FINAL_FIPSE Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program 2021 Application Booklet_12621.pdf

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/rped/index.html

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education Washington, DC 20202

FY 2021

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS UNDER

THE RURAL POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION and

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

CFDA NUMBER: 84.116W

Form Approved OMB No. 1894-0006

Expiration Date: 02/29/2024

DATED MATERIAL – OPEN IMMEDIATELY

CLOSING DATE: 12/13/2021

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/rped/index.html

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEAR APPLICANT LETTER …………………………………………………………………………..3

COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS………………………………………………………………

GRANTS.GOV SUBMISSION PROCEDURES AND TIPS FOR APPICANTS…………………….8

APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS………………………………………………...12

CORRECTED NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS………………………………………………15

NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS………………………………………………………………..19

AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION……………………………………………………………………...46

GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT (GPRA)………………………………..47

ORGANIZATION OF THE APPLICATION PACKAGE…………………………………………...49

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION PACKET…………………………………………….51

PART I……………………………………………………………………………………………………52

Instructions for SF-424 Form Instructions for Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF-424 Definitions for Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF-424

PART II…………………………………………………………………………………………………..63

Instructions for ED 524 Budget Summary Form

PART III………………………………………………………………………………………………….67

Instructions for Completing the ED Abstract Form Instructions for Completing the Project Narrative Attachment Form Instructions for Completing the Budget Narrative Attachment Form Instructions for Completing the Other Attachments Form

PART IV………………………………………………………………………………………………….71

Assurances and Ceritifications

• GEPA Section 427 Requirement

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (Optional)

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

APPLICATION CHECKLIST ………………………………………………………………………..77

PAPERWORK BURDEN STATEMENT……………………………………………………………78

I. DEAR APPLICANT LETTER

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant under the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program (RPED). This letter highlights items in the application package that will be important to you in applying for a grant under this program.

The purpose of this program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment and completion among rural students through development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, or in- demand industry sectors and occupations in the region. Through this program the Department encourages applicants to address the challenges rural students face accessing postsecondary education, and to prepare them for today’s economy. Applicants interested in applying for this program should propose to enhance and develop programs that improve the preparation, support, and retention of rural students, and consequently their transition into an in-demand occupations.

This application package provides tips for submitting a complete application and includes the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) published in the Federal Register. This year’s competition includes one (1) Absolute Priority, and two (2) Competitive Preference Priorities. Applicants must respond to the Absolute Priority to be eligible for funding consideration. For the Competitive Preference Priorities, applicants may receive up to ten (10) additional points depending on how well the application meets these priorities. For more information on the Competitive Preference Priorities, selection criteria, and other program and competition details, refer to the NIA.

Applications for FY 2021 grants under the Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. This document contains the information to assist applicants understand and respond to the requirements in applying.

The NIA published in the Federal Register is the official document describing the requirements for submitting a Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program grant application. You should not rely upon any other information that is inconsistent with the guidance contained in the official document. We also encourage applicants to review the “Competition Highlights” found in this application package for an overview of important items.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Ms. Kurrinn Abrams at

(202) 453-7906 or kurrinn.abrams2@ed.gov.

We appreciate your interest in the Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program and look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely, /s/

Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education http://www.grants.gov/

II. COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

1. Eligible Applicants

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) and non-profits in partnership with IHEs that meet eligibility criteria for Rural Postsecondary Education and Economic Development Program for 2021 are eligible to apply. (See eligibility section in NIA for further information.)

2. An eligible applicant may submit only one (1) grant application.

3. This program uses a restricted indirect cost rate. (See eligibility section of the NIA for further information.)

4. Priorities: The notice contains one absolute priority and two competitive preference priorities.

Absolute Priority (Required): This priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority. Applicants must respond to this priority in order to have their application reviewed. This priority is:

Projects that Increase Postsecondary Access, Affordability, Success, and Completion for Rural Students.

