Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program, 8186-8191 [2021-02339]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 22 / Thursday, February 4, 2021 / Notices
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B. Petition Dismissal by the USPTO: If
the applicant files an incomplete Form
PTO/SB/437, or if an application
accompanied by Form PTO/SB/437 does
not comply with the requirements set
forth in this notice, the USPTO will
notify the applicant of the deficiencies
by dismissing the petition, and the
applicant will be given a single
opportunity to correct the deficiencies.
If the applicant still wishes to
participate in the pilot program, the
applicant must make appropriate
corrections within 1 month or 30 days
of the mailing date of the dismissal
decision, whichever is longer. The time
period for reply is not extendable under
37 CFR 1.136(a). If the applicant timely
files a response to the dismissal
decision correcting all the noted
deficiencies without introducing any
new deficiencies, the USPTO will grant
the petition if a grantable request has
been filed in a corresponding
counterpart application. If the applicant
fails to correct the noted deficiencies
within the time period set forth, the
USPTO may dismiss the petition and
notify the designated partner IP
office(s). The U.S. application will then
be taken up for examination in
accordance with standard examination
procedures, unless designated special in
accordance with another established
procedure (e.g., Request for Prioritized
Examination, Petition to Make Special
Based on Applicant’s Age).
C. Withdrawal of a Petition: An
application can be withdrawn from the
pilot program only by filing a request to
withdraw the petition to participate in
the pilot program prior to the issuance
of a decision granting the petition. Once
the petition for participation in the pilot
program has been granted, withdrawal
from the pilot program is not permitted.
V. Requirement for Restriction
The claims must be directed to a
single invention. If the examiner
determines that not all the claims
presented are directed to a single
invention, the telephone restriction
practice set forth in MPEP sec. 812.01
will be followed. The applicant must
make an election without traverse
during the telephonic interview. If the
applicant refuses to make an election
without traverse, or if the examiner
cannot reach the applicant after a
reasonable effort (i.e., three business
days), the examiner will treat the first
claimed invention (the group of claim 1)
as constructively elected without
traverse for examination and include a
basis for the restriction or lack of unity
requirement in the FAOM. When a
telephonic election is made, the
examiner will provide a complete
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record of the telephonic interview,
including the restriction or lack of unity
requirement and the applicant’s
election, in the FAOM. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to ensure that
applications submitted for the
Expanded CSP are written in such a way
that they claim a single, independent,
and distinct invention. The applicant is
responsible for ensuring that the same
invention is elected in both the United
States and all corresponding counterpart
applications for concurrent treatment in
the Expanded CSP.
VI. First Action on the Merits (FAOM)
During examination, the USPTO
examiner will consider all exchanged
search results and all references
submitted by the applicant in
accordance with 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.
Search results that are not received by
the USPTO within four months from the
date the petition was granted may not be
included in the FAOM. The examiner
will prepare and issue an Office action
and notify the applicant if any
designated partner IP office did not
provide search results prior to the
issuance of the Office action. Once an
FAOM issues, the application will no
longer be treated as special under the
Expanded CSP.
Andrew Hirshfeld,
Performing the Functions and Duties of the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
comment period associated with the
notice.
The system of records, CIGIE–5,
appearing in the Federal Register of
January 27, 2021, in FR Doc. 2021–
01429, will become effective without
further notice on March 8, 2021 unless
comments are received that would
result in a contrary determination.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Virginia Grebasch, Senior Counsel,
Pandemic Response Accountability
Committee, Council of the Inspectors
General on Integrity and Efficiency,
(202) 292–2600 or comments@cigie.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Correction
In the Federal Register of January 27,
2021, in FR Doc. 2021–01429, on page
7280, in the third column, correct the
ADDRESSES caption to read:
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
identified by ‘‘CIGIE–5’’ by any of the
following methods:
1. Mail: Council of Inspectors General
on Integrity and Efficiency, 1717 H
Street NW, Suite 825, Washington, DC
20006. Attn: Virginia Grebasch/CIGIE–5,
Notice of New System of Records.
