Applications for New Awards; Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs, 12325-12329 [2024-03277]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 33 / Friday, February 16, 2024 / Notices
Dated: February 13, 2024.
Kun Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2024–03274 Filed 2–15–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Training
Program for Federal TRIO Programs
Office of Postsecondary
Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Education
is issuing a notice inviting applications
for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2024
for the Training Program for Federal
TRIO Programs (Training Program),
Assistance Listing Number 84.103A.
This notice relates to the approved
information collection under OMB
control number 1840–0814.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 16,
2024.
Deadline for Transmittal of
Applications: April 16, 2024.
Deadline for Intergovernmental
Review: June 17, 2024.
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
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021–27979.
Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version
published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne Ulmer, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
5th floor, Washington, DC 20202–4260.
Telephone: (202) 453–7691. Email:
Suzanne.Ulmer@ed.gov; or ReShone
Moore, Ph.D., U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW,
5th floor, Washington, DC 20202–4260.
Telephone: (202) 453–7624. Email:
reshone.moore@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:
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SUMMARY:
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The Training
Program provides grants to train the
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staff and leadership personnel
employed in, participating in, or
preparing for employment in, projects
funded under the Federal TRIO
Programs, to improve project operation.
Priorities: This notice contains six
absolute priorities and one invitational
priority. In accordance with 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(iv) and 34 CFR
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities
are from section 402G(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended
(HEA), and the regulations for this
program at 34 CFR 642.24. The
invitational priority is intended to
address mental health challenges faced
by project directors and employees of
TRIO projects by providing training and
informational resources to support their
mental health.
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2024 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition,
these priorities are absolute priorities.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider
only applications that meet one of these
absolute priorities.
In accordance with 34 CFR 642.7,
each application must clearly identify
the specific absolute priority for which
a grant is requested. An applicant must
submit a separate application for each
absolute priority it proposes to address.
If an applicant submits more than one
application for the same absolute
priority, we will accept only the
application with the latest ‘‘date/time
received’’ validation.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Training to
improve reporting of student and project
performance and project evaluation, in
order to design and operate a model
program for projects funded under the
Federal TRIO Programs.
Absolute Priority 2: Training on
budget management and the statutory
and regulatory requirements for the
operation of projects funded under the
Federal TRIO Programs.
Absolute Priority 3: Training on
assessment of student needs; retention
and graduation strategies; and the use of
appropriate educational technology in
the operation of projects funded under
the Federal TRIO programs.
Absolute Priority 4: Training on
assisting students in receiving adequate
financial aid from programs assisted
under title IV of the HEA and from other
programs, and on college and university
admissions policies and procedures.
Absolute Priority 5: Training on
strategies for recruiting and serving hard
to reach populations, including students
who are limited English proficient,
students from groups that are
traditionally underrepresented in
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postsecondary education, students with
disabilities, students who are homeless
children and youths (as this term is
defined in section 725 of the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11434a)), students who are foster
care youth, or other disconnected
students.
Absolute Priority 6: Training on
general project management for new
project directors.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2024 and
any subsequent year in which we make
awards from the list of unfunded
applications from this competition, this
priority is an invitational priority.
Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), we do not
give an application that meets this
invitational priority a competitive or
absolute preference over other
applications.
Background: According to the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OHSA), stress can be
harmful to our health and increase
mental health challenges.1 While there
are many things in life that induce
stress, work can be one of those factors.
The World Health Organization reported
in 2022 that 83 percent of U.S. workers
suffer from work-related stress and 54
percent of workers report that work
stress affects their home life.2 Studies
indicate the COVID–19 pandemic
exacerbated the issue.3
The workplace can be a key place for
resources, solutions, and activities
designed to improve mental health and
well-being.4 The TRIO workplace
provides an opportunity to provide
needed supports and resources.
Through this invitational priority, the
Department encourages applicants to
provide critical support to assist TRIO
staff.
Priority:
Training on mental health supports
for TRIO project directors and staff.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a–
11 and 1070a–17.
