Ic 1 Gaann Fy09

Application Package for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program (1890-0001)

FY 09 GAANN APP EDIC VER 2 in black

Application Package for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program (1890-0001)

OMB: 1840-0604

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006-8521





FY 2009


APPLICATION FOR NEW GRANTS UNDER THE


GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED (GAANN) PROGRAM

CFDA NO. 84.200A



Form Approved: OMB No. 1840-0604, Expiration Date 08/31/2011


CLOSING DATE: TBA







TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page


Dear Applicant Letter 4

Competition Highlights 6

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants 10

Grants.gov Registration Instruction for Organizations 12

Application Transmittal Instructions 14

Closing Date Notice 17

GAANN Authorizing Legislation 38

GAANN Code of Federal Regulations 44

Intergovernmental Review: Executive Order 12372 56

General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Section 427 57

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 58

Instructions

Instructions for Completing the GAANN Application Package 60

Instructions for Completing the Project Narrative (Application Narrative) 64

Instructions for Standard and Program Specific Forms 77

Standard Forms Instructions:

Instructions for the SF-424 Form 78

Instructions for Department of Education Supplemental Information

for SF 424 Form 80

Instructions for Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, SF-LLL 84

Survey Instructions on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants 85

Program Specific Forms Instructions:

GAANN Statutory Assurances Form Instructions 86

GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form Instructions 87

Application Checklist 90

Paperwork Burden Statement 91

Forms

Standard Forms (found on Grants.gov):

Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) 87

Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424 Form 91

Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying Form 92

Assurances Non-Construction programs Form (SF 424B) 93

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, SF-LLL 95

Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants Form 96

Program Specific Forms (found only in the application package):

GAANN Statutory Assurances Form 97

GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form 98


DRAFT


Dear Applicant:

 

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program. The GAANN program provides grants to academic departments and programs of institutions of higher education to support graduate fellowships for students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in their course of study at the institution.


This letter highlights a few items in the fiscal year (FY) 2009 application package that will be important to you in applying for grants under this program. You should review the entire application package carefully before preparing and submitting your application. Information on the GAANN program is accessible at the U.S. Department of Education Website at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/gaann/index.html.

This application package contains the GAANN programmatic regulations and statute along with the forms needed to submit a complete application package.


In the FY 2009 competition, there is an absolute priority and invitational priority. Within the absolute priority, the Secretary is particularly interested in receiving single discipline grant applications in the following academic areas designated by the Secretary as areas of national need for fiscal year 2009: biology; chemistry; computer and information sciences; engineering; mathematics; nursing; physics; and educational assessment, evaluation and research. Within the Invitational Priority, the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that address the following invitational priority: Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research programs that focus on preparing students at the Master’s or DoctoralPhD level who will be trained in statistics and measurement theory to become psychometricians. These psychometrics programs focus on the principles and procedures for designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating test and other mechanisms used to measure learning, evaluate student progress and assess the performance of specific teaching tools, strategies and curricula.


A department or program of an institution of higher education may also submit a multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary program application in two or more of the designated academic areas of need listed above. A multi-disciplinary application must request funding for two or more academic departments in areas of national need designated as priorities by the Secretary that are independent and unrelated to one another. An inter-disciplinary application must request funding for a single proposed program of study that involves academic fields in two or more disciplines.


The application process requires each applicant to address the selection criteria, including all sub-criteria, in sequential order. The selection criteria can be found in the program regulations, Subpart C, Section 648.31, What Section Criteria Does the Secretary Use? When addressing the selection criteria, you should make every effort to ensure that your application contains a detailed evaluation plan. Peer reviewers will be instructed to pay close attention to the quality of your evaluation plan, including the extent to which your methods of evaluation relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the project. Applicants should be mindful that the evaluation plan plays an integral part in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the project so that adjustments and improvements can be made throughout the grant award process.


No single department or program may receive an amount that is less than $100,000 or more than $750,000 as an aggregate total of new and continuing GAANN grants in any fiscal year. A department or program may not submit more than one application for a new GAANN grant in any fiscal year.


We are requiring that applications for the FY 2009 grant competition under the GAANN Program be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. We urge you to acquaint yourself with the requirements of Grants.gov as soon as possible. A thorough discussion of Grants.gov is included in the application package. Grants.gov is accessible through its portal page at:


http://www.grants.gov


We also urge you to consider the following three extremely important administrative factors if you are planning to apply for this program:


  1. We strongly encourage you to register for Grants.gov early. The registration procedures may require five or more days to complete.


  1. We strongly recommend that you submit your application 2-3 days prior to the closing date. The time it takes to upload an application will vary depending on your application and the speed of your Internet connection. The application submission process must be complete prior to the deadline for transmittal of applications.


  1. In order to submit successfully, you must remember to provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when your organization registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).


After you electronically submit your application, you will first receive an e-mail from Grants.gov acknowledging the date and time at which your application was received. You will receive a second e-mail from Grants.gov that will state that your application was validated OR that your application was rejected with errors. If your application is validated, you will receive a third e-mail from the Department of Education with an assigned PR/Award number, which is an ED-specified identifying number that is unique to your application. This third confirmation by e-mail, with a PR/Award number assigned, is the e-mail that verifies that your application was submitted on time by the closing date. This may take several days.


The Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards published in the Federal Register is the official document describing the requirements for applying for a GAANN grant and provides application submission procedures. You should not rely upon any information that is inconsistent with the guidance contained within the official document.


We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your efforts to promote excellence in graduate education.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Lynn B. Mahaffie

Service Area Director

Teacher and Student Development Programs Service




COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS




  1. GAANN applications submitted for FY 2009 competition must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. You are urged to acquaint yourself with the requirements of Grants.gov early as the registration procedures may require 5 or more days to complete. A more thorough discussion is included later in this application package. Grants.gov is accessible through its portal page at:


http://www.grants.gov


  1. With the adoption of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the GAANN program will now accept applications from academic departments and programs of institutions of higher education that provide courses of study leading to a master’s or a doctoral degree. However, institutions can only make fellowship awards to individuals who plan to pursue the highest possible degree available in their course of study at the institution. Previously, the GAANN program only permitted doctoral programs to apply for a GAANN grant award.


  1. It is important to know that the Grants.gov site works differently than the Department’s e-Application system used in past competitions.


Grants.gov does not allow applicants to “un-submit” applications. Therefore, if you discover that changes or additions are needed once your application has been accepted and validated by the Department, you must “re-submit” the entire application. You should know that if the Department receives duplicate applications, we will accept and process the application with the latest “date/time received” validation.


  1. Once an application has been submitted, you will receive a series of e-mails:


    • One from Grants.gov with a confirmation number,


    • A second e-mail from Grants.gov that your application has been validated or that your application was rejected with errors, and


    • If the application was validated by Grants.gov, a third e-mail from the Department of Education with an assigned PR/Award Number will be received. This is a confirmation number that is unique to your application. The PR/Award Number begins with P200A0…for this program. This third confirmation by e-mail, with a PR/Award Number assigned, is the e-mail that verifies that your application was submitted on time by the closing date. This may take several days.


  1. Each application must include a one-page abstract containing the following information:


    • The name of your institution and the type of application your institution is submitting (i.e. single discipline, inter-disciplinary, or multi-disciplinary);


    • A short summary covering the designated area(s) of national need and the anticipated number of GAANN fellows requested;


    • Information on whether the highest degree at the institution is at the master’s or doctorate degree level; and


    • Information provided in the GAANN one-page abstract must be attached into the “ED Abstract Form” in the Grants.gov system. Further instructions are provided in the “Instruction for Completing the Project Narrative” section of the application package.


  1. An Absolute Priority is included for this FY 2009 competition, and the department will only consider applications that address these areas of national need. As stated in the “Dear Applicant” letter and the “Notice Inviting Applications”, the FY 2009 designated areas of national need under the GAANN program are as follows:


  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Computer and Information Sciences

  • Engineering

  • Mathematics

  • Nursing

  • Physics

  • Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research

  1. The GAANN program has introduced the following invitational priority for FY 2009:


Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research programs that focus on preparing students at the Master’s or Doctoral level who will be trained in statistics and measurement theory to become psychometricians. These psychometrics programs focus on the principles and procedures for designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating test and other mechanisms used to measure learning, evaluate student progress and assess the performance of specific teaching tools, strategies and curricula. However in accordance with 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.


  1. The following documents are specific to the GAANN Program and should be reviewed carefully to ensure that these documents are attached into the Grants.gov system correctly:


  • Information about the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form: Applicants must submit the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form electronically as a separate document. Please note that more detailed instructions for attaching this form are covered in the “Program Specific Forms Instructions” section of the application.


  • Information about the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form: Applicants must submit the Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form electronically as a separate document. Please note that more detailed instructions for attaching the budget spreadsheet form are covered in the “Program Specific Forms Instructions” section of the application package.


  • The Budget Narrative (which is a part of the Selection Criteria) should be included in the “Project Narrative Attachment Form”.


  1. Applicants must double space the application project narrative and use a font that is either 12-point or larger. However, a 10-point font may be used in charts, tables, figures, graphs, footnotes, and endnotes. The following fonts are required to be used: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. Applications submitted in any other font, including Times Roman and Arial Narrow will not be accepted.


  1. Electronic submission of applications is required; therefore, you must submit an electronic application unless you follow the procedures outlined in the Federal Register notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2009 and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirements. If you think you may need an exception, you are urged to review the requirement promptly.


  1. Applicants are required to adhere to the page limit in the Project Narrative portion of the application. The “Notice inviting applications” for new awards for FY 2009, published in the Federal Register, contains specific information governing page limits for each grant type and formatting instructions. The page limits for the FY 2009 GAANN competition are as follows:


  • Single Discipline – 40 pages

  • Inter-disciplinary – 60 pages

  • Multi-Disciplinary – 40 pages per academic department included in the proposal


  1. Annual Performance Report Requirements:


If you receive an FY 2009 new grant award, you will be required to submit annual and final performance reports during the three-year funding cycle using the CBMI Reporting System. This online system collects narratives and data about funded projects, to enable program officers to determine if a grantee is making substantial progress toward meeting approved project objectives. If you wish to view the performance report currently required, visit the GAANN Web site at


http://www.ed.gov/programs/gaann/performance.html


Please be advised that the report is for informational purposes only, and does not reflect the actual reporting instrument that you will use, should you receive a FY 2009 grant award. The Annual Performance Report also collects data related to the employment status of GAANN fellows who have completed their graduate study program.


    1. Two years after the expiration of the grant:


Two years after your grant has expired, you will be required to submit an additional final performance report. This report will require you to provide data on the academic and employment status for all fellows that were awarded funds under this grant.


    1. Please note, once you download an application from Grants.gov, you will be working offline and saving data on your computer. Please be sure to note where you are saving the Grants.gov file on your computer. You will need to log on to Grants.gov to attach and submit the application. (This is different from e-Application, where you are working online and saving data to the Department’s database.) You must provide a DUNS number that was used when your organization registered with the CCR.


Please go to http://www.grants.gov/ForApplicants for help with Grants.gov and click on “Help” at the top of the screen. Also refer to “Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants” found on pages 10-11 of this application booklet.


You are reminded that the document published in the Federal Register is the official document, and that you should not rely upon any information that is inconsistent with the guidelines contained within the official document.


IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ FIRST


U.S. Department of Education

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants



To facilitate your use of Grants.gov, this document includes important submission procedures you need to be aware of to ensure your application is received in a timely manner and accepted by the Department of Education.



ATTENTION

Applications submitted to Grants.gov for the Department of Education will be posted using Adobe forms. Therefore, applicants will need to download the latest version of Adobe reader (at least Adobe Reader 8.1.2). Information on computer and operating system compatibility with Adobe and links to download the latest version is available on Grants.gov. We strongly recommend that you review these details on www.Grants.gov before completing and submitting your application. In addition, applicants should submit their application a day or two in advance of the closing date as detailed below. Applicants will no longer need to use the PureEdge software to create or submit an application. If you have any questions regarding this matter please email the Grants.gov Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call 1-800-518-4726.



1) REGISTER EARLYGrants.gov registration may take five or more business days to complete. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the Registration steps are complete. For detailed information on the Registration Steps, please go to: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. [Note: Your organization will need to update its Central Contractor Registry (CCR) registration annually.]


2) SUBMIT EARLY We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. The time it takes to upload an application will vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection, and the time it takes Grants.gov to process the application will vary as well. If Grants.gov rejects your application (see step three below), you will need to resubmit successfully before 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, DC time on the deadline date.


Note: To submit successfully, you must provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when your organization registered with the CCR (Central Contractor Registry).


3) VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OKYou will want to verify that Grants.gov and the Department of Education receive your Grants.gov submission timely and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click on the Track My Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.


If the date/time received is later than 4:30:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. time, on the deadline date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received” it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application can be found on the Grants.gov site: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp#54. For more detailed information on why an application may be rejected, you can review Application Error Tips http://www.grants.gov/section910/ApplicationErrorTips.pdf. If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below. Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received timely and validated successfully.


Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or http://www.grants.gov/contactus/contactus.jsp, or use the customer support available on the Web site: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp.


If electronic submission is optional and you have problems that you are unable to resolve before the deadline date and time for electronic applications, please follow the transmittal instructions for hard copy applications in the Federal Register notice and get a hard copy application postmarked by midnight on the deadline date.


If electronic submission is required, you must submit an electronic application before 4:30:00 p.m., unless you follow the procedures in the Federal Register notice and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please note, once you download an application from Grants.gov, you will be working offline and saving data on your computer. Please be sure to note where you are saving the Grants.gov file on your computer. You will need to logon to Grants.gov to upload and submit the application. You must provide on your application the DUNS number that was used when your organization registered with the CCR.


Please go to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp for help with Grants.gov. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Submit Application FAQs found on the Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/help/submit_application_faqs.jsp.

Dial-Up Internet Connections

When using a dial up connection to upload and submit your application, it can take significantly longer than when you are connected to the Internet with a high-speed connection, e.g. cable modem/DSL/T1. While times will vary depending upon the size of your application, it can take a few minutes to a few hours to complete your grant submission using a dial up connection. If you do not have access to a high-speed connection and electronic submission is required, you may want to consider following the instructions in the Federal Register notice to obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

MAC Users

If you do not have a Windows operating System, you may need to use the Citrix solution discussed on Grants.gov to submit an application using Grants.gov. For additional information, review the FAQs for non-windows users http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp. If electronic submission is required and you are concerned about your ability to submit electronically as a non-windows user, please follow instructions in the Federal Register notice to obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)


Attaching Files – Additional Tips


Please note the following tips related to attaching files to your application:


1. Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the Federal Register application notice (.doc, .pdf or .rtf). Also, do not upload any password protected files to your application.

