Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs-Native American Language Resource Centers Program, 37211-37218 [2023-12166]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 7, 2023 / Notices
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[FR Doc. 2023–12202 Filed 6–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Indian
Education Discretionary Grants
Programs—Native American Language
Resource Centers Program
Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) is issuing a notice inviting
applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY)
2023 for the Native American Language
Resource Centers (NALRC) Program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.415C.
This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB
control number 1894–0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 7, 2023.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply:
June 27, 2023.
Date of Pre-Application Webinar: June
22, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: July 27, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: August 28, 2023.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for
obtaining and submitting an
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SUMMARY:
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application, please refer to our Common
Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary
Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on December 7, 2022
(87 FR 75045), and available at https://
www.federalregister.gov/documents/
2022/12/07/2022-26554/commoninstructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs. Please note that these
Common Instructions supersede the
version published on December 27,
2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Sabis-Burns, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
Room 3W203, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: 202–213–9014. Email:
Donna.Sabis-Burns@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of
this program, which further aligns
resources provided by the Department
with the policies in the Native
American Languages Act (NALA), 25
U.S.C. 2901 et seq., is to support
establishing, strengthening, and
operating one or more Native American
language resource centers.
Background: Congress recently
emphasized the need to support the use
of Native American languages as a
medium of instruction for a variety of
age levels, academic content areas, and
types of schools, including Native
American language medium education
by passing the Native American
Language Resource Center Act of 2022
(NALRCA) (20 U.S.C. 7457). According
to a 2011 U.S. Census American
Community Survey (ACS), it is
estimated that during 2006–2010 there
were fewer than 372,095 Native
language speakers in the United States.1
One out of every four Native students,
in fourth or eighth grade, has had no
exposure to a Native American
language.2
The NALRC Program supports
projects that will preserve, protect, and
1 United States Census Bureau. Native North
American Languages Spoken at Home in the United
States and Puerto Rico: 2006–2010. U.S. Census
Bureau’s American Community Survey Office,
2011. https://www2.census.gov/library/
publications/2011/acs/acsbr10-10.pdf.
2 U.S. Department of Education, Institute of
Education Sciences, National Center for Education
Statistics, National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP), 2019 National Indian Education
Study.
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promote the rights and freedom of
Native Americans to use, practice, and
develop Native American languages in
furtherance of the policies in NALA and
the United States trust responsibility to
Tribal Nations. Native American
language resource centers supported by
the NALRC Program will be staffed by
individuals with relevant expertise and
experience, including staff who speak
American Indian, Alaska Native, or
Native Hawaiian languages and have
worked in Native language education in
a preschool, elementary school,
secondary school, adult education, or
higher education program. For FY 2023,
this competition includes two absolute
priorities, one for regional centers and
one for a national center, to advance
policies set forth in NALA, including
the rights of Native Americans to
express themselves through Native
American languages in any public
proceeding, including publicly
supported education programs. 25
U.S.C. 2904. This competition also
includes a competitive preference
priority for projects that are led by a
Tribal college or university (TCU).
Tribal Consultation: This competition
was informed by Tribal consultation
with elected Tribal leaders or their
officially designated proxies. The
Department held a virtual Tribal
consultation on January 10, 2023, and
announced the opportunity through
various external community listservs.
The Department requested input from
Tribal Nations on whether the program
should be administered through a
contractual agreement or grant
competition. The majority of Tribal
leaders favored using contractual
agreements, depending on the functions
of the NALRC Program. Other Tribal
leaders noted potential inequities in
grant competitions because some Tribal
Nations have greater access to highquality grant writers. After considering
the comments received, the Department
will administer the program through a
grant competition and may convert
awards to cooperative agreements at any
point if the grantee agrees. This
competition includes a competitive
preference priority for TCU lead
applicants to address Tribal leader
concerns regarding access to highquality grant writers.
The Department requested input from
Tribal Nations on what priorities would
strengthen implementation of the
program. The majority of Tribal leaders
expressed the importance of regional
representation of Native language needs
and that such needs must inform the
work of the NALRC Program. Other
Tribal leaders also expressed the need
for the NALRC Program to advance the
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purpose of NALA and support
immersion schools where Native
language is used as a medium of
instruction. A consortium representing
33 Tribal Nations provided written
comments recommending that program
administration be designed in an
equitable and regional manner. In
response to the comments received, the
Department has incorporated two
absolute priorities to advance the
authorized activities outlined in the
NALRCA, including a priority for the
implementation of regional centers.
The Department requested input from
Tribal Nations on how the Department
can better ensure resource coordination
and avoid duplication of effort across
the Federal government. The majority of
Tribal leaders expressed that the
Department should carefully consider
existing research and promising
practices to ensure Tribal Nations have
access to meaningful resources. Other
Tribal leaders expressed that ongoing
communication with Native language
practitioners is paramount to ensure
emergent programs can benefit from the
experiences of existing programs.
Priorities: This notice includes two
absolute priorities and one competitive
preference priority. We are establishing
these priorities in accordance with
section 437(d)(1) of the General
Education Provisions Act (GEPA), 20
U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2023 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition,
these priorities are absolute priorities.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider
only applications that meet Absolute
Priority 1 or Absolute Priority 2.
The Secretary intends to create two
funding slates for NALRC Program
applications—one for applications that
meet Absolute Priority 1 and one for
applications that meet Absolute Priority
2. As a result, the Secretary may fund
applications out of the overall rank
order, but the Secretary is not bound to
do so.
Note: The Department prefers that an
eligible entity apply for either the
National Center or a Regional Center.
The Department will, however, consider
multiple, separate applications from one
entity applying for one or more Regional
Centers and the National Center as long
as the entity submits a separate
application for each Center. If an
applicant submits multiple applications
that fall within the funding range, after
review and comparison of those
applications, the Department may
choose not to fund all applications that
propose using the same project
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personnel or providing the same
services as other fundable applications.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Regional Centers.
To meet this priority, applicants must
propose a regional Native American
language resource center that supports
the provision of high-quality capacitybuilding services to Tribal clients and
recipients to identify, implement, and
sustain effective programs, practices,
and interventions that—
(a) Encourage and support the use of
Native American languages within
educational systems in the same manner
as other world languages, including by
encouraging State educational agencies,
local educational agencies, and
institutions of higher education (IHEs)
to offer Native American language
courses for the same full academic
credit as courses in other world
languages;
(b) Support the development,
adoption, and use of assessments,
qualifications, and processes based on
promising practices in Native American
language medium education;
(c) Provide technical assistance to
Native American language programs
seeking other Federal resources; and
(d) Provide technical assistance to
Native American communities and
school systems to support the
development of Native American
language medium education programs
in preschool, elementary school,
secondary school, or adult education
programs.
