[Federal Register: September 23, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 184)]
[Notices]
[Page 57014-57017]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23se04-47]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information;
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Number: 84.021A
DATES: Applications Available: September 23, 2004.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 2, 2004.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 3, 2005.
Eligible Applicants: (1) Institutions of higher education, (2)
State departments of education, (3) Private nonprofit educational
organizations, and (4) Consortia of these entities.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$4,312,450 for new awards for this program for FY 2005. 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.
Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$80,000 for short-term seminars,
curriculum development or group research or study; $50,000-$310,000 for
advanced overseas intensive language projects.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $70,696.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $100,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for
short-term seminars, curriculum development, or group research or
study. We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding
$325,000 for a single budget period of 12 months for advanced overseas
intensive language projects. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education may change the maximum amount through a notice published in
the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 61.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA)
Program supports overseas projects in training, research, and
curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies for
groups of teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor.
Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, or
group research or study. This competition will support advanced
overseas intensive language projects.
Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), these
priorities are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 664.32).
[[Page 57015]]
Absolute Priority
For FY 2005 this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Specific geographic regions of the world: A group project funded
under this priority must focus on one or more of the following
geographic regions of the world: Africa, East Asia, South Asia,
Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Western Hemisphere (Central and
South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), East Central Europe and
Eurasia, and the Near East.
Within this absolute priority, we are establishing the following
competitive preference and invitational priorities.
Competitive Preference Priority
For FY 2005 this priority is a competitive preference priority.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), 664.30(b), and 664.31(g) we award up to
an additional five (5) points to an application, depending on how well
the application meets this priority.
This priority is:
Short-term seminars that develop and improve foreign language and
area studies at elementary and secondary schools.
Invitational Priority
For FY 2005 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:
Group Study projects that provide opportunities for nationally
recruited undergraduate students to study in a foreign country for
either a semester or a full academic year.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99.
(b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 664.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions
of higher education only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants, redistributed as fellowships
to individual beneficiaries in accordance with 34 CFR 662.2 and 662.3.
As part of its FY 2005 budget request, the Administration proposed to
continue to allow funds to be used to support the participation of
individuals who plan to apply their language skills and knowledge of
countries vital to the United States national security in fields
outside teaching, including government, the professions, or
international development. Therefore, institutions may propose projects
for visits and study in foreign countries by individuals in these
fields, in addition to those planning a teaching career. However,
authority to use funds for participants outside of the field of
teaching depends on final Congressional action. Applicants will be
given an opportunity to amend their applications if such authority is
not provided.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$4,312,450 for new awards for this program for FY 2005. 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.
Estimated Range of Awards: $50,000-$350,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $70,696.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $350,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education may change the maximum
amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 61.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: (1) Institutions of higher education, (2)
State departments of education, (3) Private nonprofit educational
organizations, and (4) Consortia of these entities.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost
sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
Dr. Lungching Chiao, International Education Programs Service,
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 6th floor,
Washington, DC 20006-8521. Telephone: (202) 502-7624 or by e-mail:
lungching.chiao@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact
person listed in this section.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Requirements concerning the content of an application, together
with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this
program.
Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant,
address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. You must limit part III to the equivalent of no more than
40 pages, using 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. However, you may
single space 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). However, you may use a 10-point
font in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
The page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget
section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances
and certifications; the one-page abstract; or the appendices. However,
you must include your complete response to the selection criteria in
the application narrative.
We will reject your application if--
You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the
page limit.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: September 23, 2004.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: November 2, 2004.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
We are requiring that applications for grants under this program be
submitted electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System
(e-Application) available through the Department's e-GRANTS system. For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically through the e-GRANTS system or to request a
waiver of the electronic submission requirement,
[[Page 57016]]
please refer to Section IV. 6. Procedures for Submitting Applications
in this notice.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: January 3, 2005.
4. 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.
5. Funding Restrictions
We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Procedures for Submitting Applications
We are requiring that applications for grants under this program be
submitted electronically, unless the applicant requests a waiver of
this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications
Applications for grants under the Fulbright-Hays Groups Projects
Abroad Program--CFDA Number 84.021A must be submitted electronically
using e-Application available through the Department's e-GRANTS system.
The e-GRANTS system is accessible through its portal page at: http://e-grants.ed.gov
.
Unless a waiver of the electronic submission requirement has been
requested by the applicant in accordance with the procedures in this
section, all portions of the application must be submitted
electronically.
