82_FR_11229 82 FR 11196 - Applications for New Awards; Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

82 FR 11196 - Applications for New Awards; Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 33 (February 21, 2017)

Page Range11196-11202
FR Document2017-03366

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11196-11202]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03366]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate 
Achievement Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information:
    Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.
    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2017.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.217A.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: February 21, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 7, 2017.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 6, 2017.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate 
Achievement (McNair) Program is one of the eight programs known as the 
Federal TRIO Programs, which provides postsecondary educational support 
for qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The McNair 
Program awards discretionary grants to institutions of higher education 
for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with 
effective preparation for doctoral study.

Background

    The Federal TRIO programs, including the McNair Program, represent 
a national commitment to education for all students regardless of race, 
ethnic background, disability status, or economic circumstances. The 
Department of Education (Department) has a strong interest in ensuring 
that groups traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, 
such as low-income students, first-generation college students, 
students who are English learners, students with disabilities, homeless 
students, students who are in foster care, and other disconnected 
students, receive the support necessary to assist them in successfully 
pursuing doctoral degrees.
    The Department views the McNair Program as a critical component of 
its efforts to improve postsecondary outcomes for students who have 
been traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education and 
graduate school by providing disadvantaged college students with 
effective preparation for doctoral study, and improving the quality of 
student outcomes so that more students are well prepared for graduate 
school and careers.
    To strategically align the McNair Program with overarching national 
strategies for increasing the number of students pursuing and 
completing degrees in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
Mathematics (STEM) fields, this notice includes a competitive 
preference priority intended to encourage applicants to propose 
activities that support this comprehensive goal, consistent with a 
logic model (as defined in this notice).
    The inclusion of this competitive preference priority will 
encourage applicants to increase the number of individuals in the 
McNair Program's target population that have access to STEM programs at 
the postsecondary level and are prepared for graduate study in STEM. 
The McNair Program's target population includes groups underrepresented 
in graduate education, as defined in the McNair Program regulations; 
low-income individuals who are first generation college students; and 
groups underrepresented in STEM as documented by standard statistical 
references or other national survey data submitted to and accepted by 
the Secretary.
    Consistent with 34 CFR 75.210, the Secretary will use the selection 
criteria outlined in 34 CFR 647.21 to evaluate the applications 
submitted for new

[[Page 11197]]

grants under this program. In addition, consistent with the 
Department's increasing emphasis on promoting evidence-based practices 
through our grant competitions, the Secretary will evaluate 
applications on the extent to which the components and anticipated 
outcomes of the proposed project are supported by a logic model that 
meets the evidence standard of ``strong theory'' (as defined in this 
notice). We encourage applicants to read carefully the selection 
criteria for this program in 34 CFR 647.21 and listed in the 
application package. Resources to assist applicants in creating a logic 
model can be found here:  http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf.
    Priority: This notice contains one competitive preference priority. 
The competitive preference priority is from the 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). Applicants must include in the one-
page abstract submitted with the application a statement indicating 
whether they addressed the competitive preference priority. The 
priority must also be listed on the McNair Program Profile Sheet.
    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 will award up to five 
additional points to an application depending on the extent to which 
the application meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Competitive Preference Priority--Promoting Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education (up to 5 points).
    Projects that are designed to improve student achievement or other 
related outcomes by increasing the number of individuals from groups 
that have been historically underrepresented in STEM, including 
minorities, individuals with disabilities, and women, who are provided 
with access to rigorous and engaging coursework in STEM or who are 
prepared for postsecondary study and careers in STEM. (up to 5 points)

    Note: The definition of ``student achievement'' from the 
Secretary's Supplemental Priorities does not apply here because that 
definition applies only to elementary and secondary grades and 
subjects that are covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965, as amended. For the purposes of this program, ``other 
related outcomes'' could include end-of-course grades, or 
improvement in research or laboratory skills, among other outcomes.

Definitions

    The definition of the term ``groups underrepresented in graduate 
education'' is from the McNair Program regulations, 34 CFR 647.7(b). 
The definitions of the terms ``logic model'' and ``strong theory'' are 
from 34 CFR 77.1.
    Groups underrepresented in graduate education include Black (non-
Hispanic), Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native (as defined in 
section 7306 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended (ESEA)), Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 7207 of the 
ESEA), and Native American Pacific Islanders (as defined in section 320 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended).
    Logic model (also referred to as theory of action) means a well-
specified conceptual framework that identifies key components of the 
proposed process, product, strategy, or practice (i.e., the active 
``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the 
relevant outcomes) and describes the relationships among the key 
components and outcomes, theoretically and operationally.
    Strong theory means a rationale for the proposed process, product, 
strategy, or practice that includes a logic model.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75 (except for 
75.215 through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The 
Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on 
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 
180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 645.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$900,000,000 for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2017, of which we 
intend to use an estimated $40,000,000 for McNair 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 and subsequent 
fiscal years from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $226,600 to $378,783.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $243,589.
    Maximum Award:
    Pursuant to 34 CFR 647.32(a), we will reject any application that 
proposes a budget exceeding the applicable maximum amount listed here 
for a single budget period of 12 months. We will also reject any 
application from a new applicant that proposes a budget to serve fewer 
than 25 participants or, for applicants that are current grantees, any 
application with a proposed budget to serve fewer than the number of 
participants the applicant was approved to serve in FY 2016.
    For an applicant not currently receiving a McNair Program grant, 
the maximum award is $226,600 to serve a minimum of 25 eligible 
participants, based upon a per participant cost of no more than $9,064.
    For an applicant currently receiving a McNair Program grant and 
applying to serve a different campus, the maximum award is $226,600 to 
serve a minimum of 25 eligible participants, based upon a per 
participant cost of no more than $9,064.
    For an applicant currently receiving a McNair Program grant and not 
applying to serve a different campus, the maximum award is the amount 
equal to the applicant's grant award amount for FY 2016 (i.e., 2016-
17). This funding will serve at least the same number of participants 
that was approved for the current project in FY 2016 (i.e., 2016-17).
    Estimated Number of Awards: 164.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and 
combinations of those institutions.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: An applicant may submit more than one application for a 
McNair grant as long as each application describes a project that 
serves a different

[[Page 11198]]

campus or a designated different population (34 CFR 647.10(a)). The 
McNair Program regulations define ``different campus'' as ``a site of 
an institution of higher education that--(1) Is geographically apart 
from the main campus of the institution; (2) Is permanent in nature; 
and (3) Offers courses in educational programs leading to a degree, 
certificate, or other recognized educational credential.'' 34 CFR 
647.7(b). The Secretary is not designating any additional populations 
for which an applicant may submit a separate application under this 
competition (34 CFR 647.10(b)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You may request a copy 
of the application package from: Carmen Gordon, McNair Program, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C111, 
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7311 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 program.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers will use to evaluate your application. You must limit the 
application narrative, which includes the budget narrative, to no more 
than 60 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. Page numbers and an 
identifier may be within the 1'' margin.
     Each page on which there is text or graphics will be 
counted as one full page.
     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 single spaced.
     Use a font size that is either 12 point or larger, or no 
smaller than 10 pitch (character 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.
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the Application for 
Federal Assistance Face Sheet (SF 424); Part II, the Budget Information 
Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III, the McNair Program Profile; Part 
III, the one-page Project Abstract narrative; and Part IV, the 
Assurances and Certifications. The page limit also does not apply to a 
table of contents, which you should include in the application 
narrative. If you include any attachments or appendices, these items 
will be counted as part of Part III, the application narrative, for 
purposes of the page-limit requirement. You must include your complete 
response to the selection criteria, which also includes the budget 
narrative.
    Any application addressing the competitive preference priority may 
include up to four additional pages for the priority. These additional 
pages must be used to discuss how the application meets the competitive 
preference priority. The additional pages allotted to address the 
competitive preference priority cannot be used for or transferred to 
the project narrative or any other section of the application.
    Partial pages will count as a full page toward the page limit. For 
the purpose of determining compliance with the page limit, each page 
containing text will be counted as one full page.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 21, 2017.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 7, 2017.
    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 program contact person listed under For Further Information Contact 
in section VII in 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: June 6, 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 program.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
647.31. We reference additional 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--
    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. 
Therefore, if you think

[[Page 11199]]

you 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 take 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 program 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 McNair Program, CFDA number 
84.217A, 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 no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. 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 McNair 
Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include 
the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.217, 
not 84.217A).
    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 program 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: 
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 will not convert material 
from other formats to PDF.
     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.