2. Email: comments@cigie.gov.
Dated: February 1, 2021.
Allison C. Lerner,
Chairperson of the Council of the Inspectors
General on Integrity and Efficiency.
[FR Doc. 2021–02338 Filed 2–3–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
[FR Doc. 2021–02342 Filed 2–3–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS
GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND
EFFICIENCY
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records; Correction; Extension of
Comment Period
Council of the Inspectors
General on Integrity and Efficiency
(CIGIE).
ACTION: Notice; correction; extension of
comment period.
AGENCY:
CIGIE published a notice in
the Federal Register on January 27,
2021, proposing to establish a system of
records that is subject to the Privacy Act
of 1974 entitled, ‘‘PRAC Data
Warehouse System (PDWS)—CIGIE–5’’
(CIGIE–5). In that document, CIGIE
erroneously stated that comments could
be made through the Federal
Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. This notice
corrects that error and extends the
SUMMARY:
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Applications for New Awards;
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad Program
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
is issuing a notice inviting applications
for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad (DDRA) Program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.022A.
This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB
control number 1840–0005.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 4,
2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: April 5, 2021.
Pre-Application Webinar information:
The Department will hold a preapplication meeting via webinar for
prospective applicants. Detailed
SUMMARY:
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information regarding this webinar will
be provided on the Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad website at https://
www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsddrap/
applicant.html. Additionally, for new
potential grantees unfamiliar with
grantmaking at the Department, please
consult our funding basics resources at
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/
funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf.
ADDRESSES: The addresses pertinent to
this 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:
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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
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.
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 2021, 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: For
FY 2021, these priorities are competitive
preference priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional
four points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 1 and
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three points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to
7 additional points possible). These
priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (4 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).
Note: Projects must be awarded and
operated in a manner consistent with the
nondiscrimination requirements contained in
the U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil
rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
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:
$4,274,500
Estimated Range of Awards: $15,000–
$60,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$39,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 90.
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
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Project Period: The institutional
project period is 18 months. 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, however, eligible
students submit their individual
research narratives and forms to their
home IHE. The IHE compiles all of the
student applications for inclusion in the
grant application that the institution
submits electronically to the
Department through the G–5 system.
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. For this reason, when
applying for a grant under the FulbrightHays DDRA Fellowship Program, the
student must indicate in their
application whether he or she has also
applied for a FUSP grant. If, at any time
during the U.S. Department of
Education Fulbright-Hays DDRA
competition process a student accepts a
fellowship award from the FUSP, or the
FUSP disperses funds to provide
training services to the student, the
student is automatically ineligible for
consideration for a grant under the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program. Similarly, if the FulbrightHays DDRA program receives
notification directly from the FUSP that
it has awarded funds or provided
training to a potential candidate for a
Fulbright-Hays DDRA fellowship, we
will automatically deem the student
ineligible for an award under the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship
Program. Therefore, students should
notify the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, prior to
accepting grant funds from the FUSP.
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:
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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 TDD
or a 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: Assistance Listing
Number 84.022A.
2. 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.
3. Intergovernmental Review: This
program is not subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34
CFR part 79.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference
regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The
application narrative is where you, the
applicant, address the selection criteria
that reviewers use to evaluate your
application. We recommend that you (1)
limit the application narrative to no
more than 10 pages and the
bibliography to no more than two pages
(2) use the following standards:
• A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side
only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,
and both sides.
• Double space (no more than three
lines per vertical inch) all text in the
application narrative, including titles,
headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, and captions, as well as all
text in charts, tables, figures, and
graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or
larger, or no smaller than 10 pitch
(characters per inch).
• Use one of the following fonts:
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
New, or Arial.
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The recommended page limit does not
apply to the cover sheet, budget section,
including the narrative budget
justification; the assurance and
certifications; or the one-page abstract,
the resumes, the biography, or letters of
support. However, the recommended
page limit does apply to all of the
application narrative.
