Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program), 37415-37419 [2010-15776]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37415-37419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15776]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Training 
Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program)

    Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 
2010.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.103A.


DATES: Applications Available: June 29, 2010. Deadline for Transmittal 
of Applications: July 29, 2010. Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Training Program provides grants to train 
the staff and leadership personnel employed in, participating in, or 
preparing for employment in, projects funded under the Federal TRIO 
Programs to improve the operation of these projects.
    Priorities: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), these priorities are from

[[Page 37416]]

section 402G(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) 
and the regulations for this program (34 CFR 642.34).

    Note: Each successful applicant must provide annually at least 
one training session, covering every topic listed within the 
applicable priority or priorities. The training must be tailored to 
the specific needs of TRIO staff and leadership personnel with less 
than two years of TRIO project experience. Each applicant must 
identify in its application how it will meet this requirement.

    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2010, these priorities are absolute 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications 
that meet these priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Priority 1. Training to improve: recordkeeping; reporting student 
and project performance; and the rigorous evaluation of project 
performance in order to design and operate a model TRIO project.
    Number of expected awards: 1-2.
    Maximum award amount: $450,000.
    Priority 2. Training on: budget management, and the legislative and 
regulatory requirements for operation of projects funded under the 
Federal TRIO Programs.
    Number of expected awards: 1-2.
    Maximum award amount: $400,000.
    Priority 3. Training on: assessment of student needs; proven 
retention and graduation strategies, including both secondary and 
postsecondary retention and graduation strategies; and the use of 
educational technology in order to design and operate a model TRIO 
project.
    Number of expected awards: 1-2.
    Maximum award amount: $450,000.
    Priority 4. Training on: student financial aid; college and 
university admissions policies and procedures; and proven strategies to 
improve the financial literacy and economic literacy of students, 
including topics such as basic personal income, household money 
management and financial planning skills, and basic economic decision 
making skills.
    Number of expected awards: 1-2.
    Maximum award amount: $400,000.
    Priority 5. Training on: proven strategies for recruiting and 
serving hard to reach populations--including students who are limited 
English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally 
underrepresented in postsecondary education, students who are 
individuals with disabilities, students who are homeless children and 
youths (as this term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)), students who are foster 
care youth, or other disconnected students.
    Number of expected awards: 1-2.
    Maximum award amount: $400,000.
    Maximum number of applications: Each application must clearly 
identify the specific priority number for which a grant is requested 
and must address each of the topics listed under that specific 
priority. An application for a grant under a specific priority should 
address only that priority. A grantee who wants to apply under more 
than one priority must submit separate applications for each priority.
    For example, an application for a grant under Priority 1 must 
address only training to improve recordkeeping; reporting student and 
project performance; and the rigorous evaluation of project performance 
in order to design and operate a model TRIO project. If an applicant 
submits more than one application under a specific priority we will 
accept only the application with the latest ``date/time received'' 
validation, and we will reject all other applications.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-17.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 
82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98 and 99. (b) The regulations for this program in 
34 CFR part 642.

    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 institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $3,424,802.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $350,000-$450,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $425,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding the maximum amount listed for the applicable priority, 
listed as follows, for a single budget period of 12 months:
     Priority 1: $450,000;
     Priority 2: $400,000;
     Priority 3: $450,000;
     Priority 4: $400,000; and
     Priority 5: $400,000.
    To be consistent with the goal of serving all regions of the 
country, as provided in 34 CFR 642.33, each successful applicant will 
be expected to provide training to at least 290 participants, annually, 
unless we specifically approve another number of participants.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 8-10.

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

    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and other 
public and private nonprofit institutions and organizations.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Suzanne Ulmer, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 7000, Washington, DC 
20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or by e-mail: TRIO@ed.gov.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), 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 computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed 
in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this program.
    Page Limit: Part III--the Project Narrative is where you, the 
applicant, address the selection criteria and priorities that reviewers 
use to evaluate your application. You must limit Part III--the Project 
Narrative to no more than 50 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.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the project narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
figures and graphs. Text in charts and tables may be single-spaced. You 
should also include a table of contents in the project narrative, which 
will not be counted against the 50-page limit.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.

[[Page 37417]]

    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-A--the Program Profile form; Part 
III-B--the one-page Project Abstract form; and Part IV--the Assurances 
and Certifications. If you include any attachments or appendices, these 
items will be counted as part of Part III--the Project Narrative for 
purposes of the page limit requirement. You must include your complete 
response to the selection criteria and priorities in Part III--The 
Project Narrative.
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 29, 2010.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 29, 2010.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. 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 section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    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 
part 642. 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 Central Contractor Registry: To do business with the 
Department of Education, (1) you must have a Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN); (2) 
you must register both of those numbers with the Central Contractor 
Registry (CCR), the Government's primary registrant database; and (3) 
you must provide those same numbers on your application.
    You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. A DUNS number 
can be created within one business day.
    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 2-5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The CCR registration process may take five or more business days to 
complete. If you are currently registered with the CCR, 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 CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take 
three or more business days to complete.
    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 Training Program--CFDA Number 
84.103A must be submitted electronically using e-Application, 
accessible through the Department's e-Grants Web site at: https://e-grants.ed.gov.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    While completing your electronic application, you will be entering 
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an 
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    Please note the following:
     You must complete the electronic submission of your grant 
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this 
program after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait 
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
     The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00 
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of 
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and 
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. 
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are 
posted on the e-Grants Web site.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: the 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your 
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF 
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the 
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password 
protected file, we will not review that material.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page 
limit requirements described in this notice.
     Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may 
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement that will include a PR/Award 
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
     Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the