[[Page 11200]]

    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 a 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 program 
contact 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: Katie Blanding, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5E105, 
Washington, DC 20202. FAX: (202) 260-7464.
    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 84.217A), 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 84.217A), 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, 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 competition 
total 110 points and are from 34 CFR 647.21 and 34.CFR 75.210:
    (a) Need (16 Points). The Secretary reviews each application to 
determine the extent to which the applicant can clearly and 
definitively demonstrate the need for a McNair project to serve the 
target population. In particular, the Secretary looks for information 
that clearly defines the target population; describes the academic, 
financial and other problems that prevent potentially

[[Page 11201]]

eligible project participants in the target population from completing 
baccalaureate programs and continuing to postbaccalaureate programs; 
and demonstrates that the project's target population is 
underrepresented in graduate education, doctorate degrees conferred and 
careers where a doctorate is a prerequisite.
    (b) Objectives (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of 
the applicant's objectives and proposed targets (percentages) in the 
following areas on the basis of the extent to which they are both 
ambitious, as related to the need data provided under paragraph (a) of 
this section, and attainable, given the project's plan of operation, 
budget, and other resources--
    (1) (2 points) Research or scholarly activity.
    (2) (3 points) Enrollment in a graduate program.
    (3) (2 points) Continued enrollment in graduate study.
    (4) (2 points) Doctoral degree attainment.
    (c) Plan of Operation (44 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the applicant's plans of 
operation, including--
    (1) (4 points) The plan for identifying, recruiting and selecting 
participants to be served by the project, including students enrolled 
in the Student Support Services program;
    (2) (4 points) The plan for assessing individual participant needs 
and for monitoring the academic growth of participants during the 
period in which the student is a McNair participant;
    (3) (5 points) The plan for providing high quality research and 
scholarly activities in which participants will be involved;
    (4) (5 points) The plan for involving faculty members in the design 
of research activities in which students will be involved;
    (5) (5 points) The plan for providing internships, seminars, and 
other educational activities designed to prepare undergraduate students 
for doctoral study;
    (6) (5 points) The plan for providing individual or group services 
designed to enhance a student's successful entry into postbaccalaureate 
education;
    (7) (3 points) The plan to inform the institutional community of 
the goals and objectives of the project;
    (8) (8 points) The plan to ensure proper and efficient 
administration of the project, including, but not limited to, matters 
such as financial management, student records management, personnel 
management, the organizational structure, and the plan for coordinating 
the McNair project with other programs for disadvantaged students; and
    (9) (5 points) The follow-up plan that will be used to track the 
academic and career accomplishments of participants after they are no 
longer participating in the McNair project.
    (d) Quality of key personnel (9 points). The Secretary evaluates 
the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project 
on the basis of the following:
    (1)(i) The job qualifications of the project director.
    (ii) The job qualifications of each of the project's other key 
personnel.
    (iii) The quality of the project's plan for employing highly 
qualified persons, including the procedures to be used to employ 
members of groups underrepresented in higher education, including 
Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans 
and Pacific Islanders (including Native Hawaiians).
    (2) In evaluating the qualifications of a person, the Secretary 
considers his or her experience and training in fields related to the 
objectives of the project.
    (e) Adequacy of the resources and budget (15 points). The Secretary 
evaluates the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant's proposed allocation of resources in the budget 
is clearly related to the objectives of the project;
    (2) Project costs and resources, including facilities, equipment, 
and supplies, are reasonable in relation to the objectives and scope of 
the project; and
    (3) The applicant's proposed commitment of institutional resources 
to the McNair participants, as for example, the commitment of time from 
institutional research faculty and the waiver of tuition and fees for 
McNair participants engaged in summer research projects.
    (f) Evaluation plan (7 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality 
of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to 
which the applicant's methods of evaluation--
    (1) Are appropriate to the project's objectives;
    (2) Provide for the applicant to determine, in specific and 
measurable ways, the success of the project in--
    (i) Making progress toward achieving its objectives (a formative 
evaluation); and
    (ii) Achieving its objectives at the end of the project period (a) 
summative evaluation); and
    (3) Provide for a description of other project outcomes, including 
the use of quantifiable measures, if appropriate.
    (g) Quality of project design (5 points). The Secretary considers 
the quality of the design of the proposed project. In determining the 
quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory 
(as defined in this notice).
    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).
    For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR 
647.21 and the competitive preference priority. The individual scores 
of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by the number of 
reviewers to determine the peer review score received in the review 
process. Additionally, in accordance with 34 CFR 647.22, the Secretary 
will award prior experience points to applicants that conducted a 
McNair Program project during budget periods 2013-14, 2014-15, and 
2015-16, based on their documented experience. Prior experience points, 
if any, will be added to the application's average reader score to 
determine the total score for each application.
    If there are insufficient funds for all applications with the same 
total scores, the Secretary will choose among the tied applications so 
as to serve geographic areas and eligible populations that have been 
underserved by the McNair Program.
    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

[[Page 11202]]

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 your institution 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 success of the McNair Program will be 
measured by the McNair Program participants' success in completing 
research and participation in scholarly activities, enrollment in a 
graduate program, continued enrollment in graduate study, and the 
attainment of a doctoral degree. All McNair Program grantees will be 
required to submit an annual performance report.
    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 management 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 Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Carmen Gordon, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C111, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-7311 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 computer 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 PDF. To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat 
Reader, which is available free at this 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 feature at 
this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the 
Department.