In a single application, an applicant
must propose to operate a Regional
Center in one and only one of the
following regions:
1. Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee,
Virginia, and West Virginia).
2. Central (Colorado, Kansas,
Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wyoming).
3. Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania).
4. Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
Wisconsin).
5. Northeast and Islands (Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire,
New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island,
Vermont, and the Virgin Islands).
6. Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana,
Oregon, and Washington).
7. Pacific (American Samoa,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia,
Guam, Hawaii, Palau, and Republic of
the Marshall Islands).
8. Southeast (Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina,
and South Carolina).
9. Southwest (Arkansas, Louisiana,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).
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10. West (Arizona, California, Nevada,
and Utah).
Note: To ensure geographic diversity,
the Department will not fund more than
one project that proposes to serve
clientele in a single region.
Absolute Priority 2: National Center.
To meet this priority, an applicant
must propose a project that supports a
National Center that will provide highquality capacity-building services to
Regional Centers, other Departmentfunded technical assistance centers,
Tribal clients and recipients, and IHEs,
including TCUs, to identify, implement,
and sustain effective programs,
practices, and interventions that—
(a) Encourage and support educator
preparation programs, as well as
appropriate alternative pathways to
teacher certification, that prepare
teachers to teach Native American
languages and to use Native American
languages as a medium of instruction,
including by disseminating promising
practices and developing pedagogical
programming;
(b) Provide information and resources
on promising practices in—
(1) The use and revitalization of
Native American languages in Native
American communities, including use
in educational institutions; and
(2) The use of technology in school
and community-based Native American
language programs to support the
retention, use, and teaching of Native
American languages;
(c) Support the use of distance
learning technologies in Native
American language acquisition and
related training for parents, students,
teachers, and learning support staff
associated with Native American
language programs, including through—
(1) The compilation and curation of
digital libraries and other online
resources for Native American
languages, except that any materials
collected by the center may only be
materials provided by a Native
American language program or Native
American community;
(2) The development of optional
distance learning curricula appropriate
for preschool, elementary school,
secondary school, adult education, and
postsecondary education; and
(3) Pedagogical training for Native
American language teachers; and
(d) Support regional centers, Native
American language programs, and
Native American communities in—
(1) Accessing international best
practices, resources, and research in
indigenous language revitalization; and
(2) Gathering and sharing technical
assistance, promising practices, and
experiences.
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Competitive Preference Priority: For
FY 2023 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 up to
an additional 2 points to an application
that meets the competitive preference
priority.
This priority is:
Tribal College or University Lead
Applicants (0 or 2 points).
To meet this priority, an application
must be submitted by a TCU (as defined
in this notice) that is eligible to
participate in the NALRC Program. A
consortium application that is
submitted in accordance with 34 CFR
75.127–129 is eligible to receive the
preference only if the lead applicant for
the consortium is the TCU.
Application Requirements: For FY
2023 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition, applicants must meet the
following application requirements.
Application Requirement 1 is from the
NALRCA, and we are establishing
Application Requirement 2 in
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of
GEPA.
Each applicant must—
1. Native Language Expertise
Assurance. Include an assurance that
the proposed center will be staffed by
individuals with relevant expertise and
experience, including staff who speak
American Indian and Alaska Native
languages and the Native Hawaiian
language and have worked in language
education in the American Indian and
Alaska Native languages and the Native
Hawaiian language in a preschool,
elementary school, secondary school,
adult education, or higher education
program.
2. Description of Program
Requirements. Describe how the
proposed project will meet the program
requirements.
Program Requirements: We are
establishing these requirements for the
FY 2023 grant competition and any
subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, in
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of
GEPA. For FY 2023 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the
list of unfunded applications from this
competition, grantees must adhere to
the following program requirements.
Applicants under either absolute
priority must carry out activities to:
(a) Improve the capacity to teach and
learn Native American languages;
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(b) Further Native American language
use and acquisition;
(c) Preserve, protect, and promote the
rights and freedom of Native Americans
to use, practice, and develop Native
American languages in furtherance of—
(1) The policies set forth in the Native
American Languages Act (25 U.S.C.
2901 et seq.); and
(2) The United States trust
responsibility to Native American
communities;
(d) Address the effects of past
discrimination and ongoing inequities
experienced by Native American
language speakers;
(e) Support the revitalization and
reclamation of Native American
languages;
(f) Support the use of Native
American languages as a medium of
instruction for a wide variety of age
levels, academic content areas, and
types of schools, including Native
American language medium education;
and
(g) Support the operation of intensive
programs, including summer institutes,
to train Native American language
speakers, to provide professional
development, and to improve Native
American language instruction through
preservice and in-service language
training for teachers.
ISDEAA Statutory Hiring Preference:
(a) Awards that are primarily for the
benefit of Indians are subject to the
provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93–638)
(ISDEAA). That section requires that, to
the greatest extent feasible, a grantee—
(1) Give to Indians preferences and
opportunities for training and
employment in connection with the
administration of the grant; and
(2) Give to Indian organizations and to
Indian-owned economic enterprises, as
defined in section 3 of the Indian
Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C.
1452(e)), preference in the award of
contracts, subcontracts, and subgrants,
in connection with the administration of
the grant.
(b) For purposes of this preference, an
Indian is a member of any federally
recognized Indian Tribe.
Definitions: The terms ‘‘elementary
school,’’ ‘‘local educational agency,’’
‘‘secondary school,’’ and ‘‘State
educational agency’’ are from section
8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965, as amended
(ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 7801). The terms
‘‘Native American’’ and ‘‘Native
American language’’ are from section
103 of the Native American Languages
Act. The term ‘‘institution of higher
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education’’ is from section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended (HEA). The term ‘‘Tribal
College or University’’ is from section
316(b)(3) of the HEA.
Elementary school means a nonprofit
institutional day or residential school,
including a public elementary charter
school, that provides elementary
education, as determined under State
law.
