Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program, 353-357 [2019-00108]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2019 / Notices
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
The Department accepts hand
deliveries from you or a commercial
courier between 8:00:00 a.m. and
4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday except Federal holidays.
Sources for Detailed Information on
These Requests
A more detailed discussion of each
request for funds or waiver is provided
in specific ‘‘Electronic
Announcements,’’ which are posted on
the Department’s IFAP website (https://
ifap.ed.gov) at least 30 days before the
established deadline date for the
specific request. Information on these
items is also found in the Federal
Student Aid Handbook, which is also
posted on the Department’s IFAP
website.
Applicable Regulations: The
following regulations apply to these
programs:
(1) Student Assistance General
Provisions, 34 CFR part 668.
(2) General Provisions for the Federal
Perkins Loan Program, Federal WorkStudy Program, and Federal
Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant Program, 34 CFR part 673.
(3) Federal Perkins Loan Program, 34
CFR part 674.
(4) Federal Work-Study Program, 34
CFR part 675.
(5) Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grant Program, 34 CFR part
676.
(6) Institutional Eligibility under the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended, 34 CFR part 600.
(7) New Restrictions on Lobbying, 34
CFR part 82.
(8) Governmentwide Requirements for
Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance), 34 CFR part 84.
(9) Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement), 2 CFR
part 3485.
(10) Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Prevention, 34 CFR part 86.
Accessible Format: Individuals with
disabilities can obtain this document in
an accessible format (e.g., braille, large
print, audiotape, or compact disc) on
request to the 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.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 Portable Document Format
(PDF). To use PDF you must have
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Jan 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
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.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070b et
seq. and 1087aa et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2751
et seq.
Dated: January 18, 2019.
James F. Manning,
Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal
Student Aid.
[FR Doc. 2019–00110 Filed 1–23–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad Fellowship Program
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for
the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship
program, Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) number 84.022A.
DATES:
Applications available: January 24,
2019.
Deadline for transmittal of
applications: March 25, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The addresses pertinent to
this DDRA competition—including the
addresses for obtaining and submitting
an application—can be found under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Pamela J. Maimer, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 258–24, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453–6891. Email:
ddra@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:
SUMMARY:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The FulbrightHays DDRA Fellowship Program
provides opportunities to doctoral
candidates to engage in dissertation
research abroad in modern foreign
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
353
languages and area studies. The program
is designed to contribute to the
development and improvement of the
study of modern foreign languages and
area studies in the United States. This
notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB
control number 1840–0005.
Priorities: This notice contains one
absolute priority and two competitive
preference priorities. In accordance with
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute and
competitive preference priorities are
from the regulations for this program (34
CFR 662.21(d)).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2019, this
priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only
applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Specific Geographic Regions of the
World.
A research project that focuses on one
or more of the following geographic
areas: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia
and the Pacific Islands, South Asia, the
Near East, Central and Eastern Europe
and Eurasia, and the Western
Hemisphere (excluding the United
States and its territories).
Competitive Preference Priorities:
Within this absolute priority, we give
competitive preference to applications
that address one or both of the following
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i),
for FY 2019, we award an additional
two points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 1 and
three points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to
5 additional points possible).
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (2 points).
A research project that focuses on any
modern foreign language except French,
German, or Spanish.
Competitive Preference Priority 2—
Thematic Focus on Academic Fields
(3 points).
A research project conducted in the
field of science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, computer
science, education (comparative or
international), international
development, political science, public
health, or economics.
Note: Applicants that address
Competitive Preference Priority 2 must
intend to engage in dissertation research
abroad in modern foreign languages and
area studies with a thematic focus on
any one of the academic fields
referenced above.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C.
2452(b)(6).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
354
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2019 / Notices
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR
parts 75, 77, 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. (d)
The regulations for this program in 34
CFR part 662.
Note: The open licensing requirement
in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not apply to this
program.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants
redistributed as fellowships to
individual beneficiaries.
Estimated Available Funds:
$3,432,633.
Estimated Range of Awards: $15,000–
60,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$36,842.
Estimated Number of Awards: 90.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: The institutional
project period is 18 months, beginning
October 1, 2019. Students may request
funding for a period of no less than six
months and no more than 12 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of
higher education (IHEs). As part of the
application process, students submit
individual applications to the IHE. The
IHE then officially submits all eligible
individual student applications with its
grant application to the Department.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
program does not require cost sharing or
matching.
