Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program, 15213-15218 [2022-05640]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
checkbox. Comments may also be sent
to ICDocketmgr@ed.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Amy Banks,
202–453–6704.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department of Education (ED), in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general
public and Federal agencies with an
opportunity to comment on proposed,
revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps the Department
assess the impact of its information
collection requirements and minimize
the public’s reporting burden. It also
helps the public understand the
Department’s information collection
requirements and provide the requested
data in the desired format. ED is
soliciting comments on the proposed
information collection request (ICR) that
is described below. The Department of
Education is especially interested in
public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) Is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: Project to Support
America’s Families and Educators
(Project SAFE) Grant Application.
OMB Control Number: 1810–0763.
Type of Review: An extension without
change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: State,
Local, and Tribal Governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 13.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 26.
Abstract: This is a request for an
extension without change of an existing
information collection, 1810–0763. The
Project Support America’s Families and
Educators (SAFE) grant program is
intended to improve students’ safety
and well-being by providing resources
to local educational agencies (LEAs) that
adopt and implement strategies to
prevent the spread of the Novel
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19)
consistent with guidance from the
Centers for Disease Control and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
Prevention (CDC) and that are
financially penalized for doing so by
their State educational agency (SEA) or
other State entity. Under the Project
SAFE grant program, applications will
be submitted on a rolling basis before
the end of fiscal year 2021 and
throughout fiscal year 2022. Upon
receipt of the applications, the intent is
to quickly review and make approval
decisions of awards as quickly as
possible to make the award the funds
before the end of this fiscal year.
Dated: March 14, 2022.
Kate Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2022–05660 Filed 3–16–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research
Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY)
2022 for the Fulbright-Hays Faculty
Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship
Program, Assistance Listing Number
84.019A. This notice relates to the
approved information collection under
OMB control number 1840–0005.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 9, 2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: July 13, 2022.
Preapplication Webinar and
Applicant Resources: The Department
will hold a preapplication meeting via
webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed information regarding this
webinar will be provided on the
International and Foreign Language
Education’s website at www2.ed.gov/
about/offices/list/ope/iegps/.
For additional information, especially
for new potential grantees unfamiliar
with grantmaking at the Department,
please consult our funding basics
resources at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/
grant/about/grantmaking/.
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
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15213
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 258–24, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 453–6891. Email:
FRA@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The FulbrightHays FRA Fellowship Program provides
grants to colleges and universities to
fund faculty members seeking to
improve their area studies and foreign
language skills by conducting research
abroad. 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 three competitive
preference priorities. In accordance with
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute
priority and Competitive Preference
Priorities 1 and 2 are from the
regulations for this program (34 CFR
663.21(d)). Competitive Preference
Priority 3 is from the Secretary’s Notice
of Final Supplemental Priorities and
Definitions for Discretionary Grant
Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 10, 2021 (86 FR
70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2022, and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, 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 2022, and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition, the following priorities are
competitive preference priorities. Under
34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an
additional 1 point to an application that
meets Competitive Preference Priority 1;
an additional 2 points to an application
that meets Competitive Preference
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
15214
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
Priority 2; and an additional 2 points to
an application that meets Competitive
Preference Priority 3, for a maximum of
5 additional points.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1—
Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (1 point).
A research project that focuses on any
modern foreign language except French,
German, or Spanish.
Competitive Preference Priority 2—
Thematic Focus on Academic Fields (2
points).
A research project conducted in
modern foreign languages and area
studies with an academic focus on any
of the following academic fields:
Science (including climate change),
technology, engineering (including
infrastructure studies), mathematics,
computer science, education
(comparative or international),
international development, political
science, public health (including
epidemiology), or economics.
Competitive Preference Priority 3—
Promoting Equity in Student Access to
Educational Resources and
Opportunities (2 points).
Projects will be implemented by one
or more of the following entities:
(1) Community colleges (as defined in
this notice).
(2) Historically Black colleges and
universities (as defined in this notice).
(3) Tribal colleges and universities (as
defined in this notice).
(4) Minority-serving institutions (as
defined in this notice).
Definitions: The following definitions
are from the Supplemental Priorities.
Community college means ‘‘junior or
community college’’ as defined in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
Historically Black colleges and
universities means colleges and
universities that meet the criteria set out
in 34 CFR 608.2.
Minority-serving institution means an
institution that is eligible to receive
assistance under sections 316 through
320 of part A of title III, under part B
of title III, or under title V of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (HEA).
