83 FR 36569 - Applications for New Awards; Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 146 (July 30, 2018)

Page Range		36569-36573
FR Document		2018-16330
The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.200A.
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36569-36573]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16330]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Graduate Assistance in Areas of 
National Need

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Graduate 
Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program, Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.200A.

DATES: Applications Available: July 30, 2018.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 29, 2018.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003) and available at 
www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Ell, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 268-04, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-6348. Email: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), contact the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 
1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The GAANN Program provides grants to academic 
departments and programs of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to 
support graduate fellowships for students with excellent academic 
records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest 
degree available in their course of study at the institution.
    Background: In accordance with section 712(b) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1135a), the Secretary 
designates areas of national need following a required consultation. 
Four broad areas have been identified as national needs:
    1. Computer and Information Sciences: Cybersecurity, secure 
computer programming, and artificial intelligence.
    2. Rebuilding the Nation's Infrastructure: The Administration's 
Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America \1\ 
identifies a need for public and private investment in rebuilding the 
Nation's infrastructure. To meet this goal, the Nation needs to expand 
the prepared workforce to ensure timely planning, delivery, and 
inspection of infrastructure projects. Therefore, there is a national 
need to increase the number of professional engineers able to 
facilitate a wide range of infrastructure projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Available at www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/INFRASTRUCTURE-211.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. National Civic Literacy: Studies of American adults' knowledge 
of American history and institutions have demonstrated low levels of 
knowledge and that ``greater civic knowledge trumps a college degree as 
the leading factor in encouraging active civic

[[Page 36570]]

engagement.'' \2\ In order to improve civic engagement, Americans need 
a clear understanding of American history and the Western traditions 
that gave rise to the American Republic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ National Civic Literacy Board (2011). Enlightened 
Citizenship: How Civic Knowledge Trumps a College Degree in 
Promoting Active Civic Engagement. Available at: 
www.americancivicliteracy.org/2011/summary_summary.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Workforce Development: The Nation needs innovative solutions 
that enable individuals to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to 
meet workforce demands through shorter-term programs that align with 
the needs of employers. Professional Science Master's (PSM) degrees 
provide such a solution within graduate education. To better meet the 
Nation's needs in computer and information sciences and in engineering, 
PSM programs are included as terminal degree programs chosen for these 
areas in this competition.
    Priority: This competition includes one absolute priority. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority is from the 
regulations for this program (34 CFR 648.33(a) and Appendix to part 
648--Academic Areas).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2018 and any subsequent year for which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    The absolute priority is:
    Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.
    A project must provide fellowships in one or more of the following 
areas of national need, in an interdisciplinary program of study 
involving at least two of these areas, or for a multidisciplinary 
project. A multidisciplinary project is one that requests fellowships 
for more than a single academic department in one or more of the 
following areas, and in which each department's program of study is 
independent.
    A. For the following academic areas, the project must provide 
fellowships for programs that lead either to a PSM degree or a doctoral 
degree.
    1. Computer and Information Sciences. A degree or a degree with 
specialization in one or more of the following areas:
     Cybersecurity (the interdiscipline of ``Computer and 
Information Sciences, General'' and ``Computer Systems Analysis'').
     Secure computer programming (the interdiscipline of 
``Computer and Information Sciences, General'' and ``Computer 
Programming'').
     Artificial Intelligence (the interdiscipline of ``Computer 
Programming,'' ``Information Sciences and Systems,'' and ``Computer 
Engineering'').
    2. Professional Engineering. A degree or a degree with 
specialization in one or more of the following areas:
     Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering.
     Architectural Engineering.
     Chemical Engineering.
     Civil Engineering.
     Computer Engineering.
     Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering.
     Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering.
     Mechanical Engineering.
     Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
     Petroleum Engineering.
     Systems Engineering.
     Engineering Design.
     Engineering/Industrial Management.
     Materials Science.
     Polymer/Plastics Engineering.
    B. For the following academic areas, the project must provide 
fellowships to students who plan to pursue the highest possible degree 
available in their course of study at the institution in a program that 
provides a master's degree, professional degree, or other post-
baccalaureate degree in, or a doctorate that includes, one or more of 
the following specializations:
     American Political Development, Foundations of Western 
Civilization, American History and Institutions, or the American 
Founding (subsets of ``Area Studies'').
     Constitutional Law (a subset of ``Law and Legal 
Studies'').
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 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 648.

    Note:  The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply for this program.


    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.


    Note:  The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants, including funds redistributed 
as graduate fellowships to individual fellows.
    Estimated Available Funds: $18,357,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $149,250-$398,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $248,750.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 74.