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: Under 34 CFR 662.22(b), no
student applicant may receive a grant
from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program
(FUSP) and a grant from the FulbrightHays DDRA Fellowship Program
concurrently. Once a candidate has
accepted a fellowship award from the
FUSP and the FUSP has expended
funds to the student, the student is then
ineligible for a grant under the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program. A student applying for a grant
under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA
Fellowship Program must indicate on
the application if the student has
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Jan 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
currently applied for a FUSP grant. If, at
any point, the candidate accepts a FUSP
award prior to being notified of the
candidate’s status with the FulbrightHays DDRA Fellowship Program, the
candidate should immediately notify
the program contact person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If,
after consultation with FUSP, we
determine that FUSP has expended
funds on the student (e.g., the candidate
has attended the pre-departure
orientation or was issued grant funds),
the candidate will be considered
ineligible for an award under the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program.
IV. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address to Request Application
Package: Both IHEs and student
applicants can obtain an application
package via the internet or from the
Education Publications Center (ED
PUBS). To obtain a copy via the
internet, use the following address:
www.G5.gov. To obtain a copy from ED
Pubs, write, fax, or call the following:
ED Pubs, U.S. Department of Education,
P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304.
Telephone, toll free: 1–877–433–7827.
FAX: (703) 605–6794. If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call,
toll free: 1–877–576–7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its
website, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at its
email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application package
from ED Pubs, be sure to identify this
program as follows: CFDA number
84.022A.
2. Recommended Page Limits: The
application narrative is where the
student applicant addresses the
selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate the application. We
recommend that the student applicant
(1) limit the application narrative to no
more than 10 pages and the
bibliography to no more than two 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 and bibliography.
However, student applicants may single
space all text in charts, tables, figures,
graphs, titles, headings, footnotes,
endnotes, quotations, bibliography, and
captions.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or
larger or no smaller than 10 pitch
(characters per inch).
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Use one of the following fonts:
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not
apply to the Application for Federal
Assistance face sheet (SF 424), the
supplemental information form for the
SF 424 required by the Department, or
the assurances and certification.
However, student applicants must
include their complete responses to the
selection criteria in the application
narrative. The recommended page limits
only apply to the application narrative
and bibliography.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Submit applications for grants under the
program electronically using G5.gov.
For information (including dates and
times) about how to submit your
application electronically, please refer
to 7. Other Submission Requirements.
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.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This
program is not subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
6. Data Universal Numbering System
Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and System for Award
Management:
To do business with the Department,
you must—
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number and a Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number
and TIN with the System for Award
Management (SAM), the Government’s
primary registrant database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and
TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active SAM
registration with current information
while your application is under review
by the Department and, if you are
awarded a grant, during the project
period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from
Dun and Bradstreet at the following
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2019 / Notices
website: 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 submit an application through
G5.
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.
7. Other Submission Requirements:
Applications for grants under this
program must be submitted
electronically unless an IHE qualifies for
an exception to this requirement in
accordance with the instructions in this
section.
a. Electronic Submission of
Applications.
Submit applications for grants under
the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program, CFDA number 84.022A,
electronically using the G5 system,
accessible through the Department’s G5
site at: www.G5.gov. While completing
the electronic application, both the IHE
and the student applicant will be
entering data online that will be saved
into a database. Neither the IHE nor the
student applicant may email an
electronic copy of a grant application to
us.
Please note the following:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Jan 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
• The process for submitting
applications electronically under the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program has several steps. The
following is a brief summary of the
process; however, all applicants should
review the detailed description of the
application process in the application
package. In summary, the major steps
are:
(1) IHEs must email the name of the
institution and the full name and email
address of the project director to ddra@
ed.gov. We suggest that applicant IHEs
submit this information no later than
two weeks prior to the application
deadline date to ensure that they obtain
access to G5 well before that date;
(2) Students must complete their
individual applications and submit
them to their IHE’s project director
using G5;
(3) Persons providing references for
individual students must complete and
submit reference forms for the students
and submit them to the IHE’s project
director using G5; and
(4) The IHE’s project director must
officially submit the IHE’s application,
including all eligible individual student
applications, reference forms, and other
required forms, using G5.