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
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.
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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, Assistance Listing 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 requires several steps. The
following is a brief overview 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 home IHE 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
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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
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application process. The table below
shows the days and times that the G5
website will be available.
G5 HOURS OF OPERATION IN EASTERN TIME
Sunday
Monday
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Unavailable from
03:00 p.m.–
11:59 p.m.
Unavailable from
12:00 a.m.–
06:00 a.m.
Tuesday
Available 24
hours.
• 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 upload all application
documents electronically, including 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 the 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 any
interactive or fillable PDF files. 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
electronically submits his or her
application to the IHE, the student will
receive an automatic acknowledgment
from the G5 system. After a person
submits a reference electronically, he or
she will receive an online confirmation
from the G5 system. After the applicant
IHE submits its application, including
all eligible individual student
applications, to the Department, the
applicant IHE will receive an automatic
acknowledgment from G5 that will
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Wednesday
Unavailable from
09:00 p.m.–11:59
p.m.
Thursday
Unavailable from
12:00 a.m.–
06:00 a.m.
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 the SF 424 from G5;
(2) Have the Authorizing
Representative 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
hard copies with original signatures for
other forms in the application 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
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 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
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Friday
Available 24
hours.
Saturday
Available 24
hours.
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 the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
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: (Assistance
Listing 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.
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(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 Assistance Listing 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.
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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
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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 2021, student applications
will be divided into seven categories
based on the world area focus of their
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 competition the Department
conducts a review of the risks posed by
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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.
5. In General: In accordance with the
Office of Management and Budget’s
guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all
applicable Federal laws, and relevant
Executive guidance, the Department
will review and consider applications
for funding pursuant to this notice
inviting applications in accordance
with—
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to
be successful in delivering results based
on the program objectives through an
objective process of evaluating Federal
award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain
telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in
alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of
2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) (2 CFR 200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the
extent permitted by law, to maximize
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use of goods, products, and materials
produced in the United States (2 CFR
200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole
or in part to the greatest extent
authorized by law if an award no longer
effectuates the program goals or agency
priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notification
(GAN); or we may send you an email
containing a link to access an electronic
version of your GAN. We may notify
you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a
grant under this competition, you must
ensure that you have in place the
necessary processes and systems to
comply with the reporting requirements
in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
funding under the competition. This
does not apply if you have an exception
under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period,
you must submit a final performance
report, including financial information,
as directed by the Secretary. If you
receive a multiyear award, you must
submit an annual performance report
that provides the most current
performance and financial expenditure
information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
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
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17:13 Feb 03, 2021
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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
these measures. 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: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONACT,
individuals with disabilities can obtain
this document and a copy of the
application package in an accessible
format. The Department will provide the
requestor with an accessible format that
may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or
text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, or
compact disc, or other accessible format.
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
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8191
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Tiwanda Burse,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2021–02339 Filed 2–3–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Application Deadline for Fiscal Year
2021; Small, Rural School
Achievement Program
Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Under the Small, Rural
School Achievement (SRSA) program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.358A, the
U.S. Department of Education
(Department) awards grants on a
formula basis to eligible local
educational agencies (LEAs) to address
the unique needs of rural school
districts. In this notice, we establish the
deadline and describe the submission
procedures for fiscal year (FY) 2021
SRSA grant applications. This notice
relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number
1810–0646.
All LEAs eligible for FY 2021 SRSA
funds must submit an application
electronically via the process described
in this notice by the deadline in this
notice.
SUMMARY:
Applications Available: February
10, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: April 16, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Robert Hitchcock, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 3E–218, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 401–0039. Email:
reap@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf or a text telephone,
call the Federal Relay Service, toll free,
at 1–800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
I. Award Information
Type of Award: Formula grant.
Available Funds: $93,920,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $0–
$60,000.