2. Grants.gov cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the same name within a grant submission. Therefore, each file uploaded to your application package should have a unique file name.

3. When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. We recommend you keep your file names to less than 50 characters. In addition, applicants should avoid including special characters in their file names (for example, %, *, /, etc.) Both of these conditions (lengthy file names and/or special characters including in the file names) could result in difficulties opening and processing a submitted application.

4. Applicants should limit the size of their file attachments. Documents submitted that contain graphics and/or scanned material often greatly increase the size of the file attachments and can result in difficulties opening the files. For reference, the average discretionary grant application package totals 1 to 2 MB. Therefore, you may want to check the total size of your package before submission.





GRANTS.GOV REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOR ORGANIZATIONS


The Grants.gov registration process involves three basic steps:

  1. Register your organization

        • Obtain a D-U-N-S Number (see below for instructions)

        • Register with the Central Contractor Registry (see below for instructions)

  2. Register yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR)

  3. Get authorized as an AOR by your organization

        • Receive approval from your organization’s E-Business POC (see CCR instructions below for details)

        • If you are both the E-Business POC and an AOR, you should authorize your own AOR request


For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.


Note: If you are a grant applicant who is submitting a grant application on your own behalf and not on behalf of a company, institution, state, local or tribal government, or other type of organization, refer to http://www.grants.gov/assets/IndividualRegCheck.pdf. If you apply as an individual to a grant application package designated for organizations, your application will be rejected.


D-U-N-S NUMBER INSTRUCTIONS


To successfully submit an application using Grants.gov, you must provide your organization’s D-U-N-S Number. A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit number issued by D&B, a global information services provider, that identifies your organization and is used by the Federal government to track how Federal money is distributed. Most large organizations, libraries, colleges, and research universities already have D-U-N-S numbers. Ask your grant administrator or chief financial officer to provide your organization’s D-U-N-S Number.


If your organization does not have a D-U-N-S Number, you can obtain one at no charge by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by completing a D-U-N-S Number Request Form (http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/index.html). You will need to provide the following information:

  • Legal name

  • Tradestyle, doing business as (DBA), or other name by which your organization is commonly recognized

  • Physical address, city, state and zip code

  • Mailing address (if separate)

  • Telephone number

  • Contact name

  • SIC code (Line of Business)

  • Number of employees at your location

  • Headquarters name and address (if there is a reporting relationship to a parent corporate entity)

  • Is this a home-based business?

Obtaining a DUNS Number places your organization on D&B’s marketing list, which is sold to other companies. You can request not to be added to this list during your application.

Live help from D&B is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EST) at 1-888-814-1435.


CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (CCR) INSTRUCTIONS

The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is a web-enabled government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the Federal government's trading partners in support of the contract award, grants, and electronic payment processes. Check to see if your organization is already registered at the CCR website (http://www.bpn.gov/ccrinq/scripts/search.asp).


If your organization is already registered, take note of who is listed as your E-Business Point of Contact (E-Business POC). This person will be responsible for authorizing who within your organization is able to submit applications using Grants.gov.

If your organization is not already registered, you can register using the CCR website (https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/scripts/indexnew.asp) or by phone (1-888-227-2423). When your organization registers with CCR, you will need to designate an E-Business Point of Contact (POC). This designee authorizes individuals to submit grant applications on behalf of the organization. A special Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN) is established as a password to verify the E-Business POC.


The E-Business POC will be notified by e-mail when individuals from their organization register with Grants.gov. This registration is a request to be designated as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). To assign AOR rights, E-Business POCs need to log into Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/e_biz.jsp) using the organization’s D-U-N-S Number and MPIN. Grants.gov will send the AOR a confirmation e-mail when this process has been completed.


Please note that your CCR registration must be renewed once a year. You can check your registration status using the CCR search page (http://www.bpn.gov/ccrinq/scripts/search.asp).

If you have further questions about creating, updating or renewing your CCR registration, please visit the CCR Frequently Asked Questions page (http://www.ccr.gov/FAQ.asp) or contact the CCR Help Desk at 1-888-227-2423.



Application Transmittal Instructions



ATTENTION ELECTRONIC APPLICANTS: Please note that you must follow the Application Procedures as described in the Federal Register notice announcing the grant competition.


This program requires the electronic submission of applications; specific requirements and waiver instructions can be found in the Federal Register notice.


According to the instructions found in the Federal Register notice, those requesting and qualifying for an exception to the electronic submission requirement may submit an application via mail, commercial carrier or by hand delivery.

If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you must meet the following deadline requirements:


Applications Submitted Electronically


You must submit your grant application through the Internet using the software provided on the Grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov) by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the application deadline date.


If you submit your application through the Internet via the Grants.gov Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when we receive your application.


For more information on using Grants.gov, please refer to the “Notice Inviting Applications” that was published in the Federal Register, or visit http://www.grants.gov.


Applications Delivered by Mail


You must mail the original and two copies of your application on or before the application deadline date to:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: CFDA Number - 84.200A

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20202 – 4260


You must show one of the following as proof of mailing:


  1. A legibly dated U. S. Postal Service Postmark

  2. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U. S. Postal Service

  3. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier

  4. Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the U. S. Secretary of Education



If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:


  1. A private metered postmark, or

  2. A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Services


An applicant should note that the U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should check with its local post office.


Special Note: Due to potential disruptions to normal mail delivery, the Department encourages you to consider using an alternative delivery method (for example, a commercial carrier, such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service; U. S. Postal Service Express Mail; or a courier service) to transmit your application for this competition to the Department. If you use an alternative delivery method, please obtain the appropriate proof of mailing under “Applications Delivered by Mail,” then follow the instructions for “Applications Delivered by Hand.”


Applications Delivered by Commercial Carrier:


If you use an alternative delivery method, please obtain the appropriate proof of mailing under “Applications Sent by Mail,” then follow the instructions under the appropriate delivery method.


You must mail the original and two copies of your application on or before the application deadline date to:


U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center – Stop 4260

Attention: CDFA Number - 84.200A

7100 Old Landover Road

Landover, MD 20785-1506


Applications Delivered by Hand


You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date to the following address:


U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center
Attention: CFDA Number - 84.200A

550 12th Street, SW

Potomac Center Plaza – Room 7067

Washington, D.C. 20202 - 4260


Application Control Center Hours of Operation

The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time), except Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays.


Grant Application Receipt from the Application Control Center

If you send your application by mail or if you or your courier delivers it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail a Grant Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you.

If you do not receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from the mailing of the application, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.


Late Applications

If your application is late, we will notify you that we will not consider the application.

DRAFT


4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education

Overview Information

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN)

Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2009.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.200A.

Dates:

Applications Available: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: [INSERT DATE 105 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: This program provides fellowships in areas of national need to assist graduate students with excellent academic records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in their courses of study at the institution.

Priority: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), this priority is from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 648.33(a) and Appendix to part 648—Academic Areas).

Absolute Priority: For FY 2009, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.

This priority is:

Areas of National Need

A project must provide fellowships in one or more of the following areas of national need: Biology; Chemistry; Computer and Information Sciences; Engineering; Mathematics; Nursing; Physics; and Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research.

Within this absolute priority the Secretary is particularly interested in applications that address the following invitational priority:

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.

This priority is:

Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research programs that focus on preparing students at the Master’s or Doctoral level who will be trained in statistics and measurement theory to become psychometricians. These psychometrics programs focus on the principles and procedures for designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating test and other mechanisms used to measure learning, evaluate student progress and assess the performance of specific teaching tools, strategies and curricula.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department

General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Part 648.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants, redistributed as fellowships to individual fellows.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested $32,517,000 for this program for FY 2009, of which we intend to allocate $22,773,000 for new awards. 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 this program.

Estimated Range of Awards: $128,628 - $214,380.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $212,000.

Estimated Number of Awards: 107.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

Stipend Level: The Secretary will determine the fellowship stipend for GAANN for the academic year 2009-2010 based on the level of support provided by the graduate fellowships of the National Science Foundation as of February 1, 2009. However, the Secretary will adjust the amount, as necessary, so as not to exceed the fellow’s demonstrated level of financial need as calculated for purposes of the Federal student financial aid programs under Title IV, part F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Institutional Payment: The Secretary will determine the institutional payment for the academic year 2009-2010 by adjusting the previous academic year institutional payment, which is $12,876 per fellow, by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for the 2008 calendar year.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Academic departments of institutions of higher education that meet the requirements in 34 CFR 648.2.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program involves matching (See 34 CFR 648.7).

3. Other: For requirements relating to selecting fellows, see 34 CFR 648.40.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package: Gary Thomas, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 6016, Washington, DC 20006-8524. Telephone (202) 502-7767, or by e-mail: gary.thomas@ed.gov

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package for this program.

Page Limit: The application narrative, Part II of the application, is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the application narrative, Part II, as follows:

  • An application in a single discipline must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 40 pages.

  • An inter-disciplinary application must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 60 pages. An inter-disciplinary application must request funding for a single proposed program of study that involves two or more academic disciplines.

  • A multi-disciplinary application must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 40 pages for each academic department included in the proposal. A multi-disciplinary application must request funding for two or more academic departments in areas of national need designated as priorities by the Secretary that are independent and unrelated to one another.

  • A “page” is 8.5” x 11”, on one side only, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an identifier may be within the 1” margin.

  • Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions. However, you may single space all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Charts, tables, figures, and graphs presented in the application narrative count toward the page limit.

  • Use a font that is either 12-point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch). However, you may use a 10-point font in charts, tables, figures, graphs, footnotes, and endnotes.

  • Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font (including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.

  • Appendices are limited to the following: Curriculum Vitae—no more than two pages per faculty member; a course listing; letters of support; a bibliography; and one additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposal, not to exceed five pages.

The page limit does not apply to Part I, the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424); the Supplemental Information Form required by the Department of Education; Part III, the assurances and certifications; the GAANN Statutory Assurance form; the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) form; the one-page abstract or the appendices. The page limit also does not apply to the table of contents, if you include one. However, you must include all of the application narrative in Part II.

We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Applications Available: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission Requirements in this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII in this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the application process, the individual’s application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations in this notice.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: [INSERT DATE 105 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

4. 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.

5. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 648.64. We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications.

Applications for grants under the GAANN Competition—CFDA Number 84.200A must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at http://www.Grants.gov Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.

You may access the electronic grant application for the

GAANN Program at http://www.Grants.gov You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search (e.g., search for 84.200, not 84.200A).

Please note the following:

When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation.

Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if it is received –- that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system -- after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this program to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf

To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps include: (1) registering your organization, a multi-part process that includes registration with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR); (2) registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see http://www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf). You also must provide on your application the same D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to submit successfully an application via Grants.gov. In addition you will need to update your CCR registration on an annual basis. This may take three or more business days to complete.

You will not receive additional point value because you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your application in paper format.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information you typically provide on the following forms: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form, and the GAANN Statutory Assurances and all certifications. Please note that two of these forms--the SF 424 and the Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424--have replaced the ED 424 (Application for Federal Education Assistance).

  • You must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password-protected file, we will not review that material.

Your electronic application must comply with any page-limit requirements described in this notice.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.Gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send a second notification to you by e-mail. This second notification indicates that the Department has received your application and has assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application).

We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.

If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions described elsewhere in this notice.

If you submit an application after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII in this notice and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application through the Grants.gov system because––

You do not have access to the Internet; or

You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to the Grants.gov system;

and

No later than two weeks before the application deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.

If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.

Address and mail or fax your statement to: Gary Thomas, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., room 6016, Washington, DC 20006-8524. Fax (202) 502-7859.

Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address:

By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number: 84.200A)

400 Maryland Avenue, SW.

Washington, DC 20202-4260


or


By mail through a commercial carrier:


U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center, Stop 4260

Attention: (CFDA Number: 84.200A)

7100 Old Landover Road

Landover, MD 20785-1506


Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service.

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application.

Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original and two copies of your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number: 84.200A)

550 12th Street, SW.

Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza

Washington, DC 20202-4260


The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and -- if not provided by the Department -- in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are submitting your application; and

(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

  1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are in 34 CFR 648.31.

  2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an award are in 34 CFR 648.32.

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 Notice (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 in this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting: 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 multi-year 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 and in 34 CFR 648.66. Grantees will be required to submit an additional Final Performance Report two years after the expiration of their GAANN grant. The purpose of the additional Final Performance Report is to determine outcomes of each GAANN fellow.

4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), the following measures will be used by the Department in assessing the performance of the GAANN program:

1) the percentage of GAANN fellows completing the terminal degree in the designated areas of national need;

2) the percentage of GAANN fellows from traditionally underrepresented groups enrolled in a terminal degree program in the designated areas of national need; and

3) median duration of time to completion of Master’s and Doctorate for GAANN students.

If funded, you will be asked to collect and report data in your project’s annual performance report (EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.590) on these measures and on steps taken toward improving performance on these outcomes. Consequently, applicants are advised to include these outcomes in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their proposed projects. Their measurement should be a part of the project evaluation plan, along with measures of your progress on the goals and objectives specific to your project.

All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance report documenting their success in addressing these performance measures.

VII. Agency Contact

For Further Information Contact: Gary Thomas, U.S. Department of Education, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program, 1990 K Street, NW., Room 6016, Washington, DC 20006-8524. Telephone: (202) 502-7767, or by e-mail: gary.thomas@ed.gov

If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

Alternative Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII in this notice.

Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/news/fedregister

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC, area at (202) 512-1530.

Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html

Dated:

________________________________

Sara Martinez Tucker,

Under Secretary of Education










HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965




TITLE VII – GRADUATE AND POSTSECONDARY

IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS


PART A – GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS


Subpart 2 – Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need




PROGRAM STATUTE




1998 Amendments to Higher Education Act of 1965



TITLE VII--GRADUATE AND POSTSECONDARY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS


SEC. 701. REVISION OF TITLE VII.


Title VII (20 U.S.C. 1132a et seq.) is amended to read as follows:


'TITLE VII--GRADUATE AND POSTSECONDARY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS


'SEC. 700. PURPOSE.