    Dated: February 15, 2017.
Linda Byrd-Johnson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher Education Programs, and 
Senior Director, Student Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03366 Filed 2-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P



                                                11196                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                   ADDRESSES:   Written objections are to be             with effective preparation for doctoral
                                                                                                        filed with the Naval Air Warfare Center               study.
                                                Department of the Navy                                  Aircraft Division, Technology Transfer
                                                                                                                                                              Background
                                                                                                        Office, Attention Michelle Miedzinski,
                                                Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive                     Code 5.0H, 22347 Cedar Point Road,                       The Federal TRIO programs,
                                                Patent License; JFD Limited                             Building 2185, Box 62, Room 2160,                     including the McNair Program,
                                                                                                        Patuxent River, Maryland 20670.                       represent a national commitment to
                                                AGENCY:   Department of the Navy: DoD.
                                                                                                        DATES: Anyone wishing to object to the
                                                                                                                                                              education for all students regardless of
                                                ACTION:   Notice.                                                                                             race, ethnic background, disability
                                                                                                        grant of this license must file written
                                                SUMMARY:   The Department of the Navy                                                                         status, or economic circumstances. The
                                                                                                        objections along with supporting
                                                hereby gives notice of its intent to grant                                                                    Department of Education (Department)
                                                                                                        evidence, if any, within fifteen (15) days
                                                to JFD Limited a revocable, non-                                                                              has a strong interest in ensuring that
                                                                                                        of the date of this published notice.
                                                assignable, exclusive license to practice                                                                     groups traditionally underrepresented
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      in postsecondary education, such as
                                                in the United States, the Government-                   Michelle Miedzinski, 301–342–1133,
                                                owned invention described in U.S.                                                                             low-income students, first-generation
                                                                                                        Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft                     college students, students who are
                                                Patent No. 6,868,360, entitled ‘‘SMALL                  Division, 22347 Cedar Point Road,
                                                HEAD-MOUNTED COMPASS SYSTEM                                                                                   English learners, students with
                                                                                                        Building 2185, Box 62, Room 2160,                     disabilities, homeless students, students
                                                WITH OPTICAL DISPLAY’’, issued                          Patuxent River, Maryland 20670.
                                                March 15, 2005, Navy Case No. 84,835.                                                                         who are in foster care, and other
                                                                                                          Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.          disconnected students, receive the
                                                DATES: Anyone wishing to object to the
                                                                                                          Dated: February 13, 2017.                           support necessary to assist them in
                                                grant of this license has fifteen (15) days                                                                   successfully pursuing doctoral degrees.
                                                from the date of this notice to file                    A.M. Nichols,
                                                                                                                                                                 The Department views the McNair
                                                written objections along with                           Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate                  Program as a critical component of its
                                                supporting evidence, if any.                            General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                              efforts to improve postsecondary
                                                ADDRESSES: Written objections are to be
                                                                                                        Liaison Officer.
                                                                                                                                                              outcomes for students who have been
                                                filed with Naval Surface Warfare Center                 [FR Doc. 2017–03264 Filed 2–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                              traditionally underrepresented in
                                                Panama City, 110 Vernon Ave., Code                      BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P                                postsecondary education and graduate
                                                00L, Panama City, FL 32407–7001.                                                                              school by providing disadvantaged
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                                                                          college students with effective
                                                James Shepherd, Patent Counsel, Naval                   DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION                               preparation for doctoral study, and
                                                Surface Warfare Center Panama City,                                                                           improving the quality of student
                                                110 Vernon Ave., Panama City, FL                        Applications for New Awards; Ronald                   outcomes so that more students are well
                                                32407–7001, telephone 850–234–4646,                     E. McNair Postbaccalaureate                           prepared for graduate school and
                                                fax 850–235–5497, or                                    Achievement Program                                   careers.
                                                james.t.shepherd@navy.mil.                              AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary                          To strategically align the McNair
                                                                                                        Education, Department of Education.                   Program with overarching national
                                                (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR Part 404)
                                                                                                                                                              strategies for increasing the number of
                                                  Dated: February 13, 2017.                             ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                                                                              students pursuing and completing
                                                A.M. Nichols,                                                                                                 degrees in the Science, Technology,
                                                                                                          Overview Information:
                                                Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate                      Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate                  Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
                                                General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register                                                                  fields, this notice includes a competitive
                                                                                                        Achievement Program.
                                                Liaison Officer.                                                                                              preference priority intended to
                                                                                                          Notice inviting applications for new
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–03266 Filed 2–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                        awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017.                     encourage applicants to propose
                                                BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
                                                                                                          Catalog of Federal Domestic                         activities that support this
                                                                                                        Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.217A.                    comprehensive goal, consistent with a
                                                                                                                                                              logic model (as defined in this notice).
                                                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                   DATES:
                                                                                                                                                                 The inclusion of this competitive
                                                                                                          Applications Available: February 21,                preference priority will encourage
                                                Department of the Navy                                  2017.                                                 applicants to increase the number of
                                                                                                          Deadline for Transmittal of                         individuals in the McNair Program’s
                                                Notice of Intent To Grant an Exclusive                  Applications: April 7, 2017.                          target population that have access to
                                                License; PhareTech                                        Deadline for Intergovernmental                      STEM programs at the postsecondary
                                                                                                        Review: June 6, 2017.                                 level and are prepared for graduate
                                                AGENCY:   Department of the Navy, DoD.
                                                ACTION:   Notice.                                       Full Text of Announcement                             study in STEM. The McNair Program’s
                                                                                                                                                              target population includes groups
                                                SUMMARY:    The Department of the Navy                  I. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                                                                                                                              underrepresented in graduate education,
                                                hereby gives notice of its intent to grant                Purpose of Program: The Ronald E.                   as defined in the McNair Program
                                                to PhareTech located at 4720 Chevy                      McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement                  regulations; low-income individuals
                                                Chase Drive, Apartment 406, Chevy                       (McNair) Program is one of the eight                  who are first generation college
                                                Chase, Maryland 20815, a revocable,                     programs known as the Federal TRIO                    students; and groups underrepresented
                                                nonassignable, exclusive license                        Programs, which provides
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                                                                                                                                                              in STEM as documented by standard
                                                throughout the United States (U.S.) in                  postsecondary educational support for                 statistical references or other national
                                                all the fields of use in the Government-                qualified individuals from                            survey data submitted to and accepted
                                                Owned invention described in U.S.                       disadvantaged backgrounds. The                        by the Secretary.
                                                Patent Application number 14/734,186                    McNair Program awards discretionary                      Consistent with 34 CFR 75.210, the
                                                filed on June 9, 2015 entitled ‘‘Low                    grants to institutions of higher                      Secretary will use the selection criteria
                                                Latency Fiber Optic Local Area                          education for projects designed to                    outlined in 34 CFR 647.21 to evaluate
                                                Network’’ inventors Beranek et al.                      provide disadvantaged college students                the applications submitted for new


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                            11197

