81 FR 72791 - Applications for New Awards; Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 204 (October 21, 2016)

Page Range		72791-72797
FR Document		2016-25539
Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72791-72797]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25539]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Minority Science and Engineering 
Improvement Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Minority Science and Engineering Improvement 
Program Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 
(FY) 2017.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.120A.

Dates: 
    Applications Available: October 21, 2016.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department of Education 
(Department) intends to hold a Webinar to provide technical assistance 
to interested applicants. Detailed information regarding this Webinar 
will be provided on the Web site for the Minority Science and 
Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/index.html. A recording of this Webinar will be available on 
the Web site following the session.

[[Page 72792]]

    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 20, 2016.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: February 21, 2017.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The MSEIP is designed to effect long-range 
improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly 
minority institutions and to increase the flow of underrepresented 
ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into scientific and 
technological careers.
    Priority: This notice contains one competitive preference priority. 
The competitive preference priority is from the Department's notice of 
final supplemental priorities and definitions for discretionary grant 
programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2014 (79 FR 
73425) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2017 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional two 
points to an application that meets this priority.
    The priority is:
    Competitive Preference Priority--Promoting Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (2 additional points).
    Projects that are designed to improve student achievement or other 
related outcomes by identifying and implementing instructional 
strategies, systems, and structures that improve postsecondary learning 
and retention, resulting in completion of a degree in a STEM field.

    Note:  We recognize that the definition of ``student 
achievement'' from the Secretary's Supplemental Priorities is not 
relevant in the context of this competition because that definition 
pertains to elementary and secondary grades and subjects that are 
covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended. In responding to this priority, however, applicants may 
propose projects that are designed to improve ``other related 
outcomes,'' which could include, for example, end-of-course grades, 
or improvement in research or laboratory skills, among other 
outcomes.


    Note:  Applicants must indicate in the one-page abstract and on 
the MSEIP Eligibility Certification Form in the application package 
whether they intend to address the competitive preference priority.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1067-1067k.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 
84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB 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 as adopted in 2 
CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 646. 
(e) The Supplemental Priorities.

    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions 
of higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$9,648,000 for MSEIP for FY 2017, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $2,597,607 for new awards. 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 2018 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards

    Institutional Project Grants: $150,000-$250,000.
    Special Project Grants: $100,000-$250,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $250,000-$300,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards

    Institutional Project Grants: $230,000.
    Special Project Grants: $175,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $275,000.

Maximum Awards

    Institutional Project Grants: $250,000.
    Special Project Grants: $250,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $300,000.
    We will reject any application that proposes a budget exceeding the 
maximum award amount listed for a single budget period of 12 months.

Estimated Number of Awards

    Institutional Project Grants: 9.
    Special Project Grants: 1.
    Cooperative Project Grants: 1.

    Note:  The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An applicant's eligibility depends on the 
type of MSEIP grant the applicant seeks. There are four types of MSEIP 
grants: institutional project, special project, cooperative project, 
and design project.
    Institutional project grants are grants that support the 
implementation of a comprehensive science improvement plan, which may 
include any combination of activities for improving the preparation of 
minority students for careers in science.
    There are two types of special project grants. First, there are 
special project grants for which only minority institutions are 
eligible. These special project grants support activities that: (1) 
Improve quality training in science and engineering at minority 
institutions; or (2) enhance the minority institutions' general 
scientific research capabilities. There also are special project grants 
for which all applicants are eligible. These special project grants 
support activities that: (1) Provide a needed service to a group of 
eligible minority institutions; or (2) provide in-service training for 
project directors, scientists, and engineers from eligible minority 
institutions.
    Cooperative project grants assist groups of nonprofit accredited 
colleges and universities to work together to conduct a science 
improvement program.
    Design project grants assist minority institutions that do not have 
their own appropriate resources or personnel to plan and develop long-
range science improvement programs. We will not award design project 
grants in the FY 2017 competition.
    (a) For institutional project grants, eligible applicants are 
limited to:
    (1) Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education 
that (i) award baccalaureate degrees; and (ii) are minority 
institutions;
    (2) Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education 
that (i) award associate degrees; and (ii) are minority institutions 
that (A) have a curriculum that includes science or engineering 
subjects; and (B) enter into a partnership with public or private 
nonprofit institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate 
degrees in science and engineering.
    (b) For special project grants for which only minority institutions 
are eligible, eligible applicants are described in paragraph (a).
    (c) For special project grants for which all applicants are 
eligible, eligible