'It is the purpose of this title--


'(1) to authorize national graduate fellowship programs--


'(A) in order to attract students of superior ability and achievement, exceptional promise, and demonstrated financial need, into high-quality graduate programs and provide the students with the financial support necessary to complete advanced degrees; and


'(B) that are designed to--


'(i) sustain and enhance the capacity for graduate education in areas of national need; and


'(ii) encourage talented students to pursue scholarly careers in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts; and


'(2) to promote postsecondary programs.


'PART A—GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS


'Subpart 2--Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need


'SEC. 711. GRANTS TO ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS OF INSTITUTIONS.


'(a) GRANT AUTHORITY -


'(1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary shall make grants to academic departments, programs and other academic units of institutions of higher education that provide courses of study leading to a graduate degree in order to enable such institutions to provide assistance to graduate students in accordance with this subpart.


'(2) ADDITIONAL GRANTS - The Secretary may also make grants to such departments, programs and other academic units of institutions of higher education granting graduate degrees which submit joint proposals involving non-degree granting institutions which have formal arrangements for the support of doctoral dissertation research with degree-granting institutions. Non-degree granting institutions eligible for awards as part of such joint proposals include any organization which--


'(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code;


'(B) is organized and operated substantially to conduct scientific and cultural research and graduate training programs;


'(C) is not a private foundation;


'(D) has academic personnel for instruction and counseling who meet the standards of the institution of higher education in which the students are enrolled; and


'(E) has necessary research resources not otherwise readily available in such institutions to such students.


'(b) AWARD AND DURATION OF GRANTS -


'(1) AWARDS - The principal criterion for the award of grants shall be the relative quality of the graduate programs presented in competing applications. Consistent with an allocation of awards based on quality of competing applications, the Secretary shall, in awarding such grants, promote an equitable geographic distribution among eligible public and private institutions of higher education.


'(2) DURATION AND AMOUNT -


'(A) DURATION - The Secretary shall award a grant under this subpart for a period of 3 years.


'(B) AMOUNT - The Secretary shall award a grant to an academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education under this subpart for a fiscal year in an amount that is not less than $100,000 and not greater than $750,000.


'(3) REALLOTMENT - Whenever the Secretary determines that an academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education is unable to use all of the amounts available to the department, program or unit under this subpart, the Secretary shall, on such dates during each fiscal year as the Secretary may fix, re-allot the amounts not needed to academic departments, programs and units of institutions which can use the grants authorized by this subpart.


'(c) PREFERENCE TO CONTINUING GRANT RECIPIENTS -


'(1) IN GENERAL - The Secretary shall make new grant awards under this subpart only to the extent that each previous grant recipient under this subpart has received continued funding in accordance with subsection (b)(2)(A).


'(2) RATABLE REDUCTION- To the extent that appropriations under this subpart are insufficient to comply with paragraph (1), available funds shall be distributed by ratably reducing the amounts required to be awarded under subsection (b)(2)(A).


'SEC. 712. INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY.


'(a) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - Any academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education that offers a program of post baccalaureate study leading to a graduate degree in an area of national need (as designated under subsection (b)) may apply for a grant under this subpart. No department, program or unit shall be eligible for a grant unless the program of post baccalaureate study has been in existence for at least 4 years at the time of application for assistance under this subpart.


'(b) DESIGNATION OF AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED- After consultation with appropriate Federal and nonprofit agencies and organizations, the Secretary shall designate areas of national need. In making such designations, the Secretary shall take into account the extent to which the interest in the area is compelling, the extent to which other Federal programs support post baccalaureate study in the area concerned, and an assessment of how the program could achieve the most significant impact with available resources.


'SEC. 713. CRITERIA FOR APPLICATIONS.


'(a) SELECTION OF APPLICATIONS - The Secretary shall make grants to academic departments, programs and units of institutions of higher education on the basis of applications submitted in accordance with subsection (b). Applications shall be ranked on program quality by review panels of nationally recognized scholars and evaluated on the quality and effectiveness of the academic program and the achievement and promise of the students to be served. To the extent possible (consistent with other provisions of this section), the Secretary shall make awards that are consistent with recommendations of the review panels.


'(b) CONTENTS OF APPLICATIONS - An academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education, in the department, program or unit's application for a grant, shall--


'(1) describe the current academic program of the applicant for which the grant is sought;


'(2) provide assurances that the applicant will provide, from other non-Federal sources, for the purposes of the fellowship program under this subpart an amount equal to at least 25 percent of the amount of the grant received under this subpart, which contribution may be in cash or in kind, fairly valued;


'(3) set forth policies and procedures to assure that, in making fellowship awards under this subpart, the institution will seek talented students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, as determined by the Secretary;

'(4) describe the number, types, and amounts of the fellowships that the applicant intends to offer with grant funds provided under this part;


'(5) set forth policies and procedures to assure that, in making fellowship awards under this subpart, the institution will make awards to individuals who--


'(A) have financial need, as determined under part F of title IV;


'(B) have excellent academic records in their previous programs of study; and


'(C) plan to pursue the highest possible degree available in their course of study;


'(6) set forth policies and procedures to ensure that Federal funds made available under this subpart for any fiscal year will be used to supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would otherwise be made available for the purpose of this subpart and in no case to supplant those funds;


'(7) provide assurances that, in the event that funds made available to the academic department, program or unit under this subpart are insufficient to provide the assistance due a student under the commitment entered into between the academic department, program or unit and the student, the academic department, program or unit will, from any funds available to the department, program or unit, fulfill the commitment to the student;


'(8) provide that the applicant will comply with the limitations set forth in section 715;


'(9) provide assurances that the academic department will provide at least 1 year of supervised training in instruction for students; and


'(10) include such other information as the Secretary may prescribe.


'SEC. 714. AWARDS TO GRADUATE STUDENTS.


'(a) COMMITMENTS TO GRADUATE STUDENTS -


'(1) IN GENERAL - An academic department, program or unit of an institution of higher education shall make commitments to graduate students who are eligible students under section 484 (including students pursuing a doctoral degree after having completed a master's degree program at an institution of higher education) at any point in their graduate study to provide stipends for the length of time necessary for a student to complete the course of graduate study, but in no case longer than 5 years.


'(2) SPECIAL RULE - No such commitments shall be made to students under this subpart unless the academic department, program or unit has determined adequate funds are available to fulfill the commitment from funds received or anticipated under this subpart, or from institutional funds.


'(b) AMOUNT OF STIPENDS - The Secretary shall make payments to institutions of higher education for the purpose of paying stipends to individuals who are awarded fellowships under this subpart. The stipends the Secretary establishes shall reflect the purpose of the program under this subpart to encourage highly talented students to undertake graduate study as described in this subpart. In the case of an individual who receives such individual's first stipend under this subpart in academic year 1999-2000 or any succeeding academic year, such stipend shall be set at a level of support equal to that provided by the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships, except such amount shall be adjusted as necessary so as not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of need as determined under part F of title IV.


'(c) TREATMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL PAYMENTS - An institution of higher education that makes institutional payments for tuition and fees on behalf of individuals supported by fellowships under this subpart in amounts that exceed the institutional payments made by the Secretary pursuant to section 716(a) may count such excess toward the amounts the institution is required to provide pursuant to section 714(b)(2).


'(d) ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIRED - Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), no student shall receive an award--


'(1) except during periods in which such student is maintaining satisfactory progress in, and devoting essentially full time to, study or research in the field in which such fellowship was awarded; or


'(2) if the student is engaging in gainful employment other than part-time employment involved in teaching, research, or similar activities determined by the institution to be in support of the student's progress towards a degree.


'SEC. 715. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR COST OF EDUCATION.


'(a) INSTITUTIONAL PAYMENTS -


'(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall (in addition to stipends paid to individuals under this subpart) pay to the institution of higher education, for each individual awarded a fellowship under this subpart at such institution, an institutional allowance. Except as provided in paragraph (2), such allowance shall be, for 1999-2000 and succeeding academic years, the same amount as the institutional payment made for 1998-1999 adjusted annually thereafter in accordance with inflation as determined by the Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year.


'(2) REDUCTION- The institutional allowance paid under paragraph (1) shall be reduced by the amount the institution charges and collects from a fellowship recipient for tuition and other expenses as part of the recipient's instructional program.


'(b) USE FOR OVERHEAD PROHIBITED- Funds made available pursuant to this subpart may not be used for the general operational overhead of the academic department or program.


'SEC. 716. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.


'There are authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years to carry out this subpart.
















HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965




TITLE VII – GRADUATE AND POSTSECONDARY

IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS


PART A – GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS


Subpart 2 – Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need





PROGRAM REGULATIONS








[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 34, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2002]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 34CFR648.1]

TITLE 34--EDUCATION


DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


PART 648--GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED

Subpart A--General


Sec. 648.1 What is the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program?


The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need program provides fellowships through academic departments of institutions of higher education to assist graduate students of superior ability who demonstrate financial need.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135a)


[58 FR 65842, Dec. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 13487, Mar. 18, 1999]


Sec. 648.2 Who is eligible for a grant?


(a) The Secretary awards grants to the following:

(1) Any academic department of an institution of higher education that provides a course of study that--

(i) Leads to a graduate degree in an area of national need; and

(ii) Has been in existence for at least four years at the time of an application for a grant under this part.

(2) An academic department of an institution of higher education that--

(i) Satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and

(ii) Submits a joint application with one or more eligible non-degree-granting institutions that have formal arrangements for the support of doctoral dissertation research with one or more degree-granting institutions.

(b) A formal arrangement under paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section is a written agreement between a degree-granting institution and an eligible non-degree-granting institution whereby the degree-granting institution accepts students from the eligible non-degree-granting institution as doctoral degree candidates with the intention of awarding these students doctorates in an area of national need.

(c) The Secretary does not award a grant under this part for study at a school or department of divinity.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135a)


Sec. 648.3 What activities may the Secretary fund?


(a) The Secretary awards grants to institutions of higher education to fund fellowships in one or more areas of national need.

(b)(1) For the purposes of this part, the Secretary designates areas of national need from the academic areas listed in the appendix to this part or from the resulting inter-disciplines.

(2) The Secretary announces these areas of national need in a notice published in the Federal Register.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135a)


Sec. 648.4 What is included in the grant?


Each grant awarded by the Secretary consists of the following:

(a) The stipends paid by the Secretary through the institution of higher education to fellows. The stipend provides an allowance to a fellow for the fellow's (and his or her dependents') subsistence and other expenses.

(b) The institutional payments paid by the Secretary to the institution of higher education to be applied against each fellow's tuition, fees, and the costs listed in Sec. 648.62(b).


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135c, 1135d)






Sec. 648.5 What is the amount of a grant?


(a) The amount of a grant to an academic department may not be less than $100,000 and may not be more than $750,000 in a fiscal year.

(b) In any fiscal year, no academic department may receive more than $750,000 as an aggregate total of new and continuing grants.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135)


Sec. 648.6 What is the duration of a grant?


The duration of a grant awarded under this part is a maximum of three annual budget periods during a three-year (36-month) project period.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135)


Sec. 648.7 What is the institutional matching contribution?


An institution shall provide, from non-Federal funds, an institutional matching contribution equal to at least 25 percent of the amount of the grant received under this part, for the uses indicated in Sec. 648.63.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b, 1135c)


Sec. 648.8 What regulations apply?


The following regulations apply to this program:

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:

(1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(6) 34 CFR part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)).

(7) 34 CFR part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

(b) The regulations in this part.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135)


Sec. 648.9 What definitions apply?


(a) Definitions in EDGAR.. The following terms used in this part are defined in 34 CFR 77.1:


Applicant Equipment

Application Grant

Award Nonprofit

Budget Project period

Budget period Secretary

Department Supplies

EDGAR


(b) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this part:

Academic department means any department, program, unit, or any other administrative subdivision of an institution of higher education that--

(i) Directly administers or supervises post-baccalaureate instruction in a specific discipline; and

(ii) Has the authority to award academic course credit acceptable to meet degree requirements at an institution of higher education.

Academic field means an area of study in an academic department within an institution of higher education other than a school or

department of divinity.

Academic year means the 12-month period commencing with the fall instructional term of the institution.

Application period means the period in which the Secretary solicits applications for this program.

Discipline means a branch of instruction or learning.

Eligible non-degree granting institution means any institution that--

(i) Conducts post-baccalaureate academic programs of study but does not award doctoral degrees in an area of national need;

(ii) Is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from tax under section 501(a) of the Code;

(iii) Is organized and operated substantially to conduct scientific and cultural research and graduate training programs;

(iv) Is not a private foundation;

(v) Has academic personnel for instruction and counseling who meet the standards of the institution of higher education in which the

students are enrolled; and

(vi) Has necessary research resources not otherwise readily available in the institutions in which students are enrolled.

Fees mean non-refundable charges paid by a graduate student for services, materials, and supplies that are not included within the tuition charged by the institution in which the student is enrolled.

Fellow means a recipient of a fellowship under this part.

Fellowship means an award made by an institution of higher education to an individual for graduate study under this part at the institution of higher education.

Financial need means the fellow's financial need as determined under title IV, part F, of the HEA for the period of the fellow's enrollment

in the approved academic field of study for which the fellowship was awarded.

General operational overhead means non-instructional expenses incurred by an academic department in the normal administration and

conduct of its academic program, including the costs of supervision, recruitment, capital outlay, debt service, indirect costs, or any other costs not included in the determination of tuition and non-refundable fee charges.

Graduate student means an individual enrolled in a program of post-baccalaureate study at an institution of higher education.

Graduate study means any program of post-baccalaureate study at an institution of higher education.

HEA means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Highest possible degree available means the highest possible degree available in a course of study at the institution.

Institution of higher education (Institution) means an institution of higher education, other than a school or department of divinity, as defined in section 1201(a) of the HEA.

Inter-discipline means a course of study that involves academic fields in two or more disciplines.

Minority means Alaskan Native, American Indian, Asian American, Black (African-American), Hispanic American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

Multi-disciplinary application means an application that requests fellowships for more than a single academic department in areas of

national need designated as priorities by the Secretary under this part.

Project means the activities necessary to assist, whether from grant funds or institutional resources, fellows in the successful completion

of their designated educational programs.

Satisfactory progress means that a fellow meets or exceeds the institution's criteria and standards established for a graduate student's continued status as an applicant for the graduate degree in the academic field for which the fellowship was awarded.

School or department of divinity means an institution, or an academic department of an institution, whose program is specifically for

the education of students to prepare them to become ministers of religion or to enter into some other religious vocation or to prepare

them to teach theological subjects.

Students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds mean women

and minorities who traditionally are underrepresented in areas of national need as designated by the Secretary.