                                                grants under this program. In addition,                 ‘‘other related outcomes’’ could include end-         congressional action. However, we are
                                                consistent with the Department’s                        of-course grades, or improvement in research          inviting applications to allow enough
                                                increasing emphasis on promoting                        or laboratory skills, among other outcomes.           time to complete the grant process if
                                                evidence-based practices through our                                                                          Congress appropriates funds for this
                                                grant competitions, the Secretary will                  Definitions                                           program.
                                                evaluate applications on the extent to                     The definition of the term ‘‘groups                  Contingent upon the availability of
                                                which the components and anticipated                    underrepresented in graduate                          funds and the quality of applications,
                                                outcomes of the proposed project are                    education’’ is from the McNair Program                we may make additional awards in FY
                                                supported by a logic model that meets                   regulations, 34 CFR 647.7(b). The                     2018 and subsequent fiscal years from
                                                the evidence standard of ‘‘strong                       definitions of the terms ‘‘logic model’’              the list of unfunded applications from
                                                theory’’ (as defined in this notice). We                and ‘‘strong theory’’ are from 34 CFR                 this competition.
                                                encourage applicants to read carefully                  77.1.                                                   Estimated Range of Awards: $226,600
                                                the selection criteria for this program in                 Groups underrepresented in graduate                to $378,783.
                                                34 CFR 647.21 and listed in the                         education include Black (non-Hispanic),                 Estimated Average Size of Awards:
                                                application package. Resources to assist                Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan                    $243,589.
                                                applicants in creating a logic model can                Native (as defined in section 7306 of the               Maximum Award:
                                                be found here: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/                  Elementary and Secondary Education                      Pursuant to 34 CFR 647.32(a), we will
                                                edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_                         Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA)),                      reject any application that proposes a
                                                2014007.pdf.                                            Native Hawaiians (as defined in section               budget exceeding the applicable
                                                  Priority: This notice contains one                    7207 of the ESEA), and Native American                maximum amount listed here for a
                                                competitive preference priority. The                    Pacific Islanders (as defined in section              single budget period of 12 months. We
                                                competitive preference priority is from                 320 of the Higher Education Act of                    will also reject any application from a
                                                the notice of final supplemental                        1965, as amended).                                    new applicant that proposes a budget to
                                                priorities and definitions for                             Logic model (also referred to as theory            serve fewer than 25 participants or, for
                                                discretionary grant programs, published                 of action) means a well-specified                     applicants that are current grantees, any
                                                in the Federal Register on December 10,                 conceptual framework that identifies                  application with a proposed budget to
                                                2014 (79 FR 73425) (Supplemental                        key components of the proposed                        serve fewer than the number of
                                                Priorities). Applicants must include in                 process, product, strategy, or practice               participants the applicant was approved
                                                the one-page abstract submitted with the                (i.e., the active ‘‘ingredients’’ that are            to serve in FY 2016.
                                                application a statement indicating                      hypothesized to be critical to achieving                For an applicant not currently
                                                whether they addressed the competitive                  the relevant outcomes) and describes                  receiving a McNair Program grant, the
                                                preference priority. The priority must                  the relationships among the key                       maximum award is $226,600 to serve a
                                                also be listed on the McNair Program                    components and outcomes, theoretically                minimum of 25 eligible participants,
                                                Profile Sheet.                                          and operationally.                                    based upon a per participant cost of no
                                                  Competitive Preference Priority: For                     Strong theory means a rationale for                more than $9,064.
                                                FY 2017 and any subsequent year in                      the proposed process, product, strategy,                For an applicant currently receiving a
                                                which we make awards from the list of                   or practice that includes a logic model.              McNair Program grant and applying to
                                                unfunded applications from this                            Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–                serve a different campus, the maximum
                                                competition, this priority is a                         11 and 20 U.S.C. 1070a–15.                            award is $226,600 to serve a minimum
                                                competitive preference priority. Under                     Applicable Regulations: (a) The                    of 25 eligible participants, based upon a
                                                34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we will award up                Education Department General                          per participant cost of no more than
                                                to five additional points to an                         Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in                 $9,064.
                                                application depending on the extent to                  34 CFR parts 75 (except for 75.215                      For an applicant currently receiving a
                                                which the application meets this                        through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97,              McNair Program grant and not applying
                                                priority.                                               98 and 99. (b) The Office of                          to serve a different campus, the
                                                  This priority is:                                     Management and Budget Guidelines to                   maximum award is the amount equal to
                                                  Competitive Preference Priority—                      Agencies on Governmentwide                            the applicant’s grant award amount for
                                                Promoting Science, Technology,                          Debarment and Suspension                              FY 2016 (i.e., 2016–17). This funding
                                                Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)                     (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as                will serve at least the same number of
                                                Education (up to 5 points).                             adopted and amended as regulations of                 participants that was approved for the
                                                  Projects that are designed to improve                 the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c)                current project in FY 2016 (i.e., 2016–
                                                student achievement or other related                    The Uniform Administrative                            17).
                                                outcomes by increasing the number of                    Requirements, Cost Principles, and                      Estimated Number of Awards: 164.
                                                individuals from groups that have been                  Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
                                                                                                        in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and                       Note: The Department is not bound by any
                                                historically underrepresented in STEM,                                                                        estimates in this notice.
                                                including minorities, individuals with                  amended as regulations of the
                                                disabilities, and women, who are                        Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The                   Project Period: Up to 60 months.
                                                provided with access to rigorous and                    regulations for this program in 34 CFR                III. Eligibility Information
                                                engaging coursework in STEM or who                      part 645.
                                                are prepared for postsecondary study                                                                            1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of
                                                                                                        II. Award Information                                 higher education and combinations of
                                                and careers in STEM. (up to 5 points)
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                                                                                                           Type of Award: Discretionary grants.               those institutions.
                                                  Note: The definition of ‘‘student                        Estimated Available Funds: The                       2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
                                                achievement’’ from the Secretary’s                      Administration has requested                          program does not require cost sharing or
                                                Supplemental Priorities does not apply here
                                                because that definition applies only to
                                                                                                        $900,000,000 for the Federal TRIO                     matching.
                                                elementary and secondary grades and                     Programs for FY 2017, of which we                       3. Other: An applicant may submit
                                                subjects that are covered by the Elementary             intend to use an estimated $40,000,000                more than one application for a McNair
                                                and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as                 for McNair awards. The actual level of                grant as long as each application
                                                amended. For the purposes of this program,              funding, if any, depends on final                     describes a project that serves a different