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

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Stipend Level: For the 2018-19 academic year, the institution must 
pay the fellow a stipend at a level of support equal to that provided 
by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 
Program, except that this amount must be adjusted as necessary so as 
not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of financial need as 
stated under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as 
amended.
    Institutional Payment: For the 2018-19 academic year, the 
institutional payment is $15,750 per fellow. This amount was determined 
by adjusting the previous academic year's institutional payment of 
$15,426 per fellow by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price 
Index for the 2017 calendar year.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants:
    (a) Any academic department of an IHE that provides a course of 
study that--
    (i) Leads to a graduate degree in an area of national need; and
    (ii) Has been in existence for at least four years at the time of 
an application for a grant under this competition; or
    (b) An academic department of an IHE that--
    (i) Satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; 
and
    (ii) Submits a joint application with one or more eligible non-
degree-granting institutions that have formal arrangements for the 
support of doctoral

[[Page 36571]]

dissertation research with one or more degree-granting institutions.

    Note:  Students are not eligible to apply for grants under this 
program.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: An institution must provide, from 
non-Federal funds, an institutional matching contribution equal to at 
least 25 percent of the grant amount received. (See 34 CFR 648.7.)
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. (See 34 CFR 648.20(b)(5).)
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.
    4. Other: For requirements relating to selecting fellows, see 34 
CFR 648.40.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: For information on how to 
submit an application please refer to our Common Instructions for 
Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, 
published in the Federal Register on February 12, 2018 (83 FR 6003) and 
available at www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/pdf/2018-02558.pdf.
    2. 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. Please note that, 
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day 
intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of 
FY 2018.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
648.64. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: Applications that do not follow the page 
limit and formatting recommendations will not be penalized. The 
application narrative, Part II of the application, is where you, the 
applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend the following page limits and 
standards:
     A project narrative in a single discipline or for an 
interdisciplinary course of study should be limited to no more than 40 
pages.
     A project narrative for a multidisciplinary project should 
be limited to no more than 40 pages for each academic department.
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins.
     Double-space all text in the application project 
narrative, and single-space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, 
references, and captions.
     Use a 12-point font.
     Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman, 
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
     Limit appendices to the following: Two-page version of a 
curriculum vitae, per faculty member; a course listing; letters of 
commitment showing institutional support; a bibliography; and one 
additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposals, 
recommended not to exceed five pages.
    The recommended page limit does not include Part I, the Application 
for Federal Assistance (SF 424) and the Department of Education 
Supplemental Information for the SF 424 Form; the one-page abstract; 
the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form; the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) 
Form; the Appendices; Part III, the Assurances and Certifications; or 
an optional two-page table of contents.

V. Application

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 648.31 and are as follows:
    (a) Meeting the purposes of the program (7 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet 
the purposes of the program, including the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant's general and specific objectives for the project 
are realistic and measurable;
    (2) The applicant's objectives for the project seek to sustain and 
enhance the capacity for teaching and research at the institution and 
at State, regional, or national levels;
    (3) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and 
procedures to ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from 
traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
    (4) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and 
procedures to ensure that it will award fellowships to individuals who 
satisfy the requirements of 34 CFR 648.40.
    (b) Extent of need for the project (5 points). The Secretary 
considers the extent to which a grant under the program is needed by 
the academic department by considering--
    (1) How the applicant identified the problems that form the 
specific needs of the project;
    (2) The specific problems to be resolved by successful realization 
of the goals and objectives of the project; and
    (3) How increasing the number of fellowships will meet the specific 
and general objectives of the project.
    (c) Quality of the graduate academic program (20 points). The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the 
current graduate academic program for which project funding is sought, 
including--
    (1) The course offerings and academic requirements for the graduate 
program;
    (2) The qualifications of the faculty, including education, 
research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to 
graduate students;
    (3) The focus and capacity for research; and
    (4) Any other evidence the applicant deems appropriate to 
demonstrate the quality of its academic program.
    (d) Quality of the supervised teaching experience (10 points). The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the 
teaching experience the applicant plans to provide fellows under this 
program, including the extent to which the project--
    (1) Provides each fellow with the required supervised training in 
instruction;
    (2) Provides adequate instruction on effective teaching techniques;
    (3) Provides extensive supervision of each fellow's teaching 
performance; and
    (4) Provides adequate and appropriate evaluation of the fellow's 
teaching performance.
    (e) Recruitment plan (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the applicant's recruitment 
plan, including--
    (1) How the applicant plans to identify, recruit, and retain 
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the 
academic program for which fellowships are sought;
    (2) How the applicant plans to identify eligible students for 
fellowships;
    (3) The past success of the academic department in enrolling 
talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented 
backgrounds; and
    (4) The past success of the academic department in enrolling 
talented graduate students for its academic program.
    (f) Project administration (8 points). The Secretary reviews the 
quality of the proposed project administration, including--
    (1) How the applicant will select fellows, including how the 
applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise 
eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, 
national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition;
    (2) How the applicant proposes to monitor whether a fellow is 
making