[[Page 72793]]

applicants include those described in paragraph (a), and--
    (1) Nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional 
scientific societies, and institutions of higher education that award 
baccalaureate degrees that: (i) Provide a needed service to a group of 
minority institutions; or (ii) provide in-service training to project 
directors, scientists, and engineers from minority institutions; or
    (2) A consortium of organizations that provide needed services to 
one or more minority institutions, the membership of which may include 
(i) institutions of higher education that have a curriculum in science 
or engineering; (ii) institutions of higher education that have a 
graduate or professional program in science or engineering; (iii) 
research laboratories of, or under contract with, the Department of 
Energy, the Department of Defense, or the National Institutes of 
Health; (iv) relevant offices of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; (v) quasi-governmental entities that have a significant 
scientific or engineering mission; or (vi) institutions of higher 
education that have State-sponsored centers for research in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
    (d) For cooperative project grants, eligible applicants are groups 
of nonprofit accredited colleges and universities whose primary fiscal 
agent is an eligible minority institution as defined in 34 CFR 
637.4(b).

    Note:  As defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), ``minority institution'' 
means an accredited college or university whose enrollment of a 
single minority group or a combination of minority groups exceeds 50 
percent of the total enrollment.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application via the Internet at Grants.gov. If you do not have access 
to the Internet, please contact Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C115, Washington, DC 
20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7913 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the program contact person listed in 
this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content and form of an application, together with the 
forms you must submit, are in the application package for this 
competition.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We have established a 
mandatory page limit for the application narrative of each type of 
MSEIP grant project application as follows:
    Institutional project grant: 40 pages.
    Special project grant: 35 pages.
    Cooperative project grant: 50 pages.
    You must limit the application narrative (Part III) to these 
established page limits, 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. Page numbers and an 
identifier may be within the 1'' margin.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including charts, tables, 
figures, and graphs. Titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, 
references, and captions may be singled spaced.
     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. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    If you use some but not all of the allowable space on a page, it 
will be counted as a full page in determining compliance with the page 
limit.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the budget justification; Part III, the 
one-page abstract, the table of contents, the MSEIP Eligibility 
Certification Form, required letter(s) of commitment, evidence of 
partnerships; and Part IV, the assurances and certifications. If you 
include any attachments or appendices not specifically requested, these 
items will be counted as part of the application narrative for purposes 
of the page limit requirement. You must include your complete responses 
to the selection criteria in the application narrative.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit. We 
will also reject your application if you fail to provide the MSEIP 
Eligibility Certification Form.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: October 21, 2016.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The Department intends to hold a 
Webinar to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. 
Detailed information regarding this Webinar will be provided on the 
MSEIP Web site at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/index.html. A 
recording of this Webinar will be available on the Web site following 
the session.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 20, 2016.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: February 21, 2017.
    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 competition.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--

[[Page 72794]]

    a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a 
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
    b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award 
Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant database;
    c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
    d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you 
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet at the 
following Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A DUNS number can be 
created within one to two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data you enter into the SAM database. 
Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal financial 
assistance under a program administered by the Department, please allow 
sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number and TIN. We 
strongly recommend that you register early.
    Note: Once your SAM registration is active, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and submit an 
application through, Grants.gov.
    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify 
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the 
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications
    Applications for grants under the MSEIP, CFDA number 84.120A, must 
be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply 
site at www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download 
a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload 
and submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a 
grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the MSEIP at 
www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application 
package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not include the 
CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.120, not 
84.120A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
    Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your 
application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and 
time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 p.m., 
Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at www.G5.gov. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a read-only, non-modifiable 
Portable Document Format (PDF). Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a 
password-protected file, we will not review that material. Please note 
that this could result in your application not being considered for 
funding because the material in question--for example, the application 
narrative--is critical to a meaningful review of your proposal. For 
that reason it is important to allow yourself adequate time to upload 
all material as PDF files. The Department

