Applications for New Awards; American History and Civics Education-Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics, 26783-26789 [2017-12024]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 110 (Friday, June 9, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26783-26789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12024]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; American History and Civics 
Education--Presidential and Congressional Academies for American 
History and Civics

AGENCY: Office of Innovation and Improvement, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2017 for the 
Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and 
Civics (Academies) Program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
(CFDA) number 84.422A.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: June 9, 2017.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent To Apply: July 10, 2017.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinars: Information about pre-application 
webinars will be posted at https://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/american-history-and-civics-academies/ academies/.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 24, 2017.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 22, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine Miller, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W205, Washington, DC 20202-
5960. Or by email: Academies@ed.gov.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Academies Program supports the 
establishment of: (1) Presidential Academies for the Teaching of 
American History and Civics that offer workshops for both veteran and 
new teachers to strengthen their knowledge of American history, civics, 
and government education (Presidential Academies); and (2) 
Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics 
that provide high school students opportunities to enrich their 
understanding of these subjects (Congressional Academies).

Background

    The Academies Program supports projects to raise student 
achievement in American history and civics by improving teachers' and 
students' knowledge, understanding, and engagement with these subjects 
through intensive workshops with scholars, master teachers, and 
curriculum experts. Project activities should reflect the best 
available research and practice in teaching and learning. Presidential 
Academies will help teachers develop further expertise in the content 
areas of American history and civics, teaching strategies, use of 
technologies, and other essential elements of teaching to rigorous 
college- and career-ready standards. Congressional Academies are 
intended to broaden and deepen students' interest in and understanding 
of American history and civics through the use of content-rich, 
engaging learning resources and strategies.
    Through a competitive preference priority, we encourage applicants 
to consider projects that will focus on serving high-need students and 
students from underserved populations to help ensure that these 
students have access to high-quality, interactive instruction that will 
help them become college- and career-ready and be better prepared to 
participate fully in civic activities. We also include a competitive 
preference priority to encourage applicants to consider projects that 
develop innovative and comprehensive programs using the resources of 
the National Parks. These programs would include, to the extent 
practicable, coordination or alignment of activities with the National 
Park Service National Centennial Parks initiative.
    We also include two absolute priorities that require applicants to 
conduct both Presidential Academies and Congressional Academies in 
order to ensure that teachers and students are receiving opportunities 
to participate in high-quality American history and civics educational 
experiences. In addition, applicants may consider projects that are 
designed to recruit teachers and students from the same schools and 
school districts in order to promote a seamless delivery of training 
and instruction and maximize project benefits.
    Grantees will be expected to measure the impact of their projects 
on teacher development and student learning through applicable 
assessments. Early findings from grantee evaluations may help guide the 
grantee's subsequent teacher professional development and student 
learning efforts over the five-year project period.
    Priorities: This notice contains two absolute priorities and two 
competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(iv), both absolute priorities are from section 2232(e)(1) 
and (f)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as 
amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. 6662. The 
first 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). In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(v), the second competitive preference priority is from 
allowable activities specified in section 2232(e)(4) of the ESEA.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2017 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet both of these 
priorities.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1--Presidential Academies for the Teaching of 
American History and Civics.
    Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a 
Presidential Academy that offers a seminar or institute for teachers of 
American history and civics, which--
    (a) Provides intensive professional development opportunities for 
teachers of American history and civics to strengthen such teachers' 
knowledge of the subjects of American history and civics;
    (b) Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are 
accomplished in the field of American history and civics;

[[Page 26784]]