[[Page 36572]]

satisfactory progress toward the degree for which the fellowship has 
been awarded;
    (3) How the applicant proposes to identify and meet the academic 
needs of fellows;
    (4) How the applicant proposes to maintain enrollment of graduate 
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
    (5) The extent to which the policies and procedures the applicant 
proposes to institute for administering the project are likely to 
ensure efficient and effective project implementation, including 
assistance to and oversight of the project director.
    (g) Institutional commitment (15 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application for evidence that--
    (1) The applicant will provide, from any funds available to it, 
sufficient funds to support the financial needs of the fellows if the 
funds made available under the program are insufficient;
    (2) The institution's social and academic environment is supportive 
of the academic success of students from traditionally underrepresented 
backgrounds on the applicant's campus;
    (3) Students receiving fellowships under this program will receive 
stipend support for the time necessary to complete their courses of 
study, but in no case longer than five years; and
    (4) The applicant demonstrates a financial commitment, including 
the nature and amount of the institutional matching contribution, and 
other institutional commitments that are likely to ensure the 
continuation of project activities for a significant period of time 
following the period in which the project receives Federal financial 
assistance.
    (h) Quality of key personnel (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant 
plans to use on the project, including--
    (1) The qualifications of the project director;
    (2) The qualifications of other key personnel to be used in the 
project;
    (3) The time commitment of key personnel, including the project 
director, to the project; and
    (4) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard 
to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling 
condition, except pursuant to a lawful affirmative action plan.
    (i) Budget (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to 
determine the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant shows a clear understanding of the acceptable 
uses of program funds; and
    (2) The costs of the project are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives of the project.
    (j) Evaluation plan (15 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of 
evaluation--
    (1) Relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the 
project;
    (2) Assess the effect of the project on the students receiving 
fellowships under this program, including the effect on persons of 
different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages, and on 
persons with disabilities who are served by the project;
    (3) List both process and product evaluation questions for each 
project activity and outcome, including those of the management plan;
    (4) Describe both the process and product evaluation measures for 
each project activity and outcome;
    (5) Describe the data collection procedures, instruments, and 
schedules for effective data collection;
    (6) Describe how the applicant will analyze and report the data so 
that it can make adjustments and improvements on a regular basis; and
    (7) Include a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes 
and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks.
    (k) Adequacy of resources (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the 
applicant makes available to graduate students receiving fellowships 
under this program, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an 
award are in 34 CFR 648.32.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN), or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We also may notify you 
informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.

[[Page 36573]]

    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 and 34 CFR 648.66. To view the performance report currently 
required, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gaann/performance.html. 
Please be advised that the posted report requirements are for 
informational purposes only and do not reflect the actual reporting 
instrument that you will use should you receive a GAANN grant. The 
Secretary also may require more frequent performance reports under 34 
CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please visit 
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) Grantees will be required to submit a supplement to the Final 
Performance Report two years after the expiration of their GAANN grant. 
The purpose of this supplement is to identify and report the 
educational outcome of each GAANN fellow.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993, the following measures will be used by the 
Department in assessing the performance of the GAANN Program:
    (1) The percentage of GAANN fellows completing the terminal degree 
in the designated areas of national need.
    (2) The median time to completion of master's and doctoral degrees 
for GAANN fellows.
    (3) The percentage of GAANN fellows who have placements in faculty 
or professional positions in the area of their studies within one year 
of completing the degree.
    If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your 
project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.590) on those measures 
and steps taken toward improving performance toward those outcomes. 
Consequently, applicants are advised to include these outcome measures 
in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their 
proposed projects. These outcome measures should be included in the 
project evaluation plan, in addition to measures of your progress 
toward the goals and objectives specific to your project.
    All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance 
report documenting their success in addressing these performance 
measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to 
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations via the Federal Digital System at: www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other 
documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text 
or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe 
Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: July 26, 2018.
Diane Auer Jones,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary, delegated to perform the duties of 
Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2018-16330 Filed 7-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 146 / Monday, July 30, 2018 / Notices 36571

