Applications for New Awards; Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), 27584-27589 [2021-10742]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 97 (Friday, May 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27584-27589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10742]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Minority Science and Engineering 
Improvement Program (MSEIP)

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the MSEIP, 
Assistance Listing Number 84.120A. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0109.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: May 21, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 6, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 3, 2021.
    Pre-Application Webinar information: The Department will hold a 
pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants. 
Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the 
website for the MSEIP at www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/.

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: Dr. Bernadette Hence, U.S. Department 
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B125, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-7913. 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 MSEIP is designed to effect long-range 
improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly 
minority institutions and to increase the flow of underrepresented 
ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into scientific and 
technological careers.
    Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected schools and 
postsecondary institutions nationwide. Almost instantaneously, all 
educational institutions from pre-K to graduate programs had to 
establish distance education programs even though many schools, 
institutions, and families lacked the needed technology, software, and 
training to teach and learn in a remote environment. Recent research 
(Liu et al., 2020; Son et al., 2020; Panchal et al., 2021) \1\ suggests 
that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in long-term stressors that 
negatively affect the mental health of students. College students are 
experiencing numerous pandemic-related effects including closures of 
universities, loss of income, increased alcohol or substance abuse, 
suicidal thoughts, and symptoms of anxiety (Panchal et al., 2021). In a 
recent survey of over 2,000 college students conducted in April 2020, 
one in five respondents reported that their mental health had 
significantly worsened during the pandemic (Liu et al., 2020). This 
baseline data underscores the urgent need to aggressively address the 
mental health needs of college students through strategies for ensuring 
mental health service access and intentional outreach to students with 
special circumstances. In developing a proposed project, we strongly 
encourage applicants to incorporate interventions and preventive 
strategies to address the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
on college students.
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    \1\ Liu, C.H., Pinder-Amaker, S., Hahm, H.C. & Chen, J.A. 
(2020). Priorities for addressing the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on college student mental health. Journal of American 
College Health, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1803882.
    Panchal, N., Kamal, R., Cox, C. & Garfield, R. (2021). The 
implications of COVID-19 for mental health and substance. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use.
    Son, C., Hegde, S., Smith, A. & Wang, X. (2020). Effects of 
Covid-19 on college students' mental health in the United States: 
Interview survey study. Journal of Medical internet Research, 22 
(9). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/21279.
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    Priority: This notice contains one competitive preference priority. 
The competitive preference priority is from the notice of final 
administrative priority and definitions for discretionary grants 
program published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2020 (85 FR 
86545) (Remote Learning NFP).

[[Page 27585]]