    (c) Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    (d) Is of not less than two weeks and not more than six weeks in 
duration.
    Absolute Priority 2--Congressional Academies for Students of 
American History and Civics.
    Under this priority, an applicant must propose to establish a 
seminar or institute for outstanding students of American history and 
civics, which--
    (a) Broadens and deepens such students' understanding of American 
history and civics;
    (b) Is led by a team of primary scholars and core teachers who are 
accomplished in the field of American history and civics;
    (c) Is conducted during the summer or other appropriate time; and
    (d) Is of not less than two weeks and not more than six weeks in 
duration.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2017 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional 
10 points to an application depending on how well the application meets 
competitive preference priority one and an additional five points to an 
application depending on how well the application meets competitive 
preference priority two.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1--Supporting High-Need Students. 
(up to 10 points)
    Projects that are designed to improve academic outcomes for high-
need students (as defined in this notice).
    Competitive Preference Priority 2--Using the Resources of the 
National Parks. (up to 5 points)
    Applicants that propose to develop innovative and comprehensive 
programs using the resources of the National Parks, including, to the 
extent practicable, through coordination or alignment of activities 
with the National Park Service National Centennial Parks initiative.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from the Supplemental 
Priorities and apply to this competition:
    High-minority school means a school as that term is defined by a 
local educational agency (LEA), which must define the term in a manner 
consistent with its State's Teacher Equity Plan, as required by section 
1111(b)(8)(C) of the ESEA. The applicant must provide the definition(s) 
of ``high-minority schools'' used in its application.
    High-need students means students who are at risk of educational 
failure or otherwise in need of special assistance and support, such as 
students who are living in poverty, who attend High-minority Schools, 
who are far below grade level, who have left school before receiving a 
Regular High School Diploma, who are at risk of not graduating with a 
diploma on time, who are homeless, who are in foster care, who have 
been incarcerated, who have disabilities, or who are English learners.
    Regular high school diploma means the standard high school diploma 
that is awarded to students in the State and that is fully aligned with 
the State's academic content standards or a higher diploma and does not 
include a General Education Development (GED) credential, certificate 
of attendance, or any alternative award.
    Application Requirements: The following requirements are from 
section 2232(e)(2) and (3) and (f)(2) and (3) and apply to all 
applications submitted under this competition:
    (a) Selection of teachers. Each year, each Presidential Academy 
shall select between 50 and 300 teachers of American history and civics 
from public or private elementary schools and secondary schools to 
attend the seminar or institute.
    (b) Teacher stipends. Each teacher selected to participate in a 
seminar or institute under this competition shall be awarded a fixed 
stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that 
such teacher does not incur personal costs associated with the 
teacher's participation in the seminar or institute.
    (c) Selection of students. Each year, each Congressional Academy 
shall select between 100 and 300 eligible students to attend the 
seminar or institute under this competition.
    (d) Eligible students. A student shall be eligible to attend a 
seminar or institute offered by a Congressional Academy under this 
competition if the student--
    (i) Is recommended by the student's secondary school principal or 
other school leader to attend the seminar or institute; and
    (ii) Will be a secondary school junior or senior in the academic 
year following attendance at the seminar or institute.
    (e) Student stipends. Each student selected to participate in a 
seminar or institute under this competition shall be awarded a fixed 
stipend based on the length of the seminar or institute to ensure that 
such student does not incur personal costs associated with the 
student's participation in the seminar or institute.

    Authority:  Section 2232 of the ESEA.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 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.

    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: $1,815,000.
    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: $300,000-$700,000 per year.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $500,000 per year.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2-6.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: An institution of higher education, or 
nonprofit educational organization, museum, library, or research center 
with demonstrated expertise in historical methodology or the teaching 
of American history and civics; or a consortium of these entities.
    In its application, an applicant is required to submit 
documentation of its organization's expertise in historical methodology 
or the teaching of American history or civics.

    Note:  Consortium applicants must follow the procedures for 
group applications described in 34 CFR 75.127 through 34 CFR 75.129.

    2 a. Cost Sharing or Matching: Under section 2232(g)(1) of the 
ESEA, each grant recipient must provide, from non-Federal sources, an 
amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant, which may be 
provided in cash or in-kind contributions, to carry out the activities 
supported by the grant. To meet this requirement, grantees must provide 
matching contributions on an

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annual basis relative to the amount of Academies Program funds received 
for a fiscal year.
    Under section 2232(g)(2) of the ESEA, the Secretary may waive this 
matching requirement for any fiscal year for an eligible entity if the 
Secretary determines that applying the matching requirement would 
result in serious hardship or an inability to carry out the authorized 
activities described in section 2232. Applicants that wish to apply for 
a waiver for one or more fiscal years may include a request in their 
application that describes how the 100 percent matching requirement 
would cause serious hardship or an inability to carry out project 
activities.
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-
supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 2301 of the 
ESEA, funds made available under this program must be used to 
supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds 
that would otherwise be expended to carry out activities under this 
program.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Christine Miller, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W205, 
Washington, DC 20202-5970. Telephone: (202) 260-7350 or by email: 
Christine.Miller@ed.gov.
    If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the 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 person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VII of this notice.
    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 competition.
    The Department will be able to develop a more efficient process for 
reviewing grant applications if it has a better understanding of the 
number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this 
competition. Therefore, the Secretary strongly encourages each 
potential applicant to notify the Department by sending a short email 
message indicating the applicant's intent to submit an application for 
funding. The email need not include information regarding the content 
of the proposed application, only the applicant's intent to submit it. 
You should send this email notification to: Academies@ed.gov. 
Applicants that do not provide this email notification may still apply 
for funding.
    Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) 
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that 
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) 
limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use 
the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''; 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover 
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget 
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of 
support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative.
    b. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Academies 
Program, your application may include business information that you 
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' 
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we plan to post the project narrative section of funded 
Academies Program applications on our Web site, you may wish to request 
confidentiality of business information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you feel is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: June 9, 2017.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: July 10, 2017.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinars: Information about pre-application 
webinars will be posted at https://innovation.ed.gov/what-we-do/american-history-and-civics-academies/ academies/.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 24, 2017.
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to Other Submission Requirements in section 
IV of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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: 
September 22, 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 2 CFR 200, 
subpart E. We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in 
the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification 
Number, and System for Award Management: To do business with the 
Department of Education, you must--
    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

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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: https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A DUNS number can be 
created within one to two business days.
    If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or 
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service. 
If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal 
Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration. If you need a 
new TIN, please allow two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
    The SAM registration process can take approximately seven business 
days, but may take upwards of several weeks, depending on the 
completeness and accuracy of the data you enter into the SAM database. 
Thus, if you think you might want to apply for Federal financial 
assistance under a program administered by the Department, please allow 
sufficient time to obtain and register your DUNS number and TIN. We 
strongly recommend that you register early.