[[Page 72795]]

will not convert material from other formats to PDF. Additional, 
detailed information on how to attach files is in the application 
instructions.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department. Grants.gov 
will also notify you automatically by email if your application met all 
the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there were any errors 
(such as submission of your application by someone other than a 
registered Authorized Organization Representative, or inclusion of an 
attachment with a file name that contains special characters). You will 
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you 
must still meet the deadline for submission of applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in read-only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to 
submit a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this 
notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you 
experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk 
Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a 
technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that the 
problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We will 
contact you after we determine whether your application will be 
accepted.

    Note:  The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system;

and

     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Dr. Bernadette Hence, 
U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C115, 
Washington, DC 20202. Fax: (202) 502-7861.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.120A), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20202-4260.

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.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

    Note:  The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a 
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with 
your local post office.

    We will not consider applications postmarked after the deadline 
date.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.120A), 550 12th Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center 
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time,

[[Page 72796]]

except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.


    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 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 637.32(a) through (j). Applicants should address each of 
the selection criteria. The total weight of the selection criteria is 
100 points; the weight of each criterion is noted in parentheses. 
Please see the application package for a detailed explanation of these 
criteria. The selection criteria are as follows:
    (a) Identification of need for the project (Total 5 points).
    (b) Plan of operation (Total 20 points).
    (c) Quality of key personnel (Total 5 points).
    (d) Budget and cost effectiveness (Total 10 points).
    (e) Evaluation plan (Total 15 points).
    (f) Adequacy of resources (Total 5 points).
    (g) Potential institutional impact of the project (Total 15 
points).
    (h) Institutional commitment to the project (Total 5 points).
    (i) Expected outcomes (Total 10 points).
    (j) Scientific and educational value of the proposed project (Total 
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 
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 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    Tiebreaker for Institutional, Special Project, and Cooperative 
Grants. If there are insufficient funds for all applications with the 
same total scores, applications will receive preference in the 
following manner. The Secretary gives priority to applicants that have 
not previously received funding from the program and to previous 
grantees with a proven record of success, as well as to applications 
that contribute to achieving balance among funded projects with respect 
to: (1) Geographic region; (2) Academic discipline; and (3) Project 
type.
    3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose special conditions and, 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 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(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 SAM. 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 notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (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.
    4. Performance Measures: The Secretary has established the 
following key performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of 
the MSEIP: (1) The percentage of change in the number of full-time, 
degree-seeking minority undergraduate students at the grantee's 
institution enrolled in the fields of engineering or physical or 
biological

[[Page 72797]]

sciences, compared to the average minority enrollment in the same 
fields in the three-year period immediately prior to the beginning of 
the current grant; and (2) the percentage of minority students enrolled 
at four-year minority institutions in the fields of engineering or 
physical or biological sciences who graduate within six years of 
enrollment. Please see the application package for details of data 
collection and reporting requirements for these measures.
    5. 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 grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C115, Washington, DC 
20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7913 or by email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-
8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: 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 via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. 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. 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.