Supervised training means training provided to fellows under the guidance and direction of faculty in the academic department.

Tuition means the charge for instruction by the institution of higher education in which the fellow is enrolled.

Underrepresented in areas of national need means proportionate representation as measured by degree recipients, that is less than the

proportionate representation in the general population, as indicated by--

(i) The most current edition of the Department's Digest of Educational Statistics;

(ii) The National Research Council's Doctorate Recipients from United States Universities;

(iii) Other standard statistical references, as announced annually in the Federal Register notice inviting applications for new awards

under this program; or

(iv) As documented by national survey data submitted to and accepted by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135d)


Subpart B--How Does an Institution of Higher Education Apply for a Grant?

Sec. 648.20 How does an institution of higher education apply for a grant?


(a) To apply for a grant under this part, an institution of higher education shall submit an application that responds to the appropriate

selection criteria in Sec. 648.31.

(b) In addition, an application for a grant must--

(1) Describe the current academic program for which the grant is sought;

(2) Request a specific number of fellowships to be awarded on a full-time basis for the academic year covered under the grant in each

academic field included in the application;

(3) Set forth policies and procedures to ensure that in making fellowship awards under this part the institution will seek talented students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds;

(4) Set forth policies and procedures to assure that in making fellowship awards under this part the institution will make awards to individuals who satisfy the requirements of Sec. 648.40;

(5) Set forth policies and procedures to ensure that Federal funds made available under this part for any fiscal year will be used to supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that otherwise would be made available for the purposes of this part and, in no case, to supplant those funds;

(6) Provide assurances that the institution will provide the institutional matching contribution described in Sec. 648.7;

(7) Provide assurances that, in the event that funds made available to the academic department under this part are insufficient to provide the assistance due a student under the commitment entered into between the academic department and the student, the academic department will, from any funds available to it, fulfill the commitment to the student;

(8) Provide that the institution will comply with the requirements in subpart F; and

(9) Provide assurances that the academic department will provide at least one year of supervised training in instruction to students

receiving fellowships under this program.

(c) In any application period, an academic department may not submit more than one application for new awards.


(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1840-0604)


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b)


[58 FR 65842, Dec. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 13487, Mar. 18, 1999]


Subpart C--How Does the Secretary Make an Award?

Sec. 648.30 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?


(a) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the criteria in Sec. 648.31.

(b) The Secretary awards up to 100 points for these criteria.

(c) The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135b)


Sec. 648.31 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?


The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application:


(a) Meeting the purposes of the program. (7 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet the

purposes of the program, including the extent to which--

(1) The applicant's general and specific objectives for the project are realistic and measurable;

(2) The applicant's objectives for the project seek to sustain and enhance the capacity for teaching and research at the institution and at

State, regional, or national levels;

(3) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and procedures to ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and

(4) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and procedures to ensure that it will award fellowships to individuals who satisfy the requirements of Sec. 648.40.

(b) Extent of need for the project. (5 points) The Secretary considers the extent to which a grant under the program is needed by the academic department by considering--

(1) How the applicant identified the problems that form the specific needs of the project;

(2) The specific problems to be resolved by successful realization of the goals and objectives of the project; and

(3) How increasing the number of fellowships will meet the specific and general objectives of the project.

(c) Quality of the graduate academic program. (25 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the

current graduate academic program for which project funding is sought, including--

(1) The course offerings and academic requirements for the graduate program;

(2) The qualifications of the faculty, including education, research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to graduate students;

(3) The focus and capacity for research; and

(4) Any other evidence the applicant deems appropriate to demonstrate the quality of its academic program.

(d) Quality of the supervised teaching experience. (7 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the

teaching experience the applicant plans to provide fellows under this program, including the extent to which the project--

(1) Provides each fellow with the required supervised training in instruction;

(2) Provides adequate instruction on effective teaching techniques;

(3) Provides extensive supervision of each fellow's teaching performance; and

(4) Provides adequate and appropriate evaluation of the fellow's teaching performance.

(e) Recruitment plan. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the applicant's recruitment

plan, including--

(1) How the applicant plans to identify, recruit, and retain students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the academic

program for which fellowships are sought;

(2) How the applicant plans to identify eligible students for fellowships;

(3) The past success of the academic department in enrolling talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented

backgrounds; and

(4) The past success of the academic department in enrolling talented graduate students for its academic program.

(f) Project administration. (7 points) The Secretary reviews the quality of the proposed project administration, including--

(1) How the applicant will select fellows, including how the applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition;

(2) How the applicant proposes to monitor whether a fellow is making satisfactory progress toward the degree for which the fellowship has

been awarded;

(3) How the applicant proposes to identify and meet the academic needs of fellows;

(4) How the applicant proposes to maintain enrollment of graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and

(5) The extent to which the policies and procedures the applicant proposes to institute for administering the project are likely to ensure

efficient and effective project implementation, including assistance to and oversight of the project director.

(g) Institutional commitment. (14 points) The Secretary reviews each application for evidence that--

(1) The applicant will provide, from any funds available to it, sufficient funds to support the financial needs of the fellows if the funds made available under the program are insufficient;

(2) The institution's social and academic environment is supportive of the academic success of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds on the applicant's campus;

(3) Students receiving fellowships under this program will receive stipend support for the time necessary to complete their courses of study, but in no case longer than 5 years; and

(4) The applicant demonstrates a financial commitment, including the nature and amount of the institutional matching contribution, and other

institutional commitments that are likely to ensure the continuation of project activities for a significant period of time following the period

in which the project receives Federal financial assistance.

(h) Quality of key personnel. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant

plans to use on the project, including--

(1) The qualifications of the project director;

(2) The qualifications of other key personnel to be used in the project;

(3) The time commitment of key personnel, including the project director, to the project; and

(4) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, religion,

gender, age, or disabling condition, except pursuant to a lawful affirmative action plan.

(i) Budget. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which--

(1) The applicant shows a clear understanding of the acceptable uses of program funds; and

(2) The costs of the project are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(j) Evaluation plan. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation--

(1) Relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the project;

(2) Assess the effect of the project on the students receiving fellowships under this program, including the effect on persons of

different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages, and on persons with disabilities who are served by the project;

(3) List both process and product evaluation questions for each project activity and outcome, including those of the management plan;

(4) Describe both the process and product evaluation measures for each project activity and outcome;

(5) Describe the data collection procedures, instruments, and schedules for effective data collection;

(6) Describe how the applicant will analyze and report the data so that it can make adjustments and improvements on a regular basis; and

(7) Include a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks.

(k) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant makes available to graduate students receiving fellowships under this program, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.


(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1840-0604)


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135c)


Sec. 648.32 What additional factors does the Secretary consider?


(a) Continuation awards. (1) Before funding new applications, the Secretary gives preference to grantees requesting their second or third

year of funding.

(2) If appropriations for this program are insufficient to fund all continuation grantees for the second and third years at the approved

funding level, the Secretary prorates the available funds, if any, among the continuation grantees and, if necessary, awards continuation grants of less than $100,000.

(b) Equitable distribution. In awarding grants, the Secretary will, consistent with an allocation of awards based on the quality of

competing applications, ensure the following:

(1) An equitable geographic distribution of grants to eligible applicant institutions of higher education.

(2) An equitable distribution of grants to eligible applicant public and eligible applicant private institutions of higher education.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135c)


Sec. 648.33 What priorities and absolute preferences does the Secretary establish?


(a) For each application period, the Secretary establishes as an area of national need and gives absolute preference to one or more of the general disciplines and sub-disciplines listed as priorities in the appendix to this part or the resulting inter-disciplines.

(b) The Secretary announces the absolute preferences in a notice published in the Federal Register.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135a)


Subpart D--How Are Fellows Selected?

Sec. 648.40 How does an academic department select fellows?


(a) In selecting individuals to receive fellowships, an academic department shall consider only individuals who--

(1) Are currently enrolled as graduate students, have been accepted at the grantee institution, or are enrolled or accepted as graduate students at an eligible non-degree-granting institution;

(2) Are of superior ability;

(3) Have an excellent academic record;

(4) Have financial need;

(5) Are planning to pursue the highest possible degree available in their course of study;

(6) Are planning a career in teaching or research;

(7) Are not ineligible to receive assistance under 34 CFR 75.60; and

(8)(i) Are United States citizens or nationals;

(ii) Are permanent residents of the United States;

(iii) Provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that they are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming permanent residents; or

(iv) Are citizens of any one of the Freely Associated States.

(b) An individual who satisfies the eligibility criteria in paragraph (a) of this section, but who attends an institution that does not offer the highest possible degree available in the individual's course of study, is eligible for a fellowship if the individual plans to attend subsequently an institution that offers this degree.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135b)


[58 FR 65842, Dec. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 13487, Mar. 18, 1999]


Sec. 648.41 How does an individual apply for a fellowship?


An individual shall apply directly to an academic department of an institution of higher education that has received a grant.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135c)


Subpart E--How Does the Secretary Distribute Funds?


Sec. 648.50 What are the Secretary's payment procedures?


(a) The Secretary awards to the institution of higher education a stipend and an institutional payment for each individual awarded a fellowship under this part.

(b) If an academic department of an institution of higher education is unable to use all of the amounts available to it under this part, the

Secretary reallots the amounts not used to academic departments of other institutions of higher education for use in the academic year following the date of the reallotment.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135a, 1135c, 1135d)


Sec. 648.51 What is the amount of a stipend?


(a) For a fellowship initially awarded for an academic year prior to the academic year 1993-94, the institution shall pay the fellow a stipend in an amount that equals the fellow's financial need or $10,000, whichever is less.

(b) For a fellowship initially awarded for the academic year 1993-94, or any succeeding academic year, the institution shall pay the fellow a stipend at a level of support equal to that provided by the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships, except that this amount must be adjusted as necessary so as not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of financial need as determined under part F of title IV of the HEA. The Secretary announces the amount of the stipend in a notice published in the Federal Register.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135c)


[58 FR 65842, Dec. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 13487, Mar. 18, 1999]




Sec. 648.52 What is the amount of the institutional payment?


(a) For academic year 1998-1999, the amount of the institutional payment received by an institution of higher education for each student

awarded a fellowship at the institution is $10,222. Thereafter, the Secretary adjusts the amount of the institutional payment annually in

accordance with inflation as determined by the United States Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year. The

Secretary announces the amount of the institutional payment in a notice published in the Federal Register.

(b) The institutional allowance paid under paragraph (a) of this section is reduced by the amount the institution charges and collects from a fellowship recipient for tuition and other expenses as part of the recipient's instructional program.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135d)


[58 FR 65842, Dec. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 13487, Mar. 18, 1999]




Subpart F--What Are the Administrative Responsibilities of the Institution?

Sec. 648.60 When does an academic department make a commitment to a fellow to provide stipend support?


(a) An academic department makes a commitment to a fellow at any point in his or her graduate study for the length of time necessary for the fellow to complete the course of graduate study, but in no case longer than five years.

(b) An academic department shall not make a commitment under paragraph (a) of this section to provide stipend support unless the academic department has determined that adequate funds are available to fulfill the commitment either from funds received or anticipated under this part or from institutional funds.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135c)


Sec. 648.61 How must the academic department supervise the training of fellows?


The institution shall provide to fellows at least one academic year of supervised training in instruction at the graduate or undergraduate

level at the schedule of at least one-half-time teaching assistant.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b)


Sec. 648.62 How can the institutional payment be used?


(a) The institutional payment must be first applied against a fellow's tuition and fees.

(b) After payment of a fellow's tuition and fees, the institutional payment may be applied against educational expenses of the fellow that

are not covered by tuition and fees and are related to the academic program in which the fellow is enrolled. These expenses include the

following:

(1) Costs for rental or purchase of any books, materials, or supplies required of students in the same course of study.

(2) Costs of computer hardware, project specific software, and other equipment prorated by the length of the student's fellowship over the

reasonable life of the equipment.

(3) Membership fees of professional associations.

(4) Travel and per diem to professional association meetings and registration fees.

(5) International travel, per diem, and registration fees to participate in educational activities.

(6) Expenses incurred in research.

(7) Costs of reproducing and binding of educational products.

(c) The institutional payment must supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would otherwise be made available for the purpose of the program and, in no case, to supplant institutional funds currently available for fellowships.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b, 1135d)


Sec. 648.63 How can the institutional matching contribution be used?


(a) The institutional matching contribution may be used to--

(1) Provide additional fellowships to graduate students who are not already receiving fellowships under this part and who satisfy the

requirements of Sec. 648.40;

(2) Pay for tuition, fees, and the costs listed in Sec. 648.62(b);

(3) Pay for costs of providing a fellow's instruction that are not included in the tuition or fees paid to the institution in which the fellow is enrolled; and

(4) Supplement the stipend received by a fellow under Sec. 648.51 in an amount not to exceed a fellow's financial need.

(b) An institution may not use its institutional matching contribution to fund fellowships that were funded by the institution prior to the award of the grant.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135b, 1135c)


Sec. 648.64 What are unallowable costs?


Neither grant funds nor the institutional matching funds may be used to pay for general operational overhead costs of the academic department.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135, 1135d)


Sec. 648.65 How does the institution of higher education disburse and return funds?


(a) An institution that receives a grant shall disburse a stipend to a fellow in accordance with its regular payment schedule, but shall not make less than one payment per academic term.

(b) If a fellow withdraws from an institution before completion of an academic term, the institution may award the fellowship to another

individual who satisfies the requirements in Sec. 648.40.

(c) If a fellowship is vacated or discontinued for any period of time, the institution shall return a prorated portion of the institutional payment and unexpended stipend funds to the Secretary,

unless the Secretary authorizes the use of those funds for a subsequent project period. The institution shall return the prorated portion of the

institutional payment and unexpended stipend funds at a time and in a manner determined by the Secretary.

(d) If a fellow withdraws from an institution before the completion of the academic term for which he or she received a stipend installment,

the fellow shall return a prorated portion of the stipend installment to the institution at a time and in a manner determined by the Secretary.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135c, 1135d)


Sec. 648.66 What records and reports are required from the institution?


(a) An institution of higher education that receives a grant shall provide to the Secretary, prior to the receipt of grant funds for

disbursement to a fellow, a certification that the fellow is enrolled in, is making satisfactory progress in, and is devoting essentially full time to study in the academic field for which the grant was made.