dissertation research with one or more • A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side (3) How increasing the number of
degree-granting institutions. only, with 1″ margins. fellowships will meet the specific and
Note: Students are not eligible to apply for • Double-space all text in the general objectives of the project.
grants under this program. application project narrative, and single- (c) Quality of the graduate academic
space titles, headings, footnotes, program (20 points). The Secretary
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: An reviews each application to determine
quotations, references, and captions.
institution must provide, from non- • Use a 12-point font. the quality of the current graduate
Federal funds, an institutional matching • Use an easily readable font such as academic program for which project
contribution equal to at least 25 percent Times New Roman, Courier, Courier funding is sought, including—
of the grant amount received. (See 34 New, or Arial. (1) The course offerings and academic
CFR 648.7.) • Limit appendices to the following: requirements for the graduate program;
b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This (2) The qualifications of the faculty,
Two-page version of a curriculum vitae,
program involves supplement-not- including education, research interest,
per faculty member; a course listing;
supplant funding requirements. (See 34 publications, teaching ability, and
letters of commitment showing
CFR 648.20(b)(5).) accessibility to graduate students;
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this institutional support; a bibliography;
and one additional optional appendix (3) The focus and capacity for
competition may not award subgrants to research; and
entities to directly carry out project relevant to the support of the proposals,
recommended not to exceed five pages. (4) Any other evidence the applicant
activities described in its application. deems appropriate to demonstrate the
4. Other: For requirements relating to The recommended page limit does not
include Part I, the Application for quality of its academic program.
selecting fellows, see 34 CFR 648.40. (d) Quality of the supervised teaching
Federal Assistance (SF 424) and the
IV. Application and Submission Department of Education Supplemental experience (10 points). The Secretary
Information Information for the SF 424 Form; the reviews each application to determine
one-page abstract; the GAANN Statutory the quality of the teaching experience
1. Application Submission the applicant plans to provide fellows
Instructions: For information on how to Assurances Form; the GAANN Budget
Spreadsheet(s) Form; the Appendices; under this program, including the extent
submit an application please refer to our to which the project—
Common Instructions for Applicants to Part III, the Assurances and
(1) Provides each fellow with the
Department of Education Discretionary Certifications; or an optional two-page
required supervised training in
Grant Programs, published in the table of contents.
instruction;
Federal Register on February 12, 2018 V. Application (2) Provides adequate instruction on
(83 FR 6003) and available at effective teaching techniques;
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-12/ 1. Selection Criteria: The selection (3) Provides extensive supervision of
pdf/2018-02558.pdf. criteria for this program are from 34 CFR each fellow’s teaching performance; and
2. Intergovernmental Review: This 648.31 and are as follows: (4) Provides adequate and appropriate
program is subject to Executive Order (a) Meeting the purposes of the evaluation of the fellow’s teaching
12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR program (7 points). The Secretary performance.
part 79. Information about reviews each application to determine (e) Recruitment plan (5 points). The
Intergovernmental Review of Federal how well the project will meet the Secretary reviews each application to
Programs under Executive Order 12372 purposes of the program, including the determine the quality of the applicant’s
is in the application package for this extent to which— recruitment plan, including—
program. Please note that, under 34 CFR (1) The applicant’s general and (1) How the applicant plans to
79.8(a), we have shortened the standard specific objectives for the project are identify, recruit, and retain students
60-day intergovernmental review period realistic and measurable; from traditionally underrepresented
in order to make awards by the end of (2) The applicant’s objectives for the backgrounds in the academic program
FY 2018. project seek to sustain and enhance the for which fellowships are sought;
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify capacity for teaching and research at the (2) How the applicant plans to
unallowable costs in 34 CFR 648.64. We institution and at State, regional, or identify eligible students for
reference additional regulations national levels; fellowships;
outlining funding restrictions in the (3) The applicant’s objectives seek to (3) The past success of the academic
Applicable Regulations section of this institute policies and procedures to department in enrolling talented
notice. ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from traditionally
4. Recommended Page Limit: graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
Applications that do not follow the page underrepresented backgrounds; and (4) The past success of the academic
limit and formatting recommendations (4) The applicant’s objectives seek to department in enrolling talented
will not be penalized. The application institute policies and procedures to graduate students for its academic
narrative, Part II of the application, is ensure that it will award fellowships to program.
where you, the applicant, address the individuals who satisfy the (f) Project administration (8 points).
selection criteria that reviewers use to requirements of 34 CFR 648.40. The Secretary reviews the quality of the
evaluate your application. We (b) Extent of need for the project (5 proposed project administration,
recommend the following page limits points). The Secretary considers the including—
and standards: extent to which a grant under the (1) How the applicant will select
• A project narrative in a single program is needed by the academic fellows, including how the applicant
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES

discipline or for an interdisciplinary department by considering— will ensure that project participants
course of study should be limited to no (1) How the applicant identified the who are otherwise eligible to participate
more than 40 pages. problems that form the specific needs of are selected without regard to race,
• A project narrative for a the project; color, national origin, religion, gender,
multidisciplinary project should be (2) The specific problems to be age, or disabling condition;
limited to no more than 40 pages for resolved by successful realization of the (2) How the applicant proposes to
each academic department. goals and objectives of the project; and monitor whether a fellow is making

VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:33 Jul 27, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30JYN1.SGM 30JYN1
Document Created: 2018-07-28 01:44:54
Document Modified: 2018-07-28 01:44:54
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Applications Available: July 30, 2018.
Contact		Rebecca Ell, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 268-04, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6348. Email: [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 36569