    Dated: October 18, 2016.
Lynn B. Mahaffie,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, 
Delegated the Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2016-25539 Filed 10-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 204 / Friday, October 21, 2016 / Notices 72791

$1,155,449 in the previously approved accordance with the Paperwork academic and technical content and
collection, has also been updated to Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. strong employability skills, as well as
better reflect actual costs. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general work-based learning opportunities that
Dated: October 18, 2016. public and Federal agencies with an enable students to connect what they
Kate Mullan, opportunity to comment on proposed, are learning to real-life career scenarios
revised, and continuing collections of and choices. The students participating
Acting Director, Information Collection
Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy information. This helps the Department in effective CTE programs graduate with
Officer, Office of Management. assess the impact of its information industry certifications or licenses and
[FR Doc. 2016–25483 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
collection requirements and minimize postsecondary certificates or degrees
the public’s reporting burden. It also that prepare them for in-demand careers
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
helps the public understand the within high-growth industry sectors.
Department’s information collection The purpose of the FRSS 108 survey is
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION requirements and provide the requested to collect nationally representative data
data in the desired format. ED is from public school districts about CTE
[Docket No.: ED–2016–ICCD–0114] soliciting comments on the proposed programs offered by the districts,
information collection request (ICR) that whether offered at district facilities or in
Agency Information Collection is described below. The Department of
Activities; Submission to the Office of a partnering off-site location, such as
Education is especially interested in area CTE facilities or postsecondary
Management and Budget for Review public comment addressing the
and Approval; Comment Request; Fast institutions. The sample will focus on
following issues: (1) Is this collection school districts with high schools
Response Survey System (FRSS) 108: necessary to the proper functions of the
Career and Technical Education (CTE) because CTE programs are generally
Department; (2) will this information be designed for high school students. The
Programs in Public School Districts processed and used in a timely manner; survey topics will focus on the extent to
AGENCY: National Center for Education (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; which districts provide high-quality
Statistics (NCES), Department of (4) how might the Department enhance CTE programs and how these programs
Education (ED). the quality, utility, and clarity of the are developed, designed, and
ACTION: Notice. information to be collected; and (5) how implemented.
might the Department minimize the
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Dated: October 18, 2016.
burden of this collection on the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 respondents, including through the use Kate Mullan,
U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is of information technology. Please note Acting Director, Information Collection
proposing a new generic information that written comments received in Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
collection under an approved generic Officer, Office of Management.
response to this notice will be
information collection request [FR Doc. 2016–25508 Filed 10–20–16; 8:45 am]
considered public records.
clearance. Title of Collection: Fast Response BILLING CODE 4000–01–P

DATES: Interested persons are invited to Survey System (FRSS) 108: Career and
submit comments on or before Technical Education (CTE) Programs in
Public School Districts. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
November 21, 2016.
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the OMB Control Number: 1850–0733.
Type of Review: A new generic Applications for New Awards; Minority
documents related to the information Science and Engineering Improvement
collection listed in this notice, please information collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Program
use http://www.regulations.gov by
Individuals. AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary
searching the Docket ID number ED– Total Estimated Number of Annual
2016–ICCD–0114. Comments submitted Education, Department of Education
Responses: 4,785.
in response to this notice should be Total Estimated Number of Annual ACTION: Notice.
submitted electronically through the Burden Hours: 826.
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// Abstract: This request is to conduct Overview Information: Minority
www.regulations.gov by selecting the the Fast Response Survey System Science and Engineering Improvement
Docket ID number or via postal mail, (FRSS) survey #108 on career and Program Notice inviting applications for
commercial delivery, or hand delivery. technical education (CTE) programs in new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017.
Please note that comments submitted by public school districts. The Office of Catalog of Federal Domestic
fax or email and those submitted after Career, Technical, and Adult Education Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.120A.
the comment period will not be (OCTAE) requested that NCES conduct DATES:
accepted. Written requests for this FRSS survey. About 95 percent of Applications Available: October 21,
information or comments submitted by 9th grade students in 2009 attended a 2016.
postal mail or delivery should be school that offered CTE instruction, Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The
addressed to the Director of the either on campus or at a partnering Department of Education (Department)
Information Collection Clearance school; 85 percent of public high school intends to hold a Webinar to provide
Division, U.S. Department of Education, graduates had completed one or more technical assistance to interested
400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room occupational CTE courses; and 19 applicants. Detailed information
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

2E–347, Washington, DC 20202–4537. percent were CTE concentrators who regarding this Webinar will be provided
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For had earned at least three credits in the on the Web site for the Minority Science
specific questions related to collection same CTE field. Effective, high-quality and Engineering Improvement Program
activities, please contact NCES CTE programs are aligned with college- (MSEIP) at http://www2.ed.gov/
Information Collections at and career-readiness standards as well programs/iduesmsi/index.html. A
NCES.Information.Collections@ed.gov. as the needs of employers, industry, and recording of this Webinar will be
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The labor, providing students with a available on the Web site following the
Department of Education (ED), in curriculum that combines integrated session.