(b) An institution of higher education that receives a grant shall keep records necessary to establish--

(1) That each student receiving a fellowship satisfies the eligibility requirements in Sec. 648.40;

(2) The time and amount of all disbursements and return of stipend payments;

(3) The appropriate use of the institutional payment; and

(4) That assurances, policies, and procedures provided in its application have been satisfied.


(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1840-0604)


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135d)


Subpart G--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Fellow After an Award?

Sec. 648.70 What conditions must be met by a fellow?


To continue to be eligible for a fellowship, a fellow must--

(a) Maintain satisfactory progress in the program for which the fellowship was awarded;

(b) Devote essentially full time to study or research in the academic field in which the fellowship was awarded; and

(c) Not engage in gainful employment, except on a part-time basis in teaching, research, or similar activities determined by the academic

department to be in support of the fellow's progress toward a degree.


(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135c)


Appendix to Part 648--Academic Areas


The Secretary may give an absolute preference to any of the academic areas listed as disciplines or subdisciplines below, or the resulting inter-disciplines. The list was derived from the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) developed by the Office of Educational

Research and Improvement of the U.S. Department of Education and includes the instructional programs that may constitute courses of studies toward graduate degrees. The code number to the left of each discipline and subdiscipline is the Department's identification code for that particular type of instructional program.


05. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies

05.01 Area Studies

05.02 Ethnic and Cultural Studies

11. Computer and Information Sciences

11.01 Computer and Information Sciences, General

11.02 Computer Programming

11.04 Information Sciences and Systems

11.05 Computer Systems Analysis

11.07 Computer Science

13. Education

13.01 Education, General

13.02 Bilingual/Bicultural Education

13.03 Curriculum and Instruction

13.04 Education Administration and Supervision

13.05 Educational/Instructional Media Design

13.06 Educational Evaluation, Research, and Statistics

13.07 International and Comparative Education

13.08 Educational Psychology

    1. Social and Philosophical Foundations

of Education

13.10 Special Education

13.11 Student Counseling and Personnel

Services

13.12 General Teacher Education

13.13 Teacher Education, Specific Academic,

and Vocational Programs

13.14 Teaching English as a Second Language/Foreign Language

14. Engineering

14.01 Engineering, General

    1. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and

Astronautical Engineering

14.03 Agricultural Engineering

14.04 Architectural Engineering

    1. Bioengineering and Biomedical

Engineering

14.06 Ceramic Sciences and Engineering

14.07 Chemical Engineering

14.08 Civil Engineering

14.09 Computer Engineering

    1. Electrical, Electronic, and

Communications Engineering

14.11 Engineering Mechanics

14.12 Engineering Physics

14.13 Engineering Science

    1. Environmental/Environmental Health

Engineering

14.15 Geological Engineering

14.16 Geophysical Engineering

14.17 Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering

14.18 Materials Engineering

14.19 Mechanical Engineering

14.20 Metallurgical Engineering

14.21 Mining and Mineral Engineering

    1. Naval Architecture and Marine

Engineering

14.23 Nuclear Engineering

14.24 Ocean Engineering

14.25 Petroleum Engineering

14.27 Systems Engineering

14.28 Textile Sciences and Engineering

14.29 Engineering Design

14.30 Engineering/Industrial Management

14.31 Materials Science

14.32 Polymer/Plastics Engineering

16. Foreign Languages

16.01 Foreign Languages and Literatures

    1. East and Southeast Asian Languages

and Literatures

    1. East European Languages and

Literatures

16.05 Germanic Languages and Literatures

16.06 Greek Languages and Literatures

16.07 South Asian Languages and Literatures

16.09 Romance Languages and Literatures

    1. Middle Eastern Languages and

Literatures

    1. Classical and Ancient Near Eastern

Languages and Literatures

22. Law and Legal Studies

    1. Law and Legal Studies

25. Library Science

25.01 Library Science/Librarianship

25.03 Library Assistant

26. Biological Sciences/Life Sciences

26.01 Biology, General

26.02 Biochemistry and Biophysics

26.03 Botany

26.04 Cell and Molecular Biology

26.05 Microbiology/Bacteriology

    1. Miscellaneous Biological

Specializations

26.07 Zoology

27. Mathematics

27.01 Mathematics

27.03 Applied Mathematics

27.05 Mathematic Statistics

40. Physical Sciences

40.01 Physical Sciences, General

40.02 Astronomy

40.03 Astrophysics

    1. Atmospheric Sciences and

Meteorology

40.05 Chemistry

40.06 Geological and Related Sciences

40.07 Miscellaneous Physical Sciences

40.08 Physics

42. Psychology

42.01 Psychology

42.02 Clinical Psychology

    1. Cognitive Psychology and

Psycholinguistics

42.04 Community Psychology

42.06 Counseling Psychology

42.07 Developmental and Child Psychology

42.08 Experimental Psychology

    1. Industrial and Organizational

Psychology

42.11 Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology

42.16 Social Psychology

42.17 School Psychology

50. Visual and Performing Arts

50.01 Visual and Performing Arts

50.02 Crafts, Folk Art, and Artisanry

50.03 Dance

50.04 Design and Applied Arts

50.05 Dramatic/Theater Arts and Stagecraft

50.06 Film/Video and Photographic Arts

50.07 Fine Arts and Art Studies

50.09 Music

51. Health Professions and Related Sciences

51.01 Chiropractic (D.C., D.C.M.)

    1. Communication Disorders Sciences

and Services

51.03 Community Health Services

51.04 Dentistry (D.D.S., D.M.D.)

    1. Dental Clinical Sciences/Graduate

Dentistry (M.S., Ph.D.)

    1. Dental Services

51.07 Health and Medical Administrative

Services

51.08 Health and Medical Assistants

    1. Health and Medical Diagnostic and

Treatment Services

    1. Health and Medical Laboratory

Technologies/Technicians

    1. Health and Medical Preparatory

Programs

51.12 Medicine (M.D.)

51.13 Medical Basic Science

51.14 Medical Clinical Services (M.S., Ph.D)

51.15 Mental Health Services

51.16 Nursing

51.17 Optometry (O.D.)

51.18 Ophthalmic/Optometric Services

51.19 Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)

51.20 Pharmacy

51.21 Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., Pod.D.)

51.22 Public Health

51.23 Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Services

51.24 Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)

51.25 Veterinary Clinical Services

51.27 Miscellaneous Health Professions



INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

EXECUTIVE ORDER 12372


Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs was issued to foster an intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.


Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process under Executive Order 12372. A listing of the Single Point of Contact for each State may be viewed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.






































GENERAL EDUCATION PROVISIONS ACT (GEPA)

SECTION 427


Section 427 of GEPA requires all applicants for new awards to include in their applications a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its federally-assisted programs for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. The provision allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age.


A general statement of an applicant’s nondiscriminatory hiring policy is not sufficient to meet this requirement. Applicants must identify potential barriers and explain steps they will take to overcome these barriers.


NOTES:


  • Applicants for new awards must include information in their applications to address this provision in order to receive funding under this program.


  • Applicants are required to address this provision by attaching a statement to the ED GEPA 427 Form that must be downloaded from Grants.gov.


GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND

RESULTS ACT (GPRA)


What is GPRA?


The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) is a straightforward statute that requires all federal agencies to manage their activities with attention to the consequences of those activities. Each agency is to clearly state what it intends to accomplish, identify the resources required, and periodically report their progress to the Congress. In so doing, it is expected that the GPRA will contribute to improvements in accountability for the expenditures of public funds, improve Congressional decision-making through more objective information on the effectiveness of federal programs, and promote a new government focus on results, service delivery, and customer satisfaction.


How has the Department of Education Responded to the GPRA Requirements?


As required by GPRA, the Department of Education has prepared a strategic plan for 2007-2012. This plan reflects the Department’s priorities and integrates them with its mission and program authorities and describes how the Department will work to improve education for all children and adults in the U.S. The Department’s goals, as listed in the plan, are:


Goal 1: Improve student achievement, with a focus on bringing all students to grade level in reading and mathematics by 2014.

Goal 2: Increase the academic achievement of all high school students.

Goal 3: Ensure the accessibility, affordability, and accountability of higher education, and better prepare students and adults for employment and future learning.


What are the performance indicators for the GAANN Program?


The performance indicators for the GAANN program are part of the Department’s plan for meeting Goal 3. The specific goal for the GAANN program is “to increase the number of persons trained at the highest academic level” in the areas of national need.


The performance indicators for the GAANN program are:


    1. Graduate school completion: the percentage of GAANN fellows completing the terminal degree in the designated areas of need.


    1. Enrollment of targeted populations: the percentage of GAANN fellows from traditionally underrepresented groups enrolled in a terminal degree program in the designated areas of national need.


    1. Time-to-Degree: median time to completion of Master’s and Doctorate for GAANN students.


How does the Department of Education determine whether performance goals have been met?


An applicant that receives a grant award will be required to submit annual progress reports and a final report as a condition of the award. The reports will document the extent to which project goals and objectives are met. The most recent version of this program’s annual performance report can be viewed at www.ed.gov/programs/gaann/performance.html.














INSTRUCTIONS FOR

COMPLETING THE



GAANN



APPLICATION PACKAGE






INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE

APPLICATION PACKAGE

The GAANN program application consists of three parts. These parts are organized in the same manner that the submitted application should be organized. The parts are as follows:



Part I: 424 Forms

      • Application for Federal Assistance – (SF 424)

      • Department of Education Supplemental Information Form for SF 424

*Note:

  • Applicants must complete the Standard Form (SF) 424 form first because some of the information you provide here is automatically inserted into other sections of the Grants.gov application package.


  • Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the SF 424. Although the form accepts attachments, the Department of Education will only review materials/files attached to the forms listed below.


Part II: Project Narrative


  • ED Abstract Form

  • Project Narrative Attachment Form

  • Other Attachments Form

The Department of Education Abstract Form is where you attach your project abstract.


*Note: Each application must complete an “ED Abstract Form” which should contain the following information:


  • The name of your institution,


  • The type of application your institution is submitting (i.e. single discipline, inter-disciplinary, or multi-disciplinary),


  • Information on whether the highest degree at the institution is at the master’s or doctorate degree level; and

  • A short summary covering the designated area(s) of national need and the anticipated number of GAANN fellows requested.


Formatting Requirements:


Information provided in the one-page abstract may be single-spaced or double-spaced. However the font requirements in the Project Narrative, also apply to the Project Abstract, which must be attached as follows:


The document to be included in the abstract must be attached electronically. Applicants should save the document in Microsoft Word as either a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PFF (Portable Document). Once the document has been saved, the applicant must attach the document to the “ED Abstract form” section in the Grants.gov system.


The Project Narrative Attachment Form includes the narrative section addressing the program selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applications submitted for this competition - this section has a strict page limit depending on the type of application you are submitting. See page 60 for Project Narrative Page Limits.


*Note: The Budget Narrative will be included in the Project Narrative as part of the Selection Criteria.


The Other Attachments Form is where you attach appendices, referenced on page 71 of the Instructions for Completing the Project Narrative section. You will also include the required GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) form and the GAANN Statutory Assurances.


  • Attach Curriculum Vitae (CV) together as one document.

  • Attach the following GAANN program specific forms in the “Other Attachments Form”. These forms are found at the end of the application package:


      • GAANN Statutory Assurances Form

Instructions for the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form are covered in the “Instructions for Program Specific Forms” section of the application package.


      • GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form

The GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form is where the applicant provides budget information for the GAANN Budget Narrative. The applicant must submit the Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form electronically as a separate document and attach the document(s) into the “Other Attachments Forms”.


Please note that more detailed instructions for completing and attaching the Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form are covered in the “Instructions for Program Specific Forms” section of the application package.



*Note: All attachments must be in .DOC, .RTF, or .PDF format. Other types of files will not be accepted.


Part III: Assurances and Certifications


  • GEPA Section 427 Requirement

  • Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)

  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

  • Grants.gov Lobbying Form (formerly ED form 80-0013)

  • Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants


PART III:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE

PROJECT NARRATIVE (APPLICATION NARRATIVE)


Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Please refer to pages 10 through 11 of the application package for more information regarding new electronic submission requirements.


Before preparing the project narrative, the applicant should read carefully: the program statute, Notice Inviting New Applications, and the program regulations, including Subpart B, §648.20, How does an Institution of Higher Education Apply for a Grant? and Subpart C, §648.30 through §648.33, How Does the Secretary Make an Award?


Formatting Requirements:


A “page” is “8.5x11”, on one side only, with 1’ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an identifier may be within 1’ margin. Double-space all text in the application, including titles and heading. All text in charts, tables, graphs, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions may be single-spaced. Applicants may use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New or Arial only. Applications submitted in any other font (including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted. Do not use anything smaller than a 12-point font.


Project Narrative Page Limits:


    1. Single discipline must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 40 pages.


    1. Inter-disciplinary applications, as defined below, must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 60 pages.


    1. Multi-disciplinary applications, as defined below, must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 40 pages for each academic department included in the proposal.


Note:

  • An inter-disciplinary application must request funding for a single proposed program of study that involves academic fields in two or more disciplines.


  • A multi-disciplinary application must request funding for two or more academic departments in areas of national need designated as priorities by the Secretary that are independent and unrelated to one another.


  • Applicants must abide by the definitions of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary when applying page limits.


Page limitations requirements for the application narrative section will be strictly enforced. Your application will be rejected if you exceed the page limits outlined above.


Note: Applicants have the option of including a Table of Contents. However, this document must not be longer than two (2) pages. The formatting should be the same as listed above in the “Formatting Requirements” under the Project Narrative section.


SELECTION CRITERIA:


The selection criteria outlined below will be used to evaluate the quality of applications submitted for funding. The application process requires each applicant to address the selection criteria, including all sub-criteria, in sequential order. The maximum score that an applicant can earn for the selection criteria is 100 points.


1. Meeting the purpose of the program (7)

2. Extent of need for the project (5)

3. Quality of the graduate academic program (25)

4. Quality of the supervised teaching experience (7)

5. Recruitment plan (5)

6. Project administration (7)

7. Institutional commitment (14)

8. Quality of key personnel (5)

9. Budget (5)

10. Evaluation plan (15)

11. Adequacy of resources (5)


1. MEETING THE PURPOSES OF THE PROGRAM (7 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet the purposes of the program, including the extent to which:


  • The applicant’s general and specific objectives for the project are realistic and measurable.


The purpose of the project should be clearly stated under this section by outlining general and specific objectives for the project and how these objectives relate to the overall performance goals of the program as a whole. The applicant should ensure that objectives are realistic and measurable using qualitative or quantitative data when appropriate.