    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021, and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional three 
points to an application that meets this priority. Applicants must 
indicate in the one-page abstract and on the FY 2021 MSEIP Eligibility 
Certification Form in the application package whether they address the 
competitive preference priority.
    This priority is:
    Building Capacity for Remote Learning (3 points).
    Under this priority, an applicant must propose a project that is 
designed to address one or both of the following priority areas:
    (a) Adopting and supporting models that leverage technology (e.g., 
universal design for learning, competency-based education (as defined 
in this notice), or hybrid/blended learning) and provide high-quality 
digital learning content, applications, and tools.
    (b) Providing personalized and job-embedded professional learning 
to build the capacity of educators to create remote learning 
experiences that advance student engagement and learning through 
effective use of technology (e.g., synchronous and asynchronous 
professional learning, professional learning networks or communities, 
and coaching).
    Note: The remote learning environment must be accessible to 
individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, as applicable. The remote learning environment must 
also provide appropriate remote learning language assistance services 
to English learners.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from the Remote Learning 
NFP.
    Competency-based education (also called proficiency-based or 
mastery-based learning) means learning based on knowledge and skills 
that are transparent and measurable. Progression is based on 
demonstrated mastery of what students are expected to know (knowledge) 
and be able to do (skills), rather than seat time or age.
    Remote learning means programming where at least part of the 
learning occurs away from the physical building in a manner that 
addresses a learner's education needs. Remote learning may include 
online, hybrid/blended learning, or non-technology-based learning 
(e.g., lab kits, project supplies, paper packets).
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1067-1067k.
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 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 637. (e) 
The Remote Learning NFP.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $3,021,891.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards:
    Institutional Project Grants: $200,000-$250,000.
    Special Project Grants: $200,000-$250,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $275,000-$300,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards:
    Institutional Project Grants: $225,000.
    Special Project Grants: $225,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $287,500.
    Maximum Awards:
    Institutional Project Grants: $250,000.
    Special Project Grants: $250,000.
    Cooperative Project Grants: $300,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards:
    Institutional Project Grants: 10.
    Special Project Grants: 2.
    Cooperative Project Grants: 1.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: The eligibility of an applicant is 
dependent on the type of MSEIP grant the applicant seeks. There are 
four types of MSEIP grants: Institutional project, special project, 
cooperative project, and design project.
    Institutional project grants are grants that support the 
implementation of a comprehensive science improvement plan, which may 
include any combination of activities for improving the preparation of 
minority students for careers in science.
    There are two types of special project grants. First, there are 
special project grants for which only minority institutions are 
eligible. These special project grants support activities that: (1) 
Improve quality training in science and engineering at minority 
institutions; or (2) enhance the minority institutions' general 
scientific research capabilities. There also are special project grants 
for which all applicants are eligible. These special project grants 
support activities that: (1) Provide a needed service to a group of 
eligible minority institutions; or (2) provide in-service training for 
project directors, scientists, and engineers from eligible minority 
institutions.
    Cooperative project grants assist groups of nonprofit accredited 
colleges and universities to work together to conduct a science 
improvement program.
    Design project grants assist minority institutions that do not have 
their own appropriate resources or personnel to plan and develop long-
range science improvement programs. We will not award design project 
grants in the FY 2021 competition.
    (a) For institutional project grants, eligible applicants are 
limited to--
    (1) Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education 
that: (i) Award baccalaureate degrees; and (ii) are minority 
institutions;
    (2) Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education 
that: (i) Award associate degrees; and (ii) are minority institutions 
that (A) have a curriculum that includes science or engineering 
subjects; and (B) enter into a partnership with public or private 
nonprofit institutions of higher education that award baccalaureate 
degrees in science and engineering.
    (b) For special project grants for which only minority institutions 
are eligible, eligible applicants are described in paragraph (a).
    (c) For special project grants for which all applicants are 
eligible, eligible applicants include those described in paragraph (a), 
and--
    (1) Nonprofit science-oriented organizations, professional 
scientific societies, and institutions of higher education that award 
baccalaureate degrees that: (i) Provide a needed service to a group of 
minority institutions; or (ii) provide in-service training to project 
directors, scientists,

[[Page 27586]]

and engineers from minority institutions; or
    (2) A consortia of organizations that provide needed services to 
one or more minority institutions, the membership of which may include: 
(i) Institutions of higher education which have a curriculum in science 
or engineering; (ii) institutions of higher education that have a 
graduate or professional program in science or engineering; (iii) 
research laboratories of, or under contract with, the Department of 
Energy, the Department of Defense, or the National Institutes of 
Health; (iv) relevant offices of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; (v) quasi-governmental entities that have a significant 
scientific or engineering mission; or (vi) institutions of higher 
education that have State-sponsored centers for research in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
    (d) For cooperative project grants, eligible applicants are groups 
of nonprofit accredited colleges and universities whose primary fiscal 
agent is an eligible minority institution as defined in 34 CFR 
637.4(b).
    Note: As defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), ``minority institution'' means 
an accredited college or university whose enrollment of a single 
minority group or a combination of minority groups as defined in 34 CFR 
637.4 exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment. The Secretary 
verifies this information from the data on enrollments (Integrated 
Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 12-Month Enrollment survey) 
furnished by the institution to the National Center for Education 
Statistics (NCES), United States Department of Education.\2\
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    \2\ The Secretary uses IPEDS data to verify enrollment in lieu 
of the Higher Education General Information Surveys HEGIS XIII 
survey data specified in 34 CFR 637.4(b), as those surveys are no 
longer conducted.
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    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you 
may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the 
Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an 
organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State 
taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the 
organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and 
that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private 
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly 
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item 
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent 
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent 
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information 
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more 
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated 
indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    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. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the MSEIP grant 
competition, your application may include business information that you 
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' 
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we plan to make successful applications available to the 
public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business 
information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    3. 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.
    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 50 pages and (2) use the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the 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 the application narrative.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 637.32. Applicants should address each of the selection 
criteria. The points assigned to each criterion are indicated in the 
parentheses next to the criterion. An applicant may earn up to a total 
of 100 points based on the selection criteria and up to 3 additional 
points