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Deadline for Transmittal of Applicable Regulations: (a) The Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Applications: December 20, 2016. Education Department General
Deadline for Intergovernmental III. Eligibility Information
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in
Review: February 21, 2017. 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 1. Eligible Applicants: An applicant’s
97, 98, and 99. (b) The OMB Guidelines eligibility depends on the type of MSEIP
Full Text of Announcement
to Agencies on Governmentwide grant the applicant seeks. There are four
I. Funding Opportunity Description Debarment and Suspension types of MSEIP grants: institutional
Purpose of Program: The MSEIP is (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as project, special project, cooperative
designed to effect long-range adopted and amended as regulations of project, and design project.
improvement in science and the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) Institutional project grants are grants
engineering education at predominantly The Uniform Administrative that support the implementation of a
minority institutions and to increase the Requirements, Cost Principles, and comprehensive science improvement
flow of underrepresented ethnic Audit Requirements for Federal Awards plan, which may include any
minorities, particularly minority as adopted in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The combination of activities for improving
women, into scientific and regulations for this program in 34 CFR the preparation of minority students for
technological careers. part 646. (e) The Supplemental careers in science.
Priority: This notice contains one Priorities. There are two types of special project
competitive preference priority. The Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 grants. First, there are special project
competitive preference priority is from apply to institutions of higher education grants for which only minority
the Department’s notice of final only. institutions are eligible. These special
supplemental priorities and definitions project grants support activities that: (1)
for discretionary grant programs, II. Award Information Improve quality training in science and
published in the Federal Register on Type of Award: Discretionary grants. engineering at minority institutions; or
December 10, 2014 (79 FR 73425) Estimated Available Funds: The (2) enhance the minority institutions’
(Supplemental Priorities). Administration has requested general scientific research capabilities.
Competitive Preference Priority: For $9,648,000 for MSEIP for FY 2017, of There also are special project grants for
FY 2017 and any subsequent year in which we intend to use an estimated which all applicants are eligible. These
which we make awards from the list of $2,597,607 for new awards. The actual special project grants support activities
unfunded applications from this level of funding, if any, depends on that: (1) Provide a needed service to a
competition, this priority is a final congressional action. However, we group of eligible minority institutions;
competitive preference priority. Under are inviting applications to allow or (2) provide in-service training for
34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an enough time to complete the grant project directors, scientists, and
additional two points to an application process if Congress appropriates funds engineers from eligible minority
that meets this priority. for this program. institutions.
The priority is: Cooperative project grants assist
Competitive Preference Priority— Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications, groups of nonprofit accredited colleges
Promoting Science, Technology, and universities to work together to
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) we may make additional awards in FY
2018 from the list of unfunded conduct a science improvement
Education (2 additional points). program.
Projects that are designed to improve applications from this competition.
Design project grants assist minority
student achievement or other related Estimated Range of Awards institutions that do not have their own
outcomes by identifying and appropriate resources or personnel to
implementing instructional strategies, Institutional Project Grants: $150,000-
$250,000. plan and develop long-range science
systems, and structures that improve improvement programs. We will not
postsecondary learning and retention, Special Project Grants: $100,000-
$250,000. award design project grants in the FY
resulting in completion of a degree in a 2017 competition.
STEM field. Cooperative Project Grants: $250,000-
$300,000. (a) For institutional project grants,
Note: We recognize that the definition of eligible applicants are limited to:
‘‘student achievement’’ from the Secretary’s Estimated Average Size of Awards (1) Public and private nonprofit
Supplemental Priorities is not relevant in the institutions of higher education that (i)
Institutional Project Grants: $230,000.
context of this competition because that
Special Project Grants: $175,000. award baccalaureate degrees; and (ii) are
definition pertains to elementary and
secondary grades and subjects that are Cooperative Project Grants: $275,000. minority institutions;
covered by the Elementary and Secondary (2) Public or private nonprofit
Maximum Awards institutions of higher education that (i)
Education Act of 1965, as amended. In
responding to this priority, however, Institutional Project Grants: $250,000. award associate degrees; and (ii) are
applicants may propose projects that are Special Project Grants: $250,000. minority institutions that (A) have a
designed to improve ‘‘other related Cooperative Project Grants: $300,000. curriculum that includes science or
outcomes,’’ which could include, for We will reject any application that engineering subjects; and (B) enter into
example, end-of-course grades, or proposes a budget exceeding the a partnership with public or private
improvement in research or laboratory skills,
maximum award amount listed for a nonprofit institutions of higher
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