Note: Projects will be awarded and
must be operated in a manner consistent
with the nondiscrimination
requirements contained in Federal civil
rights laws.
1 Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
(2024). Workplace stress: Understanding the
problem, Retrieved from: www.osha.gov/workplacestress
2 The World Health Organization (2022). who.int/
teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotionprevention/mental-health-in-the-workplace
3 Gramlich, John, (2023). Mental health and the
pandemic: What U.S. surveys have found, Retrieved
from: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/
02/mental-health-and-the-pandemic-what-u-ssurveys-have-found/
4 Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
(2024). Workplace stress: Understanding the
problem, Retrieved from: www.osha.gov/workplacestress
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Applicable Regulations: (a) The
Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR
parts 75 (except for 75.215 through
75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and
99. (b) The Office of Management and
Budget Guidelines to Agencies on
Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR
part 180, as adopted and amended as
regulations of the Department in 2 CFR
part 3485. (c) The Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as
adopted and amended as regulations of
the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d)
The regulations for this program in 34
CFR part 642.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part
86 apply to institutions of higher
education (IHEs) only.
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II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The
Administration has requested
$1,297,761,000 for the Federal TRIO
Programs for FY 2024, of which we
intend to use an estimated $4,377,536
for the Training Program for Federal
TRIO Programs. The actual level of
funding, if any, depends on final
congressional action. However, we are
inviting applications to allow enough
time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for the
Federal TRIO Programs.
Contingent upon the availability of
funds and the quality of applications,
we may make additional awards in
subsequent years from the list of
unfunded applications from this
competition.
Estimated Range of Awards:
$309,505–$402,357, depending on the
absolute priority under which the award
is funded (see below).
Estimated Average Size of Awards:
$355,931.
Maximum Award and Minimum
Participants: We will not make an
award exceeding the maximum award
amount listed here for a single budget
period of 12 months. Projects proposed
under each absolute priority also must
propose to serve the minimum number
of applicable participants listed here.
Under Absolute Priorities 1, 2, and 4,
the maximum award amount is
$309,505 and the minimum number of
participants is 231. Under Absolute
Priorities 3 and 5, the maximum award
amount is $402,357 and the minimum
number of participants is 300. Under
Absolute Priority 6, the maximum
award amount is $343,159 and the
minimum number of participants is 256.
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Estimated Number of Awards: 13, as
follows: 2 awards each under Absolute
Priorities 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6; and 3 awards
under Absolute Priority 4.
Note: The Department is not bound by
any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 24 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and other
public and private nonprofit institutions
and organizations.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This
competition does not require cost
sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This
program uses a training indirect cost
rate. This limits indirect cost
reimbursement to an entity’s actual
indirect costs, as determined in its
negotiated indirect cost rate agreement,
or eight percent of a modified total
direct cost base, whichever amount is
less. For more information regarding
training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR
75.562. For more information regarding
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated
indirect cost rate, please see
www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/
intro.html.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation:
This program does not include any
program-specific limitation on
administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be
reasonable and necessary and conform
to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR
part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this
competition may not award subgrants to
entities to directly carry out project
activities described in its application.
IV. Application and Submission
Information
1. Application Submission
Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for
Applicants to Department of Education
Discretionary Grant Programs,
published in the Federal Register on
December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and
available at www.federalregister.gov/d/
2022–26554, 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. 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.
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3. Funding Restrictions: We specify
unallowable costs in 34 CFR 642.31. We
reference additional regulations
outlining funding restrictions in the
Applicable Regulations and Application
Review Information sections of this
notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The
application narrative (Part III of the
application) is where you, the applicant,
address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your
application. We recommend that you (1)
limit the application narrative, which
includes the budget narrative and
invitational priority, if addressed, to no
more than 55 pages and (2) use the
following standards:
• A ‘‘page’’ is 8.5″ × 11″, on one side
only, with 1″ margins.
• Double space all text in the
application narrative, and single space
titles, headings, footnotes, quotations,
references, and captions.
• Use a 12-point font.
