a written
agreement with each participant in which the participant agrees to the
terms and conditions required by 34 CFR 263.12.
(2) The payback agreement must explain the Secretary's authority to
grant deferrals and exceptions to the service obligation pursuant to
Sec. 263.10 and include--(i) The current Department address for
purposes of the participant's compliance with Sec. 263.11, or any
other purpose under this part, and other Office of Indian Education
contact information;
(ii) The estimated length of training;
(iii) The total training costs;
(iv) The total amount of assistance accrued year-to-date;
(v) The total number of months in the service obligation year-to-
date;
(vi) A statement explaining that work must be in an ``LEA that
serves a high proportion of Indian students,'' and the regulatory
definition of that phrase; and
(vii) Information documenting that the grantee held a payback
meeting with the participant that meets the requirements of this
section.
(3) The grantee must submit a signed payback agreement to the
Department within 30 days of the date on which the payback agreement is
fully executed by the grantee and participant. The grantee must provide
a copy of the payback agreement to the participant upon execution.
(c) Exit certification. At the time of exit from the program, the
grantee must provide the below information to the participant. Upon
receipt of this information from the grantee, the participant must
provide written certification to the grantee that this information is
correct:
(1) The name of the institution where the participant received pre-
service training and the award number of the Federal grant that
provided the scholarship.
(2) The number of months the participant needs to work in an LEA
that serves a high proportion of Indian students to satisfy the payback
requirements in 263.9.
(3) The total amount of financial assistance received.
[[Page 5860]]
(4) The participant's field of study and the obligation of the
participant to perform the service obligation with employment that
meets the requirements in Sec. 263.9(b).
(d) Career preparation. During the grant period, a grantee must
conduct activities to assist participants in identifying qualified
employment opportunities following completion of the program.
(e) Information and annual reporting. The grantee must report to
the Secretary all participant training and payback information in a
manner specified by the Secretary as well as any other information that
is necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under section 6122
of the ESEA and 34 CFR part 263. Each grantee will make annual reports
to the Secretary, unless more frequent reporting is required by the
Secretary, that are necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions
under 34 CFR part 263.
(f) Standards for satisfactory progress. The grantee must
establish, publish, notify participants of, and apply reasonable
standards for measuring whether a participant is making satisfactory
progress in the training program. The Secretary considers an
institution's standards to be reasonable if the standards--
(1) Are the same as the institution's standards for a student
enrolled in the same academic program who is not receiving assistance
under this program; and
(2) Include the following elements:
(i) Grades, work projects completed, including performance tasks,
or comparable factors that are measurable against a norm and are
aligned with demonstrating effective practice.
(ii) A maximum timeframe in which the participant must complete the
participant's educational objective, degree, or certificate.
(iii) Consistent application of standards to all participants
within categories of students (e.g., full-time, part-time,
undergraduate students, and graduate students).
(iv) Specific policies defining the effect of course incompletes,
withdrawals, repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses on
satisfactory progress.
(v) Specific procedures for appeal of a determination that a
participant is not making satisfactory progress and for reinstatement
of aid.
(g) Requirement for Indian preference. (1) Under section 7(b) of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-
638), to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee must--
(i) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
(ii) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e), preference in the award of contracts in
connection with the administration of the grant.
(2) For the purposes of this paragraph (g), an Indian is a member
of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
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 https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division. Note, however, that consistent with 34 CFR
75.562(c)(4), this training rate limitation does not apply to agencies
of Indian Tribal governments.
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.
d. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
3. Other: Projects funded under this competition must budget for a
two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year
of the project period. This meeting may be held virtually if conditions
warrant such a format.
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 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to
submit an application.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Indian Education
Professional Development 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 by posting them on our website, 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 competition 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.
The allowable costs below are from 34 CFR 263.4.
A PD program may include, as training costs, assistance to--
(1) Fully finance a student's educational expenses including
tuition, books, and required fees; health insurance required by the
IHE; stipend; dependent allowance; technology costs; program required
travel; and instructional supplies; or
(2) Supplement other financial aid, including Federal funding other
than loans, for meeting a student's educational expenses.
The maximum stipend amount is $2,300 per month for full-time
students; grantees may also provide participants with a $500 allowance
per month per dependent during an academic term.
[[Page 5861]]
The Department will reduce any stipends in excess of this amount.
Other costs that a PD program may include, but that must not be
included as training costs, include costs for-
(1) Collaborating with prospective employers within the grantees'
local service area to create a pool of potentially available qualifying
employment opportunities;
(2) In-service training activities such as providing mentorships
linking experienced teachers at job placement sites with program
participants;
(3) Assisting participants in identifying and securing qualifying
employment opportunities in their fields of study following completion
of the program;
(4) Teacher mentoring programs, professional guidance, and
instructional support provided by educators, local traditional leaders,
or cultural experts, as appropriate for teachers for up to their first
three years of employment as teachers; and
(5) Programs designed to train traditional leaders and cultural
experts to assist participants with relevant Native language and
cultural mentoring, guidance, and support.
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 30 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 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; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium
agreement. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the
application narrative.
An application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the
recommended page limit.