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                                                11198                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                campus or a designated different                           • Use a font size that is either 12                process should contact the program
                                                population (34 CFR 647.10(a)). The                      point or larger, or no smaller than 10                contact person listed under For Further
                                                McNair Program regulations define                       pitch (character per inch).                           Information Contact in section VII in
                                                ‘‘different campus’’ as ‘‘a site of an                     • Use one of the following fonts:                  this notice. If the Department provides
                                                institution of higher education that—(1)                Times New Roman, Courier, Courier                     an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an
                                                Is geographically apart from the main                   New, or Arial. An application submitted               individual with a disability in
                                                campus of the institution; (2) Is                       in any other font (including Times                    connection with the application
                                                permanent in nature; and (3) Offers                     Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be                   process, the individual’s application
                                                courses in educational programs leading                 accepted.                                             remains subject to all other
                                                to a degree, certificate, or other                         The page limit does not apply to Part              requirements and limitations in this
                                                recognized educational credential.’’ 34                 I, the Application for Federal Assistance             notice.
                                                CFR 647.7(b). The Secretary is not                      Face Sheet (SF 424); Part II, the Budget                 Deadline for Intergovernmental
                                                designating any additional populations                  Information Summary form (ED Form                     Review: June 6, 2017.
                                                for which an applicant may submit a                     524); Part III, the McNair Program                       4. Intergovernmental Review: This
                                                separate application under this                         Profile; Part III, the one-page Project               program is subject to Executive Order
                                                competition (34 CFR 647.10(b)).                         Abstract narrative; and Part IV, the                  12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR
                                                                                                        Assurances and Certifications. The page               part 79. Information about
                                                IV. Application and Submission                          limit also does not apply to a table of               Intergovernmental Review of Federal
                                                Information                                             contents, which you should include in                 Programs under Executive Order 12372
                                                   1. Address to Request Application                    the application narrative. If you include             is in the application package for this
                                                Package: You may request a copy of the                  any attachments or appendices, these                  program.
                                                application package from: Carmen                        items will be counted as part of Part III,               5. Funding Restrictions: We specify
                                                Gordon, McNair Program, U.S.                            the application narrative, for purposes               unallowable costs in 34 CFR 647.31. We
                                                Department of Education, 400 Maryland                   of the page-limit requirement. You must               reference additional regulations
                                                Avenue SW., Room 5C111, Washington,                     include your complete response to the                 outlining funding restrictions in the
                                                DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453–7311                     selection criteria, which also includes               Applicable Regulations section of this
                                                or by email: Carmen.Gordon@ed.gov.                      the budget narrative.                                 notice.
                                                                                                           Any application addressing the                        6. Data Universal Numbering System
                                                   If you use a telecommunications
                                                                                                        competitive preference priority may                   Number, Taxpayer Identification
                                                device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                                                                                                        include up to four additional pages for               Number, and System for Award
                                                telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
                                                                                                        the priority. These additional pages                  Management: To do business with the
                                                Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
                                                                                                        must be used to discuss how the                       Department of Education, you must—
                                                8339.
                                                                                                        application meets the competitive                        a. Have a Data Universal Numbering
                                                   Individuals with disabilities can                    preference priority. The additional                   System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer
                                                obtain a copy of the application package                pages allotted to address the                         Identification Number (TIN);
                                                in an accessible format (e.g., braille,                 competitive preference priority cannot                   b. Register both your DUNS number
                                                large print, audiotape, or compact disc)                be used for or transferred to the project             and TIN with the System for Award
                                                by contacting the program contact                       narrative or any other section of the                 Management (SAM), the Government’s
                                                person listed in this section.                          application.                                          primary registrant database;
                                                   2. Content and Form of Application                      Partial pages will count as a full page               c. Provide your DUNS number and
                                                Submission: Requirements concerning                     toward the page limit. For the purpose                TIN on your application;
                                                the content and form of an application,                 of determining compliance with the                    and
                                                together with the forms you must                        page limit, each page containing text
                                                submit, are in the application package                                                                           d. Maintain an active SAM
                                                                                                        will be counted as one full page.
                                                for this program.                                          We will reject your application if you             registration with current information
                                                                                                        exceed the page limit.                                while your application is under review
                                                   Page Limit: The application narrative
                                                                                                           3. Submission Dates and Times:                     by the Department and, if you are
                                                (Part III of the application) is where you,
                                                                                                           Applications Available: February 21,               awarded a grant, during the project
                                                the applicant, address the selection
                                                                                                        2017.                                                 period.
                                                criteria that reviewers will use to
                                                                                                           Deadline for Transmittal of                           You can obtain a DUNS number from
                                                evaluate your application. You must
                                                                                                        Applications: April 7, 2017.                          Dun and Bradstreet at the following
                                                limit the application narrative, which
                                                                                                           Applications for grants under this                 Web site: http://fedgov.dnb.com/
                                                includes the budget narrative, to no
                                                                                                        program must be submitted                             webform. A DUNS number can be
                                                more than 60 pages using the following
                                                                                                        electronically using the Grants.gov                   created within one to two business days.
                                                standards:
                                                                                                        Apply site (Grants.gov). For information                 If you are a corporate entity, agency,
                                                   • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side                                                                    institution, or organization, you can
                                                                                                        (including dates and times) about how
                                                only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,                                                                     obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue
                                                                                                        to submit your application
                                                and both sides. Page numbers and an                                                                           Service. If you are an individual, you
                                                                                                        electronically, or in paper format by
                                                identifier may be within the 1″ margin.                                                                       can obtain a TIN from the Internal
                                                                                                        mail or hand delivery if you qualify for
                                                   • Each page on which there is text or                an exception to the electronic                        Revenue Service or the Social Security
                                                graphics will be counted as one full                    submission requirement, please refer to               Administration. If you need a new TIN,
                                                page.                                                                                                         please allow two to five weeks for your
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                                                                                                        Other Submission Requirements in
                                                   • Double space (no more than three                   section IV of this notice.                            TIN to become active.
                                                lines per vertical inch) all text in the                   We do not consider an application                     The SAM registration process can take
                                                application narrative, including charts,                that does not comply with the deadline                approximately seven business days, but
                                                tables, figures, and graphs. Titles,                    requirements.                                         may take upwards of several weeks,
                                                headings, footnotes, quotations,                           Individuals with disabilities who                  depending on the completeness and
                                                references, and captions may be single                  need an accommodation or auxiliary aid                accuracy of the data you enter into the
                                                spaced.                                                 in connection with the application                    SAM database. Therefore, if you think


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                           11199

                                                you want to apply for Federal financial                 information regarding calculation of the                 • You will not receive additional
                                                assistance under a program                              date that is two weeks before the                     point value because you submit your
                                                administered by the Department, please                  application deadline date is provided                 application in electronic format, nor
                                                allow sufficient time to obtain and                     later in this section under Exception to              will we penalize you if you qualify for
                                                register your DUNS number and TIN.                      Electronic Submission Requirement.                    an exception to the electronic
                                                We strongly recommend that you                             You may access the electronic grant                submission requirement, as described
                                                register early.                                         application for the McNair Program at                 elsewhere in this section, and submit
                                                   Note: Once your SAM registration is active,          www.Grants.gov. You must search for                   your application in paper format.
                                                it may take 24 to 48 hours before you can               the downloadable application package                     • You must submit all documents
                                                access the information in, and submit an                for this program by the CFDA number.                  electronically, including all information
                                                application through, Grants.gov.                        Do not include the CFDA number’s                      you typically provide on the following
                                                   If you are currently registered with                 alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search             forms: Application for Federal
                                                SAM, you may not need to make any                       for 84.217, not 84.217A).                             Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
                                                changes. However, please make certain                      Please note the following:                         Education Supplemental Information for
                                                that the TIN associated with your DUNS                     • When you enter the Grants.gov site,              SF 424, Budget Information—Non-
                                                number is correct. Also note that you                   you will find information about                       Construction Programs (ED 524), and all
                                                will need to update your registration                   submitting an application electronically              necessary assurances and certifications.
                                                annually. This may take three or more                   through the site, as well as the hours of                • You must upload any narrative
                                                business days.                                          operation.                                            sections and all other attachments to
                                                   Information about SAM is available at                   • Applications received by                         your application as files in a read-only,
                                                www.SAM.gov. To further assist you                      Grants.gov are date and time stamped.                 non-modifiable Portable Document
                                                with obtaining and registering your                     Your application must be fully                        Format (PDF). Do not upload an
                                                DUNS number and TIN in SAM or                           uploaded and submitted and must be                    interactive or fillable PDF file. If you
                                                updating your existing SAM account,                     date and time stamped by the                          upload a file type other than a read-
                                                we have prepared a SAM.gov Tip Sheet,                   Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00               only, non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word,
                                                which you can find at: www2.ed.gov/                     p.m., Washington, DC time, on the                     Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a
                                                fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.                         application deadline date. Except as                  password-protected file, we will not
                                                   In addition, if you are submitting your              otherwise noted in this section, we will              review that material. Please note that
                                                application via Grants.gov, you must (1)                not accept your application if it is                  this could result in your application not
                                                be designated by your organization as an                received—that is, date and time                       being considered for funding because
                                                Authorized Organization Representative                  stamped by the Grants.gov system—after                the material in question—for example,
                                                (AOR); and (2) register yourself with                   4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on                 the application narrative—is critical to a
                                                Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these                  the application deadline date. We do                  meaningful review of your proposal. For
                                                steps are outlined at the following                     not consider an application that does                 that reason it is important to allow
                                                Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/                    not comply with the deadline                          yourself adequate time to upload all
                                                web/grants/register.html.                               requirements. When we retrieve your                   material as PDF files. The Department
                                                   7. Other Submission Requirements:                    application from Grants.gov, we will                  will not convert material from other
                                                Applications for grants under this                      notify you if we are rejecting your                   formats to PDF.
                                                program must be submitted                               application because it was date and time                 • Your electronic application must
                                                electronically unless you qualify for an                stamped by the Grants.gov system after                comply with any page-limit
                                                exception to this requirement in                        4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on                 requirements described in this notice.
                                                accordance with the instructions in this                the application deadline date.                           • After you electronically submit
                                                section.                                                   • The amount of time it can take to                your application, you will receive from
                                                   a. Electronic Submission of                          upload an application will vary                       Grants.gov an automatic notification of
                                                Applications.                                           depending on a variety of factors,                    receipt that contains a Grants.gov
                                                   Applications for grants under the                    including the size of the application and             tracking number. This notification
                                                McNair Program, CFDA number                             the speed of your Internet connection.                indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not
                                                84.217A, must be submitted                              Therefore, we strongly recommend that                 receipt by the Department. Grants.gov
                                                electronically using the                                you do not wait until the application                 will also notify you automatically by
                                                Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site                    deadline date to begin the submission                 email if your application met all the
                                                at www.Grants.gov. Through this site,                   process through Grants.gov.                           Grants.gov validation requirements or if
                                                you will be able to download a copy of                     • You should review and follow the                 there were any errors (such as
                                                the application package, complete it                    Education Submission Procedures for                   submission of your application by
                                                offline, and then upload and submit                     submitting an application through                     someone other than a registered
                                                your application. You may not email an                  Grants.gov that are included in the                   Authorized Organization
                                                electronic copy of a grant application to               application package for this program to               Representative, or inclusion of an
                                                us.                                                     ensure that you submit your application               attachment with a file name that
                                                   We will reject your application if you               in a timely manner to the Grants.gov                  contains special characters). You will be
                                                submit it in paper format unless, as                    system. You can also find the Education               given an opportunity to correct any
                                                described elsewhere in this section, you                Submission Procedures pertaining to                   errors and resubmit, but you must still
                                                qualify for one of the exceptions to the                Grants.gov under News and Events on                   meet the deadline for submission of
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                                                electronic submission requirement and                   the Department’s G5 system home page                  applications.
                                                submit, no later than two weeks before                  at www.G5.gov. In addition, for specific                 Once your application is successfully
                                                the application deadline date, a written                guidance and procedures for submitting                validated by Grants.gov, the Department
                                                statement to the Department that you                    an application through Grants.gov,                    will retrieve your application from
                                                qualify for one of these exceptions no                  please refer to the Grants.gov Web site               Grants.gov and send you an email with
                                                later than two weeks before the                         at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/                        a unique PR/Award number for your
                                                application deadline date. Further                      applicants/apply-for-grants.html.                     application.


