Applications for New Awards; Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs, 5644-5648 [2020-01813]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5644-5648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01813]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Training Program for Federal TRIO 
Programs

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, 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) 2020 for the Training 
Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program), Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.103A. This notice relates 
to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1840-
0814.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: January 31, 2020.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 2, 2020.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Ulmer or, if unavailable, Dr. 
ReShone Moore, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 
Room 278-44, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-7691 or (202) 
453-7624. Email: [email protected] or [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The Training Program provides grants to train 
the staff and leadership personnel employed in, participating in, or 
preparing for employment in, projects funded under the Federal TRIO 
Programs, so as to improve the operation of these projects.
    Priorities: This notice contains six absolute priorities and three 
invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and 
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from section 
402G(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended

[[Page 5645]]

(HEA), the regulations for this program at 34 CFR 642.24, and the 
Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for 
Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on 
March 2, 2018 (83 FR 9096) (Supplemental Priorities).
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2020 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 one of these 
absolute priorities.
    In accordance with 34 CFR 642.7, each application must clearly 
identify the specific absolute priority for which a grant is requested. 
An applicant must submit a separate application for each absolute 
priority it proposes to address. If an applicant submits more than one 
application for the same absolute priority, we will accept only the 
application with the latest ``date/time received'' validation.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1. Training to improve reporting of student and 
project performance and the evaluation of project performance in order 
to design and operate a model project funded under the Federal TRIO 
Programs.
    Estimated number of awards: 2.
    Maximum award amount: $287,537.
    Absolute Priority 2. Training on budget management and the 
statutory and regulatory requirements for operation of projects funded 
under the Federal TRIO Programs.
    Estimated number of awards: 2.
    Maximum award amount: $287,537.
    Absolute Priority 3. Training on assessment of student needs; 
retention and graduation strategies; and the use of appropriate 
educational technology in the operation of projects funded under the 
Federal TRIO programs.
    Estimated number of awards: 1.
    Maximum award amount: $373,799.
    Absolute Priority 4. Training on assisting students in receiving 
adequate financial aid from programs assisted under title IV of the HEA 
and from other programs, on college and university admissions policies 
and procedures, and on supporting instruction in personal financial 
literacy, knowledge of markets and economics, knowledge of higher 
education financing and repayment (e.g., college savings and student 
loans), or other skills aimed at building personal financial 
understanding and responsibility.
    Estimated number of awards: 2.
    Maximum award amount: $287,537.
    Absolute Priority 5. Training on strategies for recruiting and 
serving hard to reach populations, including students who are limited 
English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally 
underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with 
disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths (as this 
term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)), students who are in foster care or 
are aging out of the foster care system, or other disconnected 
students.
    Estimated number of awards: 1.
    Maximum award amount: $373,799.
    Absolute Priority 6. Training on general project management for new 
project directors who have been in their positions less than two years, 
including training on the content of absolute priorities 1 through 5. 
The training should provide new directors with the basic tools required 
to be a successful TRIO project director.
    Estimated number of awards: 2.
    Maximum award amount: $318,803.
    Under this competition we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following priorities.
    Invitational Priorities: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets these 
invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other 
applications.
    These priorities are:
    Invitational Priority 1:
    Applications that propose projects designed to address one or more 
of the following priority areas:
    (a) Implementing strategies that ensure education funds are spent 
in a way that increases their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, 
including by reducing waste or achieving better outcomes.
    (b) Supporting training aligned with innovative strategies or 
research that have the potential to lead to significant and wide-
reaching improvements in the delivery of educational services.
    (c) Reducing compliance burden within the grantee's operations 
(including the burden on partners working to achieve grant objectives 
or being served by the grant) in a manner that decreases paperwork or 
staff time spent on administrative functions, or other operational 
changes that help education providers to save money, benefit more 
students, or improve results.
    Invitational Priority 2:
    Applications that propose projects designed to assist TRIO grantees 
with the ongoing implementation of the evidence-based strategies they 
proposed in their approved applications for the Talent Search Program 
notice inviting applications published in the Federal Register on 
December 12, 2015 (80 FR 79574); the Educational Opportunity Centers 
notice inviting applications published in the Federal Register on 
February 2, 2016 (81 FR 5425); the Upward Bound Program notice inviting 
applications published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2016 (81 
FR 71492); the Upward Bound Math and Science Program notice inviting 
applications published in the Federal Register on February 10, 2017 (82 
FR 10348); the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program 
notice inviting applications published in the Federal Register on 
February 21, 2017 (82 FR 11196); the Veterans Upward Bound Program 
notice inviting applications published in the Federal Register on May 
22, 2017 (82 FR 23215); and the Student Support Services notice 
inviting applications published on December 17, 2019 (84 FR 68915).
    Invitational Priority 3:
    Applications that propose projects designed to support programs 
that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials (as defined in 
section 3(52) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) or 
skills that align with the skill needs of industries in the State or 
regional economy involved for careers in science, technology, 
engineering, and math fields, including computer science.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-17.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75 (except for 75.215 
through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of 
Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted 
and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) 
The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and 
amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The 
regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 642.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education (IHEs) only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