Institution of higher education means
an educational institution in any State
that—
(a) Admits as regular students only
persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing
secondary education, or the recognized
equivalent of such a certificate, or
persons who meet the requirements of
20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
(b) Is legally authorized within such
State to provide a program of education
beyond secondary education;
(c) Provides an educational program
for which the institution awards a
bachelor’s degree or provides not less
than a 2-year program that is acceptable
for full credit toward such a degree, or
awards a degree that is acceptable for
admission to a graduate or professional
degree program, subject to review and
approval by the Secretary;
(d) Is a public or other nonprofit
institution; and
(e) Is accredited by a nationally
recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an
institution that has been granted
preaccreditation status by such an
agency or association that has been
recognized by the Secretary for the
granting of preaccreditation status, and
the Secretary has determined that there
is satisfactory assurance that the
institution will meet the accreditation
standards of such an agency or
association within a reasonable time.
Local educational agency—
(a) In General. The term ‘‘local
educational agency’’ means a public
board of education or other public
authority legally constituted within a
State for either administrative control or
direction of, or to perform a service
function for, public elementary schools
or secondary schools in a city, county,
township, school district, or other
political subdivision of a State, or of or
for a combination of school districts or
counties that is recognized in a State as
an administrative agency for its public
elementary schools or secondary
schools.
(b) Administrative Control and
Direction. The term includes any other
public institution or agency having
administrative control and direction of
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a public elementary school or secondary
school.
(c) Bureau of Indian Education
Schools. The term includes an
elementary school or secondary school
funded by the Bureau of Indian
Education but only to the extent that
including the school makes the school
eligible for programs for which specific
eligibility is not provided to the school
in another provision of law and the
school does not have a student
population that is smaller than the
student population of the local
educational agency receiving assistance
under the ESEA with the smallest
student population, except that the
school shall not be subject to the
jurisdiction of any State educational
agency other than the Bureau of Indian
Education.
(d) Educational Service Agencies. The
term includes educational service
agencies and consortia of those
agencies.
(e) State Educational Agency. The
term includes the State educational
agency in a State in which the State
educational agency is the sole
educational agency for all public
schools.
Native American means an Indian,
Native Hawaiian, or Native American
Pacific Islander. For purposes of this
definition, the term ‘‘Indian’’ has the
meaning given to such term under 20
U.S.C. 7491(3).
Native American language means the
historical, traditional languages spoken
by Native Americans.
Secondary school means a nonprofit
institutional day or residential school,
including a public secondary charter
school, that provides secondary
education, as determined under State
law, except that the term does not
include any education beyond grade 12.
State educational agency means the
agency primarily responsible for the
State supervision of public elementary
schools and secondary schools.
Tribal College or University means an
institution that—
(a) Qualifies for funding under the
Tribally Controlled Colleges and
Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the Navajo
Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a
note); or
(b) Is cited in section 532 of the
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7451; 20
U.S.C. 7457.
Note: Projects will be awarded and
must be operated in a manner consistent
with the nondiscrimination
requirements contained in Federal civil
rights laws.
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Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking:
Under the Administrative Procedure Act
(5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally
offers interested parties the opportunity
to comment on proposed priorities,
requirements, definitions, and selection
criteria. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA,
however, allows the Secretary to exempt
from rulemaking requirements,
regulations governing the first grant
competition under a new or
substantially revised program authority.
This is the first grant competition for the
NALRC Program under the NALRCA,
and therefore qualifies for this
exemption. The Secretary has decided
to forgo public comment under the
waiver authority in section 437(d)(1) of
GEPA in order to ensure timely grant
awards.
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.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86
apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants/
cooperative agreements.
Note: Pursuant to 34 CFR 75.262, when
making continuation awards in any year, the
Department may convert these grants into
cooperative agreements. The Department may
also convert awards to cooperative
agreements at any point if the grantee agrees.
Estimated Available Funds:
$2,900,000.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in
future years from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
For a Regional Center, $250,000–
$350,000 per year.
For a National Center, $1,000,000–
$1,300,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
For a Regional Center, $300,000 per
year.
For a National Center, $1,150,000 per
year.
Estimated Number of Awards: 6–7.
The Department intends to support 5–6
Regional Centers under this
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competition. One award will support
the National Center.
Note: The Department is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Note: As noted above, to ensure geographic
diversity, the Department will not fund more
than one project that proposes to serve
clientele in a single region (as described in
Absolute Priority 1).
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: The following
entities are eligible to apply under this
competition:
(a) An institution of higher education
(as defined in this notice);
(b) An entity within an institution of
higher education with dedicated
expertise in Native American language
and culture education; or
(c) A consortium that includes one or
more entities described in paragraph (a),
or one or more entities described in
paragraph (b).
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
program 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 8 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: Under 34 CFR
75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under this
competition may award subgrants—to
directly carry out project activities
described in its application—to the
following types of entities: IHEs,
nonprofit organizations, professional
organizations, or businesses. The
grantee may award subgrants to entities
it has identified in the approved
application or that it selects through a
competition under procedures
established by the grantee.
4. a. Reasonable and Necessary Costs:
Applicants must ensure that all costs
included in the proposed budget are
reasonable and necessary to meet the
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goals and objectives of the proposed
project. Any costs determined by the
Secretary to be unreasonable or
unnecessary will be removed from the
final approved budget.
b. Audits: (i) A non-Federal entity that
expends $750,000 or more during the
non-Federal entity’s fiscal year in
Federal awards must have a single or
program-specific audit conducted for
that year in accordance with the
provisions of 2 CFR part 200. (2 CFR
200.501(a))
(ii) A non-Federal entity that expends
less than $750,000 during the nonFederal entity’s fiscal year in Federal
awards is exempt from Federal audit
requirements for that year, except as
noted in 2 CFR 200.503 (Relation to
Other Audit Requirements), but records
must be available for review or audit by
appropriate officials of the Federal
agency, pass-through entity, and
Government Accountability Office
(GAO). (2 CFR 200.501(d)).
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
December 7, 2022 (87 FR 7504), and
available at https://
www.federalregister.gov/documents/
2022/12/07/2022-26554/commoninstructions-for-applicants-todepartment-of-education-discretionarygrant-programs, which contain
requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that
these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27,
2021.
2. Submission of Proprietary
Information: Given the types of projects
that may be proposed in applications for
the NALRC Program 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 post on
our website a selection of funded
abstracts and applications’ narrative
sections, 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
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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. Please note that, under 34 CFR
79.8(a), we have shortened the standard
60-day intergovernmental review period
in order to make awards by the end of
FY 2023.