• Use an easily readable font such as
Times New Roman, Courier, Courier
New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not
apply to Part I, the Application for
Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424);
Part II, the Budget Information
Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III–
A, the Program Profile form; Part III–B,
the one-page Project Abstract form; or
Part IV, the Assurances and
Certifications. The recommended page
limit also does not apply to a table of
contents, which we recommend that
you include in the application narrative.
5. Content and Form of Application
Submission: You must indicate the
absolute priority addressed in your
application both on the one-page
abstract and on the Training Program
Profile Sheet. You must include your
complete response to the selection
criteria and absolute priority in the
application narrative. Other
requirements concerning the content of
an application, together with the forms
you must submit, are in the application
package for this program.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection
criteria for this program are from 34 CFR
642.21 and 34 CFR 75.210. The points
assigned to each criterion are indicated
in the parentheses next to the criterion.
An applicant may earn up to a total of
100 points based on the selection
criteria for the application.
(a) Plan of operation. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each
application for information that shows
the quality of the plan of operation for
the project.
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(2) The Secretary looks for
information that shows—
(i) High quality in the design of the
project;
(ii) An effective plan of management
that ensures proper and efficient
administration of the project;
(iii) A clear description of how the
objectives of the project relate to the
purpose of the program;
(iv) The way the applicant plans to
use its resources and personnel to
achieve each objective; and
(v) A clear description of how the
applicant will provide equal access and
treatment for eligible project
participants who are members of groups
that have been traditionally
underrepresented, such as—
(A) Members of racial or ethnic
minority groups;
(B) Women;
(C) Individuals with disabilities; and
(D) The elderly.
(b) Quality of key personnel. (20
points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each
application for information that shows
the qualifications of the key personnel
the applicant plans to use on the
project.
(2) The Secretary looks for
information that shows—
(i) The qualifications of the project
director;
(ii) The qualifications of each of the
other key personnel to be used in the
project;
(iii) The time that each person
referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii)
of this section plans to commit to the
project; and
(iv) The extent to which the applicant,
as part of its nondiscriminatory
employment practices, encourages
applications for employment from
persons who are members of groups that
have been traditionally
underrepresented, such as—
(A) Members of racial or ethnic
minority groups;
(B) Women;
(C) Individuals with disabilities; and
(D) The elderly.
(3) To determine the qualifications of
a person, the Secretary considers
evidence of past experience and
training, in fields related to the
objectives of the project, as well as other
information that the applicant provides.
(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10
points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each
application for information that shows
that the project has an adequate budget
and is cost effective.
(2) The Secretary looks for
information that shows—
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(i) The budget for the project is
adequate to support the project
activities; and
(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to
the objectives of the project.
(d) Evaluation plan. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each
application for information that shows
the quality of the evaluation plan for the
project.
(2) The Secretary looks for
information that shows methods of
evaluation that are appropriate for the
project and, to the extent possible, are
objective and produce data that are
quantifiable.
(e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each
application for information that shows
that the applicant plans to devote
adequate resources to the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for
information that shows—
(i) The facilities that the applicant
plans to use are adequate; and
(ii) The equipment and supplies that
the applicant plans to use are adequate.
(f) Quality of the project design. (10
points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the design of the proposed
project.
(2) In determining the quality of the
design of the proposed project, the
Secretary considers the extent to which
the proposed project represents an
exceptional approach for meeting
statutory purposes and requirements.
(g) Quality of project services. (15
points)
(1) The Secretary considers the
quality of the services to be provided by
the proposed project.
(2) 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.
(3) In addition, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the
technical assistance services to be
provided by the proposed project
involve the use of efficient strategies,
including the use of technology, as
appropriate, and the leveraging of nonproject resources.
Note: For Selection Criterion (b),
Quality of key personnel, applicants are
encouraged to include in their
application that they are committed to
paying their trainers a living wage for
the local area and providing benefits.