[[Page 5646]]

    Estimated Available Funds: We intend to use an estimated $3,110,426 
for new TRIO Training awards under this competition. The President's 
Budget for FY 2020 requested $950,000,000 for the Administration's 
proposal to reform the Federal TRIO Programs. The actual level of 
funding and changes to the program, if any, depend on final 
congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow 
enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates 
funds for the Federal TRIO Programs.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2021 from the list of 
unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $287,537-$373,799.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $311,043.
    Maximum Award and Minimum Participants: We will not make an award 
exceeding the maximum award amount listed here for a single budget 
period of 12 months. Projects proposed under each absolute priority 
also must propose to serve the minimum number of applicable 
participants listed here.
    Under Absolute Priorities 1, 2, and 4, the maximum award amount is 
$287,537 and the minimum number of participants is 231. Under Absolute 
Priorities 3 and 5, the maximum award amount is $373,799 and the 
minimum number of participants is 300. Under Absolute Priority 6, the 
maximum award amount is $318,803 and the minimum number of participants 
is 256.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and other public and private nonprofit 
institutions and organizations.
    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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
642.31. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations and Application Review 
Information sections of this notice.
    4. Recommended 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, which includes the budget 
narrative and invitational priorities, to no more than 55 pages and (2) 
use the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins.
     Double space all text in the application narrative, and 
single space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and 
captions.
     Use a 12-point font.
     Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman, 
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
    Note: Applications that do not follow the page limit and formatting 
recommendations will not be penalized.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the 
Application for Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424); Part II, the 
Budget Information Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III-A, the Program 
Profile form; Part III-B, the one-page Project Abstract form; or Part 
IV, the Assurances and Certifications. The recommended page limit also 
does not apply to a table of contents, which we recommend that you 
include in the application narrative.
    5. Content and Form of Application Submission: You should indicate 
the absolute priority addressed in your application both on the one-
page abstract and on the Training Program Profile Sheet. You must 
include your complete response to the selection criteria and absolute 
priority in the application narrative. Other requirements concerning 
the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, 
are in the application package for this program.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 642.21 and are as follows:
    (a) Plan of operation. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) High quality in the design of the project;
    (ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and 
efficient administration of the project;
    (iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project 
relate to the purpose of the program;
    (iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel 
to achieve each objective; and
    (v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal 
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members 
of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as--
    (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
    (B) Women;
    (C) Individuals with disabilities; and
    (D) The elderly.
    (b) Quality of key personnel. (20 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to 
use on the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The qualifications of the project director;
    (ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be 
used in the project;
    (iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) 
and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
    (iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its 
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been 
traditionally underrepresented, such as--
    (A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
    (B) Women;
    (C) Individuals with disabilities; and
    (D) The elderly.
    (3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary 
considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related 
to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the 
applicant provides.

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    (c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project 
activities; and
    (ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
project.
    (d) Evaluation plan. (10 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of 
evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent 
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
    (e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the 
project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; 
and
    (ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are 
adequate.
    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 also may 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 this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR 
642.21. The individual scores of the reviewers will be added and the 
sum divided by the number of reviewers to determine the peer review 
score received in the review process. Additionally, in accordance with 
34 CFR 642.22, the Secretary will award prior experience points to 
eligible applicants by evaluating the applicant's current performance 
under its expiring Training Program grant. Pursuant to 34 CFR 
642.22(b)(1), if there are insufficient funds to fund all applications 
with the same peer review score within a particular absolute priority, 
prior experience points, if any, will be added to the averaged peer 
review score to determine the total score for each application.
    Under section 402A(c)(3) of the HEA, the Secretary is not required 
to make awards under the Training Program in the order of the scores 
received.
    In the event a tie score still exists after applying prior 
experience points, the Secretary will select for funding the applicant 
that has the greatest capacity to provide training to eligible 
participants in all regions of the Nation in order to assure 
accessibility to the greatest number of prospective training 
participants, consistent with 34 CFR 642.20(e).
    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 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We 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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must 
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This 
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. 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

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report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. 
If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance 
report that provides the most current performance and financial 
expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 
75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee 
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In 
this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.
    5. Performance Measures: The success of the Training Program is 
measured by its cost-effectiveness based on the number of TRIO project 
personnel receiving training each year; the percentage of Training 
Program participants that, each year, indicate the training as 
benefiting them in increasing their qualifications and skills in 
meeting the needs of disadvantaged students; and the percentage of 
Training Program participants that, each year, indicate the training as 
benefiting them in increasing their knowledge and understanding of the 
Federal TRIO Programs. All grantees will be required to submit an 
annual performance report documenting their success in training 
personnel working on TRIO-funded projects, including the average cost 
per trainee and the trainees' evaluations of the effectiveness of the 
training provided. The success of the Training Program also is assessed 
on the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the training projects 
based on project evaluation results.
    6. 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 grant, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. 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 
one of the program contact persons 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 Portable Document Format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Robert L. King,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2020-01813 Filed 1-30-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P