4. 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 30 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; the budget
section, including the narrative budget
justification; the assurances and
certifications; or the one-page abstract,
the resumes, the bibliography, the
letter(s) of support, or the signed
consortium agreement. However, the
recommended page limit does apply to
all of the application narrative. An
application will not be disqualified if it
exceeds the recommended page limit.
5. Notice of Intent to Apply: The
Department will be able to review grant
applications more efficiently if we know
the approximate number of applicants
that intend to apply and the region they
represent. Therefore, we strongly
encourage each potential applicant to
notify us of their intent to submit an
application. To do so, please email the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the
subject line ‘‘Intent to Apply,’’ and
include the applicant’s name, a contact
person’s name and email address, and
the region they represent. Applicants
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that do not submit a notice of intent to
apply may still apply for funding;
applicants that do submit a notice of
intent to apply are not bound to apply
or bound by the information provided.
6. Award Basis: In determining
whether to approve a grant award and
the amount of such award, the
Department will take into consideration,
among other things, the applicant’s
performance and use of funds under a
previous or existing award under any
Department program (34 CFR
75.217(d)(3)(ii) and 75.233(b)). In
assessing the applicant’s performance
and use of funds under a previous or
existing award, the Secretary will
consider, among other things, the
outcomes the applicant has achieved
and the results of any Departmental
grant monitoring, including the
applicant’s progress in remedying any
deficiencies identified in such
monitoring.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this competition are from 34
CFR 75.210. The source of each
selection criterion, and the maximum
score for addressing each criterion and
factor within each criterion, is included
in parentheses. The maximum score for
these criteria is 100 points. The
maximum score for each criterion is
included in parentheses following the
title of the specific selection criterion.
Each criterion also includes the factors
that reviewers will consider in
determining the extent to which an
applicant meets the criterion. Taken
together with the competitive preference
priority, an applicant can receive up to
a total of 102 points.
The selection criteria are as follows:
(a) Need for project (6 points).
The Secretary considers the need for
the proposed project. In determining the
need for the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the following
factors:
(1) The extent to which specific gaps
or weaknesses in services,
infrastructure, or opportunities have
been identified and will be addressed by
the proposed project, including the
nature and magnitude of those gaps or
weaknesses. (Up to 3 points)
(2) The extent to which the proposed
project will prepare personnel for fields
in which shortages have been
demonstrated. (Up to 3 points)
(b) Quality of project design (36
points).
The Secretary considers the quality of
the design of the proposed project. In
determining the quality of the design of
the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
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(1) The extent to which the goals,
objectives, and outcomes to be achieved
by the proposed project are clearly
specified and measurable. (Up to 12
points)
(2) The extent to which the design of
the proposed project is appropriate to,
and will successfully address, the needs
of the target population or other
identified needs. (Up to 6 points)
(3) The extent to which performance
feedback and continuous improvement
are integral to the design of the
proposed project. (Up to 6 points)
(4) The extent to which the design of
the proposed project reflects up-to-date
knowledge from research and effective
practice. (Up to 12 points)
(c) Quality of project services (13
points).
The Secretary considers the quality of
the project services. In determining the
quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the quality and sufficiency of
strategies for ensuring equal access and
treatment for eligible project
participants who are members of groups
that have traditionally been
underrepresented based on race, color,
national origin, gender, age, or
disability. (Up to 2 points)
In addition, the Secretary considers
the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the services
to be provided by the proposed project
reflect up-to-date knowledge from
research and effective practice. (Up to 7
points)
(2) The extent to which the services
to be provided by the proposed project
involve the collaboration of appropriate
partners for maximizing the
effectiveness of project services. (Up to
4 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel (12
points).
The Secretary considers the quality of
the personnel who will carry out the
proposed project. In determining the
quality of project personnel, the
Secretary considers the extent to which
the applicant encourages applications
for employment from persons who are
members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented
based on race, color, national origin,
gender, age, or disability. (Up to 2
points)
In addition, the Secretary considers
the following factors:
(1) The qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of the
project director or principal
investigator. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The qualifications, including
relevant training and experience, of key
project personnel. (Up to 5 points)
(e) Adequacy of resources (8 points).
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The Secretary considers the adequacy
of resources for the proposed project. In
determining the adequacy of resources
for the proposed project, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the budget is
adequate to support the proposed
project. (Up to 4 points)
(2) The extent to which the costs are
reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the
proposed project. (Up to 4 points)
(f) Quality of the management plan
(15 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of
the management plan for the proposed
project. In determining the quality of the
management plan for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the
following factors:
(1) The adequacy of the management
plan to achieve the objectives of the
proposed project on time and within
budget, including clearly defined
responsibilities, timelines, and
milestones for accomplishing project
tasks. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The adequacy of mechanisms for
ensuring high-quality products and
services from the proposed project. (Up
to 5 points)
(3) The adequacy of procedures for
ensuring feedback and continuous
improvement in the operation of the
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
(g) Quality of the project evaluation
(10 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of
the evaluation to be conducted of the
proposed project. In determining the
quality of the evaluation, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the methods
of evaluation are thorough, feasible, and
appropriate to the goals, objectives, and
outcomes of the proposed project. (Up
to 5 points)
(2) The extent to which the evaluation
will provide guidance about effective
strategies suitable for replication or
testing in other settings. (Up to 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 also requires
various assurances including those
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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 the FY 2023 NALRC Program
competition, all applications will be
assigned to peer review panels. The
Department will select applications for
funding consideration based on their
ranking in the competition.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific
Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under
this program 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
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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
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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
in 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may
also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For
specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/
apply/appforms/appforms.html.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the
Secretary may provide a grantee with
additional funding for data collection
analysis and reporting. If a grantee is
provided additional funding for this
purpose, the Secretary establishes a data
collection period.
Note: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.315(b) and other applicable law, the
Department may make reports,
deliverables, outputs, or materials
produced by the Native American
Language Resource Centers publicly
available and may request that the
Native American Language Resource
Centers disseminate reports,
deliverables, outputs, or materials to a
wide audience (e.g., through their
websites, social media, or other publicfacing channels).
5. Performance Measures: The
following measures have been
established for the purpose of
Department reporting under 34 CFR
75.110 and will be used to evaluate the
success of the NALRC Program:
(a) The percentage of the annual
measurable objectives, as described in
the application, that are met by grantees;
(b) The annual increase in the number
of Tribes supported; and
(c) The annual increase in the number
of languages supported.