To meet this priority, the applicant must address how projects will serve rural students by:

(a) Increasing the number and proportion of rural students who enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs through activities and strategies related to college preparation, outreach in rural communities, awareness of postsecondary options, recruitment of students from rural communities, support throughout the college application and selection process, and long-term college and career advising relationships with middle and high school students to support them through their transition to postsecondary education;

(b) Supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive student success programs that integrate multiple services or initiatives across academic and student affairs, such as academic advising, structured/guided pathways, career services, student financial aid, transfer support from two- to four-year programs, and other wrap around services;

(c) Supporting the development and implementation of high-quality and accessible learning opportunities for rural students that cater to their unique needs and geographic distance from postsecondary education institutions, and align with career pathways to high-need occupations, including learning opportunities that are accelerated; hybrid online; work-based; or flexible for working students;

(d) Supporting the development or implementation of evidence-based strategies to promote rural students’ development of the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the workforce and in high-need occupations, including career training that leads to good jobs in fields relevant to the regional economy, and to raise awareness of, and access to, paid internship, fellowship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities; and

(e) Implementing a sustainability plan to maintain programs and services after completion of the grant.

Competitive Preference Priorities (Optional): These priorities are competitive preference priorities.

Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 10 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets these priorities. An applicant may address one or both of the competitive preference priorities. The point value for each priority is in parenthesis.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1--Supporting Access to Technology (Up to 5 points).

Projects that are designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in resources and opportunity for rural students through student-centered learning models that provide access to technology and leverage technology to address learner variability (e.g., universal design for learning, competency-based education, project-based learning, or hybrid/blended learning) and provide high-quality learning content, applications, or tools.

Competitive Preference Priority 2--Strengthening Cross-Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to Advance Systemic Change (Up to 5 points).

Projects that are designed to take a systemic approach to improving outcomes for rural students through the development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage or in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region in partnership with regional economic development entities, workforce agencies, regional employers, or other relevant nonprofit organizations.

5. Electronic Submission of Applications Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov, accessible through its portal page at:

http://www.grants.gov. Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02- 13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

The Grants.gov site 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 application. Please know that, if the Department receives duplicate applications, we will accept and process the application with the latest “date/time received” validation.

The application must be received on or before the deadline date and time. Late applications will not be accepted. We suggest that you submit your application several days before the deadline. The Department must adhere to the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline date.

6. Format of Application We recommend that you limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and use the following standards: a “page” is 8.5" x 11", on one side only, with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides; double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs; use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch); and use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. The Notice contains additional information governing formatting instructions.

All attachments must be in PDF format only. Other types of files will not be accepted.

7. Notice to Successful Applicants

The Department’s Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs will inform the Congress regarding applications approved for new program grants. Successful applicants will receive award notices by mail or e-mail shortly after the Congress is notified. No funding information will be released before the Congress is notified.

8. Notice to Unsuccessful Applicants Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing following the notice to successful applicants.

9. Application Components This application package contains detailed instructions for every required component of your application. It also includes an Application Checklist for your convenience. Note: If all required documents are not submitted with your application, it may be deemed ineligible.

10. A Pre-Application webinar will be provided by the program office. Please contact Kurrinn Abrams at

(202) 453-7906 or via email at kurrinn.abrams2@ed.gov.

http://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf http://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf mailto:kurrinn.abrams2@ed.gov

III. GRANTS.GOV SUBMISSION PROCEDURES AND

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS

***01/2021

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.

Browser Support

The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are supported for use with Grants.gov. However, these web browsers undergo frequent changes and updates, so we recommend you have the latest version when using Grants.gov. Legacy versions of these web browsers may be functional, but you may experience issues.

For additional information or updates, please see the Grants.gov Browser information in the Applicant FAQs: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser

ATTENTION – Workspace, Adobe Forms and PDF Files

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

1) Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out web forms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3) Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

4) Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Helpful Reminders

1. REGISTER EARLY – Grants.gov registration involves many steps including registration on SAM (www.sam.gov) which may take approximately one week to complete, but could take upwards of several weeks to complete, depending upon the completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by an applicant. 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. Please note that once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov, and before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. For detailed information on the Registration Steps, please go to:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html [Note: Your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.]