• The IHE must complete the
electronic submission of the grant
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on the application deadline date.
G5 will not accept an application for
this competition after 4:30:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly
recommend that both the IHE and the
student applicant not wait until the
application deadline date to begin the
application process.
• The hours of operation of the G5
website are 6:00 a.m. Monday until 9:00
p.m., Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m.
Thursday until 3:00 p.m., Sunday,
Eastern Time. Please note that, because
of maintenance, the system is
unavailable between 3:00 p.m. on
Sundays and 6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and
between 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and
6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, Eastern Time.
Any modifications to these hours are
posted on the G5 website.
• Student applicants will not receive
additional point value because the
student submits his or her application
in electronic format, nor will we
penalize the IHE or student applicant if
the applicant qualifies for an exception
to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in
this section, and submits an application
in paper format.
• IHEs must submit all documents
electronically, including all information
typically provided on the following
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
355
forms: The Application for Federal
Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for
SF 424, Budget Information—NonConstruction Programs (ED 524), and all
necessary assurances and certifications.
• Both IHEs and student applicants
must upload any narrative sections and
all other attachments to their
application as files in a read-only
flattened Portable Document Format
(PDF), meaning any fillable documents
must be saved and submitted as nonfillable PDF files. Do not upload an
interactive or fillable PDF file. If you
upload a file type other than a readonly, non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word,
Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a
password-protected file, we will be
unable to review that material. Please
note that this will likely result in your
application not being considered for
funding. The Department will not
convert material from other formats to
PDF.
• Submit student transcripts
electronically through the G5 system.
• Prior to submitting your electronic
application, you may wish to print a
copy of it for your records.
• After the individual student
applicant electronically submits his or
her application to the student’s IHE, the
student will receive an automatic
acknowledgment. After a person
submits a reference electronically, he or
she will receive an online confirmation.
After the applicant IHE submits its
application, including all eligible
individual student applications, to the
Department, the applicant IHE will
receive an automatic acknowledgment
that will include a unique PR/Award
number for the IHE’s application.
• Within three working days after
submitting its electronic application the
applicant IHE must—
(1) Print SF 424 from G5;
(2) The applicant IHE’s Authorizing
Representative must sign this form;
(3) Place the PR/Award number in the
upper right-hand corner of the hardcopy signature page of the SF 424; and
(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 System Unavailability: If an
IHE is prevented from electronically
submitting its application on the
application deadline date because the
G5 system is unavailable, we will grant
the IHE an extension until 4:30:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, the following business
day to enable the IHE to transmit its
application electronically, by mail, or by
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
356
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2019 / Notices
hand delivery. We will grant this
extension if—
(1) The IHE is a registered user of the
G5 system and the IHE has initiated an
electronic application for this
competition; and
(2)(a) G5 is unavailable for 60 minutes
or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m.
and 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on the
application deadline date; or
(b) G5 is unavailable for any period of
time between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00
p.m., Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date.
We must acknowledge and confirm
these periods of unavailability before
granting the IHE an extension. To
request this extension or to confirm our
acknowledgment of any system
unavailability, an IHE may contact
either (1) the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in
section I of this notice or (2) the eGrants help desk at 1–888–336–8930. If
G5 is unavailable due to technical
problems with the system and,
therefore, the application deadline is
extended, an email will be sent to all
registered users who have initiated a G5
application. Extensions referred to in
this section apply only to the
unavailability of the G5 system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications.
We discourage paper applications, but
if electronic submission is not possible
(e.g., you do not have access to the
internet), you must provide a written
statement that you intend to submit a
paper application. Send this written
statement 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) to Dr. Pamela J.
Maimer, U.S. Department of Education,
400 Maryland Ave. SW, Room 258–24,
Washington, DC 20202–4260.
Telephone: (202) 453–6891. Email:
ddra@ed.gov.
If you mail your written statement to
the Department, it must be postmarked
no later than two weeks before the
application deadline date. Please send
this statement to a person listed in the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of the competition NIA.
If you submit a paper application, 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 84.022A), LBJ Basement
Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20202–4260.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Jan 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
The IHE 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 the IHE mails its 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, the IHE
should check with its local post office.