among other outcomes.
single budget period of 12 months. education that award baccalaureate
Note: Applicants must indicate in the one- degrees in science and engineering.
Estimated Number of Awards
page abstract and on the MSEIP Eligibility (b) For special project grants for
Certification Form in the application package Institutional Project Grants: 9. which only minority institutions are
whether they intend to address the Special Project Grants: 1. eligible, eligible applicants are
competitive preference priority. Cooperative Project Grants: 1. described in paragraph (a).
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1067– Note: The Department is not bound by any (c) For special project grants for
1067k. estimates in this notice. which all applicants are eligible, eligible

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applicants include those described in Individuals with disabilities can We will reject your application if you
paragraph (a), and— obtain a copy of the application package exceed the page limit. We will also
(1) Nonprofit science-oriented in an accessible format (e.g., braille, reject your application if you fail to
organizations, professional scientific large print, audiotape, or compact disc) provide the MSEIP Eligibility
societies, and institutions of higher by contacting the program contact Certification Form.
education that award baccalaureate person listed in this section. 3. Submission Dates and Times:
degrees that: (i) Provide a needed 2. Content and Form of Application Applications Available: October 21,
service to a group of minority Submission: Requirements concerning 2016.
institutions; or (ii) provide in-service the content and form of an application, Date of Pre-Application Webinar: The
training to project directors, scientists, together with the forms you must Department intends to hold a Webinar
and engineers from minority submit, are in the application package to provide technical assistance to
institutions; or for this competition. interested applicants. Detailed
(2) A consortium of organizations that Page Limit: The application narrative information regarding this Webinar will
provide needed services to one or more (Part III of the application) is where you, be provided on the MSEIP Web site at
minority institutions, the membership the applicant, address the selection http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/
of which may include (i) institutions of criteria that reviewers use to evaluate index.html. A recording of this Webinar
higher education that have a curriculum your application. We have established a will be available on the Web site
in science or engineering; (ii) mandatory page limit for the application following the session.
institutions of higher education that narrative of each type of MSEIP grant Deadline for Transmittal of
have a graduate or professional program project application as follows: Applications: December 20, 2016.
in science or engineering; (iii) research Institutional project grant: 40 pages. Applications for grants under this
laboratories of, or under contract with, Special project grant: 35 pages. program must be submitted
the Department of Energy, the electronically using the Grants.gov
Cooperative project grant: 50 pages.
Department of Defense, or the National
You must limit the application Apply site (Grants.gov). For information
Institutes of Health; (iv) relevant offices
narrative (Part III) to these established (including dates and times) about how
of the National Aeronautics and Space
page limits, using the following to submit your application
Administration, National Oceanic and
standards: electronically, or in paper format by
Atmospheric Administration, National
Science Foundation, and National • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side mail or hand delivery if you qualify for
only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, an exception to the electronic
Institute of Standards and Technology;
and both sides. Page numbers and an submission requirement, please refer to
(v) quasi-governmental entities that