Primary information about SAM is available at www.sam.gov. However, to further assist you with obtaining and registering your DUNS number and TIN in SAM or updating your existing SAM account the Department of Education has prepared a SAM.gov Tip Sheet which you can find at:

http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html

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 to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

Note: To submit successfully, you must provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This DUNS number is typically the same number used when your organization registered with the SAM. If you do not enter the same DUNS number on your application as the DUNS you registered with, Grants.gov will reject your application.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.sam.gov/ http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/sam-faqs.html

3. VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OK – You will want to verify that Grants.gov received your application submission on time 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 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned. Once the Department of Education receives your application from Grants.gov, an Agency Tracking Number (PR/award number) will be assigned to your application and will be available for viewing on Grants.gov’s Track My Application link.

If the date/time received is later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern 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/web/grants/applicants/encountering-error-messages.html. For more detailed information on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Software Tip Sheet at: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html. 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 email at: mailto:support@grants.gov or access the Grants.gov Self-Service Knowledge Base web portal at: https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants

If electronic submission is required, you must submit an electronic application before 11:59:59 p.m.

Eastern Time, 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. 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. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html for help with Grants.gov. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Applicant FAQs found at this Grants.gov link: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html as well as additional information on Workspace at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#workspace.

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.)

Attaching Files – Additional Tips Please note the following tips related to attaching files to your application:

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/encountering-error-messages.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/encountering-error-messages.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#workspace https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#workspace

• When you submit your application electronically, you must upload any narrative sections and all other attachments to your application as files in either Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word. Although applicants have the option of uploading any narrative sections and all other attachments to their application in either PDF or Microsoft Word, we recommend applicants submit all documents as read-only flattened PDFs, meaning any fillable PDF files must be saved and submitted as non-fillable PDF files and not as interactive or fillable PDF files, to better ensure applications are processed in a more timely, accurate, and efficient manner.

• 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.

• When attaching files, applicants should follow the guidelines established by Grants.gov on the size and content of file names. Uploaded file names must be fewer than 50 characters, and, in general, applicants should not use any special characters. However, Grants.gov does allow for the following UTF-8 characters when naming your attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore, hyphen, space, period, parenthesis, curly braces, square brackets, ampersand, tilde, exclamation point, comma, semi colon, apostrophe, at sign, number sign, dollar sign, percent sign, plus sign, and equal sign. Applications submitted that do not comply with the Grants.gov guidelines will be rejected at Grants.gov and not forwarded to the Department.

• 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 with all attachments is less than 5 MB. Therefore, you may want to check the total size of your package before submission.

IV. 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 by mail, commercial carrier, or 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 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on or before the deadline date of December 13, 2021.

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

Submission of Paper Applications by Mail:

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

U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center Attention: (CFDA Number 84.116W) LBJ Basement Level 1 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20202-4260

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

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

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

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

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

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

(1) A private metered postmark.

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

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.

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 84.116W) 550 12th Street, S.W.

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.

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

V. CORRECTED NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Rural Postsecondary and Economic

Development Grant Program; Corrections

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of

Education.

ACTION: Notice; corrections.

SUMMARY: On November 5, 2021, the Department of Education

(Department) published in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications (NIA) for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant

Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116W. We are amending the

NIA to include as eligible applicants public and private non-profit organizations and agencies that partner with institutions of higher education (IHEs) and to make associated changes to performance measure 2. In addition, we are extending the deadline for transmittal of applications until December 13, 2021.

DATES:

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: December 13, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurrinn Abrams, U.S.

Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

20202-4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7906. Email:

kurrinn.abrams2@ed.gov.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On November 5, 2021, we published in the Federal Register the NIA for the FY 2021 RPED Grant Program (86 FR 61193). The application deadline in the NIA was December 6, 2021. We are amending the NIA to include as eligible applicants public and private non-profit organizations and agencies that partner with

IHEs and to make corresponding changes to performance measure 2.

In addition, we are extending the deadline for transmittal of applications until December 13, 2021. All other requirements and conditions stated in the NIA remain the same.

Amendments

In FR Document 2021-24361 appearing on page 61193 of the

Federal Register of November 5, 2021, we make the following amendments:

1. On page 61193, in the second column, under the “Dates” caption and following the heading “Deadline for Transmittal of

Applications”, remove “December 6, 2021” and add in its place

“December 13, 2021”.