2. Review and Selection Process: We
remind potential applicants that in
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reviewing applications in any
discretionary grant competition, the
Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR
75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the
applicant in carrying out a previous
award, such as the applicant’s use of
funds, achievement of project
objectives, and compliance with grant
conditions. The Secretary may also
consider whether the applicant failed to
submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable
quality.
In addition, in making a competitive
grant award, the Secretary requires
various assurances including those
applicable to Federal civil rights laws
that prohibit discrimination in programs
or activities receiving Federal financial
assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For this competition, a panel of nonFederal reviewers will review each
application in accordance with the
selection criteria in 34 CFR 642.21 and
34 CFR 75.210. The individual scores of
the reviewers will be added and the sum
divided by the number of reviewers to
determine the peer review score
received in the review process.
Additionally, in accordance with 34
CFR 642.22, the Secretary will award up
to 15 prior experience points to eligible
applicants by evaluating the applicant’s
current performance under its expiring
Training Program grant. Pursuant to 34
CFR 642.20(d), if there are insufficient
funds to fund all applications with the
same peer review score within a
particular absolute priority, prior
experience points, if any, will be added
to the averaged peer review score to
determine the total score for each
application.
Under section 402A(c)(3) of the HEA,
the Secretary is not required to make
awards under the Training Program in
the order of the scores received.
Additionally, under 34 CFR 642.23, the
Secretary, to the greatest extent possible,
makes Training Program awards to
projects that will provide training
services in all regions of the Nation in
order to assure accessibility for
prospective training participants, in
accordance with the criteria described
below.
In the event a tie score still exists after
applying prior experience points, the
Secretary will select for funding the
applicant that has the greatest capacity
to provide training to eligible
participants in all regions of the Nation,
in order to assure accessibility to the
greatest number of prospective training
participants, consistent with 34 CFR
642.20(e). If it is determined that all tied
applicants have equal capacity to
provide training to eligible participants
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in all regions of the Nation, the
Secretary will identify and recommend
an award for—
First, the applicant in the funding
band that is from an entity receiving the
least amount of funding under any of
the other absolute priorities.
Second, the applicant with the
highest average score across all
applications.
Third, if there is more than one
application with the same score and
insufficient funding to support these
applications after tie-breaker 1 and tiebreaker 2 have been implemented, the
applicant proposing to serve the greatest
number of participants through both
their on-site and online trainings will be
the final application identified and
recommended to receive an award.
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
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part 200, appendix XII, if this grant plus
all the other Federal funds you receive
exceed $10,000,000.
5. In General: In accordance with the
Office of Management and Budget’s
guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all
applicable Federal laws, and relevant
Executive guidance, the Department
will review and consider applications
for funding pursuant to this notice
inviting applications in accordance
with:
(a) Selecting recipients most likely to
be successful in delivering results based
on the program objectives through an
objective process of evaluating Federal
award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain
telecommunication and video
surveillance services or equipment in
alignment with section 889 of the
National Defense Authorization Act of
2019 (Pub. L. 115–232) (2 CFR 200.216);
(c) Providing a preference, to the
extent permitted by law, to maximize
use of goods, products, and materials
produced in the United States (2 CFR
200.322); and
(d) Terminating agreements in whole
or in part to the greatest extent
authorized by law if an award no longer
effectuates the program goals or agency
priorities (2 CFR 200.340).
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application
is successful, we notify your U.S.
Representative and U.S. Senators and
send you a Grant Award Notification
(GAN); or we may send you an email
containing a link to access an electronic
version of your GAN. We may notify
you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or
not selected for funding, we will 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
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works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately
identified and only to the extent that
open licensing is permitted under the
terms of any licenses or other legal
restrictions on the use of pre-existing
works. Additionally, a grantee that is
awarded competitive grant funds must
have a plan to disseminate these public
grant deliverables. This dissemination
plan can be developed and submitted
after your application has been
reviewed and selected for funding. For
additional information on the open
licensing requirements please refer to 2
CFR 3474.20.