We will not consider applications
postmarked after the application
deadline date.
c. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of
Paper Applications: If an IHE mails or
hand delivers its application to the
Department—
(1) The IHE 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 the IHE is submitting its
application; and
(2) The Application Control Center
will mail a notification of receipt of the
IHE’s grant application. If the IHE does
not receive this grant notification within
15 business days from the application
deadline date, the IHE should call the
U.S. Department of Education
Application Control Center at (202)
245–6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from the
regulations for this program in 34 CFR
662.21 and are as follows:
(a) Quality of proposed project. (60
points) The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the quality of
the research project proposed by the
applicant. The Secretary considers—
(1) The statement of the major
hypotheses to be tested or questions to
be examined, and the description and
justification of the research methods to
be used;
(2) The relationship of the research to
the literature on the topic and to major
theoretical issues in the field, and the
project’s originality and importance in
terms of the concerns of the discipline;
(3) The preliminary research already
completed in the United States and
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
overseas or plans for such research prior
to going overseas, and the kinds, quality
and availability of data for the research
in the host country or countries;
(4) The justification for overseas field
research and preparations to establish
appropriate and sufficient research
contacts and affiliations abroad;
(5) The applicant’s plans to share the
results of the research in progress and
a copy of the dissertation with scholars
and officials of the host country or
countries; and
(6) The guidance and supervision of
the dissertation advisor or committee at
all stages of the project, including
guidance in developing the project,
understanding research conditions
abroad, and acquainting the applicant
with research in the field.
(b) Qualifications of the applicant. (40
points) The Secretary reviews each
application to determine the
qualifications of the applicant. The
Secretary considers—
(1) The overall strength of the
applicant’s graduate academic record;
(2) The extent to which the
applicant’s academic record
demonstrates strength in area studies
relevant to the proposed project;
(3) The applicant’s proficiency in one
or more of the languages (other than
English and the applicant’s native
language) of the country or countries of
research, and the specific measures to
be taken to overcome any anticipated
language barriers; and
(4) The applicant’s ability to conduct
research in a foreign cultural context, as
evidenced by the applicant’s references
or previous overseas experience, or
both.
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 (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For FY 2019, student applications
will be divided into seven categories
based on the world area focus of their
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 16 / Thursday, January 24, 2019 / Notices
research projects, as described in the
absolute priority. Language and area
studies experts in discrete world areabased panels will review the student
applications. Each panel will review,
score, and rank its applications
separately from the applications
assigned to the other world area panels.
However, all fellowship applications
will be ranked together from the highest
to lowest score for funding purposes.
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 a student
application is successful, we notify the
IHE’s U.S. Representative and U.S.
Senators and send the IHE a Grant
Award Notification (GAN); or we may
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Jan 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
send the IHE an email containing a link
to access an electronic version of the
GAN. We may notify the IHE informally,
also.
If a student application is not
evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify the IHE.
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 the approved
application as part of the 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. Grantees are
required to use the electronic data
instrument International Resource
Information System (IRIS) to complete
the final report. The Secretary may also
require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For
specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/
apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: Under the
Government Performance and Results
Act of 1993 (GPRA), the objective for the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program is to provide grants to colleges
and universities to fund individual
doctoral students to conduct research in
other countries in modern foreign
languages and area studies for periods of
6 to 12 months.
The Department will use the
following measures to evaluate its
success in meeting this objective:
DDRA GPRA Measure 1: The
percentage of DDRA fellows who
increased their foreign language scores
in speaking, reading, or writing by at
least one proficiency level.
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
357
DDRA GPRA Measure 2: The
percentage of DDRA fellows who
complete their degree in their program
of study within four years of receipt of
the fellowship.
DDRA GPRA Measure 3: The
percentage of DDRA fellows who found
employment that utilized their language
and area studies skills within eight
years of receiving their award.
DDRA GPRA Measure 4: Efficiency
Measure—The cost per DDRA fellow
who found employment that utilized
their language and area studies skills
within eight years.
The information provided by grantees
in their performance report submitted
via IRIS will be the source of data for
this measure. Reporting screens for
institutions and fellows may be viewed
at: https://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/DDRA_
director.pdf. https://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/
DDRA_fellow.pdf.
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 at
www.govinfo.gov. 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: January 18, 2019.