These measures constitute the
Department’s indicators of success for
this program. Consequently, we advise
an applicant for a grant under this
program to carefully consider these
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37217
measures in conceptualizing the
approach to, and evaluation for, its
proposed project. Each grantee will be
required to provide, in its annual
performance and final reports, data
about its progress in meeting 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,
compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document:
The official version of this document is
the document published in the Federal
Register. You may access the official
edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations at
www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can
view this document, as well as all other
documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Portable Document Format
(PDF). To use PDF you must have
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at the site.
You may also access documents of the
Department published in the Federal
Register by using the article search
feature at www.federalregister.gov.
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
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your search to documents published by
the Department.
James F. Lane,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Delegated the Authority to Perform the
Functions and Duties of the Assistant
Secretary, Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023–12166 Filed 6–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket ID ED–2021–OESE–0152]
Final Priority and Requirements—FullService Community Schools
Office of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Final priority and requirements.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
(Department) announces a priority and
requirements under the Full-Service
Community Schools (FSCS) program,
Assistance Listing Number 84.215J. The
Department may use the priority and
requirements for competitions in fiscal
year (FY) 2023 and in later years. The
Department intends for the priority and
requirements to support competitions
under the FSCS program for the purpose
of conducting national evaluations of
the program’s implementation and
effectiveness.
DATES: The priority and requirements
are effective July 7, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane
Hodgdon. U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
room 3E346, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: 202–245–6057. Email:
FSCS@ed.gov.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or
have a speech disability and wish to
access telecommunications relay
services, please dial 7–1–1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of Program: The FSCS
program, established under sections
4621–4623 and 4625 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act, as
amended (ESEA), provides support for
the planning, implementation, and
operation of full-service community
schools that improve the coordination,
integration, accessibility, and
effectiveness of services for children
and families, particularly for children
attending schools with concentrated
poverty, including rural schools.
Program Authority: Sections 4621–
4623 and 4625 of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C.
7271–7273, 7275.
We published a notice of proposed
priorities, requirements, definitions, and
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SUMMARY:
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selection criteria for this program in the
Federal Register on January 12, 2022
(87 FR 1709) (the NPP). That document
contained background information and
rationale for proposing the priorities,
requirements, definitions, and selection
criteria, including a priority for
participation in a national evaluation of
the program’s effectiveness using a
randomized controlled trial (i.e.,
experimental) design. We then
published a notice of final priorities,
requirements, definitions, and selection
criteria for this program in the Federal
Register on July 13, 2022 (87 FR 41675)
(the 2022 FSCS NFP). In the 2022 FSCS
NFP, we discussed a plan to conduct
additional outreach before finalizing a
priority on a national evaluation.
Public Comment: In response to our
invitation in the NPP, 19 parties
submitted comments pertinent to the
proposed national evaluation priority,
which were addressed in the 2022 FSCS
NFP. In the 2022 FSCS NFP, the
Department communicated our
appreciation for the comments,
concerns, and support shared by the
field regarding a national evaluation of
the FSCS program. We committed to
working with grantees and other
stakeholders to design and conduct the
national evaluation required under
section 4625(f) of the ESEA. To allow
more time to conduct outreach with the
field, the Department delayed launching
the national evaluation.
We discuss substantive issues under
each priority or requirement to which
they pertain. Generally, we do not
address technical and other minor
changes or suggested changes the law
does not authorize us to make. In
addition, we do not address comments
that are outside the scope of the
proposed priority and requirements.
Analysis of Comments and Changes:
An analysis of the comments and of any
changes in the priority and
requirements related to the proposed
national evaluation priority follows.
Proposed Priority 4—Participation in
a National Evaluation.
Comments: We summarized the 19
comments received related to Priority 4
in the 2022 FSCS NFP.
Discussion: As discussed in the 2022
FSCS NFP, the Department appreciates
the comments, concerns, and support
shared by the field regarding a national
evaluation of the FSCS program and we
are committed to working with grantees
and other stakeholders to design and
implement the national evaluation
required under section 4625(f) of the
ESEA, which requires the Department’s
Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to
conduct an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the FSCS program
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grants. To allow more time to conduct
outreach with the field, the Department
did not begin the national evaluation
with the FY 2022 grant competition.
In response to comments expressing
concern about the design of the national
evaluation, section 4625(f) of the ESEA
requires a national evaluation that
assesses the effectiveness of the grants.
Section 4625(g) of the ESEA requires
that grantees conduct local evaluations
to assess annual progress achieved,
refine and improve activities, and make
the results publicly available. The local
and national evaluations are separate
but complementary, and one cannot be
used in place of the other. The
alternative designs suggested by
commenters for a national evaluation
would not meet the requirements in
section 4625(f). While a national
evaluation of the program’s
implementation would be useful and is
included in the randomized controlled
trial design described in the national
evaluation priority, a national
evaluation of implementation alone
would not fulfill the mandate for
evaluating the program’s effectiveness.
While two of the 19 comments received
supported conducting a randomized
controlled trial evaluation beginning in
2022, the majority of commenters and
stakeholders that provided input
through subsequent outreach shared
that it would be useful to the field to
learn about the implementation of FSCS
grants prior to assessing their
effectiveness. We have decided to first
conduct a national evaluation of
program implementation and will share
those implementation findings with the
field. We will use the interim
implementation findings to inform and
enhance the design and execution of a
subsequent national evaluation of the
program’s effectiveness using a
randomized controlled trial.
Another commenter suggested that an
alternative design, a quasi-experimental
study, would be very challenging to
execute with sufficient scientific rigor at
a national level. A quasi-experimental
design would require the identification
of a comparison group of non-FSCS
funded schools that are very similar at
baseline to the schools receiving grant
funds. It would likely be very difficult
to find schools not implementing
community schools strategies that are
similar enough to schools receiving
FSCS grant funds and willing to provide
the detailed data required for the
evaluation. While such a quasiexperimental design approach has been
used in evaluating community schools
within more limited contexts, such as a
single city or one or two States, it would
be much more difficult to identify
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37211-37218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12166]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary
Grants Programs--Native American Language Resource Centers Program
AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of
Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the Native
American Language Resource Centers (NALRC) Program, Assistance Listing
Number 84.415C. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1894-0006.