2. On page 61195, in the second column, in the “Eligiblity

Information” section, at the end of the paragraph following the heading “Eligible Applicants”, add “and public and private non-profit organizations and agencies that partner with such IHEs”.

3. On page 61197, in the third column, in the second line of the second paragraph, add “and/or partner” after “grantee”.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 7614, 116th Congress (2020); the explanatory statement accompanying H.R. 133 (Pub. L. 116-260).

Accessible Format: On request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities can obtain this document, the NIA, and a copy of the application in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include

Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an

MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register.

You may access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or

Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe

Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.

You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.

Michele Asha Cooper, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs

Delegated the Authority to Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary, Office of Postsecondary Education.

VI. NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Rural Postsecondary and Economic

Development Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of

Education.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the

Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant

Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.116W. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number

(TBD).

DATES:

Applications Available: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE

FEDERAL REGISTER].

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS

AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for

Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant

Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019

(84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-

2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurrinn Abrams, U.S.

Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

20202-4260. Telephone: (202) 453-7906. Email:

kurrinn.abrams2@ed.gov.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the RPED Grant Program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.

Background: Rural students account for 9.7 million--about 19 percent--of public elementary and secondary school students in the United States and face many challenges accessing postsecondary education.1 In fact, according to data from the

National Education Center for Statistics, 29 percent of individuals from rural areas who are between the ages of 18 and

24 range are enrolled in higher education, compared to almost 48 percent of individuals in that age range who come from cities and 42 percent from suburban areas.2 For rural students, and particularly low-income rural students, barriers to accessing postsecondary education include difficulties related to accessing high speed internet, transportation, childcare, and healthcare; as well as challenges of experiencing poverty, food

1 nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_203.72.asp?current=yes 2 nces.ed.gov/surveys/ruraled/tables/b.3.b.-1.asp insecurity, and housing insecurity. These and other challenges may negatively affect rural students’ ability to be academically successful.3 Many of these challenges exist as a result of geographic isolation, distance from services, and a lack of resources and institutions to support community members. Rural communities are often located in education deserts, which may limit students’ exposure or convenient access to postsecondary institutions.4 Many rural students who do decide to attend college are first-generation students who lack sufficient college preparation in high school,5 and are unfamiliar with the inner workings of postsecondary institutions, including the college application process and how to finance a college education.6 These students may feel underprepared for higher education and typically face challenges once in college; many experience hurdles that leave them unable to complete their programs. 7

Higher education attainment is correlated with greater opportunities for careers, higher individual lifetime earnings, and a better quality of life, and is seen to contribute to the overall well-being of society.8 Therefore, it is critical to undertake efforts to better prepare students in rural communities for the changing needs of the current workforce, and

3 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1101249.pdf 4 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1193574.pdf 5 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1101249.pdf 6 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1193574.pdf 7 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1193574.pdf 8 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1101249.pdf to create a more skilled workforce that will attract better jobs and provide economic support to the community. However, institutions in rural communities must be given the tools to develop strategies and plans that best serve their population of rural students.9

Rural postsecondary institutions are best positioned to enhance and develop programs that improve the preparation, support, and retention of rural students in higher education, and that help them to graduate from college and transition into in-demand and well-paying occupations. To this end, the RPED

Grant Program is designed to support postsecondary enrollment and completion by addressing the challenges rural students face accessing postsecondary education that will prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations.

Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and two competitive preference priorities.

We are establishing these priorities for the FY 2021 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of the General Education

Provisions Act (GEPA), 20 U.S.C. 1232(d)(1).

Absolute Priority: This priority is an absolute priority.

Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.

9 files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1101249.pdf

This priority is:

Projects that Increase Postsecondary Access, Affordability, Success, and Completion for Rural Students.