If you are unable to submit an application through the e-GRANTS
system, you must submit a written request for a waiver of the
electronic submission requirement. In your request, you should explain
the reason or reasons that prevent you from using the Internet to
submit your application. You should address this request to: Dr.
Lungching Chiao, International Education Programs Service, U.S.
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 6th floor, Washington, DC
20006-8521. Please submit the request no later than two weeks before
the application deadline date. Your paper application must be submitted
in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in
this notice.
If, within two weeks of the application deadline date, you are
unable to submit an application electronically, you must submit a paper
application in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions
described in this notice. The paper application must include a written
request for a waiver documenting the reasons that prevented you from
using the Internet to submit your application.
When using e-Application to complete the application, you will be
entering data online. Do not e-mail an electronic copy of any part of a
grant application to us. The data that is entered online will be saved
into a database.
If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
You must submit the grant application electronically
through the Internet using the software provided on the e-Grants Web
site (http://e-grants.ed.gov) by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date. The regular hours of operation of the e-
Grants Web site are 6 a.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 6 a.m.
Thursday until midnight Saturday, Washington, DC time. Please note that
the system is unavailable on Sundays, and after 7 p.m. on Wednesdays
for maintenance, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours
are posted on the e-Grants Web site. We strongly recommend that you do
not wait until the application deadline date to initiate an e-
Application package.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit the application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you request a waiver and submit the application in paper format
because you were prevented from submitting the application
electronically as required.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
the Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424) and all
necessary assurances and certifications.
Your e-Application must comply with any page limit
requirements described in this notice.
After you submit your application to the Department, you
will receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will include a PR/
Award number (an identifying number unique to your application).
Within three working days after you submit your electronic
application, you must fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal
Education Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after
following these steps:
1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
2. The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
3. Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the
hard copy signature page of the ED 424. Fax the signed ED 424 to the
Application Control Center at (202) 245-6272.
We may request that you give us original signatures on
other forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System
Unavailability: If you are prevented from submitting your application
on the application deadline date because the e-Application system is
unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day in
order to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by hand
delivery. We will grant this extension if--
1. The applicant's Project Director is a registered user of e-
Application and has initiated an e-Application for this competition;
and
2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time,
on the application deadline date; or
(b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the
application deadline date.
We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
GRANTS help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail
If you have requested a waiver of the electronic submission
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier) your paper application to the Department. The
original and two copies of the application must be mailed on or before
the application deadline date to the following address: U.S. Department
of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number
84.021A), 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
1. A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service Postmark;
2. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service;
3. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier; or
[[Page 57017]]
4. Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the U.S. Secretary of
Education.
If you mail the application through the U.S. Postal Service, please
note that we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
1. A private metered postmark, or
2. A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service. If
your application is post marked after the application deadline date, we
will notify you that we will not consider the application.
Note: Applicants should note that the U.S. Postal Service does
not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this
method, applicants should check with their local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery
If you have requested a waiver of the electronic submission
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver the paper
application to the Department by hand. The original and two copies of
your application must be hand-delivered on or before the application
deadline date to the following address: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.021A), 550 12th
Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-
4260.
The Application Control Center accepts deliveries daily between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays and
Federal holidays. A person delivering an application must show
identification to enter the building.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail
or hand deliver your application to the Department:
1. You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by the
Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting the
application.
2. The Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application
Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the notification
of application receipt within 15 days from the mailing of your
application, you should call the U.S. Department of Education
Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 664.31 and are as follows: The selection criteria for this
program are as follows: (a) Plan of operation (25 points), (b) quality
of key personnel (15 points), (c) budget and cost effectiveness (10
points), (d) evaluation plan (10 points), (e) adequacy of resources (5
points), (f) impact (15 points), (g) relevance to institutional
development (5 points), (h) need for overseas experiences (10 points),
and (i) the extent to which the proposed project addresses the
competitive preference priority (5 points).
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). 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. Reporting
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 multi-year award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34
CFR 75.118. The applicant is required to use the electronic data
instrument
Evaluation of Exchange, Language, International, and Area Studies
(EELIAS) system to complete the final report.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Lungching Chiao, International
Education Programs Service, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K
Street, NW., 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006-8521. Telephone: (202)
502-7624 or by e-mail: lungching.chiao@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this
section.
VIII. Other Information
Electronic Access to This Document:
You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this
Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat
Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions
about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll
free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-
1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
Dated: September 20, 2004.
Sally L. Stroup,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. E4-2356 Filed 9-22-04; 8:45 am]
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