    Note:  Once your SAM registration is active, it may be 24 to 48 
hours before you can access the information in, and submit an 
application through, Grants.gov.

    If you are currently registered with SAM, you may not need to make 
any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated with 
your DUNS number is correct. Also note that you will need to update 
your registration annually. This may take three or more business days.
    Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further 
assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in 
SAM or updating your existing SAM account, we have prepared a SAM.gov 
Tip Sheet, which you can find at: www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html.
    In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, 
you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR); and (2) register yourself with 
Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the 
following Grants.gov Web page: www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.
    7. Other Submission Requirements:
    Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted 
electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement 
in accordance with the instructions in this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications. Applications for grants 
under the Academies Program, CFDA number 84.422A, must be submitted 
electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at 
www.Grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy 
of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and 
submit your application. You may not email an electronic copy of a 
grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the Academies 
Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable 
application package for this competition by the CFDA number. Do not 
include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 
84.422, not 84.422A).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.
     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that 
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov 
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures 
pertaining to Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 
system home page at www.G5.gov. In addition, for specific guidance and 
procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov, please 
refer to the Grants.gov Web site at: www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a read-only, flattened 
Portable Document Format (PDF), meaning any fillable PDF documents must 
be saved as flattened non-fillable files. Therefore, do not upload an 
interactive or fillable PDF file. If you upload a file type other than 
a read-only, flattened 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. There is no need to 
password protect a file in order to meet the requirement to submit a 
read-only flattened PDF. And, as noted above, the Department will not 
review password protected files.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of

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receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. This notification 
indicates receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department. 
Grants.gov will also notify you automatically by email if your 
application met all the Grants.gov validation requirements or if there 
were any errors (such as submission of your application by someone 
other than a registered Authorized Organization Representative, or 
inclusion of an attachment with a file name that contains special 
characters). You will be given an opportunity to correct any errors and 
resubmit, but you must still meet the deadline for submission of 
applications.
    Once your application is successfully validated by Grants.gov, the 
Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you 
an email with a unique PR/Award number for your application.
    These emails do not mean that your application is without any 
disqualifying errors. While your application may have been successfully 
validated by Grants.gov, it must also meet the Department's application 
requirements as specified in this notice and in the application 
instructions. Disqualifying errors could include, for instance, failure 
to upload attachments in a read-only, flattened PDF; failure to submit 
a required part of the application; or failure to meet applicant 
eligibility requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that your 
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 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: Christine Miller, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 4W205, 
Washington, DC 20202-5960. FAX: (202) 205-5630.
    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 84.422A), 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 application 
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 84.422A), 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

[[Page 26788]]

grant application. If you do not receive this notification within 15 
business days from the application deadline date, you should call 
the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 
245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 75.210. An applicant may earn up to a total of 100 points 
based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for addressing each 
criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    A. Quality of the Project Design. (35 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 following factors--
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project represents an 
exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the 
competition.
    (ii) The extent to which the services to be provided by the 
proposed project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for 
maximizing the effectiveness of project services.
    (iii) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
reflects up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice.
    B. Significance. (25 points) The Secretary considers the 
significance of the proposed project. In determining the significance 
of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 
local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the 
needs of the target population.
    (ii) The importance or magnitude of the results or outcomes likely 
to be attained by the proposed project, especially improvements in 
teaching and student achievement.
    C. Quality of the Management Plan. (25 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project. 
In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks.
    (ii) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 
and services from the proposed project.
    D. Quality of the Project Evaluation. (15 points) The Secretary 
considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 
of objective performance measures that are clearly related to the 
intended outcomes of the project and will produce quantitative and 
qualitative data to the extent possible.
    (ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide 
performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward 
achieving intended outcomes.
    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).
    3. Risk Assessment and Special Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose special conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$150,000) under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through SAM. You may review and comment on any 
information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and 
that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary

[[Page 26789]]

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 Department has established the 
following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 performance 
objective for the Academies Program:
    Participants will demonstrate through pre- and post-assessments an 
increased understanding of American history and civics that can be 
directly linked to their participation in the Presidential or 
Congressional academy.
    We will track performance on this objective through the following 
measures:
    Presidential Academies: The average percentage gain on an 
assessment after participation in the Presidential academy.
    Congressional Academies: The average percentage gain on an 
assessment after participation in the Congressional Academy.
    We advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give 
careful consideration to these measures in conceptualizing the approach 
and evaluation of its proposed project. Each grantee will be required 
to provide, in its annual and final performance reports, data about its 
performance with respect to these measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation 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. 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.gpo.gov/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 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: June 5, 2017.
Margo Anderson,
Acting Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 2017-12024 Filed 6-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P