identifier may be within the 1″ margin. Other Submission Requirements in
have a significant scientific or
engineering mission; or (vi) institutions • Double space (no more than three section IV of this notice.
lines per vertical inch) all text in the We do not consider an application
of higher education that have State-
application narrative, including charts, that does not comply with the deadline
sponsored centers for research in
tables, figures, and graphs. Titles, requirements.
science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics. headings, footnotes, quotations, Individuals with disabilities who
(d) For cooperative project grants, references, and captions may be singled need an accommodation or auxiliary aid
eligible applicants are groups of spaced. in connection with the application
nonprofit accredited colleges and • Use a font that is either 12 point or process should contact the person listed
universities whose primary fiscal agent larger, or no smaller than 10 pitch under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
is an eligible minority institution as (characters per inch). CONTACT in section VII of this notice. If
defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b). • Use one of the following fonts: the Department provides an
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier accommodation or auxiliary aid to an
Note: As defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), individual with a disability in
New, or Arial. An application submitted
‘‘minority institution’’ means an accredited
college or university whose enrollment of a in any other font (including Times connection with the application
single minority group or a combination of Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be process, the individual’s application
minority groups exceeds 50 percent of the accepted. remains subject to all other
total enrollment. If you use some but not all of the requirements and limitations in this
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This allowable space on a page, it will be notice.
program does not require cost sharing or counted as a full page in determining Deadline for Intergovernmental
matching. compliance with the page limit. Review: February 21, 2017.
The page limit does not apply to Part 4. Intergovernmental Review: This
IV. Application and Submission I, the cover sheet; Part II, the budget program is subject to Executive Order
Information section, including the budget 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR
1. Address to Request Application justification; Part III, the one-page part 79. Information about
Package: You can obtain an application abstract, the table of contents, the Intergovernmental Review of Federal
via the Internet at Grants.gov. If you do MSEIP Eligibility Certification Form, Programs under Executive Order 12372
not have access to the Internet, please required letter(s) of commitment, is in the application package for this
contact Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. evidence of partnerships; and Part IV, competition.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland the assurances and certifications. If you 5. Funding Restrictions: We reference
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Avenue SW., Room 4C115, Washington, include any attachments or appendices regulations outlining funding
DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453–7913 not specifically requested, these items restrictions in the Applicable
or by email: Bernadette.Hence@ed.gov. will be counted as part of the Regulations section of this notice.
If you use a telecommunications application narrative for purposes of the 6. Data Universal Numbering System
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text page limit requirement. You must Number, Taxpayer Identification
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay include your complete responses to the Number, and System for Award
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877– selection criteria in the application Management: To do business with the
8339. narrative. Department of Education, you must—