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Application Control Center after following these steps:
    (1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
    (2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
    (4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 245-6272.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of e-Application 
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting 
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application 
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by 
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
    (1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have 
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
    (2)(a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between 
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the 
application deadline date; or
    (b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between 
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due 
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application 
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users 
who have initiated an e-Application. Extensions referred to in this 
section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application.
    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 e-Application because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
e-Application;

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: Eileen S. Bland, U.S. 
Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 7000, Washington, DC 
20006-8510. FAX: (202) 502-7857.
    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 84.103A), 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.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    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.

    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 84.103A), 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, 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 grant 
notification within 15 business days from the application deadline 
date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application 
Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
in 34 CFR 642.31 and are listed in the application package.

    Note: For the FY 2010 competition, the Secretary has identified 
the ``Need'' for training projects through the selection of five 
absolute priorities. Therefore, the Secretary will consider that an 
applicant has satisfied the ``Need'' criterion listed in 34 CFR 
642.31(f) by applying for a grant under one of these priorities, and 
applicants are not otherwise required to address this criterion. The 
application package contains instructions on addressing the 
remaining selection criteria.

    2. Review and Selection Process: A panel of non-Federal reviewers 
will review each application in accordance with the selection criteria, 
pursuant to 34 CFR 642.30(a). 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. In 
accordance with 34 CFR 642.32, the

[[Page 37419]]

Secretary will award prior experience points to an applicant by 
evaluating the applicant's performance under its expiring Training 
program grant. Prior experience points, if any, will be added to the 
application's averaged peer review score to determine the total score 
for each application. Under section 402A(c)(3) of the HEA, the 
Secretary is not required to make awards under the Training Program for 
Federal TRIO Programs in the order of the scores received by the 
application in the peer review process and adjusted for prior 
experience.
    In accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education 
Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1), for FY 2010, the Secretary 
will select an application for funding within each specific absolute 
priority for which a grant is requested in the order of the peer review 
score received by the application in the peer review process.
    Within each specific priority, if there are insufficient funds to 
fund all applications at the next peer review score, the Secretary adds 
the prior experience points awarded under 34 CFR 642.32 to the peer 
review score to determine an adjusted total score for those 
applications. The Secretary makes awards at the next peer review score 
to the applicants that have the highest total adjusted score.
    In the event a tie score still exists, the Secretary will select 
for funding the applicant that has the greatest capacity to provide 
training to eligible participants in all regions of the Nation in order 
to assure accessibility to the greatest number of prospective training 
participants, consistent with 34 CFR 642.33.
    Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the Department generally offers interested parties 
the opportunity to comment on proposed requirements. Section 437(d)(1) 
of GEPA, however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking 
requirements, regulations governing the first grant competition under a 
new or substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant 
competition for this program under sections 402A and 402G of the HEA 
and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure timely 
grant awards, the Secretary has decided to forego public comment on the 
requirements in the Review and Selection Process section of this 
notice, under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. These requirements will apply 
to the FY 2010 grant competition only.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may 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: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as 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 https://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    4. Performance Measures: The success of the Training Program is 
measured by its cost-effectiveness based on the number of TRIO project 
personnel receiving training each year; the percentage of Training 
Program participants that, each year, evaluate the training as 
benefiting them in increasing their qualifications and skills in 
meeting the needs of disadvantaged students; and the percentage of 
Training Program participants that, each year, evaluate the trainings 
as benefiting them in increasing their knowledge and understanding of 
the Federal TRIO Programs. All grantees will be required to submit an 
annual performance report documenting their success in training 
personnel working on TRIO-funded projects, including the average cost 
per trainee and the trainees' evaluations of the effectiveness of the 
training provided. The success of the Training Program also is assessed 
on the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the training projects 
based on project evaluation results.

VII. Agency Contacts

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Suzanne Ulmer, or if unavailable, 
contact Eileen S. Bland, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, 
NW., room 7000, Washington, DC 20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or 
by e-mail: TRIO@ed.gov
    If you use a TDD, 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 diskette) on 
request to the program contact persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice.
    Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as 
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), on the 
Internet at the following site: https://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister. To 
use PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
this site.

    Note:  The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/.

    Delegation of Authority: The Secretary of Education has delegated 
authority to Daniel T. Madzelan, Director, Forecasting and Policy 
Analysis for the Office of Postsecondary Education, to perform the 
functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary 
Education.

    Dated: June 24, 2010.
Daniel T. Madzelan,
Director, Forecasting and Policy Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2010-15776 Filed 6-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P