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                                                11200                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                   These emails do not mean that your                   technical problem you experienced is                    (4) Any other proof of mailing
                                                application is without any disqualifying                unrelated to the Grants.gov system.                   acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S.
                                                errors. While your application may have          Exception to Electronic Submission                           Department of Education.
                                                been successfully validated by                 Requirement: You qualify for an                                  If you mail your application through
                                                Grants.gov, it must also meet the              exception to the electronic submission                         the U.S. Postal Service, we do not
                                                Department’s application requirements          requirement, and may submit your                               accept either of the following as proof
                                                as specified in this notice and in the         application in paper format, if you are                        of mailing:
                                                application instructions. Disqualifying        unable to submit an application through                          (1) A private metered postmark.
                                                errors could include, for instance,            the Grants.gov system because––                                  (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by
                                                failure to upload attachments in a read-         • You do not have access to the                              the U.S. Postal Service.
                                                only, non-modifiable PDF; failure to           Internet; or                                                     Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not
                                                submit a required part of the                    • You do not have the capacity to                            uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before
                                                application; or failure to meet applicant      upload large documents to the                                  relying on this method, you should check
                                                eligibility requirements. It is your           Grants.gov system; and                                         with your local post office. We will not
                                                responsibility to ensure that your                                                                            consider applications postmarked after the
                                                submitted application has met all of the          • No later than two weeks before the                        deadline date.
                                                Department’s requirements.                     application deadline date (14 calendar
                                                                                                                                                                c. Submission of Paper Applications
                                                                                               days or, if the fourteenth calendar day
                                                   • We may request that you provide us                                                                       by Hand Delivery.
                                                                                               before the application deadline date
                                                original signatures on forms at a later                                                                         If you qualify for an exception to the
                                                                                               falls on a Federal holiday, the next
                                                date.                                                                                                         electronic submission requirement, you
                                                                                               business day following the Federal
                                                   Application Deadline Date Extension                                                                        (or a courier service) may deliver your
                                                                                               holiday), you mail or fax a written
                                                in Case of Technical Issues with the                                                                          paper application to the Department by
                                                                                               statement to the Department, explaining
                                                Grants.gov System: If you are                                                                                 hand. You must deliver the original and
                                                                                               which of the two grounds for an
                                                experiencing problems submitting your                                                                         two copies of your application by hand,
                                                                                               exception prevents you from using the
                                                application through Grants.gov, please                                                                        on or before the application deadline
                                                                                               Internet to submit your application.
                                                contact the Grants.gov Support Desk,                                                                          date, to the Department at the following
                                                                                                  If you mail your written statement to
                                                toll free, at 1–800–518–4726. You must                                                                        address: U.S. Department of Education,
                                                                                               the Department, it must be postmarked
                                                obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case                                                                         Application Control Center, Attention:
                                                                                               no later than two weeks before the
                                                Number and must keep a record of it.                                                                          (CFDA Number 84.217A), 550 12th
                                                                                               application deadline date. If you fax
                                                   If you are prevented from                                                                                  Street SW., Room 7039, Potomac Center
                                                                                               your written statement to the
                                                electronically submitting your                                                                                Plaza, Washington, DC 20202–4260.
                                                                                               Department, we must receive the faxed
                                                application on the application deadline                                                                         The Application Control Center
                                                                                               statement no later than two weeks
                                                date because of technical problems with                                                                       accepts hand deliveries daily between
                                                                                               before the application deadline date.
                                                the Grants.gov system, we will grant you                                                                      8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington,
                                                                                                  Address and mail or fax your                                DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays,
                                                an extension until 4:30:00 p.m.,               statement to: Katie Blanding, U.S.
                                                Washington, DC time, the following                                                                            and Federal holidays.
                                                                                               Department of Education, 400 Maryland
                                                business day to enable you to transmit         Avenue SW., Room 5E105, Washington,                               Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper
                                                your application electronically or by          DC 20202. FAX: (202) 260–7464.                                 Applications: If you mail or hand deliver
                                                hand delivery. You also may mail your                                                                         your application to the Department—
                                                                                                  Your paper application must be                                 (1) You must indicate on the envelope
                                                application by following the mailing
                                                                                               submitted in accordance with the mail                          and—if not provided by the Department—in
                                                instructions described elsewhere in this
                                                                                               or hand delivery instructions described                        Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number,
                                                notice.
                                                                                               in this notice.                                                including suffix letter, if any, of the
                                                   If you submit an application after             b. Submission of Paper Applications                         competition under which you are submitting
                                                4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on          by Mail.                                                       your application; and
                                                the application deadline date, please                                                                            (2) The Application Control Center will
                                                                                                  If you qualify for an exception to the
                                                contact the program contact person                                                                            mail to you a notification of receipt of your
                                                                                               electronic submission requirement, you                         grant application. If you do not receive this
                                                listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                                                               may mail (through the U.S. Postal                              notification within 15 business days from the
                                                CONTACT in section VII of this notice and
                                                                                               Service or a commercial carrier) your                          application deadline date, you should call
                                                provide an explanation of the technical
                                                                                               application to the Department. You                             the U.S. Department of Education
                                                problem you experienced with
                                                                                               must mail the original and two copies                          Application Control Center at (202) 245–
                                                Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov
                                                                                               of your application, on or before the                          6288.
                                                Support Desk Case Number. We will
                                                                                               application deadline date, to the
                                                accept your application if we can                                                                             V. Application Review Information
                                                                                               Department at the following address:
                                                confirm that a technical problem
                                                                                               U.S. Department of Education,                                    1. Selection Criteria: The selection
                                                occurred with the Grants.gov system
                                                                                               Application Control Center, Attention:                         criteria for this competition total 110
                                                and that the problem affected your
                                                                                               (CFDA Number 84.217A), LBJ Basement                            points and are from 34 CFR 647.21 and
                                                ability to submit your application by
                                                                                               Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,                              34.CFR 75.210:
                                                4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on
                                                                                               Washington, DC 20202–4260.                                       (a) Need (16 Points). The Secretary
                                                the application deadline date. We will
                                                                                                  You must show proof of mailing                              reviews each application to determine
                                                contact you after we determine whether
                                                                                               consisting of one of the following:                            the extent to which the applicant can
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                                                your application will be accepted.
                                                                                                  (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service                     clearly and definitively demonstrate the
                                                   Note: The extensions to which we refer in   postmark.                                                      need for a McNair project to serve the
                                                this section apply only to the unavailability
                                                                                                  (2) A legible mail receipt with the                         target population. In particular, the
                                                of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov
                                                system. We will not grant you an extension     date of mailing stamped by the U.S.                            Secretary looks for information that
                                                if you failed to fully register to submit your Postal Service.                                                clearly defines the target population;
                                                application to Grants.gov before the              (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or                     describes the academic, financial and
                                                application deadline date and time or if the   receipt from a commercial carrier.                             other problems that prevent potentially