Note: Depending on the number of eligible
LEAs identified in a given year and the
amount appropriated by Congress for the
program, some eligible LEAs may receive an
SRSA allocation of $0 under the statutory
funding formula.
Estimated Number of Awards: 4,200.
E:\FR\FM\04FEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 22 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8186-8191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02339]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation
Research Abroad Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting
applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral
Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Program, Assistance Listing Number
84.022A. This notice relates to the approved information collection
under OMB control number 1840-0005.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 4, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 5, 2021.
Pre-Application Webinar information: The Department will hold a
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed
[[Page 8187]]
information regarding this webinar will be provided on the Doctoral
Dissertation Research Abroad website at https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsddrap/applicant.html. Additionally, for new potential grantees
unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, please consult our
funding basics resources at https://www2.ed.gov/documents/funding-101/funding-101-basics.pdf.
ADDRESSES: The addresses pertinent to this 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: [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 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.
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 2021, 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: For FY 2021, these priorities
are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we
award an additional four points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 1 and three points to an application
that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2 (up to 7 additional points
possible). These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (4 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).
Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the
U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
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: $4,274,500
Estimated Range of Awards: $15,000-$60,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $39,000.
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.
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, however, eligible students submit
their individual research narratives and forms to their home IHE. The
IHE compiles all of the student applications for inclusion in the grant
application that the institution submits electronically to the
Department through the G-5 system.
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. For this
reason, when applying for a grant under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA
Fellowship Program, the student must indicate in their application
whether he or she has also applied for a FUSP grant. If, at any time
during the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays DDRA competition
process a student accepts a fellowship award from the FUSP, or the FUSP
disperses funds to provide training services to the student, the
student is automatically ineligible for consideration for a grant under
the Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program. Similarly, if the
Fulbright-Hays DDRA program receives notification directly from the
FUSP that it has awarded funds or provided training to a potential
candidate for a Fulbright-Hays DDRA fellowship, we will automatically
deem the student ineligible for an award under the Fulbright-Hays DDRA
Fellowship Program. Therefore, students should notify the person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, prior to accepting grant funds
from the FUSP.
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:
[[Page 8188]]
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 TDD or a 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: [email protected].
If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to
identify this program as follows: Assistance Listing Number 84.022A.
2. 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.
3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you,
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the
application narrative to no more than 10 pages and the bibliography to
no more than two pages (2) use the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, or no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet,
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurance and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the biography, or letters of support. However, the recommended page
limit does apply to all of the application narrative.
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 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, Assistance Listing 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 requires several
steps. The following is a brief overview 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 [email protected] 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 home IHE 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
[[Page 8189]]
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 table below shows the days and times
that the G5 website will be available.
G5 Hours of Operation in Eastern Time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unavailable from 03:00 p.m.- Unavailable from Available 24 hours Unavailable from Unavailable from Available 24 hours Available 24
11:59 p.m. 12:00 a.m.-06:00 09:00 p.m.-11:59 12:00 a.m.-06:00 hours.
a.m. p.m. a.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 upload all application documents electronically,
including 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 the 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 any interactive or fillable PDF files. 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 electronically submits his or
her application to the IHE, the student will receive an automatic
acknowledgment from the G5 system. After a person submits a reference
electronically, he or she will receive an online confirmation from the
G5 system. After the applicant IHE submits its application, including
all eligible individual student applications, to the Department, the
applicant IHE will receive an automatic acknowledgment from G5 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 the SF 424 from G5;
(2) Have the Authorizing Representative 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 hard copies with
original signatures for other forms in the application 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 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 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: [email protected]
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 the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
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:
(Assistance Listing 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.
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(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 Assistance Listing 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 2021, student applications will be divided into seven
categories based on the world area focus of their 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 competition 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.
5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting
applications in accordance with--
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR
200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to
maximize
[[Page 8191]]
use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2
CFR 200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary 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 these measures.
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: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONACT, individuals with disabilities can
obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
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.
Tiwanda Burse,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-02339 Filed 2-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