  • The applicant’s objectives for the project seek to sustain and enhance the capacity for teaching and research at the institution and at State, regional, or national levels.


The applicant should describe how they intend to sustain or enhance the capacity for teaching and researching at their institution and at either the State, regional, or national levels.


  • The applicant’s objectives seek to institute policies and procedures to ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.


The proposal must contain specific policies or procedures as to how the applicant will ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. The applicant should ensure that all policies or procedures for increasing the number of students from underrepresented groups are realistic and attainable.


  • The applicant’s objectives seek to institute policies and procedures to ensure that it will award fellowships to individuals who satisfy the requirements of Section 648.40.


The applicant is required to establish specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Section 648.40 of the GAANN program regulations. Section 648.40 provides that the selection of GAANN Fellows must be based on the following criteria: outstanding academic record; demonstrated financial need; meeting citizenship or permanent residence requirements; expressed plan to pursue a Ph.D., and career goals in teaching and research.


2. EXTENT OF NEED FOR THE PROJECT (5 POINTS)


The Secretary considers the extent to which a grant under the program is needed by the academic department by considering:


  • How the applicant identified the problems that form the specific needs of the project.


The applicant must identify the problems of a specific issue that could be addressed in the proposal using qualitative or quantitative data when appropriate.


Example:


U.S. nursing schools turned away 29,000 qualified applicants to entry-baccalaureate nursing programs in 2004 due to insufficient numbers of faculty.


  • The specific problems to be resolved by successful realization of the goals and objectives of the project.


Once the problem(s) have been identified, the applicant should provide a plan that will make a significant impact on solving the problem (s) introduced by the applicant.


Example:


The applicant has provided a plan that will increase the pool of nurse educators with superior skills in education and nursing, particularly among men and minorities.


  • How increasing the number of fellowships will meet the specific and general objectives of the project.


The applicant must also demonstrate how obtaining GAANN fellowships will meet the objectives of the proposal.


Example:


This project will enable the institution to increase its current enrollment of 64 doctoral students in the nursing program to at least 80 doctoral students who will pursue careers in teaching and researching to address the shortage of educators.


3. QUALITY OF THE GRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAM (25 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the current graduate academic program for which project funding is sought, including:


  • The course offerings and academic requirements for the graduate program.


The applicant must provide a list of course offerings along with the academic requirements for the graduate programs involved. Course offering are sometimes provided in the appendix section of the proposal so that space can be saved in the narrative section. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary proposals must also provide a list of course offerings and academic requirements for all departments.


  • The qualifications of the faculty, including education, research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to graduate students.


The applicant should provide the qualifications of the faculty involved with the project as it relates to: education of the faculty, research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to graduate students (i.e. student to faculty ratio). The applicant should include the CV’s of key faculty in the appendix section.


  • The focus and capacity for research.


Does the institution have the facilities, the faculty, or state-of- the-art equipment to support research projects specified in the proposal? The applicant should also provide specific examples that demonstrate how committed their institution is to research (i.e. the allocation of federal or state research dollars to support a specific research project or any other external funding the institution may receive to demonstrate their level of commitment to research).


  • Any other evidence the applicant deems appropriate to demonstrate the quality of its academic program.


The applicant should take this opportunity to highlight such accomplishments as national rankings, Nobel laureates, annual conferences, memberships in national academies, and funding increases (to cite a few examples). Providing letters of support may also be used to demonstrate the quality of the graduate program. Letters of support should be included in the appendix.


4. QUALITY OF THE SUPERVISED TEACHING EXPERIENCE (7 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the teaching experience the applicant plans to provide fellows under this program, including the extent to which the project:

  • Provides each fellow with the required supervised training in instruction.


Section 648.61 of the GAANN program regulations provides that an institution must provide at least one year of supervised training in instruction at the graduate or undergraduate level. The applicant should take this opportunity to discuss specific programs, courses, seminars and conferences they will offer GAANN Fellows to prepare them for a possible career in teaching. The applicant should not use the supervisory teaching requirement to fill part-time faculty positions. Rather, the applicant’s ultimate goal should be to expose the GAANN Fellow to a supervised teaching experience.


  • Provides adequate instruction on effective teaching techniques.


Applicant should highlight any instructional strategies or techniques that will be used to prepare GAANN Fellows for teaching responsibilities. The applicant may offer education courses, training seminars, or assign a mentor/advisor to the GAANN Fellow to develop effective teaching skills.


  • Provides extensive supervision of each fellow’s teaching performance.


The applicant should provide information in the proposal to show how frequently and how closely they will mentor or instruct the fellow in an effort to monitor teaching performance.


  • Provides adequate and appropriate evaluation of the fellow’s teaching performance.


How will the applicant’s teaching performance be evaluated? A few examples include: (1) providing biweekly or monthly evaluation meetings to offer constructive criticism to the GAANN Fellow; (2) videotaping a classroom session to evaluate performance; and (3) receiving feedback from the students being instructed by the GAANN Fellow.


5. RECUITMENT PLAN (5 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the applicant’s recruitment plan, including:


  • How the applicant plans to identify, recruit, and retain students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the academic program for which fellowships are sought.


Applicant should provide a realistic plan for identifying, recruiting, and retaining underrepresented groups by highlighting specific policies or programs. Please see clarifying language regarding this issue on page 71.


  • How the applicant plans to identify eligible students for fellowships.


The proposal should provide a plan to identify eligible students for GAANN. Section 648.40 of the GAANN program regulations provide that the selection of GAANN Fellows must be based on the following criteria: outstanding academic record; demonstrated financial need; meeting citizenship or permanent residence requirements; expressed plan to pursue a Ph.D., and career goals in teaching and research.


  • The past success of the academic department in enrolling talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.


Proposal should highlight past successes for recruiting from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds using statistical data to support claims.


  • The past success of the academic department in enrolling talented graduate students for its academic program.


Proposal should highlight past successes for enrolling talented graduate students using statistical data to support claims.


6. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION (7 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews the quality of the proposed project administration, including:


  • How the applicant will select fellows, including how the applicant will ensure that

project participants who are otherwise eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age or disabling condition.


A statement should be included in the proposal indicating that the selection of GAANN Fellows will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition. Applicants should also discuss other requirements that will be used in the selection of GAANN Fellows.


  • How the applicant proposes to monitor whether a fellow is making satisfactory progress toward the degree for which the fellowship has been awarded.


The applicant should provide an assessment of the student’s progress towards completion of degree requirements. For example, this assessment could include a review of the fellow’s academic performance and the steps taken to ensure timely completion of important examinations required for degree completion.


  • How the applicant proposes to identify and meet the academic needs of fellows.


The applicant should include a discussion that will describe how they intend to meet the academic needs of all GAANN Fellows such as helping them design and carry out any internship, teaching, and/or research requirements.


  • How the applicant proposes to maintain enrollment of graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.


A discussion of specific programs, policies, and procedures should be provided in the proposal that supports the retention of graduate students from underrepresented groups.


  • The extent to which the policies and procedures the applicant proposes to institute for administering the project are likely to ensure efficient and effective project implementation, including assistance to and oversight of the project director.


How will those involved in the administration of the GAANN program ensure smooth implementation and oversight of the program? The responsibilities of the project directors and other key personal should be highlighted to ensure effective administration of the fellowship program.


7. INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT (14 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application for evidence that:


  • The applicant will provide, from any funds available to it, sufficient funds to support the financial needs of the fellows if the funds made available under the program are insufficient.


Proposal should include a discussion that will demonstrate the level of financial commitment the institution will provide should the amount of federal funding fall short. For example, the maximum stipend that a fellow can receive in FY 2008 is up to $30,000 to cover cost of living expenses, and an institutional payment of $12,876 to cover tuition and fee expenses. If the needs analysis of a fellow indicates that additional support is necessary, the institution should include information regarding other sources of funding that may be provided to the GAANN Fellow.

  • The institution’s social and academic environment is supportive of the academic success of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds on the applicant’s campus.


Providing a social and academic environment that is supportive of students from underrepresented groups should be highlighted in the proposal such as the availability of academic support services, student organizations, and professional associations on campus.


  • Students receiving fellowships under this program will receive stipend support for the time necessary to complete their courses of study, but in no case longer than 5 years.


The GAANN program provides stipend and tuition payment to support fellows up to three years. The institution is required to provide two additional years of support not to exceed a period of up to five years. If fellows require time beyond the duration of the GAANN grant, the institution should provide assurances in their proposal that additional funding will be provided.


  • The applicant demonstrates a financial commitment, including the nature and amount of the institutional matching contribution, and other institutional commitments that are likely to ensure the continuation of project activities for a significant period of time following the period in which the project receives Federal financial assistance.


In accordance with Section 648.7 of the GAANN program regulations, the institutional matching contributions must equal a minimum of 25% of the Federal funds requested. The applicant should provide detailed information as to how they intend to meet the 25% matching requirement. Section 648.63 of the GAANN program regulations provides that the matching requirement may be used to provide additional fellowships, cover tuition and fee expenses not covered by the institutional payment, pay for a fellow’s instruction, and supplement the fellow’s stipend. The applicant should also include any other information in the proposal that highlights the institution’s commitment to ensure that the fellow reaches success.


8. QUALITY OF KEY PERSONNEL (5 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project, including:


  • The qualifications of the project director.


A description of the project director‘s education, experience, and other relevant qualifications should be provided in this section.


  • The qualifications of other key personnel to be used in the project.


A description of the key personnel’s education, experience, and other relevant qualifications should be provided in this section.


  • The time commitment of key personnel, including the project director, to the project.


Time commitments of all key personnel that will be directly involved with the project should be provided. Although the regulations do not provide specific time commitments, most project directors will devote at least 10% to the project, and other key personnel will devote at least 5% to 10% of their academic year to the project.


  • How the applicant, as a part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition, except pursuant to a lawful affirmative action plan.


Applicant should include a statement that will attest to its nondiscrimination employment practices to ensure that personnel are selected without regards to race, color, national origin, and religion.


9. BUDGET (5 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which:


  • The applicant shows a clear understanding of the acceptable uses of program funds.


The applicant should provide a statement in the proposal that demonstrates their ability to fully understand the process for providing funding to all GAANN Fellows. For information purposes, the fellowship award consists of a stipend award to cover costs of living expenses and an institutional payment to cover tuition and fee expenses. The maximum FY 2008 GAANN Fellowship award is $42,876. Each Fellowship consists of a maximum stipend amount of $30,000 and an Institutional Payment of $12,876. The applicant should be aware that federal funding cannot be used to cover general operational overhead charges under the GAANN program.


The budget spreadsheet provided by the applicant should provide a detailed breakout of all project costs for each year for which Federal funding is requested. The spreadsheet must also show both the Federal and the required 25% non-Federal match for each year of the proposed project. In accordance with Section 648.63 of the GAANN program regulations, the 25% institutional matching requirement may be used to provide additional fellowships, cover tuition and fee expenses not covered by the institutional payment, pay for a fellow’s instruction, and supplement the fellow’s stipend. Additional points are not awarded to those applicant’s that exceed the 25% match requirement.


  • The costs of the project are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.


The applicant must demonstrate in the budget section that project costs are reasonable in relation to the desired outcome of the project.


10. EVALUATION PLAN (15 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the project, including the extent to which the applicant’s methods of evaluation:


  • Relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the project.

The applicant’s goals and objectives should be clearly stated and have a direct correlation to the evaluation measures established. Evaluation measures should have the ability to assess whether the applicant is on track towards achieving the goals and objectives outlined in the proposal.

  • Assess the effect of the project on the students receiving fellowships under this program, including the effect on persons of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages, and on persons with disabilities who are served by the project.


Applicant should establish a series of evaluation measures to determine the effects of the project on the students receiving the GAANN Fellowship. For example, the applicant could measure the effects of the project on students receiving the GAANN fellowship by collecting data on: the academic records of fellows and non-fellows, student and faculty surveys of GAANN Fellows and all graduate students, the performance of all fellows on preliminary examinations, and time-to-degree completion rates for fellows and non-fellows.


  • List both process and product evaluation question for each project activity and outcome, including those of the management plan.


The following is a sample of process and product evaluation questions designed to assess the success and shortcomings of the GAANN Program:


(1) Did the GAANN Program result in an increase of the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds?

(2) Did we effectively advertise our GAANN program so as to convey the prestige and value associated with it?

(3) Are GAANN Fellows making satisfactory academic progress?

(4) Is the supervised teaching experience enhancing the GAANN Fellows teaching skills?

(5) Did the number of Ph.D. graduates who pursed academic careers increase?


  • Describe both the process and product evaluation measures for each project activity and outcome.


Applicant should establish a series of qualitative and quantitative evaluation measures for each project activity so that they can recommend and implement changes to the program based upon the outcome of the analysis of the data.


  • Describe the data collection procedures, instruments, and schedules for effective data collection.


Data collection procedures should address what, when, and by whom.


  • Describe how the applicant will analyze and report the data so that it can make adjustments and improvements on a regular basis.

Data should be analyzed so that successes and shortcomings can be highlighted and adjustments can be made accordingly.


  • Include a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks.


Applicants should include a time-line chart that identifies when key evaluation processes and benchmarks will occur over the course of the GAANN project.


The following is a sample of a timeline chart.



J F M A M J J A S O N D

11. ADEQUACY OF RESOUCES (5 POINTS)


The Secretary reviews each application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the applicant makes available to graduate students receiving fellowships under this program, including facilities, equipment and supplies.


The applicant should demonstrate a willingness to invest non-federal funds into the program such as providing the adequate facilities, equipment, supplies, support staff, computer facilities, and other resources to carry out the activities of the project.


12. ABSOLUTE PRIORITY (No Points)


The absolute priority provides that a project must award fellowships in one or more of the following areas of national need: Biology; Chemistry; Computer and Information Sciences; Engineering; Mathematics; Nursing; Physics; and Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Research. No additional points will be awarded for meeting this priority.


NOTE: Section 648.31 – What selection criteria does the Secretary use?


The selection criteria at C.F.R. 648.31, consider an applicant’s policies and procedures to ensure enrollment of talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Do these criteria require an applicant to give priority to or set aside stipends for students based on race or ethnicity?