[[Page 27587]]

under the competitive preference priority, for a total score of up to 
103 points. All applications will be evaluated based on the selection 
criteria as follows:
    (a) Identification of need for the project (Total 5 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the identification of need for the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) An adequate needs assessment;
    (ii) An identification of specific needs in science; and
    (iii) Involvement of appropriate individuals, especially science 
faculty, in identifying the institutional needs.
    (b) Plan of operation (Total 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) Higher quality in the design of the project;
    (ii) An effective plan of management that insures 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) Methods of coordination. (See 34 CFR 75.580)
    (c) Quality of key personnel (Total 10 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality 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 (if one is to be 
used);
    (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 (c)(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 members of a racial or ethnic 
minority group, women, handicapped persons, and 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.
    (d) Budget and cost effectiveness (Total 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 objective of the 
project.
    Note: The Comprehensive Budget Narrative will be part of the 
information reviewed under this selection criterion.
    (e) Evaluation plan (Total 15 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project. (See 34 CFR 
75.590)
    (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.
    Note: In considering the quality of an evaluation plan, for each 
proposed objective, the Secretary may consider, among other things, the 
baseline indicators of progress for each proposed grant year, the 
methods of evaluation, the types of data that will be collected to 
assess the final project outcomes and the data collection procedures 
that will be used, the proposed timetable for conducting the 
evaluation, and the procedures for analyzing and using both formative 
and summative data.
    Note: In considering whether an evaluation plan shows methods of 
evaluation that are objective, the Secretary considers whether the 
evaluation is to be conducted by an independent evaluator.
    (f) Adequacy of resources (Total 5 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.
    Note: An applicant should indicate if these resources are available 
at its institution or at partner institutions or if the applicant plans 
to acquire them.
    (g) Potential institutional impact of the project (Total 10 
points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent 
to which the proposed project gives evidence of potential for enhancing 
the institution's capacity for improving and maintaining quality 
science education for its minority students, particularly minority 
women.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) For an institutional or cooperative project, the extent to 
which both the established science education program(s) and the 
proposed project will expand or strengthen the established program(s) 
in relation to the identified needs; or
    (ii) For a special project, the extent to which it addresses needs 
that have not been adequately addressed by an existing institutional 
science program or takes a particularly new and exemplary approach that 
has not been taken by any existing institutional science program.
    (h) Institutional commitment to the project (Total 5 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows that the applicant plans to continue the project activities when 
funding ceases.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) Adequate institutional commitment to absorb any after-the-grant 
burden initiated by the project;
    (ii) Adequate plans for continuation of project activities when 
funding ceases;
    (iii) Clear evidence of past institutional commitment to the 
provision of quality science programs for its minority students; and
    (iv) A local review statement signed by the chief executive officer 
of the institution endorsing the project and indicating how the project 
will accelerate the attainment of the institutional goals in science.
    (i) Expected outcomes (Total 10 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent 
to which minority students, particularly minority women, will benefit 
from the project.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) Expected outcomes likely to result in the accomplishment of the 
program goal;
    (ii) Educational value for science students; and
    (iii) Possibility of long-term benefits to minority students, 
faculty, or the institution.
    (j) Scientific and educational value of the proposed project (Total 
10 points).
    (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that 
shows its potential for contributions to science education.
    (2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
    (i) The relationship of the proposed project to the present state 
of science education;

[[Page 27588]]

    (ii) The use or development of effective techniques and approaches 
in science education; and
    (iii) Potential use of some aspects of the project at other 
institutions.
    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).
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, 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 200.206(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 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. 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 or subgrantee 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 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.
    5. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993, the Department will use the following performance 
measures to evaluate the success of the MSEIP grants: (1) The 
percentage of change in the number of full-time, degree-seeking 
minority undergraduate students at the grantee's institution enrolled 
in the fields of engineering or physical or biological sciences, 
compared to the average minority enrollment in the same fields in the 
three-year period immediately prior to the beginning of the current 
grant; (2) the percentage of minority students enrolled at four-year 
minority institutions in the fields of engineering or physical or 
biological sciences who graduate within six years

[[Page 27589]]

of enrollment. Please see the application package for details of data 
collection and reporting requirements for these measures.
    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, whether 
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance 
targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 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.

Michelle Asha Cooper,
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-10742 Filed 5-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P