DATES:
Applications Available: June 7, 2023.
Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: June 27, 2023.
Date of Pre-Application Webinar: June 22, 2023.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 27, 2023.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 28, 2023.
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede
the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Sabis-Burns, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W203, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: 202-213-9014. Email: [email protected].
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program, which further
aligns resources provided by the Department with the policies in the
Native American Languages Act (NALA), 25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq., is to
support establishing, strengthening, and operating one or more Native
American language resource centers.
Background: Congress recently emphasized the need to support the
use of Native American languages as a medium of instruction for a
variety of age levels, academic content areas, and types of schools,
including Native American language medium education by passing the
Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (NALRCA) (20
U.S.C. 7457). According to a 2011 U.S. Census American Community Survey
(ACS), it is estimated that during 2006-2010 there were fewer than
372,095 Native language speakers in the United States.\1\ One out of
every four Native students, in fourth or eighth grade, has had no
exposure to a Native American language.\2\
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\1\ United States Census Bureau. Native North American Languages
Spoken at Home in the United States and Puerto Rico: 2006-2010. U.S.
Census Bureau's American Community Survey Office, 2011. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2011/acs/acsbr10-10.pdf.
\2\ U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education
Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2019 National Indian
Education Study.
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The NALRC Program supports projects that will preserve, protect,
and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use,
practice, and develop Native American languages in furtherance of the
policies in NALA and the United States trust responsibility to Tribal
Nations. Native American language resource centers supported by the
NALRC Program will be staffed by individuals with relevant expertise
and experience, including staff who speak American Indian, Alaska
Native, or Native Hawaiian languages and have worked in Native language
education in a preschool, elementary school, secondary school, adult
education, or higher education program. For FY 2023, this competition
includes two absolute priorities, one for regional centers and one for
a national center, to advance policies set forth in NALA, including the
rights of Native Americans to express themselves through Native
American languages in any public proceeding, including publicly
supported education programs. 25 U.S.C. 2904. This competition also
includes a competitive preference priority for projects that are led by
a Tribal college or university (TCU).
Tribal Consultation: This competition was informed by Tribal
consultation with elected Tribal leaders or their officially designated
proxies. The Department held a virtual Tribal consultation on January
10, 2023, and announced the opportunity through various external
community listservs.
The Department requested input from Tribal Nations on whether the
program should be administered through a contractual agreement or grant
competition. The majority of Tribal leaders favored using contractual
agreements, depending on the functions of the NALRC Program. Other
Tribal leaders noted potential inequities in grant competitions because
some Tribal Nations have greater access to high-quality grant writers.
After considering the comments received, the Department will administer
the program through a grant competition and may convert awards to
cooperative agreements at any point if the grantee agrees. This
competition includes a competitive preference priority for TCU lead
applicants to address Tribal leader concerns regarding access to high-
quality grant writers.
The Department requested input from Tribal Nations on what
priorities would strengthen implementation of the program. The majority
of Tribal leaders expressed the importance of regional representation
of Native language needs and that such needs must inform the work of
the NALRC Program. Other Tribal leaders also expressed the need for the
NALRC Program to advance the
[[Page 37212]]
purpose of NALA and support immersion schools where Native language is
used as a medium of instruction. A consortium representing 33 Tribal
Nations provided written comments recommending that program
administration be designed in an equitable and regional manner. In
response to the comments received, the Department has incorporated two
absolute priorities to advance the authorized activities outlined in
the NALRCA, including a priority for the implementation of regional
centers.
The Department requested input from Tribal Nations on how the
Department can better ensure resource coordination and avoid
duplication of effort across the Federal government. The majority of
Tribal leaders expressed that the Department should carefully consider
existing research and promising practices to ensure Tribal Nations have
access to meaningful resources. Other Tribal leaders expressed that
ongoing communication with Native language practitioners is paramount
to ensure emergent programs can benefit from the experiences of
existing programs.
Priorities: This notice includes two absolute priorities and one
competitive preference priority. We are establishing these priorities
in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education
Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet Absolute Priority
1 or Absolute Priority 2.
The Secretary intends to create two funding slates for NALRC
Program applications--one for applications that meet Absolute Priority
1 and one for applications that meet Absolute Priority 2. As a result,
the Secretary may fund applications out of the overall rank order, but
the Secretary is not bound to do so.
Note: The Department prefers that an eligible entity apply for
either the National Center or a Regional Center. The Department will,
however, consider multiple, separate applications from one entity
applying for one or more Regional Centers and the National Center as
long as the entity submits a separate application for each Center. If
an applicant submits multiple applications that fall within the funding
range, after review and comparison of those applications, the
Department may choose not to fund all applications that propose using
the same project personnel or providing the same services as other
fundable applications.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Regional Centers.
To meet this priority, applicants must propose a regional Native
American language resource center that supports the provision of high-
quality capacity-building services to Tribal clients and recipients to
identify, implement, and sustain effective programs, practices, and
interventions that--
(a) Encourage and support the use of Native American languages
within educational systems in the same manner as other world languages,
including by encouraging State educational agencies, local educational
agencies, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to offer Native
American language courses for the same full academic credit as courses
in other world languages;
(b) Support the development, adoption, and use of assessments,
qualifications, and processes based on promising practices in Native
American language medium education;
(c) Provide technical assistance to Native American language
programs seeking other Federal resources; and
(d) Provide technical assistance to Native American communities and
school systems to support the development of Native American language
medium education programs in preschool, elementary school, secondary
school, or adult education programs.
In a single application, an applicant must propose to operate a
Regional Center in one and only one of the following regions:
1. Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia).
2. Central (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wyoming).
3. Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania).
4. Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
Wisconsin).
5. Northeast and Islands (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New
Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin
Islands).
6. Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington).
7. Pacific (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Palau, and
Republic of the Marshall Islands).
8. Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North
Carolina, and South Carolina).
9. Southwest (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas).
10. West (Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah).
Note: To ensure geographic diversity, the Department will not fund
more than one project that proposes to serve clientele in a single
region.
Absolute Priority 2: National Center.