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 and 263.7. An applicant may earn up to a total
of 100 points based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for
each criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also
includes the factors that the reviewers will consider in determining
how well an application meets the criterion. The criteria are as
follows:
(a) Need for project (up to 5 points). In determining the need for
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the
proposed project will prepare personnel in specific fields in which
shortages have been demonstrated through a job market analysis.
(b) Quality of project design (up to 20 points). The Secretary
considers the following factors in determining the quality of the
design of the proposed project:
(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are ambitious but also attainable and
address--
(i) The number of participants expected to be recruited in the
project each year;
(ii) The number of participants expected to continue in the project
each year;
(iii) The number of participants expected to graduate; and
(iv) The number of participants expected to find qualifying
employment within twelve months of completion. (up to 10 points)
(2) The extent to which the proposed project has a plan for
recruiting and selecting participants, including students who may not
be of traditional college age, that ensures that program participants
are likely to complete the program. (up to 5 points)
(3) The extent to which the proposed project will incorporate the
needs of potential employers, as identified by a job market analysis,
by establishing partnerships and relationships with LEAs that serve a
high proportion of Indian students and developing programs that meet
their employment needs. (up to 5 points)
(c) Quality of project services (up to 20 points) The Secretary
considers the following factors in determining the quality of the
design of project services:
(1) The likelihood that the proposed project will provide
participants with learning experiences that develop needed skills for
successful teaching and/or administration in LEAs that serve a high
proportion of Indian students. (up to 4 points)
(2) The extent to which the proposed project prepares participants
to adapt teaching and/or administrative practices to meet the breadth
of Indian student needs. (up to 4 points)
(3) The extent to which the applicant will provide job placement
activities that reflect the findings of a job market analysis and needs
of potential employers and that offer qualifying employment
opportunities. (up to 4 points)
(4) The extent to which the applicant will offer induction services
that reflect the latest research on effective delivery of such
services. (up to 4 points)
(5) The extent to which the applicant will assist participants in
meeting the service obligation requirements. (up to 4 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel (up to 15 points). In determining
the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project,
the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant
training, experience, and cultural competence, of key project personnel
and the amount of time to be spent on the project and direct
interactions with participants.
(e) Adequacy of resources (up to 10 points). In determining the
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers
the following factors:
(1) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project.
(Up to 5 points)
(2) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(Up to 5 points)
[[Page 5862]]
(f) Quality of the management plan (up to 10 points). In
determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project
objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The adequacy of plans for ensuring the use of quantitative and
qualitative data, including meaningful community member and partner
input, to inform continuous improvement in the operation of the
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
(g) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building.
(up to 20 points). In determining the quality of the evaluation or
other evidence-building of the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors: (1) The extent to which the methods of
evaluation or other evidence-building are appropriate to the context
within which the project operates and the target population of the
proposed project. (Up to 10 points)
(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other
evidence-building will provide performance feedback and provide
formative, diagnostic, or interim data that is a periodic assessment of
progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 10 points)
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).
The Department will screen applications that are submitted in
accordance with the requirements in this notice and determine which
applications are eligible to be read by peer reviewers based on whether
they have met the eligibility, priorities and application requirements
in this notice. The Department will use peer reviewers with knowledge
and expertise on issues related to educator training and improving
outcomes for Native American youth to score the selection criteria. The
Department will thoroughly screen all peer reviewers for conflicts of
interest to ensure a fair and competitive review.
In reviewing applications, the Department will assign points for
Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2 based on each application's
adherence to the requirements of each.
Technical scoring. Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written
evaluation, and assign a technical score to the applications assigned
to their panel, using the selection criteria provided in this notice.
The Department will then prepare rank order(s) of applications based on
the technical scores.
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.
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. 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 the competition. See the standards in
2 CFR 170.105 to determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance
[[Page 5863]]
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: For the purpose of Department reporting
under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established the following
performance measures:
(a) The number and percentage of participants in administrator
preparation projects who become principals, vice principals, or other
school administrators in ``LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian
students'';
(b) The number and percentage of participants in teacher
preparation projects who become teachers in ``LEAs that serve a high
proportion of Indian students'';
(c) The number and percentage of program participants who meet
State licensure requirements;
(d) The number and percentage of program participants who complete
their service requirement on schedule;
(e) The cost per individual who successfully completes an
administrator preparation program, takes a position in an ``LEA that
serves a high proportion of Indian students,'' and completes the
service requirement in such a district; and
(f) The cost per individual who successfully completes a teacher
preparation program, takes a position in an ``LEA that serves a high
proportion of Indian students,'' and completes the service requirement
in such a district.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant
under this program to carefully consider these measures in
conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed
project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual
performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting 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, 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).
(a) In making continuation awards, in addition to applying the
criteria in 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers the extent to which
a grantee has achieved its project goals to recruit, retain, graduate,
and place in qualifying employment program participants.
(b) The Secretary may reduce continuation awards, including the
portion of awards that may be used for administrative costs, as well as
student training costs, based on a grantee's failure to achieve its
project goals specified in paragraph (a) of this section.
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, 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 Department documents 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 Department documents 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.
Adam Schott,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority To
Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary, Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2025-01316 Filed 1-15-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P