Projects that will serve rural students by--

(a) Increasing the number and proportion of rural students who enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs through activities and strategies related to college preparation, outreach in rural communities, awareness of postsecondary options, recruitment of students from rural communities, support throughout the college application and selection process, and long-term college and career advising relationships with middle and high school students to support them through their transition to postsecondary education;

(b) Supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive student success programs that integrate multiple services or initiatives across academic and student affairs, such as academic advising, structured/guided pathways, career services, student financial aid, transfer support from two- to four-year programs, and other wrap around services;

(c) Supporting the development and implementation of high-quality and accessible learning opportunities for rural students that cater to their unique needs and geographic distance from postsecondary education institutions, and align with career pathways to high-need occupations, including learning opportunities that are accelerated; hybrid online; work-based;

or flexible for working students;

(d) Supporting the development or implementation of evidence-based strategies to promote rural students’ development of the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the workforce and in high-need occupations, including career training that leads to good jobs in fields relevant to the regional economy, and to raise awareness of, and access to, paid internship, fellowship, apprenticeship, and job opportunities;

and

(e) Implementing a sustainability plan to maintain programs and services after completion of the grant.

Competitive Preference Priorities: These priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR

75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional 10 points to an application, depending on how well the application meets these priorities. An applicant may address one or both of the competitive preference priorities. The point value for each priority is in parenthesis.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1--Supporting Access to

Technology (Up to 5 points).

Projects that are designed to promote educational equity and adequacy in resources and opportunity for rural students through student-centered learning models that provide access to technology and leverage technology to address learner variability (e.g., universal design for learning, competency-based education, project-based learning, or hybrid/blended learning) and provide high-quality learning content, applications, or tools.

Competitive Preference Priority 2--Strengthening Cross-

Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to Advance Systemic

Change (Up to 5 points).

Projects that are designed to take a systemic approach to improving outcomes for rural students through the development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage or in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region in partnership with regional economic development entities, workforce agencies, regional employers, or other relevant nonprofit organizations.

Definitions: We are establishing the definitions of

“competency-based education”, “regional economic development entity”, and “rural area” for the FY 2021 grant competition and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA. The definitions of “demonstrates a rationale”, “evidence-based”, “logic model”, “project component”, and “relevant outcome” are from 34 CFR 77.1. The definition of “universal design for learning” is from section

101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA).

Competency-based education (also called proficiency-based or mastery-based learning) means learning based on knowledge and skills that are transparent and measurable. Progression is based on demonstrated mastery of what students are expected to know (knowledge) and be able to do (skills).

Demonstrates a rationale means a key project component included in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.

Evidence-based means the proposed project component is supported by evidence that demonstrates a rationale.

Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a framework that identifies key project components of the proposed project (i.e., the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and relevant outcomes.

Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use resources such as the Regional Educational Laboratory Program’s

(REL Pacific) Education Logic Model Application, available at https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp. Other sources include:

https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.p df, https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.p df, and https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057

.pdf.

Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence may pertain to an individual project https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf component or to a combination of project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).

Regional economic development entity means an entity working to promote economic development in, or employing residents of, a rural area, which may include local boards (as defined in section 3(33) of the Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act), Chambers of Commerce, and employers in the rural region covered by the grant.

Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the specific goals of the program.

Rural area means an area that is characterized by locale code 41, 42, or 43. Please refer to the NCES locale lookup map:

https://nces.ed.gov/programs/maped/LocaleLookup/.

Universal design for learning means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that— (a) provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and (b) reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative

Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), the Department generally offers https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/5/553?type=usc&year=mostrecent&link-type=html interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities, selection criteria, definitions, and other requirements. Section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, however, allows the

Secretary to exempt from rulemaking requirements regulations governing the first grant competition under a new or substantially revised program authority. This is the first grant competition for this program, and therefore qualifies for this exemption. In order to ensure timely grant awards, the

Secretary has decided to forgo public comment on the priorities, requirements, and definitions under section 437(d)(1) of GEPA.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d; Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 7614, 116th Congress (2020); the explanatory statement accompanying H.R. 133 (Pub. L. 116-260).

Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in

Federal civil rights laws.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General

Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget

Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and

Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.

(c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grant.

Estimated Available Funds: $9,900,000.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $1,100,000 to $1,237,500.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $1,200,000

Maximum Award: $1,237,500.

Note: The maximum award is based on a 3-year budget period.

Applicants will need to prepare a multiyear budget request for up to 3 years.

Estimated Number of Awards: 8.

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

Project Period: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: For the FY 2021 grant competition in accordance with section 437(d)(1) of GEPA, the following are eligible applicants: Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education (IHEs), as defined in section 101 of the

HEA, with enrollment of at least 30 percent…