That is not the intent of the selection criteria. Rather, they are intended to direct applicants to engage in outreach and recruitment efforts as a means of fostering the enrollment of eligible students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. The GAANN criteria do not independently require or authorize applicants to give priority for or set aside stipends for students based on race or ethnicity. It should be noted, however, that an institution of higher education (IHE) is permitted to take race and ethnicity into consideration in the award of financial aid, provided that the institution complies with the legal principles described in the Department’s policy guidance on race-targeted financial aid, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which was published in the Federal Register on February 23, 1994 (59 FED.REG8756). In summary, it is permissible for IHE’s to consider race and ethnicity in granting financial aid in order to promote diversity of their student body and to remedy the effects of discrimination. As explained in this guidance, use of race or ethnicity as a remedy or to promote diversity must be narrowly tailored to achieve those objectives. IHE’s that seek to do this should consult the policy guidance for further clarification on how to ensure that race-targeted financial aid is narrowly tailored to meet the objectives of remedying past discrimination or promoting diversity. IHE’s in the Fifth Circuit should note that the legality of discrimination in a public school system as a whole is unclear in light of the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Hopwood v. Texas, 78F 3d 932 (5th Cir.) cert. denied, Texas v. Hopwood, 115 S. CT. 2581 (1996).



Appendices:


Appendices are limited to the following:

    1. Curriculum Vitae - no more than two (2) pages per faculty member;

    2. Course listing;

    3. Letters of support;

    4. Bibliography; and

    5. One additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposal, not to exceed five (5) pages.

    6. GAANN Statutory Assurances Form

    7. GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form

Note: The documents to be included in the appendices must be attached electronically as separate documents. Applicants should save the documents in Microsoft Word as either a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) file. Once the documents have been saved, the applicant must attach the documents included in the appendices to the “Other Attachments Form” section in the Grants.gov system.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR STANDARD AND

PROGRAM SPECIFIC

FORMS



STANDARD FORMS INSTRUCTIONS:


        • Application for federal Education assistance (SF 424 Form) Instructions


  • Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424 Form Instructions


  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)


  • Survey Instructions on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants




PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORMS INSTRUCTIONS:



  • GAANN Statutory Assurances Form Instructions


  • GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form Instructions



I

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0043), Washington, DC 20503.


PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.


NSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SF-424

This is a standard form (including the continuation sheet) required for use as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications and applications and related information under discretionary programs. Some of the items are required and some are optional at the discretion of the applicant or the Federal agency (agency). Required items are identified with an asterisk on the form and are specified in the instructions below. In addition to the instructions provided below, applicants must consult agency instructions to determine specific requirements.



Item

Entry:

Item

Entry:

1.

Type of Submission: (Required): Select one type of submission in accordance with agency instructions.

  • Preapplication

  • Application

  • Changed/Corrected Application – If requested by the agency, check if this submission is to change or correct a previously submitted application. Unless requested by the agency, applicants may not use this to submit changes after the closing date.

10.

Name Of Federal Agency: (Required) Enter the name of the Federal agency from which assistance is being requested with this application.

11.

Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance Number/Title: Enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number and title of the program under which assistance is requested, as found in the program announcement, if applicable.


2.

Type of Application: (Required) Select one type of application in accordance with agency instructions.

  • New – An application that is being submitted to an agency for the first time.

  • Continuation - An extension for an additional funding/budget period for a project with a projected completion date. This can include renewals.

  • Revision - Any change in the Federal Government’s financial obligation or contingent liability from an existing obligation. If a revision, enter the appropriate letter(s). More than one may be selected. If "Other" is selected, please specify in text box provided.

A. Increase Award B. Decrease Award

C. Increase Duration D. Decrease Duration

E. Other (specify)

12.

Funding Opportunity Number/Title: (Required) Enter the Funding Opportunity Number and title of the opportunity under which assistance is requested, as found in the program announcement.

13.

Competition Identification Number/Title: Enter the Competition Identification Number and title of the competition under which assistance is requested, if applicable.

14.

Areas Affected By Project: List the areas or entities using the categories (e.g., cities, counties, states, etc.) specified in agency instructions. Use the continuation sheet to enter additional areas, if needed.

3.

Date Received: Leave this field blank. This date will be assigned by the Federal agency.


15.

Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: (Required) Enter a brief descriptive title of the project. If appropriate, attach a map showing project location (e.g., construction or real property projects). For preapplications, attach a summary description of the project.

4.

Applicant Identifier: Enter the entity identifier assigned by the Federal agency, if any, or applicant’s control number, if applicable.

5a

Federal Entity Identifier: Enter the number assigned to your organization by the Federal Agency, if any.

16.

Congressional Districts Of: (Required) 16a. Enter the applicant’s Congressional District, and 16b. Enter all District(s) affected by the program or project. Enter in the format: 2 characters State Abbreviation – 2-3 characters District Number, e.g., CA-12 for California 12th district, NC-103 for North Carolina’s 103rd district.

  • If all congressional districts in a state are affected, enter “all” for the district number, e.g., MD-all for all congressional districts in Maryland.

  • If nationwide, i.e. all districts within all states are affected, enter US-all.

  • If the program/project is outside the US, enter 00-000.

5b.

Federal Award Identifier: For new applications leave blank. For a continuation or revision to an existing award, enter the previously assigned Federal award identifier number. If a changed/corrected application, enter the Federal Identifier in accordance with agency instructions.

6.

Date Received by State: Leave this field blank. This date will be assigned by the State, if applicable.

7.

State Application Identifier: Leave this field blank. This identifier will be assigned by the State, if applicable.

8.

Applicant Information: Enter the following in accordance with agency instructions:


a. Legal Name: (Required): Enter the legal name of applicant that will undertake the assistance activity. This is the name that the organization has registered with the Central Contractor Registry. Information on registering with CCR may be obtained by visiting the Grants.gov website.


17.

Proposed Project Start and End Dates: (Required) Enter the proposed start date and end date of the project.

b. Employer/Taxpayer Number (EIN/TIN): (Required): Enter the Employer or Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN or TIN) as assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. If your organization is not in the US, enter 44-4444444.

18.

Estimated Funding: (Required) Enter the amount requested or to be contributed during the first funding/budget period by each contributor. Value of in-kind contributions should be included on appropriate lines, as applicable. If the action will result in a dollar change to an existing award, indicate only the amount of the change. For decreases, enclose the amounts in parentheses.

c. Organizational DUNS: (Required) Enter the organization’s DUNS or DUNS+4 number received from Dun and Bradstreet. Information on obtaining a DUNS number may be obtained by visiting the Grants.gov website.

d. Address: Enter the complete address as follows: Street address (Line 1 required), City (Required), County, State (Required, if country is US), Province, Country (Required), Zip/Postal Code (Required, if country is US).

19.

Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? Applicants should contact the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Federal Executive Order 12372 to determine whether the application is subject to the State intergovernmental review process. Select the appropriate box. If “a.” is selected, enter the date the application was submitted to the State

e. Organizational Unit: Enter the name of the primary organizational unit (and department or division, if applicable) that will undertake the assistance activity, if applicable.

f. Name and contact information of person to be contacted on matters involving this application: Enter the name (First and last name required), organizational affiliation (if affiliated with an organization other than the applicant organization), telephone number (Required), fax number, and email address (Required) of the person to contact on matters related to this application.

20.

Is the Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? (Required) Select the appropriate box. This question applies to the applicant organization, not the person who signs as the authorized representative. Categories of debt include delinquent audit disallowances, loans and taxes.


If yes, include an explanation on the continuation sheet.

9.

Type of Applicant: (Required)

Select up to three applicant type(s) in accordance with agency instructions.

21.

Authorized Representative: (Required) To be signed and dated by the authorized representative of the applicant organization. Enter the name (First and last name required) title (Required), telephone number (Required), fax number, and email address (Required) of the person authorized to sign for the applicant.

A copy of the governing body’s authorization for you to sign this application as the official representative must be on file in the applicant’s office. (Certain Federal agencies may require that this authorization be submitted as part of the application.)


  1. State Government

  2. County Government

  3. City or Township Government

  4. Special District Government

  5. Regional Organization

  6. U.S. Territory or Possession

  7. Independent School District

  8. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education

  9. Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

  10. Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)

  11. Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization

  12. Public/Indian Housing Authority

  1. Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)

  2. Nonprofit without 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education)

  3. Private Institution of Higher Education

  4. Individual

  5. For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business)

  6. Small Business

  7. Hispanic-serving Institution

  8. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

  9. Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

  10. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

  11. Non-domestic (non-US) Entity

  12. Other (specify)






INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR SF 424


1. Project Director. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the person to be contacted on matters involving this application.


2. Novice Applicant. Check “Yes” or “No” only if assistance is being requested under a program that gives special consideration to novice applicants. Otherwise, leave blank.


Check “Yes” if you meet the requirements for novice applicants specified in the regulations in 34 CFR 75.225 and included on the attached page entitled “Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424.” By checking “Yes” the applicant certifies that it meets these novice applicant requirements. Check “No” if you do not meet the requirements for novice applicants.


3. Human Subjects Research. (See I. A. “Definitions” in attached page entitled “Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424.”)


If Not Human Subjects Research. Check “No” if research activities involving human subjects are not planned at any time during the proposed project period. The remaining parts of Item 3 are then not applicable.


If Human Subjects Research. Check “Yes” if research activities involving human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed project period, either at the applicant organization or at any other performance site or collaborating institution. Check “Yes” even if the research is exempt from the regulations for the protection of human subjects. (See I. B. “Exemptions” in attached page entitled “Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424.”)


If Human Subjects Research is Exempt from the Human Subjects Regulations. Check “Yes” if all the research activities proposed are designated to be exempt from the regulations. Insert the exemption number(s) corresponding to one or more of the six exemption categories listed in I. B. “Exemptions.” In addition, follow the instructions in II. A. “Exempt Research Narrative” in the attached page entitled “Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424.”


If Human Subjects Research is Not Exempt from Human Subjects Regulations. Check “No” if some or all of the planned research activities are covered (not exempt). In addition, follow the instructions in II. B. “Nonexempt Research Narrative” in the page entitled “Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information For SF 424


Human Subjects Assurance Number. If the applicant has an approved Federal Wide (FWA) on file with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that covers the specific activity, insert the number in the space provided. If the applicant does not have an approved assurance on file with OHRP, enter “None.” In this case, the applicant, by signature on the SF-424, is declaring that it will comply with 34 CFR 97 and proceed to obtain the human subjects assurance upon request by the designated ED official. If the application is recommended/selected for funding, the designated ED official will request that the applicant obtain the assurance within 30 days after the specific formal request.


Note about Institutional Review Board Approval. ED does not require certification of Institutional Review Board approval with the application. However, if an application that involves non-exempt human subjects research is recommended/selected for funding, the designated ED official will request that the applicant obtain and send the certification to ED within 30 days after the formal request.


Paperwork Burden Statement. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1890-0017. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average between 15 and 45 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4700. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form write directly to: Joyce I. Mays, Application Control Center, U.S. Department of Education, Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th Street, S.W. Room 7076, Washington, D.C. 20202-4260.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR SF 424

(Attachment to Instructions for Supplemental Information for SF 424)


Definitions:


Novice Applicant (See 34 CFR 75.225). For discretionary grant programs under which the Secretary gives special consideration to novice applications, a novice applicant means any applicant for a grant from ED that—

  • Has never received a grant or subgrant under the program from which it seeks funding;

  • Has never been a member of a group application, submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, that received a grant under the program from which it seeks funding; and

  • Has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal government in the five years before the deadline date for applications under the program. For the purposes of this requirement, a grant is active until the end of the grant’s project or funding period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee’s authority to obligate funds.


In the case of a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, a group includes only parties that meet the requirements listed above.


PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH


I. Definitions and Exemptions


A. Definitions.


A research activity involves human subjects if the activity is research, as defined in the Department’s regulations, and the research activity will involve use of human subjects, as defined in the regulations.


Research


The ED Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects, Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97, define research as “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” If an activity follows a deliberate plan whose purpose is to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge it is research. Activities which meet this definition constitute research whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.


Human Subject


The regulations define human subject as “a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information.” (1) If an activity involves obtaining information about a living person by manipulating that person or that person’s environment, as might occur when a new instructional technique is tested, or by communicating or interacting with the individual, as occurs with surveys and interviews, the definition of human subject is met. (2) If an activity involves obtaining private information about a living person in such a way that the information can be linked to that individual (the identity of the subject is or may be readily determined by the investigator or associated with the information), the definition of human subject is met. [Private information includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and information which has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (for example, a school health record).]


B. Exemptions.


Research activities in which the only involvement of human subjects will be in one or more of the following six categories of exemptions are not covered by the regulations:


(1) Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, involving normal educational practices, such as (a) research on regular and special education instructional strategies, or (b) research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods.


(2) Research involving the use of educational tests cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior, unless: (a) information obtained is recorded in such a manner that human subjects can be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; and (b) any disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research could reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects’ financial standing, employability, or reputation. If the subjects are children, exemption 2 applies only to research involving educational tests and observations of research involving educational tests and observations of public behavior when the investigator(s) do not participate in the activities being observed. Exemption 2 does not apply if children are surveyed or interviewed or if the research involves observation of public behavior and the investigator(s) participate in the activities being observed. [Children are defined as persons who have not attained the legal age for consent to treatments or procedures involved in the research, under the applicable law or jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted.]

(3) Research involving the use of educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior that is not exempt under section (2) above, if the human subjects are elected or appointed public officials or candidates for public office; or federal statute(s) require(s) without exception that the confidentiality of the personally identifiable information will be maintained throughout the research and thereafter.


(4) Research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in a manner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects.


(5) Research and demonstration projects which are conducted by or subject to the approval of department or agency heads, and which are designed to study, evaluate, or otherwise examine: (a) public benefit or service programs; (b) procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs; (c) possible changes in or alternatives to those programs or procedures; or (d) possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs.


(6) Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies, (a) if wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (b) if a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. II. Instructions for Exempt and Nonexempt Human Subjects Research Narratives If the applicant marked “Yes” for Item 3 of Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, the applicant must provide a human subjects “exempt research” or “nonexempt research” narrative. Insert the narrative(s) in the space provided. If you have multiple projects and need to provide more than one narrative, be sure to label each set of responses as to the project they address.


A. Exempt Research Narrative.


If you marked “Yes” for item 3 a. and designated exemption numbers(s), provide the “exempt research” narrative. The narrative must contain sufficient information about the involvement of human subjects in the proposed research to allow a determination by ED that the designated exemption(s) are appropriate. The narrative must be succinct.


B. Nonexempt Research Narrative.


If you marked “No” for item 3 a. you must provide the “nonexempt research” narrative. The narrative must address the following seven points. Although no specific page limitation applies to this section of the application, be succinct.