Tribal college or university has the
meaning ascribed it in section 316(b)(3)
of the HEA.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C.
2452(b)(6).
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
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 663.21. (e) The Supplemental
Priorities.
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.
Note: The Administration has
requested $8,811,000 for multiple
activities under the Fulbright-Hays
Overseas program for FY 2022. The
actual level of funding for this activity,
if any, depends on final congressional
action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to
complete the grant process before the
end of the current fiscal year if Congress
appropriates funds for this program.
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 Available Funding:
$400,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $25,000–
$40,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$40,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: The institutional
project period is 18 months. Faculty
may request funding for a period of no
less than 3 months and no more than 12
months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs. Eligible
faculty members at the IHE submit their
individual research narratives and forms
to their home IHE representative, who
compiles the faculty submissions and
incorporates them into the grant
application that the institution submits
electronically to the Department
through the G5 system.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
program does not require cost sharing or
matching.
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
b. Administrative Cost Limitation: In
accordance with 34 CFR 663.30(d), the
Secretary awards the institution an
administrative allowance of $100 for
each fellowship listed in the grant
award document.
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. Address to Request Application
Package: Both IHEs and faculty member
applicants can obtain an application
package via the internet or from the
Education Publications Center (ED
Pubs). To obtain a copy via the internet,
use the following address: www.G5.gov.
To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write,
fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S.
Department of Education, P.O. Box
22207, Alexandria, VA 22304.
Telephone, toll free: 1–877–433–7827.
FAX: (703) 605–6794. If you use a TDD
or a TTY, call toll free: 1–877–576–
7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its
website, 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 84.019A.
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 Other
Submission Requirements below.
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
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
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
and (2) use the following standards:
• A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side
only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom,
and both sides.
• Double-space (no more than three
lines per vertical inch) all text in the
application narrative, including titles,
headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, and captions, as well as all
text in charts, tables, figures, and
graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or
larger, or no smaller than 10 pitch
(characters per inch).
• Use one of the following fonts:
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not
apply to 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. DUNS/UEI, Taxpayer Identification
Number, and System for Award
Management: To do business with the
Department, you must—
a. Have a DUNS/UEI number and a
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS/UEI
number and TIN with the System for
Award Management (SAM), the
Government’s primary registrant
database;
c. Provide your DUNS/UEI 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.
Until April 3, 2022, 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. Beginning on April
4, 2022, we will transition to using UEI
numbers instead of DUNS numbers. If
you are not already registered in SAM
at that time, you can obtain a UEI
directly through the SAM system.
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 2 to 5 weeks for your TIN
to become active.
The SAM registration process can take
approximately 7 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/UEI 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/UEI 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/UEI 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 FRA Fellowship
Program, Assistance Listing Number
84.019A, electronically using the G5
15215
system, accessible through the
Department’s G5 site at: www.G5.gov.
While completing the electronic
application, both the IHE and the
faculty 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 FRA 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 FRA@
ed.gov. We suggest that applicant IHEs
submit this information no later than 2
weeks prior to the application deadline
date to ensure that they obtain access to
G5 well before that date;
(2) Faculty applicants must complete
their individual applications and submit
them to their home IHE project director
using G5;
(3) Persons providing references for
individual faculty applicants must
complete and submit reference forms 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 faculty
applications, reference forms, and other
required forms, using G5.
• The IHE must complete the
electronic submission of the grant
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on the application deadline date.
G5 will not accept an application for
this competition after 4:30:00 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly
recommend that both the IHE and the
faculty applicant begin the application
process early and not wait until close to
the application deadline date to prepare
their applications. The table below
shows the days and times that the G5
website will be available.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
G5—HOURS OF OPERATION IN EASTERN TIME
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Unavailable from 09:00
p.m.–11:59 p.m.
Unavailable from 12:00
a.m.–06:00 a.m.
Available 24 hours
Unavailable from 09:00
p.m.–11:59 p.m.
Unavailable from 12:00
a.m.–06:00 a.m.
Available 24 hours
Available 24 hours.
• Faculty applicants will not receive
additional point value because they
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
submit their application in electronic
format, nor will we penalize the IHE or
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the faculty applicant if the applicant
qualifies for an exception to the
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
15216
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
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 faculty 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, nonmodifiable PDF (e.g., Word,
Excel, WordPerfect) 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.
• Prior to submitting your electronic
application, please redact any
personally identifiable information
(SSN, birthdate, etc.). You may wish to
print a copy of your application package
for your records.