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices                                           11201

                                                eligible project participants in the target             with other programs for disadvantaged                 quality of the design of the proposed
                                                population from completing                              students; and                                         project. In determining the quality of the
                                                baccalaureate programs and continuing                      (9) (5 points) The follow-up plan that             design of the proposed project, the
                                                to postbaccalaureate programs; and                      will be used to track the academic and                Secretary considers the extent to which
                                                demonstrates that the project’s target                  career accomplishments of participants                the proposed project is supported by
                                                population is underrepresented in                       after they are no longer participating in             strong theory (as defined in this notice).
                                                graduate education, doctorate degrees                   the McNair project.                                      Review and Selection Process: We
                                                conferred and careers where a doctorate                    (d) Quality of key personnel (9                    remind potential applicants that in
                                                is a prerequisite.                                      points). The Secretary evaluates the                  reviewing applications in any
                                                   (b) Objectives (9 points). The                       quality of key personnel the applicant                discretionary grant competition, the
                                                Secretary evaluates the quality of the                  plans to use on the project on the basis              Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR
                                                applicant’s objectives and proposed                     of the following:                                     75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the
                                                targets (percentages) in the following                     (1)(i) The job qualifications of the               applicant in carrying out a previous
                                                areas on the basis of the extent to which               project director.                                     award, such as the applicant’s use of
                                                they are both ambitious, as related to the                 (ii) The job qualifications of each of             funds, achievement of project
                                                need data provided under paragraph (a)                  the project’s other key personnel.                    objectives, and compliance with grant
                                                                                                           (iii) The quality of the project’s plan            conditions. The Secretary may also
                                                of this section, and attainable, given the
                                                                                                        for employing highly qualified persons,               consider whether the applicant failed to
                                                project’s plan of operation, budget, and
                                                                                                        including the procedures to be used to                submit a timely performance report or
                                                other resources—
                                                   (1) (2 points) Research or scholarly                 employ members of groups                              submitted a report of unacceptable
                                                activity.                                               underrepresented in higher education,                 quality.
                                                   (2) (3 points) Enrollment in a graduate              including Blacks, Hispanics, American                    In addition, in making a competitive
                                                program.                                                Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian                        grant award, the Secretary also requires
                                                   (3) (2 points) Continued enrollment in               Americans and Pacific Islanders                       various assurances including those
                                                graduate study.                                         (including Native Hawaiians).                         applicable to Federal civil rights laws
                                                   (4) (2 points) Doctoral degree                          (2) In evaluating the qualifications of            that prohibit discrimination in programs
                                                attainment.                                             a person, the Secretary considers his or              or activities receiving Federal financial
                                                   (c) Plan of Operation (44 points). The               her experience and training in fields                 assistance from the Department of
                                                Secretary reviews each application to                   related to the objectives of the project.             Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4,
                                                determine the quality of the applicant’s                   (e) Adequacy of the resources and                  108.8, and 110.23).
                                                plans of operation, including—                          budget (15 points). The Secretary                        For this competition, a panel of non-
                                                   (1) (4 points) The plan for identifying,             evaluates the extent to which—                        Federal reviewers will review each
                                                                                                           (1) The applicant’s proposed                       application in accordance with the
                                                recruiting and selecting participants to
                                                                                                        allocation of resources in the budget is              selection criteria in 34 CFR 647.21 and
                                                be served by the project, including
                                                                                                        clearly related to the objectives of the              the competitive preference priority. The
                                                students enrolled in the Student
                                                                                                        project;                                              individual scores of the reviewers will
                                                Support Services program;                                  (2) Project costs and resources,
                                                   (2) (4 points) The plan for assessing                                                                      be added and the sum divided by the
                                                                                                        including facilities, equipment, and                  number of reviewers to determine the
                                                individual participant needs and for
                                                                                                        supplies, are reasonable in relation to               peer review score received in the review
                                                monitoring the academic growth of
                                                                                                        the objectives and scope of the project;              process. Additionally, in accordance
                                                participants during the period in which                 and
                                                the student is a McNair participant;                                                                          with 34 CFR 647.22, the Secretary will
                                                                                                           (3) The applicant’s proposed
                                                   (3) (5 points) The plan for providing                                                                      award prior experience points to
                                                                                                        commitment of institutional resources
                                                high quality research and scholarly                                                                           applicants that conducted a McNair
                                                                                                        to the McNair participants, as for
                                                activities in which participants will be                                                                      Program project during budget periods
                                                                                                        example, the commitment of time from
                                                involved;                                                                                                     2013–14, 2014–15, and 2015–16, based
                                                                                                        institutional research faculty and the
                                                   (4) (5 points) The plan for involving                                                                      on their documented experience. Prior
                                                                                                        waiver of tuition and fees for McNair
                                                faculty members in the design of                                                                              experience points, if any, will be added
                                                                                                        participants engaged in summer
                                                research activities in which students                                                                         to the application’s average reader score
                                                                                                        research projects.
                                                will be involved;                                          (f) Evaluation plan (7 points). The                to determine the total score for each
                                                   (5) (5 points) The plan for providing                Secretary evaluates the quality of the                application.
                                                internships, seminars, and other                        evaluation plan for the project on the                   If there are insufficient funds for all
                                                educational activities designed to                      basis of the extent to which the                      applications with the same total scores,
                                                prepare undergraduate students for                      applicant’s methods of evaluation—                    the Secretary will choose among the tied
                                                doctoral study;                                            (1) Are appropriate to the project’s               applications so as to serve geographic
                                                   (6) (5 points) The plan for providing                objectives;                                           areas and eligible populations that have
                                                individual or group services designed to                   (2) Provide for the applicant to                   been underserved by the McNair
                                                enhance a student’s successful entry                    determine, in specific and measurable                 Program.
                                                into postbaccalaureate education;                       ways, the success of the project in—                     3. Risk Assessment and Special
                                                   (7) (3 points) The plan to inform the                   (i) Making progress toward achieving               Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
                                                institutional community of the goals                    its objectives (a formative evaluation);              200.205, before awarding grants under
                                                and objectives of the project;                          and                                                   this competition the Department
                                                   (8) (8 points) The plan to ensure                                                                          conducts a review of the risks posed by
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                                                                                                           (ii) Achieving its objectives at the end
                                                proper and efficient administration of                  of the project period (a) summative                   applicants. Under 2 CFR 3474.10, the
                                                the project, including, but not limited                 evaluation); and                                      Secretary may impose special
                                                to, matters such as financial                              (3) Provide for a description of other             conditions and, in appropriate
                                                management, student records                             project outcomes, including the use of                circumstances, high-risk conditions on a
                                                management, personnel management,                       quantifiable measures, if appropriate.                grant if the applicant or grantee is not
                                                the organizational structure, and the                      (g) Quality of project design (5                   financially stable; has a history of
                                                plan for coordinating the McNair project                points). The Secretary considers the                  unsatisfactory performance; has a