(1) Human Subjects Involvement and Characteristics: Provide a detailed description of the proposed involvement of human subjects. Describe the characteristics of the subject population, including their anticipated number, age range, and health status. Identify the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of any subpopulation. Explain the rationale for the involvement of special classes of subjects, such as children, children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, persons with mental disabilities, pregnant women, prisoners, institutionalized individuals, or others who are likely to be vulnerable.


(2) Sources of Materials: Identify the sources of research material obtained from individually identifiable living human subjects in the form of specimens, records, or data. Indicate whether the material or data will be obtained specifically for research purposes or whether use will be made of existing specimens, records, or data.


(3) Recruitment and Informed Consent: Describe plans for the recruitment of subjects and the consent procedures to be followed. Include the circumstances under which consent will be sought and obtained, who will seek it, the nature of the information to be provided to prospective subjects, and the method of documenting consent. State if the Institutional Review Board (IRB) has authorized a modification or waiver of the elements of consent or the requirement for documentation of consent.


(4) Potential Risks: Describe potential risks (physical, psychological, social, legal, or other) and assess their likelihood and seriousness. Where appropriate, describe alternative treatments and procedures that might be advantageous to the subjects.


(5) Protection Against Risk: Describe the procedures for protecting against or minimizing potential risks, including risks to confidentiality, and assess their likely effectiveness. Where appropriate, discuss provisions for ensuring necessary medical or professional intervention in the event of adverse effects to the subjects. Also, where appropriate, describe the provisions for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of the subjects.


(6) Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained: Discuss the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained as a result of the proposed research. Discuss why the risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits to subjects and in relation to the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.


(7) Collaborating Site(s): If research involving human subjects will take place at collaborating site(s) or other performance site(s), name the sites and briefly describe their involvement or role in the research.


Copies of the Department of Education’s Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects, 34 CFR Part 97 and other pertinent materials on the protection of human subjects in research are available from the Grants Policy and Oversight Staff, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-4250, telephone: (202) 245-6120, and on the U.S. Department of Education’s Protection of Human Subjects in Research Web Site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/OCFO/humansub.html


NOTE: The State Applicant Identifier on the SF 424 is for State Use only. Please complete it on the OMB Standard 424 in the upper right corner of the form (if applicable).



INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF SF-LLL, DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES


This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether subawardee or prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing, pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action. Complete all items that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional information.


1. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a covered Federal action.


2. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.


3. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a follow up report caused by a material change to the information previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this reporting entity for this covered Federal action.


4. Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants and contract awards under grants.


5. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks "Subawardee," then enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the prime Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if known.


6. Enter the name of the Federal agency making the award or loan commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name, if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard.


7. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and loan commitments.


8. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal (RFP) number; Invitation for Bid (IFB) number; grant announcement number; the contract, grant, or loan award number; the application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency). Include prefixes, e.g., "RFP-DE-90-001."


9. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.


10. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the lobbying registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 engaged by the reporting entity identified in item 4 to influence the covered Federal action.


(b) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and include full address if different from 10 (a). Enter Last Name, First Name, and Middle Initial (MI).


11. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her name, title, and telephone number.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, as amended, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB No. 0348-0046. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046), Washington, DC 20503.




Survey Instructions on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants


Provide the applicant’s (organization) name and DUNS number and the grant name and CFDA number.




  1. Self-explanatory.


  1. Self-identify.


  1. Self-identify.


4. 501(c)(3) status is a legal designation provided on application to the Internal Revenue Service by eligible organizations. Some grant programs may require nonprofit applicants to have 501(c)(3) status. Other grant programs do not.


5. Self-explanatory.


6. For example, two part-time employees who each work half-time equal one full-time equivalent employee. If the applicant is a local affiliate of a national organization, the responses to survey questions 2 and 3 should reflect the staff and budget size of the local affiliate.


7. Annual budget means the amount of money your organization spends each year on all of its activities.















Paperwork Burden Statement


According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1890-0014. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average five (5) minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: The Agency Contact listed in this grant application package.













OMB No. 1890-0014 Exp. 02/28/09

PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM INSTRUCTIONS



GAANN STATUTORY ASSURANCES FORM

INSTRUCTIONS


The GAANN Statutory Assurances Form can be found at the end of the application package.


1. The GAANN Statutory Assurances Form must be signed and dated by the Authorized (Certifying) Official.


ATTENTION:


**Special Instructions for attaching the Statutory Assurances**


  1. Applicants should copy and paste the form in Microsoft Word and save the document as either a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) file. DO NOT MODIFY OR CHANGE THE CONTENTS IN ANY WAY.


  1. The applicant must attach the document to the “Other Attachments Form” in the Grants.gov system.


PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM INSTRUCTIONS


GAANN BUDGET SPREADSHEET(S) FORM

INSTRUCTIONS


The GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form can be found at the end the application package.


Attention:


**Special Instructions for attaching GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form**


Formatting Requirements


Applicants should copy and paste the spreadsheet in Microsoft Word and save the document as either a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) file in landscape format. DO NOT MODIFY OR CHANGE THE CONTENTS IN ANY WAY. Once the spreadsheet(s) has been completed, the applicant must attach the document to the “Other Attachments Form” in the Grants.gov system.


Note: The Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form is attached SEPARATELY from the budget narrative, which is attached as part of the project narrative.


General Instructions


Prepare Budget Information forms for all years of your proposed project.


  • Single discipline or Inter-disciplinary applicants need only complete Sections A and B.


  • Inter-disciplinary applicants must fill in Box 1 of Section A with the Classification of Instructional Programs code for each academic field of study within that Inter-disciplinary program.

  • Multi-disciplinary applicants are those requesting funding for two or more academic department in the areas of national need designated as priorities by the Secretary must complete Sections A and B for each discipline for which support is requested. Multi-disciplinary applicants must also provide summery data in Sections C and D.


Note: The program regulations, Sec. 648.5(b), state that in any fiscal year, no academic department may receive more than $750,000 as an aggregate total of new and continuing grants.


Section A: Fellowship Data for Each Discipline


Complete this section for each discipline or area proposed for your fellowship project.


1. Discipline and CIP code. Enter the national need priority area or discipline and the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code listed in the program regulations. List only one discipline or area and one CIP code.









PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM INSTRUCTIONS


Note: If an applicant is requesting support for an inter-disciplinary program, the applicant must list the CIP code for each academic field of study within that inter-disciplinary program under Box 1 of Section A.


If an applicant is requesting support for multi-disciplinary programs (two or more academic departments in areas of national need designated as priorities by the Secretary) a separate form (Section A and B) must be completed for each discipline or area.


2. Number of fellowships from Federal funds. Enter the number of fellowships to be supported from Federal funds.


3. Additional fellowships from institutional matching contributions. Enter the number of additional fellowships that will be supported from institutional matching contributions.


Section B: Federal Funds Requested and Required Institutional Matching Contribution


Note: Institutional matching contributions must be an amount equal to at least 25 percent of the Federal funds requested each budget period.


  1. Stipends. Enter the dollar amounts of requested Federal funds and non-Federal contributions (institutional matching) for each year of the proposed project. Sum the totals for all the years of the proposed project. Estimate a stipend of $30,000 per GAANN fellow for each academic year.


5. Institutional payment. Enter the Federal funds for the institutional payment for each year of the proposed project. Sum the total for all the years of the proposed project. Estimate an institutional payment of $12,876 per GAANN fellow for each academic year.


6 - 8. Tuition, fees, and other educational costs. Enter the amounts of tuition, fees, and other educational costs to be contributed from institutional matching (non-Federal) funds for each year of the proposed project. Sum the totals for all the years of the proposed project.


9. Total. Sum the Federal funds requested and the institutional matching funds to be contributed for each year of the proposed project. Sum the totals for all the years of the proposed project. Total Federal funds requested must not be less than $100,000 nor greater than $750,000 in any fiscal year, see Program Regulation Sec. 648.5(a) and (b). Institutional matching contributions must be an amount equal to at least 25 percent of the Federal funds requested each budget period.


10. Total program funds. Enter the total of Federal and institutional (non-Federal) matching funds for each year of the proposed project. Sum the totals for all the years of the proposed project.


PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM INSTRUCTIONS

Section C: Fellowship Data Summary for Two or More Disciplines


Note: This section applies only to Multi-disciplinary applicants


1. Disciplines and CIP codes. Enter the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes for each academic department included in the application. The data entered must be consistent with entries in all the Section A and B forms completed for each single discipline.


2. Total number of fellowships from Federal funds. Enter the total number of fellowships for each academic department to be supported from Federal funds.


3. Total additional fellowships from institutional matching contributions. Enter the total number of additional fellowships that will be supported by institutional matching contributions.


Section D: Summary of Federal Funds Requested and Required Institutional Matching Contributions


Note: This section applies only to Multi-disciplinary applicants


Use this section to summarize all requested allowable costs for all disciplines for all the years of the proposed project. Sum all totals. See the instructions for Section C.


APPLICATION CHECKLIST


Before you submit the application package, please review the following list to ensure that you have attached all required materials/files in the prescribed format.


Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)


Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424


Note: Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the Standard Form (SF 424). Although this form accepts attachments, the Department of Education will only review materials/files attached to the attachment forms listed below.



Part II: ED Abstract Form

Attach Abstract to the “ED Abstract Form” in Grants.gov


Project Narrative Attachment Form

Attach Table of Contents (optional), and responses to selection criteria


Other Attachments Form


  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - no more than two (2) pages per faculty member (All CV’s must be attached together in one document);

  2. Course listing;

  3. Letters of support;

  4. Bibliography; and

  5. One additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposal, not to exceed five (5) pages.

  6. GAANN Statutory Assurances

  7. GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) Form


Note: Attachments must be submitted in one of the following file types: .DOC, .RTF, or .PDF format


Part III: Departmental Assurances and Certifications

All “Assurances, Certifications, and Survey Forms” must be completed


  • ED GEPA 427 Form

  • Supplemental information required for Department of Education

  • Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying

  • Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)

  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

  • Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity of Applicants



Paperwork Burden Statement


According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1840-0604. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 41.33 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather needed data, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202-5247. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this form, write directly to: The Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship Program, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, N.W., 6th floor, Washington, DC 20006-8524.







































Form Approved

OMB No. 1840-0604

Exp. 08/31/2011




PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM


GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED PROGRAM


STATUTORY ASSURANCES


NOTE: DO NOT MODIFY OR AMEND THIS PAGE. COPY, SAVE AND ATTACH TO THE “OTHER ATTACHMENTS FORM”.


This form must be signed by the official who has authority to commit the organization to accept Federal funds and submitted with the application.


1. From the funds received under this program, the applicant will make commitments to graduate students at any point of their graduate study to provide stipends for the length of time necessary for the student to complete the course of graduate study, but in no case longer than five years. No such commitments will be made to students under this program unless the applicant has determined that adequate funds are available to fulfill the commitment from either funds received or anticipated under this program, or from institutional funds. In the event that funds made available to the academic department under the program are insufficient to provide the assistance due a student under the commitment entered into between the academic department and the student, the academic department will endeavor, from any funds available to it, to fulfill the commitment to the student.


2. For a fellowship initially awarded for the academic year 1998-99, or any succeeding academic year, the applicant will ensure that a stipend paid a fellow will be at a level of support equal to that provided by the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships, as of February 1, 2009, except that such amounts shall be adjusted as necessary so as not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of financial need.


3. The applicant will ensure that no student shall receive an award except during periods in which such student is maintaining satisfactory progress in, and devoting essentially full time to, study or research in the field in which such fellowship was awarded, or if the student is engaging in gainful employment other than part-time employment involved in teaching, research, or similar activities determined by the institution to be in support of the student's progress toward a degree.


4. The applicant will ensure that it will provide, from other non-Federal funds, for the purposes of the fellowship program under this part an amount equal to at least 25 percent of the amount of the grant received under this part.


5. The applicant will ensure that Federal funds or institutional matching contribution made available under this part for any fiscal year will be used to supplement and, to the extent practical, increase the funds that would otherwise be made available for the purpose of this part and in no case to supplant those funds.


6. The applicant will ensure that the academic department will provide at least one year of supervised training in instruction in accordance with §648.61 of the program regulations.





Signature of Authorized Certifying Official Date


Form Approved

OMB No. 1840-0604

Exp. 08/31/2011



PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM

GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED (GAANN) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM



SECTION A: FELLOWSHIP DATA FOR EACH SINGLE DISCIPLINE


1. Discipline and CIP code


2. Number of fellowships from Federal funds


3. Additional fellowships from institutional matching contributions



















SECTION B: FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED AND REQUIRED INSTITUTIONAL MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS










1st Year


2nd Year


3rd Year


Total


Allowable Cost Categories


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


4. Stipends


















5. Institutional Payment


















6. Tuition


















7. Fees


















8. Other Educational Costs


















9. Total



















10. Total Program Funds (Federal + Non-Federal)









Note: Please refer to 34 CFR Part 648 Subpart F-- What are the Administrative Responsibilities of the Institution for budget information.

(Federal funds remaining at the end of the current budget period will be carried over into the next budget period. The total amount of the next budget period may be reduced by the amount carried over.)


NOTE: DO NOT MODIFY OR AMEND THIS PAGE. COPY, SAVE AND ATTACH TO THE “OTHER ATTACHMENTS FORM”.




PROGRAM SPECIFIC FORM


GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED (GAANN) FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM


FELLOWSHIP DATA SUMMARY FOR TWO OR MORE DISCIPLINES


SECTION C: FELLOWSHIP DATA SUMMARY FOR TWO OR MORE DISCIPLINES


1. Disciplines and CIP codes


2. Total number of fellowships from Federal funds




3. Total additional fellowships from institutional matching contributions




























SECTION D: SUMMARY OF FEDERAL FUNDS REQUESTED AND REQUIRED INSTITUTIONAL MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS










1st Year


2nd Year


3rd Year


Total


Allowable Cost Categories


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


Federal


Non-Federal


4. Stipends


















5. Institutional Payment


















6. Tuition


















7. Fees


















8. Other Educational Costs


















9. Total


















10. Total Program Funds (Federal +Non-Federal)









(Federal funds remaining at the end of the current budget period will be carried over into the next budget period. The total amount of the next budget period may be reduced by the amount carried over).


NOTE: DO NOT MODIFY OR AMEND THIS PAGE. COPY, SAVE AND ATTACH TO THE “OTHER ATTACHMENTS FORM”.


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