To meet this priority, an applicant must propose a project that
supports a National Center that will provide high-quality capacity-
building services to Regional Centers, other Department-funded
technical assistance centers, Tribal clients and recipients, and IHEs,
including TCUs, to identify, implement, and sustain effective programs,
practices, and interventions that--
(a) Encourage and support educator preparation programs, as well as
appropriate alternative pathways to teacher certification, that prepare
teachers to teach Native American languages and to use Native American
languages as a medium of instruction, including by disseminating
promising practices and developing pedagogical programming;
(b) Provide information and resources on promising practices in--
(1) The use and revitalization of Native American languages in
Native American communities, including use in educational institutions;
and
(2) The use of technology in school and community-based Native
American language programs to support the retention, use, and teaching
of Native American languages;
(c) Support the use of distance learning technologies in Native
American language acquisition and related training for parents,
students, teachers, and learning support staff associated with Native
American language programs, including through--
(1) The compilation and curation of digital libraries and other
online resources for Native American languages, except that any
materials collected by the center may only be materials provided by a
Native American language program or Native American community;
(2) The development of optional distance learning curricula
appropriate for preschool, elementary school, secondary school, adult
education, and postsecondary education; and
(3) Pedagogical training for Native American language teachers; and
(d) Support regional centers, Native American language programs,
and Native American communities in--
(1) Accessing international best practices, resources, and research
in indigenous language revitalization; and
(2) Gathering and sharing technical assistance, promising
practices, and experiences.
[[Page 37213]]
Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2023 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 up to an additional 2
points to an application that meets the competitive preference
priority.
This priority is:
Tribal College or University Lead Applicants (0 or 2 points).
To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by a TCU
(as defined in this notice) that is eligible to participate in the
NALRC Program. A consortium application that is submitted in accordance
with 34 CFR 75.127-129 is eligible to receive the preference only if
the lead applicant for the consortium is the TCU.
Application Requirements: For FY 2023 and any subsequent year in
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, applicants must meet the following application
requirements. Application Requirement 1 is from the NALRCA, and we are
establishing Application Requirement 2 in accordance with section
437(d)(1) of GEPA.
Each applicant must--
1. Native Language Expertise Assurance. Include an assurance that
the proposed center will be staffed by individuals with relevant
expertise and experience, including staff who speak American Indian and
Alaska Native languages and the Native Hawaiian language and have
worked in language education in the American Indian and Alaska Native
languages and the Native Hawaiian language in a preschool, elementary
school, secondary school, adult education, or higher education program.
2. Description of Program Requirements. Describe how the proposed
project will meet the program requirements.
Program Requirements: We are establishing these requirements for
the FY 2023 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in
accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. For FY 2023 and any
subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, grantees must adhere to the
following program requirements.
Applicants under either absolute priority must carry out activities
to:
(a) Improve the capacity to teach and learn Native American
languages;
(b) Further Native American language use and acquisition;
(c) Preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native
Americans to use, practice, and develop Native American languages in
furtherance of--
(1) The policies set forth in the Native American Languages Act (25
U.S.C. 2901 et seq.); and
(2) The United States trust responsibility to Native American
communities;
(d) Address the effects of past discrimination and ongoing
inequities experienced by Native American language speakers;
(e) Support the revitalization and reclamation of Native American
languages;
(f) Support the use of Native American languages as a medium of
instruction for a wide variety of age levels, academic content areas,
and types of schools, including Native American language medium
education; and
(g) Support the operation of intensive programs, including summer
institutes, to train Native American language speakers, to provide
professional development, and to improve Native American language
instruction through preservice and in-service language training for
teachers.
ISDEAA Statutory Hiring Preference:
(a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638) (ISDEAA).
That section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a
grantee--
(1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
(2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts,
subcontracts, and subgrants, in connection with the administration of
the grant.
(b) For purposes of this preference, an Indian is a member of any
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
Definitions: The terms ``elementary school,'' ``local educational
agency,'' ``secondary school,'' and ``State educational agency'' are
from section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965, as amended (ESEA) (20 U.S.C. 7801). The terms ``Native American''
and ``Native American language'' are from section 103 of the Native
American Languages Act. The term ``institution of higher education'' is
from section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).
The term ``Tribal College or University'' is from section 316(b)(3) of
the HEA.
Elementary school means a nonprofit institutional day or
residential school, including a public elementary charter school, that
provides elementary education, as determined under State law.
Institution of higher education means an educational institution in
any State that--
(a) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the
requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
(b) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of
education beyond secondary education;
(c) Provides an educational program for which the institution
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;
(d) Is a public or other nonprofit institution; and
(e) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that
has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of
preaccreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is
satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation
standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.
Local educational agency--
(a) In General. The term ``local educational agency'' means a
public board of education or other public authority legally constituted
within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to
perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary
schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other
political subdivision of a State, or of or for a combination of school
districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an
administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary
schools.
(b) Administrative Control and Direction. The term includes any
other public institution or agency having administrative control and
direction of
[[Page 37214]]
a public elementary school or secondary school.
(c) Bureau of Indian Education Schools. The term includes an
elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian
Education but only to the extent that including the school makes the
school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not
provided to the school in another provision of law and the school does
not have a student population that is smaller than the student
population of the local educational agency receiving assistance under
the ESEA with the smallest student population, except that the school
shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any State educational
agency other than the Bureau of Indian Education.
(d) Educational Service Agencies. The term includes educational
service agencies and consortia of those agencies.
(e) State Educational Agency. The term includes the State
educational agency in a State in which the State educational agency is
the sole educational agency for all public schools.
Native American means an Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native
American Pacific Islander. For purposes of this definition, the term
``Indian'' has the meaning given to such term under 20 U.S.C. 7491(3).
Native American language means the historical, traditional
languages spoken by Native Americans.
Secondary school means a nonprofit institutional day or residential
school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides
secondary education, as determined under State law, except that the
term does not include any education beyond grade 12.
State educational agency means the agency primarily responsible for
the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary
schools.
Tribal College or University means an institution that--
(a) Qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges
and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or the
Navajo Community College Act (25 U.S.C. 640a note); or
(b) Is cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant
Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7451; 20 U.S.C. 7457.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers interested parties
the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, requirements,
definitions, and selection criteria. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA,
however, allows the Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements,
regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or
substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant
competition for the NALRC Program under the NALRCA, and therefore
qualifies for this exemption. The Secretary has decided to forgo public
comment under the waiver authority in section 437(d)(1) of GEPA in
order to ensure timely grant awards.
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.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants/cooperative agreements.
Note: Pursuant to 34 CFR 75.262, when making continuation
awards in any year, the Department may convert these grants into
cooperative agreements. The Department may also convert awards to
cooperative agreements at any point if the grantee agrees.