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except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal or activities receiving Federal financial plus all the other Federal funds you
holidays. assistance from the Department of receive exceed $10,000,000.
Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4,
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper VI. Award Administration Information
Applications: If you mail or hand deliver
108.8, and 110.23).
Tiebreaker for Institutional, Special 1. Award Notices: If your application
your application to the Department—
(1) You must indicate on the envelope Project, and Cooperative Grants. If there is successful, we notify your U.S.
and—if not provided by the Department—in are insufficient funds for all Representative and U.S. Senators and
Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, applications with the same total scores, send you a Grant Award Notification
including suffix letter, if any, of the applications will receive preference in (GAN); or we may send you an email
competition under which you are submitting the following manner. The Secretary containing a link to access an electronic
your application; and gives priority to applicants that have not version of your GAN. We may notify
(2) The Application Control Center will you informally, also.
previously received funding from the
mail to you a notification of receipt of your If your application is not evaluated or
grant application. If you do not receive this program and to previous grantees with
a proven record of success, as well as to not selected for funding, we notify you.
notification within 15 business days from the 2. Administrative and National Policy
application deadline date, you should call applications that contribute to achieving
Requirements: We identify
the U.S. Department of Education balance among funded projects with
administrative and national policy
Application Control Center at (202) 245– respect to: (1) Geographic region; (2)
6288. requirements in the application package
Academic discipline; and (3) Project
and reference these and other
type.
V. Application Review Information requirements in the Applicable
3. Risk Assessment and Special
Regulations section of this notice.
1. Selection Criteria: The selection Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR We reference the regulations outlining
criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 200.205, before awarding grants under the terms and conditions of an award in
637.32(a) through (j). Applicants should this competition the Department the Applicable Regulations section of
address each of the selection criteria. conducts a review of the risks posed by this notice and include these and other
The total weight of the selection criteria applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the specific conditions in the GAN. The
is 100 points; the weight of each Secretary may impose special GAN also incorporates your approved
criterion is noted in parentheses. Please conditions and, in appropriate application as part of your binding
see the application package for a circumstances, high-risk conditions on a commitments under the grant.
detailed explanation of these criteria. grant if the applicant or grantee is not 3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
The selection criteria are as follows: financially stable; has a history of grant under this competition, you must
(a) Identification of need for the unsatisfactory performance; has a ensure that you have in place the
project (Total 5 points). financial or other management system necessary processes and systems to
(b) Plan of operation (Total 20 points). that does not meet the standards in 2 comply with the reporting requirements
(c) Quality of key personnel (Total 5 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
points). fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; funding under the competition. This
(d) Budget and cost effectiveness or is otherwise not responsible. does not apply if you have an exception
(Total 10 points). 4. Integrity and Performance System: under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(e) Evaluation plan (Total 15 points). If you are selected under this (b) At the end of your project period,
(f) Adequacy of resources (Total 5 competition to receive an award that you must submit a final performance
points). over the course of the project period report, including financial information,
(g) Potential institutional impact of may exceed the simplified acquisition as directed by the Secretary. If you
the project (Total 15 points). threshold (currently $150,000), under 2 receive a multiyear award, you must
(h) Institutional commitment to the CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a submit an annual performance report
project (Total 5 points). judgment about your integrity, business that provides the most current
(i) Expected outcomes (Total 10 ethics, and record of performance under performance and financial expenditure
points). Federal awards—that is, the risk posed information as directed by the Secretary
(j) Scientific and educational value of by you as an applicant—before we make under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
the proposed project (Total 10 points). an award. In doing so, we must consider may also require more frequent
2. Review and Selection Process: We any information about you that is in the performance reports under 34 CFR
remind potential applicants that in integrity and performance system 75.720(c). For specific requirements on
reviewing applications in any (currently referred to as the Federal reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
discretionary grant competition, the Awardee Performance and Integrity fund/grant/apply/appforms/
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR Information System (FAPIIS)), appforms.html.
75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the accessible through SAM. You may (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the
applicant in carrying out a previous review and comment on any Secretary may provide a grantee with
award, such as the applicant’s use of information about yourself that a additional funding for data collection
funds, achievement of project Federal agency previously entered and analysis and reporting. In this case the
objectives, and compliance with grant that is currently in FAPIIS. Secretary establishes a data collection
conditions. The Secretary may also Please note that, if the total value of period.
consider whether the applicant failed to your currently active grants, cooperative 4. Performance Measures: The
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

submit a timely performance report or agreements, and procurement contracts Secretary has established the following
submitted a report of unacceptable from the Federal Government exceeds key performance measures for assessing
quality. $10,000,000, the reporting requirements the effectiveness of the MSEIP: (1) The
In addition, in making a competitive in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, percentage of change in the number of
grant award, the Secretary also requires require you to report certain integrity full-time, degree-seeking minority
various assurances including those information to FAPIIS semiannually. undergraduate students at the grantee’s
applicable to Federal civil rights laws Please review the requirements in 2 CFR institution enrolled in the fields of
that prohibit discrimination in programs part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant engineering or physical or biological

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Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Applications Available: October 21, 2016.
Contact		Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4C115, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7913 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 72791