Diane Auer Jones,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary Delegated
to Perform the Duties of Under Secretary and
Assistant Secretary for the Office of
Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2019–00108 Filed 1–23–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM
24JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 353-357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00108]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad Fellowship Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2019 for the Fulbright-Hays
Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship program,
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.022A.
DATES:
Applications available: January 24, 2019.
Deadline for transmittal of applications: March 25, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The addresses pertinent to this DDRA competition--including
the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application--can be found
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Pamela J. Maimer, U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 258-24, Washington, DC
20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6891. Email: ddra@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 Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program
provides opportunities to doctoral candidates to engage in dissertation
research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. The
program is designed to contribute to the development and improvement of
the study of modern foreign languages and area studies in the United
States. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1840-0005.
Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and two
competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute and competitive preference priorities
are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 662.21(d)).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2019, this priority is an absolute
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that
meet this priority.
This priority is:
Specific Geographic Regions of the World.
A research project that focuses on one or more of the following
geographic areas: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Islands, South Asia, the Near East, Central and Eastern Europe and
Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (excluding the United States and
its territories).
Competitive Preference Priorities: Within this absolute priority,
we give competitive preference to applications that address one or both
of the following priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), for FY 2019,
we award an additional two points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 1 and three points to an application
that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to 5 additional points
possible).
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (2 points).
A research project that focuses on any modern foreign language
except French, German, or Spanish.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Thematic Focus on Academic
Fields (3 points).
A research project conducted in the field of science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, computer science, education (comparative or
international), international development, political science, public
health, or economics.
Note: Applicants that address Competitive Preference Priority 2
must intend to engage in dissertation research abroad in modern foreign
languages and area studies with a thematic focus on any one of the
academic fields referenced above.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
[[Page 354]]
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 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. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 662.
Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not
apply to this program.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants redistributed as fellowships to
individual beneficiaries.
Estimated Available Funds: $3,432,633.
Estimated Range of Awards: $15,000-60,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $36,842.
Estimated Number of Awards: 90.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: The institutional project period is 18 months,
beginning October 1, 2019. Students may request funding for a period of
no less than six months and no more than 12 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs). As
part of the application process, students submit individual
applications to the IHE. The IHE then officially submits all eligible
individual student applications with its grant application to the
Department.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
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: Under 34 CFR 662.22(b), no student applicant may receive
a grant from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program (FUSP) and a grant from
the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program concurrently. Once a
candidate has accepted a fellowship award from the FUSP and the FUSP
has expended funds to the student, the student is then ineligible for a
grant under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program. A student
applying for a grant under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program
must indicate on the application if the student has currently applied
for a FUSP grant. If, at any point, the candidate accepts a FUSP award
prior to being notified of the candidate's status with the Fulbright-
Hays DDRA Fellowship Program, the candidate should immediately notify
the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. If, after consultation with FUSP, we determine that FUSP has
expended funds on the student (e.g., the candidate has attended the
pre-departure orientation or was issued grant funds), the candidate
will be considered ineligible for an award under the Fulbright-Hays
DDRA Fellowship Program.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: Both IHEs and student
applicants can obtain an application package via the internet or from
the Education Publications Center (ED PUBS). To obtain a copy via the
internet, use the following address: www.G5.gov. To obtain a copy from
ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S. Department of
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll free:
1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call, toll free:
1-877-576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its website, also: www.EDPubs.gov or at
its email address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov.
If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to
identify this program as follows: CFDA number 84.022A.
2. Recommended Page Limits: The application narrative is where the
student applicant addresses the selection criteria that reviewers use
to evaluate the application. We recommend that the student applicant
(1) limit the application narrative to no more than 10 pages and the
bibliography to no more than two 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 and bibliography. However,
student applicants may single space all text in charts, tables,
figures, graphs, titles, headings, footnotes, endnotes, quotations,
bibliography, and captions.
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 the Application for
Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424), the supplemental information
form for the SF 424 required by the Department, or the assurances and
certification. However, student applicants must include their complete
responses to the selection criteria in the application narrative. The
recommended page limits only apply to the application narrative and
bibliography.
3. Submission Dates and Times: Submit applications for grants under
the program electronically using G5.gov. For information (including
dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically,
please refer to 7. Other Submission Requirements.
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.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Data Universal Numbering System Number, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and System for Award Management:
To do business with the Department, you must--
a. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS number and TIN with the System for Award
Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant database;
c. Provide your DUNS number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
You can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet at the
following
[[Page 355]]
website: 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 submit an application through G5.