• After the individual faculty
applicant electronically submits their
application to the IHE, the faculty
applicant will receive an automatic
acknowledgment from the G5 system.
After the person submits a reference
electronically to the Department on
behalf of a faculty applicant, they will
receive an electronic confirmation from
the G5 system. After the applicant IHE
submits its application, including all
eligible individual faculty applications
to the Department, the applicant IHE
will also receive an automated
acknowledgment from G5 that will
include a unique PR/Award number for
the IHE’s application.
• Within 3 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) Email the signed SF 424 to the
Application Control Center at FRA@
ed.gov.
• We may request that you provide
hard copies with original signatures for
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
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 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 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 a time extension due to G5
unavailability or to confirm our
acknowledgment of G5’s 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 the application deadline is
extended, an email will be sent to all
registered users who have initiated a G5
application. The deadline date
extensions described 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), (1) you must provide a prior
written notification that you intend to
submit a paper application and (2) your
paper application must be postmarked
by the application deadline date.
The prior written notification may be
submitted by email or by mail to the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. If you submit
your notification by email, it must be
received by the Department no later
than 14 calendar days before the
application deadline date. If you mail
your notification to the Department, it
must be postmarked no later than 14
calendar days before the application
deadline date.
If you submit a paper application, you
must have, and include on your
application, a DUNS/UEI number and
mail the original and two copies of your
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
application, on or before the application
deadline date, to the Department at the
following address: U.S. Department of
Education, OFO/G5 Functional
Application Team, Mail Stop 5C231,
Attention: 84.019A, 400 Maryland
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202–
4260.
You must show proof of mailing
consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the
date of mailing stamped by the U.S.
Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or
receipt from a commercial carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing
acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Education.
If you mail your application through
the U.S. Postal Service, we do not
accept either of the following as proof
of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by
the U.S. Postal Service.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not
uniformly provide a dated postmark.
Before relying on this method, you
should check with your local post
office.
We will not consider applications
postmarked after the application
deadline date.
Note for Mail Delivery of Paper
Applications: If you mail your
application to the Department—
(1) You must indicate on the envelope
and in Item 11 of the SF 424 the ALN,
including suffix letter, if any, of the
competition under which you are
submitting your application; and
(2) The G5 Functional Application
Team will notify you of the
Department’s receipt of your grant
application. If you do not receive this
notification within 15 business days
from the application deadline date, you
should contact the person listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from the
regulations for this program in 34 CFR
663.21 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 (10 points);
(2) The relationship of the research to
the literature on the topic and to major
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
theoretical issues in the field, and the
project’s importance in terms of the
concerns of the discipline (10 points);
(3) The preliminary research already
completed or plans for research prior to
going overseas, and the kinds, quality
and availability of data for the research
in the host country or countries (10
points);
(4) The justification for overseas field
research, and preparations to establish
appropriate and sufficient research
contacts and affiliations abroad (10
points);
(5) The applicant’s plans to share the
results of the research in progress with
scholars and officials of the host country
or countries and the American scholarly
community (10 points); and
(6) The objectives of the project
regarding the sponsoring institution’s
plans for developing or strengthening,
or both, curricula in modern foreign
languages and area studies (10 points).
(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 applicant’s
academic record (teaching, research,
contributions, professional association
activities) (10 points);
(2) The applicant’s excellence as a
teacher or researcher, or both, in his or
her area or areas of specialization (10
points);
(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 (15 points); and
(4) The applicant’s ability to conduct
research in a foreign cultural context, as
evidenced by the applicant’s previous
overseas experience, or documentation
provided by the sponsoring institution,
or both (5 points).
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
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 2022, faculty applications are
divided into seven categories based on
the world area focus of their research
projects, as described in the absolute
priority listed in this notice. Foreign
language and area studies experts on
discrete world area-based panels will
evaluate the faculty applications. Each
panel reviews, scores, and ranks its
assigned applications separately from
the applications assigned to the other
world area panels. At the conclusion of
the panel review process, however, all
faculty applications will be ranked
together from the highest to lowest score
for funding recommendation purposes.
If there are applications on the rank
order slate with the same average score,
the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
Board’s policy governing veteran’s
preference will be used in the tiebreaker
and selection process. Veteran’s
preference will be used first to
determine which application to
recommend for funding. This means
that in instances where two or more
applications have the same average
score on the rank order slate, and there
are insufficient funds to support all of
the equally ranked applications, the
veteran’s application will be given
preference.