Estimated Available Funds: $2,900,000.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in future years from the
list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
For a Regional Center, $250,000-$350,000 per year.
For a National Center, $1,000,000-$1,300,000 per year.
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
For a Regional Center, $300,000 per year.
For a National Center, $1,150,000 per year.
Estimated Number of Awards: 6-7. The Department intends to support
5-6 Regional Centers under this competition. One award will support the
National Center.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Note: As noted above, to ensure geographic diversity, the
Department will not fund more than one project that proposes to
serve clientele in a single region (as described in Absolute
Priority 1).
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: The following entities are eligible to
apply under this competition:
(a) An institution of higher education (as defined in this notice);
(b) An entity within an institution of higher education with
dedicated expertise in Native American language and culture education;
or
(c) A consortium that includes one or more entities described in
paragraph (a), or one or more entities described in paragraph (b).
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program 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 8 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: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under
this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
activities described in its application--to the following types of
entities: IHEs, nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, or
businesses. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has
identified in the approved application or that it selects through a
competition under procedures established by the grantee.
4. a. Reasonable and Necessary Costs: Applicants must ensure that
all costs included in the proposed budget are reasonable and necessary
to meet the
[[Page 37215]]
goals and objectives of the proposed project. Any costs determined by
the Secretary to be unreasonable or unnecessary will be removed from
the final approved budget.
b. Audits: (i) A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more
during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have
a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in
accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR part 200. (2 CFR 200.501(a))
(ii) A non-Federal entity that expends less than $750,000 during
the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards is exempt from
Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR
200.503 (Relation to Other Audit Requirements), but records must be
available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal
agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office
(GAO). (2 CFR 200.501(d)).
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 December 7, 2022 (87 FR 7504), and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to
submit an application. Please note that these Common Instructions
supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of
projects that may be proposed in applications for the NALRC Program
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 post on our website a
selection of funded abstracts and applications' narrative sections, 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. Please note that,
under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day
intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of
FY 2023.
4. 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 30 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; the
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes,
the bibliography, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium
agreement. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the
application narrative. An application will not be disqualified if it
exceeds the recommended page limit.
5. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number
of applicants that intend to apply and the region they represent.
Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us
of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the
program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
with the subject line ``Intent to Apply,'' and include the applicant's
name, a contact person's name and email address, and the region they
represent. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply
may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice of
intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information
provided.
6. Award Basis: In determining whether to approve a grant award and
the amount of such award, the Department will take into consideration,
among other things, the applicant's performance and use of funds under
a previous or existing award under any Department program (34 CFR
75.217(d)(3)(ii) and 75.233(b)). In assessing the applicant's
performance and use of funds under a previous or existing award, the
Secretary will consider, among other things, the outcomes the applicant
has achieved and the results of any Departmental grant monitoring,
including the applicant's progress in remedying any deficiencies
identified in such monitoring.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The source of each selection criterion, and the
maximum score for addressing each criterion and factor within each
criterion, is included in parentheses. The maximum score for these
criteria is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is
included in parentheses following the title of the specific selection
criterion. Each criterion also includes the factors that reviewers will
consider in determining the extent to which an applicant meets the
criterion. Taken together with the competitive preference priority, an
applicant can receive up to a total of 102 points.
The selection criteria are as follows:
(a) Need for project (6 points).
The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project. In
determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers
the following factors:
(1) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services,
infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be
addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude
of those gaps or weaknesses. (Up to 3 points)
(2) The extent to which the proposed project will prepare personnel
for fields in which shortages have been demonstrated. (Up to 3 points)
(b) Quality of project design (36 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed
project. In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
[[Page 37216]]
(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be
achieved by the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable.
(Up to 12 points)
(2) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is
appropriate to, and will successfully address, the needs of the target
population or other identified needs. (Up to 6 points)
(3) The extent to which performance feedback and continuous
improvement are integral to the design of the proposed project. (Up to
6 points)
(4) The extent to which the design of the proposed project reflects
up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice. (Up to 12
points)
(c) Quality of project services (13 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the project services. In
determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of
strategies for ensuring equal access and treatment for eligible project
participants who are members of groups that have traditionally been
underrepresented based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or
disability. (Up to 2 points)
In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project reflect up-to-date knowledge from research and effective
practice. (Up to 7 points)
(2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed
project involve the collaboration of appropriate partners for
maximizing the effectiveness of project services. (Up to 4 points)
(d) Quality of project personnel (12 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the personnel who will carry
out the proposed project. In determining the quality of project
personnel, the Secretary considers the extent to which the applicant
encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of
groups that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race,
color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. (Up to 2 points)
In addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of the project director or principal investigator. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience,
of key project personnel. (Up to 5 points)
(e) Adequacy of resources (8 points).
The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project. In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the
proposed project. (Up to 4 points)
(2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project.
(Up to 4 points)
(f) Quality of the management plan (15 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the
proposed project. In determining the quality of the management plan for
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing
project tasks. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products
and services from the proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
(3) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous
improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
(g) Quality of the project evaluation (10 points).
The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be
conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the
evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
(1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough,
feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
(2) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about
effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other
settings. (Up to 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
also 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 the FY 2023 NALRC Program competition, all applications will be
assigned to peer review panels. The Department will select applications
for funding consideration based on their ranking in the competition.
3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
200.206, before awarding grants under this program 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
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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 in 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee
with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. If
a grantee is provided additional funding for this purpose, the
Secretary establishes a data collection period.
Note: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.315(b) and other applicable law,
the Department may make reports, deliverables, outputs, or materials
produced by the Native American Language Resource Centers publicly
available and may request that the Native American Language Resource
Centers disseminate reports, deliverables, outputs, or materials to a
wide audience (e.g., through their websites, social media, or other
public-facing channels).
5. Performance Measures: The following measures have been
established for the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110
and will be used to evaluate the success of the NALRC Program:
(a) The percentage of the annual measurable objectives, as
described in the application, that are met by grantees;
(b) The annual increase in the number of Tribes supported; and
(c) The annual increase in the number of languages supported.
These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant
under this program to carefully consider these measures in
conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed
project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual
performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting 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, compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
the site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit
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your search to documents published by the Department.
James F. Lane,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority to
Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary, Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2023-12166 Filed 6-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P