4. Reporting:(a) If you apply for a
grant under this competition, you must
ensure that you have in place the
necessary processes and systems to
comply with the reporting requirements
in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive
funding under the competition. This
does not apply if you have an exception
under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period,
you must submit a final performance
report, including financial information,
as directed by the Secretary. If you
receive a multiyear award, you must
submit an annual performance report
that provides the most current
performance and financial expenditure
information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary
may also require more frequent
performance reports under 34 CFR
75.720(c). For specific requirements on
reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/
fund/grant/apply/appforms/
appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: For
purposes of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use
the following performance measures to
assess the effectiveness and quality of
the Training Program:
(1) Its cost-effectiveness based on the
number of TRIO project personnel
receiving training each year;
(2) The percentage of Training
Program participants that, each year,
indicate the training has increased their
qualifications and skills in meeting the
needs of disadvantaged students; and
(3) The percentage of Training
Program participants that, each year,
indicate the training has increased their
knowledge and understanding of the
Federal TRIO Programs. All grantees
will be required to include in their
annual performance report project data
documenting their success in training
personnel working on TRIO-funded
projects, including the average cost per
trainee and the trainees’ evaluations of
the effectiveness of the training
provided. The success of the Training
Program also is assessed on the
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quantitative and qualitative outcomes of
the training projects based on project
evaluation results.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a
continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among
other things: whether a grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
the goals and objectives of the project;
whether the grantee has expended funds
in a manner that is consistent with its
approved application and budget; and,
if the Secretary has established
performance measurement
requirements, whether the grantee has
made substantial progress in achieving
the performance targets in the grantee’s
approved application.
In making a continuation grant, the
Secretary also considers whether the
grantee is operating in compliance with
the assurances in its approved
application, including those applicable
to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit
discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance
from the Department (34 CFR 100.4,
104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
individuals with disabilities can obtain
this document and a copy of the
application package in an accessible
format. The Department will provide the
requestor with an accessible format that
may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or
text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, or
compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to this Document:
The official version of this document is
the document published in the Federal
Register. You may access the official
edition of the Federal Register and the
Code of Federal Regulations at
www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can
view this document, as well as all other
documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Portable Document Format
(PDF). To use PDF you must have
Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at the site.
You may also access documents of the
Department published in the Federal
Register by using the article search
feature at www.federalregister.gov.
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:24 Feb 15, 2024
Jkt 262001
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary
Education.
[FR Doc. 2024–03277 Filed 2–15–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2024–SCC–0026]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Comment Request; PLUS
Adverse Credit Reconsideration Loan
Counseling
Federal Student Aid (FSA),
Department of Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995, the Department is proposing an
extension without change of a currently
approved information collection request
(ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before April 16,
2024 .
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
documents related to the information
collection listed in this notice, please
use https://www.regulations.gov by
searching the Docket ID number ED–
2024–SCC–0026. Comments submitted
in response to this notice should be
submitted electronically through the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov by selecting the
Docket ID number or via postal mail,
commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
If the regulations.gov site is not
available to the public for any reason,
the Department will temporarily accept
comments at ICDocketMgr@ed.gov.
Please include the docket ID number
and the title of the information
collection request when requesting
documents or submitting comments.
Please note that comments submitted
after the comment period will not be
accepted. Written requests for
information or comments submitted by
postal mail or delivery should be
addressed to the Manager of the
Strategic Collections and Clearance
Governance and Strategy Division, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203,
Washington, DC 20202–8240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
activities, please contact Beth
Grebeldinger, (202) 377–4018.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department, in accordance with the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
12329
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the
general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on
proposed, revised, and continuing
collections of information. This helps
the Department assess the impact of its
information collection requirements and
minimize the public’s reporting burden.
It also helps the public understand the
Department’s information collection
requirements and provide the requested
data in the desired format. The
Department is soliciting comments on
the proposed information collection
request (ICR) that is described below.
The Department is especially interested
in public comment addressing the
following issues: (1) is this collection
necessary to the proper functions of the
Department; (2) will this information be
processed and used in a timely manner;
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
(4) how might the Department enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (5) how
might the Department minimize the
burden of this collection on the
respondents, including through the use
of information technology. Please note
that written comments received in
response to this notice will be
considered public records.