For the applications that have tied
average scores but are not subject to the
veteran’s preference, the Department
will use the average score assigned on
the Technical Review Forms for the
‘‘Quality of the Proposed Project’’
selection criterion. If a tie still exists,
the average score for Competitive
Preference Priority 1 will be used as the
tiebreaker. A final tiebreaker, should it
become necessary, will use the average
score assigned for the ‘‘Qualifications of
the Applicant’’ selection criterion.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15217
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 the IHE’s U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send the IHE a Grant Award Notification
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
15218
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2022 / Notices
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
(GAN). We may also notify the IHE
informally.
If a faculty application is not
evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify the IHE.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy
requirements in the application package
and reference these and other
requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining
the terms and conditions of an award in
the Applicable Regulations section of
this notice and include these and other
specific conditions in the GAN. The
GAN also incorporates your approved
application as part of its 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. 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: For the
purpose of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use
the following performance measure:
FRA Measure: The percentage of
Fulbright-Hays FRA fellows who
increased their foreign language scores
in speaking, reading, or writing by at
least one proficiency level.
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:38 Mar 16, 2022
Jkt 256001
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,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher
Education Programs, Delegated the Authority
to Perform the Functions and Duties of the
Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2022–05640 Filed 3–16–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards;
Personnel Development To Improve
Services and Results for Children With
Disabilities—Early Childhood
Personnel Equity Center
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications for new awards for fiscal
year (FY) 2022 for the Early Childhood
Personnel Equity Center, Assistance
Listing Number 84.325C. This notice
relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number
1820–0028.
DATES:
Applications Available: March 17,
2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: May 16, 2022.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: July 15, 2022.
Pre-Application Webinar Information:
No later than March 22, 2022, the Office
of Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services (OSERS) will post details on
pre-recorded informational webinars
designed to provide technical assistance
to interested applicants. Links to the
webinars may be found at www2.ed.gov/
fund/grant/apply/osep/new-osepgrants.html.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for
obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common
Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on December 27, 2021
(86 FR 73264) and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021–27979.
Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version
published on February 13, 2019, and, in
part, describe the transition from the
requirement to register in SAM.gov a
Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number to the implementation
of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
More information on the phase-out of
DUNS numbers is available at https://
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/
docs/unique-entity-identifier-transitionfact-sheet.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracie Dickson, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 5176, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202–5076.
Telephone: (202) 245–7844. Email:
Tracie.Dickson@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purposes of
this program are to (1) help address
State-identified needs for personnel
preparation in special education, early
intervention, related services, and
regular education to work with children,
including infants and toddlers, with
disabilities; and (2) ensure that those
personnel have the necessary skills and
knowledge, derived from practices that
have been determined through
scientifically based research and
experience, to be successful in serving
those children.
Priority: This competition includes
one absolute priority. In accordance
with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(v), this
priority is from allowable activities
specified in the statute (see sections 662
and 681(d) of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); 20
U.S.C. 1462 and 1481(d)).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2022 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, this
priority is an absolute priority. Under 34
CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only
applications that meet this priority.
This priority is:
Early Childhood Personnel Equity
Center.
Background:
All children have the right to
equitable learning opportunities.
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15213-15218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05640]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research
Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2022 for the
Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) Fellowship Program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.019A. This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0005.
DATES:
Applications Available: May 9, 2022.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 13, 2022.
Preapplication Webinar and Applicant Resources: The Department will
hold a preapplication meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.
Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the
International and Foreign Language Education's website at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/. For additional information,
especially for new potential grantees unfamiliar with grantmaking at
the Department, please consult our funding basics resources at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/about/grantmaking/.
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 FRA Fellowship Program
provides grants to colleges and universities to fund faculty members
seeking to improve their area studies and foreign language skills by
conducting research abroad. 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 three
competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority and Competitive Preference
Priorities 1 and 2 are from the regulations for this program (34 CFR
663.21(d)). Competitive Preference Priority 3 is from the Secretary's
Notice of Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for
Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on
December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities).
Absolute Priority: For FY 2022, and any subsequent year in which we
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, 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 2022, and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, the following priorities are competitive
preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an
additional 1 point to an application that meets Competitive Preference
Priority 1; an additional 2 points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference
[[Page 15214]]
Priority 2; and an additional 2 points to an application that meets
Competitive Preference Priority 3, for a maximum of 5 additional
points.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--Focus on Less Commonly Taught
Languages (1 point).
A research project that focuses on any modern foreign language
except French, German, or Spanish.
Competitive Preference Priority 2--Thematic Focus on Academic
Fields (2 points).