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.
7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this program must be submitted electronically unless an IHE qualifies
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
Submit applications for grants under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA
Fellowship Program, CFDA number 84.022A, electronically using the G5
system, accessible through the Department's G5 site at: www.G5.gov.
While completing the electronic application, both the IHE and the
student applicant will be entering data online that will be saved into
a database. Neither the IHE nor the student applicant may email an
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
Please note the following:
The process for submitting applications electronically
under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program has several steps. The
following is a brief summary of the process; however, all applicants
should review the detailed description of the application process in
the application package. In summary, the major steps are:
(1) IHEs must email the name of the institution and the full name
and email address of the project director to ddra@ed.gov. We suggest
that applicant IHEs submit this information no later than two weeks
prior to the application deadline date to ensure that they obtain
access to G5 well before that date;
(2) Students must complete their individual applications and submit
them to their IHE's project director using G5;
(3) Persons providing references for individual students must
complete and submit reference forms for the students and submit them to
the IHE's project director using G5; and
(4) The IHE's project director must officially submit the IHE's
application, including all eligible individual student applications,
reference forms, and other required forms, using G5.
The IHE must complete the electronic submission of the
grant application by 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date. G5 will not accept an application for this competition
after 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application deadline date.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that both the IHE and the student
applicant not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process.
The hours of operation of the G5 website are 6:00 a.m.
Monday until 9:00 p.m., Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until 3:00
p.m., Sunday, Eastern Time. Please note that, because of maintenance,
the system is unavailable between 3:00 p.m. on Sundays and 6:00 a.m. on
Mondays, and between 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m. on
Thursdays, Eastern Time. Any modifications to these hours are posted on
the G5 website.
Student applicants will not receive additional point value
because the student submits his or her application in electronic
format, nor will we penalize the IHE or student applicant if the
applicant qualifies for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submits an
application in paper format.
IHEs must submit all documents electronically, including
all information typically provided 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.
Both IHEs and student applicants must upload any narrative
sections and all other attachments to their application as files in a
read-only flattened Portable Document Format (PDF), meaning any
fillable documents must be saved and submitted as non-fillable PDF
files. Do not upload an interactive or fillable PDF file. If you upload
a file type other than a read-only, non-modifiable PDF (e.g., Word,
Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) or submit a password-protected file, we will
be unable to review that material. Please note that this will likely
result in your application not being considered for funding. The
Department will not convert material from other formats to PDF.
Submit student transcripts electronically through the G5
system.
Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
After the individual student applicant electronically
submits his or her application to the student's IHE, the student will
receive an automatic acknowledgment. After a person submits a reference
electronically, he or she will receive an online confirmation. After
the applicant IHE submits its application, including all eligible
individual student applications, to the Department, the applicant IHE
will receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a unique PR/
Award number for the IHE's application.
Within three working days after submitting its electronic
application the applicant IHE must--
(1) Print SF 424 from G5;
(2) The applicant IHE'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; and
(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 System
Unavailability: If an IHE is prevented from electronically submitting
its application on the application deadline date because the G5 system
is unavailable, we will grant the IHE an extension until 4:30:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, the following business day to enable the IHE to transmit
its application electronically, by mail, or by
[[Page 356]]
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
(1) The IHE is a registered user of the G5 system and the IHE has
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
(2)(a) G5 is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between the hours
of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application deadline
date; or
(b) G5 is unavailable for any period of time between 3:30 p.m. and
4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application deadline date.
We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability
before granting the IHE an extension. To request this extension or to
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, an IHE may
contact either (1) the person listed under For Further Information
Contact in section I of this notice or (2) the e-Grants help desk at 1-
888-336-8930. If G5 is unavailable due to technical problems with the
system and, therefore, the application deadline is extended, an email
will be sent to all registered users who have initiated a G5
application. Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the
unavailability of the G5 system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications.
We discourage paper applications, but if electronic submission is
not possible (e.g., you do not have access to the internet), you must
provide a written statement that you intend to submit a paper
application. Send this written statement 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) to Dr.
Pamela J. Maimer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW,
Room 258-24, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone: (202) 453-6891.
Email: ddra@ed.gov.