Title of Collection: PLUS Adverse
Credit Reconsideration Loan
Counseling.
OMB Control Number: 1845–0129.
Type of Review: Extension without
change of a currently approved ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public:
Individuals or Households Total
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 142,824.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 107,119.
Abstract: Section 428B(a)(1)(A) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended (HEA), provides that to be
eligible to receive a Federal PLUS Loan
under the Federal Family Education
Loan (FFEL) Program, the applicant
must not have an adverse credit history,
as determined pursuant to regulations
promulgated by the Secretary. In
accordance with section 455(a)(1) of the
HEA, this same eligibility requirement
applies to applicants for PLUS loans
under the Direct Loan Program. Since
July 1, 2010, there have been no new
FFEL Program loans originated and the
Direct Loan Program is the only Federal
loan program that offers Federal PLUS
Loans.
The adverse credit history section of
the eligibility regulations in 34 CFR
685.200(b) and (c) were updated in 2014
by the Department of Education (the
Department) when a review of and a
change to the regulations was made.
E:\FR\FM\16FEN1.SGM
16FEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12325-12329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03277]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Training Program for Federal TRIO
Programs
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Training
Program for Federal TRIO Programs (Training Program), Assistance
Listing Number 84.103A. This notice relates to the approved information
collection under OMB control number 1840-0814.
DATES:
Applications Available: February 16, 2024.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 16, 2024.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 17, 2024.
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
www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common
Instructions supersede the version published on December 27, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Ulmer, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20202-
4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7691. Email: [email protected]; or
ReShone Moore, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue
SW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7624.
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 Training Program provides grants to train
the staff and leadership personnel employed in, participating in, or
preparing for employment in, projects funded under the Federal TRIO
Programs, to improve project operation.
Priorities: This notice contains six absolute priorities and one
invitational priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv) and
34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from section
402G(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the
regulations for this program at 34 CFR 642.24. The invitational
priority is intended to address mental health challenges faced by
project directors and employees of TRIO projects by providing training
and informational resources to support their mental health.
Absolute Priorities: For FY 2024 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one of these
absolute priorities.
In accordance with 34 CFR 642.7, each application must clearly
identify the specific absolute priority for which a grant is requested.
An applicant must submit a separate application for each absolute
priority it proposes to address. If an applicant submits more than one
application for the same absolute priority, we will accept only the
application with the latest ``date/time received'' validation.
These priorities are:
Absolute Priority 1: Training to improve reporting of student and
project performance and project evaluation, in order to design and
operate a model program for projects funded under the Federal TRIO
Programs.
Absolute Priority 2: Training on budget management and the
statutory and regulatory requirements for the operation of projects
funded under the Federal TRIO Programs.
Absolute Priority 3: Training on assessment of student needs;
retention and graduation strategies; and the use of appropriate
educational technology in the operation of projects funded under the
Federal TRIO programs.
Absolute Priority 4: Training on assisting students in receiving
adequate financial aid from programs assisted under title IV of the HEA
and from other programs, and on college and university admissions
policies and procedures.
Absolute Priority 5: Training on strategies for recruiting and
serving hard to reach populations, including students who are limited
English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally
underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with
disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths (as this
term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a)), students who are foster care youth,
or other disconnected students.
Absolute Priority 6: Training on general project management for new
project directors.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2024 and any subsequent year in which
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this
competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this
invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other
applications.
Background: According to the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OHSA), stress can be harmful to our health and increase
mental health challenges.\1\ While there are many things in life that
induce stress, work can be one of those factors. The World Health
Organization reported in 2022 that 83 percent of U.S. workers suffer
from work-related stress and 54 percent of workers report that work
stress affects their home life.\2\ Studies indicate the COVID-19
pandemic exacerbated the issue.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (2024).