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                                                11202                       Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                financial or other management system                    necessary processes and systems to                    Telephone: (202) 453–7311 or by email:
                                                that does not meet the standards in 2                   comply with the reporting requirements                Carmen.Gordon@ed.gov.
                                                CFR part 200, subpart D; has not                        in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive                    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the
                                                fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant;              funding under the competition. This                   FRS, toll free, at 1–800–877–8339.
                                                or is otherwise not responsible.                        does not apply if you have an exception               VIII. Other Information
                                                   4. Integrity and Performance System:                 under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
                                                If you are selected under this                             (b) At the end of your project period,                Accessible Format: Individuals with
                                                competition to receive an award that                    you must submit a final performance                   disabilities can obtain this document
                                                over the course of the project period                   report, including financial information,              and a copy of the application package in
                                                may exceed the simplified acquisition                   as directed by the Secretary. If you                  an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
                                                threshold (currently $150,000), under 2                 receive a multiyear award, you must                   print, audiotape, or computer disc) on
                                                CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a                        submit an annual performance report                   request to the program contact person
                                                judgment about your integrity, business                 that provides the most current                        listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                                ethics, and record of performance under                                                                       CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
                                                                                                        performance and financial expenditure
                                                Federal awards—that is, the risk posed                                                                           Electronic Access to This Document:
                                                                                                        information as directed by the Secretary
                                                by you as an applicant—before we make                                                                         The official version of this document is
                                                                                                        under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
                                                an award. In doing so, we must consider                                                                       the document published in the Federal
                                                                                                        may also require more frequent
                                                any information about you that is in the                                                                      Register. Free Internet access to the
                                                                                                        performance reports under 34 CFR
                                                integrity and performance system                                                                              official edition of the Federal Register
                                                                                                        75.720(c). For specific requirements on
                                                (currently referred to as the Federal                                                                         and the Code of Federal Regulations is
                                                                                                        reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
                                                Awardee Performance and Integrity                                                                             available via the Federal Digital System
                                                                                                        fund/grant/apply/appforms/
                                                Information System (FAPIIS)),                                                                                 at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
                                                                                                        appforms.html.
                                                accessible through SAM. You may                                                                               can view this document, as well as all
                                                                                                           (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the                    other documents of this Department
                                                review and comment on any                               Secretary may provide a grantee with
                                                information about your institution that                                                                       published in the Federal Register, in
                                                                                                        additional funding for data collection                text or PDF. To use PDF you must have
                                                a Federal agency previously entered and                 analysis and reporting. In this case the
                                                that is currently in FAPIIS.                                                                                  Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
                                                                                                        Secretary establishes a data collection               available free at this site.
                                                   Please note that, if the total value of              period.
                                                your currently active grants, cooperative                                                                        You may also access documents of the
                                                                                                           4. Performance Measures: The success               Department published in the Federal
                                                agreements, and procurement contracts                   of the McNair Program will be measured
                                                from the Federal Government exceeds                                                                           Register by using the article search
                                                                                                        by the McNair Program participants’                   feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
                                                $10,000,000, the reporting requirements                 success in completing research and
                                                in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII,                                                                              Specifically, through the advanced
                                                                                                        participation in scholarly activities,                feature at this site, you can limit your
                                                require you to report certain integrity                 enrollment in a graduate program,
                                                information to FAPIIS semiannually.                                                                           search to documents published by the
                                                                                                        continued enrollment in graduate study,               Department.
                                                Please review the requirements in 2 CFR                 and the attainment of a doctoral degree.
                                                part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant                                                                           Dated: February 15, 2017.
                                                                                                        All McNair Program grantees will be
                                                plus all the other Federal funds you                    required to submit an annual                          Linda Byrd-Johnson,
                                                receive exceed $10,000,000.                             performance report.                                   Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Higher
                                                                                                           5. Continuation Awards: In making a                Education Programs, and Senior Director,
                                                VI. Award Administration Information                                                                          Student Service.
                                                   1. Award Notices: If your application                continuation award under 34 CFR
                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2017–03366 Filed 2–17–17; 8:45 am]
                                                is successful, we notify your U.S.                      75.253, the Secretary considers, among
                                                                                                        other things: Whether a grantee has                   BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                Representative and U.S. Senators and
                                                send you a Grant Award Notification                     made substantial progress in achieving
                                                (GAN); or we may send you an email                      the goals and objectives of the project;
                                                                                                                                                              DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                                                containing a link to access an electronic               whether the grantee has expended funds
                                                version of your GAN. We may notify                      in a manner that is consistent with its               Application for New Awards; National
                                                you informally, also.                                   approved application and budget; and,                 Professional Development Program
                                                   If your application is not evaluated or              if the Secretary has established
                                                                                                        performance management requirements,                  AGENCY: Office of English Language
                                                not selected for funding, we notify you.
                                                                                                        the performance targets in the grantee’s              Acquisition, Department of Education.
                                                   2. Administrative and National Policy
                                                Requirements: We identify                               approved application.                                 ACTION: Notice.
                                                administrative and national policy                         In making a continuation grant, the
                                                                                                        Secretary also considers whether the                    Overview Information:
                                                requirements in the application package                                                                         National Professional Development
                                                and reference these and other                           grantee is operating in compliance with
                                                                                                                                                              Program.
                                                requirements in the Applicable                          the assurances in its approved                          Notice inviting applications for new
                                                Regulations section of this notice.                     application, including those applicable               awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017.
                                                   We reference the regulations outlining               to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit              Catalog of Federal Domestic
                                                the terms and conditions of an award in                 discrimination in programs or activities              Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.365Z.
                                                the Applicable Regulations section of                   receiving Federal financial assistance                DATES:
                                                                                                        from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                this notice and include these and other                                                                         Applications Available: February 21,
                                                specific conditions in the GAN. The                     104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).                     2017.
                                                GAN also incorporates your approved                     VII. Agency Contact                                     Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply:
                                                application as part of your binding                                                                           March 13, 2017.
                                                commitments under the grant.                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Deadline for Transmittal of
                                                   3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a                 Carmen Gordon, U.S. Department of                     Applications: April 24, 2017.
                                                grant under this competition, you must                  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,                     Deadline for Intergovernmental
                                                ensure that you have in place the                       Room 5C111, Washington, DC 20202.                     Review: June 21, 2017.


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Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:04:24
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:04:24
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesApplications Available: February 21, 2017.
ContactCarmen Gordon, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5C111, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7311 or by email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 11196 

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