If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline
date. Please send this statement to a person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of the competition NIA.
If you submit a paper application, 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
84.022A), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20202-4260.
The IHE 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 the IHE mails its 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, the IHE should check with its
local post office.
We will not consider applications postmarked after the application
deadline date.
c. Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If an IHE
mails or hand delivers its application to the Department--
(1) The IHE 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 the IHE is
submitting its application; and
(2) The Application Control Center will mail a notification of
receipt of the IHE's grant application. If the IHE does not receive
this grant notification within 15 business days from the application
deadline date, the IHE should call the U.S. Department of Education
Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from the regulations for this program in 34 CFR 662.21 and are as
follows:
(a) Quality of proposed project. (60 points) The Secretary reviews
each application to determine the quality of the research project
proposed by the applicant. The Secretary considers--
(1) The statement of the major hypotheses to be tested or questions
to be examined, and the description and justification of the research
methods to be used;
(2) The relationship of the research to the literature on the topic
and to major theoretical issues in the field, and the project's
originality and importance in terms of the concerns of the discipline;
(3) The preliminary research already completed in the United States
and overseas or plans for such research prior to going overseas, and
the kinds, quality and availability of data for the research in the
host country or countries;
(4) The justification for overseas field research and preparations
to establish appropriate and sufficient research contacts and
affiliations abroad;
(5) The applicant's plans to share the results of the research in
progress and a copy of the dissertation with scholars and officials of
the host country or countries; and
(6) The guidance and supervision of the dissertation advisor or
committee at all stages of the project, including guidance in
developing the project, understanding research conditions abroad, and
acquainting the applicant with research in the field.
(b) Qualifications of the applicant. (40 points) The Secretary
reviews each application to determine the qualifications of the
applicant. The Secretary considers--
(1) The overall strength of the applicant's graduate academic
record;
(2) The extent to which the applicant's academic record
demonstrates strength in area studies relevant to the proposed project;
(3) The applicant's proficiency in one or more of the languages
(other than English and the applicant's native language) of the country
or countries of research, and the specific measures to be taken to
overcome any anticipated language barriers; and
(4) The applicant's ability to conduct research in a foreign
cultural context, as evidenced by the applicant's references or
previous overseas experience, or both.
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 (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For FY 2019, student applications will be divided into seven
categories based on the world area focus of their
[[Page 357]]
research projects, as described in the absolute priority. Language and
area studies experts in discrete world area-based panels will review
the student applications. Each panel will review, score, and rank its
applications separately from the applications assigned to the other
world area panels. However, all fellowship applications will be ranked
together from the highest to lowest score for funding purposes.
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 a student application is successful, we notify
the IHE's U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send the IHE a
Grant Award Notification (GAN); or we may send the IHE an email
containing a link to access an electronic version of the GAN. We may
notify the IHE informally, also.
If a student application is not evaluated or not selected for
funding, we notify the IHE.
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 the approved application as part of the 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. Grantees are required to use the electronic data instrument
International Resource Information System (IRIS) to complete the final
report. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the objective for the Fulbright-Hays DDRA
Fellowship Program is to provide grants to colleges and universities to
fund individual doctoral students to conduct research in other
countries in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of 6
to 12 months.
The Department will use the following measures to evaluate its
success in meeting this objective:
DDRA GPRA Measure 1: The percentage of DDRA fellows who increased
their foreign language scores in speaking, reading, or writing by at
least one proficiency level.
DDRA GPRA Measure 2: The percentage of DDRA fellows who complete
their degree in their program of study within four years of receipt of
the fellowship.
DDRA GPRA Measure 3: The percentage of DDRA fellows who found
employment that utilized their language and area studies skills within
eight years of receiving their award.
DDRA GPRA Measure 4: Efficiency Measure--The cost per DDRA fellow
who found employment that utilized their language and area studies
skills within eight years.
The information provided by grantees in their performance report
submitted via IRIS will be the source of data for this measure.
Reporting screens for institutions and fellows may be viewed at: https://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/DDRA_director.pdf. https://iris.ed.gov/iris/pdfs/DDRA_fellow.pdf.
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 at www.govinfo.gov. 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: January 18, 2019.
Diane Auer Jones,
Principal Deputy Under Secretary Delegated to Perform the Duties of
Under Secretary and Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-00108 Filed 1-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P