A research project conducted in modern foreign languages and area
studies with an academic focus on any of the following academic fields:
Science (including climate change), technology, engineering (including
infrastructure studies), mathematics, computer science, education
(comparative or international), international development, political
science, public health (including epidemiology), or economics.
Competitive Preference Priority 3--Promoting Equity in Student
Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities (2 points).
Projects will be implemented by one or more of the following
entities:
(1) Community colleges (as defined in this notice).
(2) Historically Black colleges and universities (as defined in
this notice).
(3) Tribal colleges and universities (as defined in this notice).
(4) Minority-serving institutions (as defined in this notice).
Definitions: The following definitions are from the Supplemental
Priorities.
Community college means ``junior or community college'' as defined
in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended
(HEA).
Historically Black colleges and universities means colleges and
universities that meet the criteria set out in 34 CFR 608.2.
Minority-serving institution means an institution that is eligible
to receive assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of title
III, under part B of title III, or under title V of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (HEA).
Tribal college or university has the meaning ascribed it in section
316(b)(3) of the HEA.
Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6).
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, 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 663.21.
(e) The Supplemental Priorities.
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.
Note: The Administration has requested $8,811,000 for multiple
activities under the Fulbright-Hays Overseas program for FY 2022. The
actual level of funding for this activity, if any, depends on final
congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow
enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current
fiscal year if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
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 Available Funding: $400,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $25,000-$40,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $40,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: The institutional project period is 18 months.
Faculty may request funding for a period of no less than 3 months and
no more than 12 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs. Eligible faculty members at the IHE
submit their individual research narratives and forms to their home IHE
representative, who compiles the faculty submissions and incorporates
them into the grant application that the institution submits
electronically to the Department through the G5 system.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Administrative Cost Limitation: In accordance with 34 CFR
663.30(d), the Secretary awards the institution an administrative
allowance of $100 for each fellowship listed in the grant award
document.
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. Address to Request Application Package: Both IHEs and faculty
member applicants can obtain an application package via the internet or
from the Education Publications Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via
the internet, use the following address: www.G5.gov. To obtain a copy
from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, U.S.
Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304.
Telephone, toll free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a
TDD or a TTY, call toll free: 1-877-576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its website, 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 84.019A.
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 Other Submission Requirements below.
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
[[Page 15215]]
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 and (2) use the following
standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings,
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, or no
smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to 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. DUNS/UEI, Taxpayer Identification Number, and System for Award
Management: To do business with the Department, you must--
a. Have a DUNS/UEI number and a Taxpayer Identification Number
(TIN);
b. Register both your DUNS/UEI number and TIN with the System for
Award Management (SAM), the Government's primary registrant database;
c. Provide your DUNS/UEI 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.
Until April 3, 2022, 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. Beginning
on April 4, 2022, we will transition to using UEI numbers instead of
DUNS numbers. If you are not already registered in SAM at that time,
you can obtain a UEI directly through the SAM system.
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 2 to 5 weeks for your TIN to become active.
The SAM registration process can take approximately 7 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/UEI 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/UEI 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/UEI 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 FRA
Fellowship Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.019A, 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 faculty 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 FRA 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 2 weeks prior
to the application deadline date to ensure that they obtain access to
G5 well before that date;
(2) Faculty applicants must complete their individual applications
and submit them to their home IHE project director using G5;
(3) Persons providing references for individual faculty applicants
must complete and submit reference forms 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 faculty applications,
reference forms, and other required forms, using G5.
The IHE must complete the electronic submission of the
grant application by 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date. G5 will not accept an application for this competition
after 4:30:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application deadline date.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that both the IHE and the faculty
applicant begin the application process early and not wait until close
to the application deadline date to prepare their applications. 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unavailab Unavailab Available 24 hours... Unavailabl Unavailab Available 24 hours... Available 24 hours.
le from le from e from le from
09:00 12:00 09:00 12:00
p.m.-11: a.m.-06: p.m.-11:5 a.m.-06:
59 p.m. 00 a.m. 9 p.m. 00 a.m.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faculty applicants will not receive additional point value
because they submit their application in electronic format, nor will we
penalize the IHE or the faculty applicant if the applicant qualifies
for an exception to the
[[Page 15216]]
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 faculty 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 read-only, nonmodifiable PDF (e.g.,
Word, Excel, WordPerfect) 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.
Prior to submitting your electronic application, please
redact any personally identifiable information (SSN, birthdate, etc.).