Workplace stress: Understanding the problem, Retrieved from:
www.osha.gov/workplace-stress
\2\ The World Health Organization (2022). who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/promotion-prevention/mental-health-in-the-workplace
\3\ Gramlich, John, (2023). Mental health and the pandemic: What
U.S. surveys have found, Retrieved from: www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/02/mental-health-and-the-pandemic-what-u-s-surveys-have-found/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The workplace can be a key place for resources, solutions, and
activities designed to improve mental health and well-being.\4\ The
TRIO workplace provides an opportunity to provide needed supports and
resources. Through this invitational priority, the Department
encourages applicants to provide critical support to assist TRIO staff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (2024).
Workplace stress: Understanding the problem, Retrieved from:
www.osha.gov/workplace-stress
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority:
Training on mental health supports for TRIO project directors and
staff.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-17.
Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal
civil rights laws.
[[Page 12326]]
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75 (except for 75.215
through 75.221), 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of
Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted
and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c)
The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and
amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The
regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 642.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education (IHEs) only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$1,297,761,000 for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2024, of which we
intend to use an estimated $4,377,536 for the Training Program for
Federal TRIO Programs. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on
final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to
allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress
appropriates funds for the Federal TRIO Programs.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
Estimated Range of Awards: $309,505-$402,357, depending on the
absolute priority under which the award is funded (see below).
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $355,931.
Maximum Award and Minimum Participants: We will not make an award
exceeding the maximum award amount listed here for a single budget
period of 12 months. Projects proposed under each absolute priority
also must propose to serve the minimum number of applicable
participants listed here.
Under Absolute Priorities 1, 2, and 4, the maximum award amount is
$309,505 and the minimum number of participants is 231. Under Absolute
Priorities 3 and 5, the maximum award amount is $402,357 and the
minimum number of participants is 300. Under Absolute Priority 6, the
maximum award amount is $343,159 and the minimum number of participants
is 256.
Estimated Number of Awards: 13, as follows: 2 awards each under
Absolute Priorities 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6; and 3 awards under Absolute
Priority 4.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Up to 24 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: IHEs and other public and private nonprofit
institutions and organizations.
2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require
cost sharing or matching.
b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more
information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated
indirect cost rate, please see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform
Guidance.
3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities
described in its application.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), and available at
www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554, 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. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order
12372 is in the application package for this program.
3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR
642.31. We reference additional regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations and Application Review
Information sections of this notice.
4. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of
the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend
that you (1) limit the application narrative, which includes the budget
narrative and invitational priority, if addressed, to no more than 55
pages and (2) use the following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5 x 11, on one side
only, with 1 margins.
Double space all text in the application narrative, and
single space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and
captions.
Use a 12-point font.
Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman,
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the
Application for Federal Assistance face sheet (SF 424); Part II, the
Budget Information Summary form (ED Form 524); Part III-A, the Program
Profile form; Part III-B, the one-page Project Abstract form; or Part
IV, the Assurances and Certifications. The recommended page limit also
does not apply to a table of contents, which we recommend that you
include in the application narrative.
5. Content and Form of Application Submission: You must indicate
the absolute priority addressed in your application both on the one-
page abstract and on the Training Program Profile Sheet. You must
include your complete response to the selection criteria and absolute
priority in the application narrative. Other requirements concerning
the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit,
are in the application package for this program.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are
from 34 CFR 642.21 and 34 CFR 75.210. The points assigned to each
criterion are indicated in the parentheses next to the criterion. An
applicant may earn up to a total of 100 points based on the selection
criteria for the application.
(a) Plan of operation. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.
[[Page 12327]]
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) High quality in the design of the project;
(ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and
efficient administration of the project;
(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project
relate to the purpose of the program;
(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel
to achieve each objective; and
(v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal
access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members
of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as--
(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
(B) Women;
(C) Individuals with disabilities; and
(D) The elderly.
(b) Quality of key personnel. (20 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to
use on the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The qualifications of the project director;
(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be
used in the project;
(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)
and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and
(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its
nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have been
traditionally underrepresented, such as--
(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
(B) Women;
(C) Individuals with disabilities; and
(D) The elderly.
(3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary
considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related
to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the
applicant provides.
(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project
activities; and
(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the
project.
(d) Evaluation plan. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of
evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent
possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.
(e) Adequacy of resources. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that
shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the
project.
(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--
(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate;
and
(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are
adequate.
(f) Quality of the project design. (10 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed
project represents an exceptional approach for meeting statutory
purposes and requirements.
(g) Quality of project services. (15 points)
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the services to be
provided by the proposed project.
(2) 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.
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers the extent to which the
technical assistance services to be provided by the proposed project
involve the use of efficient strategies, including the use of
technology, as appropriate, and the leveraging of non-project
resources.
Note: For Selection Criterion (b), Quality of key personnel,
applicants are encouraged to include in their application that they are
committed to paying their trainers a living wage for the local area and
providing benefits.
2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary
requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR
642.21 and 34 CFR 75.210. The individual scores of the reviewers will
be added and the sum divided by the number of reviewers to determine
the peer review score received in the review process. Additionally, in
accordance with 34 CFR 642.22, the Secretary will award up to 15 prior
experience points to eligible applicants by evaluating the applicant's
current performance under its expiring Training Program grant. Pursuant
to 34 CFR 642.20(d), if there are insufficient funds to fund all
applications with the same peer review score within a particular
absolute priority, prior experience points, if any, will be added to
the averaged peer review score to determine the total score for each
application.
Under section 402A(c)(3) of the HEA, the Secretary is not required
to make awards under the Training Program in the order of the scores
received. Additionally, under 34 CFR 642.23, the Secretary, to the
greatest extent possible, makes Training Program awards to projects
that will provide training services in all regions of the Nation in
order to assure accessibility for prospective training participants, in
accordance with the criteria described below.
In the event a tie score still exists after applying prior
experience points, the Secretary will select for funding the applicant
that has the greatest capacity to provide training to eligible
participants in all regions of the Nation, in order to assure
accessibility to the greatest number of prospective training
participants, consistent with 34 CFR 642.20(e). If it is determined
that all tied applicants have equal capacity to provide training to
eligible participants
[[Page 12328]]
in all regions of the Nation, the Secretary will identify and recommend
an award for--
First, the applicant in the funding band that is from an entity
receiving the least amount of funding under any of the other absolute
priorities.
Second, the applicant with the highest average score across all
applications.
Third, if there is more than one application with the same score
and insufficient funding to support these applications after tie-
breaker 1 and tie-breaker 2 have been implemented, the applicant
proposing to serve the greatest number of participants through both
their on-site and online trainings will be the final application
identified and recommended to receive an award.
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 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 will notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works.
Additionally, a grantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must
have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This
dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR
3474.20.
4. Reporting:(a) If you apply for a grant under this competition,
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
performance report that provides the most current performance and
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting,
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
5. Performance Measures: For purposes of Department reporting under
34 CFR 75.110, the Department will use the following performance
measures to assess the effectiveness and quality of the Training
Program:
(1) Its cost-effectiveness based on the number of TRIO project
personnel receiving training each year;
(2) The percentage of Training Program participants that, each
year, indicate the training has increased their qualifications and
skills in meeting the needs of disadvantaged students; and
(3) The percentage of Training Program participants that, each
year, indicate the training has increased their knowledge and
understanding of the Federal TRIO Programs. All grantees will be
required to include in their annual performance report project data
documenting their success in training personnel working on TRIO-funded
projects, including the average cost per trainee and the trainees'
evaluations of the effectiveness of the training provided. The success
of the Training Program also is assessed on the
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quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the training projects based on
project evaluation results.
6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a grantee
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, whether
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the performance
targets in the grantee's approved application.
In making a continuation grant, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
VII. Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to this Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published
in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
the site.
You may also access documents of the Department published in the
Federal Register by using the article search feature at
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Nasser H. Paydar,
Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2024-03277 Filed 2-15-24; 8:45 am]
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