You may wish to print a copy of your application package for your
records.
After the individual faculty applicant electronically
submits their application to the IHE, the faculty applicant will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from the G5 system. After the
person submits a reference electronically to the Department on behalf
of a faculty applicant, they will receive an electronic confirmation
from the G5 system. After the applicant IHE submits its application,
including all eligible individual faculty applications to the
Department, the applicant IHE will also receive an automated
acknowledgment from G5 that will include a unique PR/Award number for
the IHE's application.
Within 3 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) Email the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at
[email protected].
We may request that you provide 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 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 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 a time extension due
to G5 unavailability or to confirm our acknowledgment of G5's
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 the application deadline is extended, an email will be sent
to all registered users who have initiated a G5 application. The
deadline date extensions described 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), (1) you must provide a prior
written notification that you intend to submit a paper application and
(2) your paper application must be postmarked by the application
deadline date.
The prior written notification may be submitted by email or by mail
to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. If you
submit your notification by email, it must be received by the
Department no later than 14 calendar days before the application
deadline date. If you mail your notification to the Department, it must
be postmarked no later than 14 calendar days before the application
deadline date.
If you submit a paper application, you must have, and include on
your application, a DUNS/UEI number and 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, OFO/G5 Functional Application Team, Mail Stop 5C231,
Attention: 84.019A, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
We will not consider applications postmarked after the application
deadline date.
Note for Mail Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail your
application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and in Item 11 of the SF 424
the ALN, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under
which you are submitting your application; and
(2) The G5 Functional Application Team will notify you of the
Department's receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive
this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline
date, you should contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from the regulations for this program in 34 CFR 663.21 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 (10 points);
(2) The relationship of the research to the literature on the topic
and to major
[[Page 15217]]
theoretical issues in the field, and the project's importance in terms
of the concerns of the discipline (10 points);
(3) The preliminary research already completed or plans for
research prior to going overseas, and the kinds, quality and
availability of data for the research in the host country or countries
(10 points);
(4) The justification for overseas field research, and preparations
to establish appropriate and sufficient research contacts and
affiliations abroad (10 points);
(5) The applicant's plans to share the results of the research in
progress with scholars and officials of the host country or countries
and the American scholarly community (10 points); and
(6) The objectives of the project regarding the sponsoring
institution's plans for developing or strengthening, or both, curricula
in modern foreign languages and area studies (10 points).
(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 applicant's academic record (teaching,
research, contributions, professional association activities) (10
points);
(2) The applicant's excellence as a teacher or researcher, or both,
in his or her area or areas of specialization (10 points);
(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 (15 points); and
(4) The applicant's ability to conduct research in a foreign
cultural context, as evidenced by the applicant's previous overseas
experience, or documentation provided by the sponsoring institution, or
both (5 points).
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 2022, faculty applications are divided into seven categories
based on the world area focus of their research projects, as described
in the absolute priority listed in this notice. Foreign language and
area studies experts on discrete world area-based panels will evaluate
the faculty applications. Each panel reviews, scores, and ranks its
assigned applications separately from the applications assigned to the
other world area panels. At the conclusion of the panel review process,
however, all faculty applications will be ranked together from the
highest to lowest score for funding recommendation purposes.
If there are applications on the rank order slate with the same
average score, the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board's policy
governing veteran's preference will be used in the tiebreaker and
selection process. Veteran's preference will be used first to determine
which application to recommend for funding. This means that in
instances where two or more applications have the same average score on
the rank order slate, and there are insufficient funds to support all
of the equally ranked applications, the veteran's application will be
given preference.
For the applications that have tied average scores but are not
subject to the veteran's preference, the Department will use the
average score assigned on the Technical Review Forms for the ``Quality
of the Proposed Project'' selection criterion. If a tie still exists,
the average score for Competitive Preference Priority 1 will be used as
the tiebreaker. A final tiebreaker, should it become necessary, will
use the average score assigned for the ``Qualifications of the
Applicant'' selection criterion.
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 the
IHE's U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send the IHE a Grant
Award Notification
[[Page 15218]]
(GAN). We may also notify the IHE informally.
If a faculty application is not evaluated or not selected for
funding, we notify the IHE.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of its 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. 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: For the purpose of Department reporting
under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance
measure:
FRA Measure: The percentage of Fulbright-Hays FRA fellows who
increased their foreign language scores in speaking, reading, or
writing by at least one proficiency level.
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,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Delegated the
Authority to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant
Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2022-05640 Filed 3-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
