PKG00257725-instructions.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education

Washington, DC 20006-8510

Fiscal Year 2020

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS

UNDER THE

UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

(CFDA NUMBER: 84.016A)

Form Approved OMB No. 1840-0796, Exp. Date: 03/31/2021

DATED MATERIAL – OPEN IMMEDIATELY

CLOSING DATE: March 24, 2020

Table of Contents

Page Program-Specific Instructions and Forms

Dear Applicant Letter

Competition Highlights

Introduction to Program

Supplemental Information

Federal Register Notice

Authorizing Legislation

Code of Federal Regulations

Program Profile Form

Supplemental Information to Meet Statutory Requirements

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

Instructions for Completing the UISFL Application Package

Instructions for Project Narrative

Guidance on Developing an Evaluation Plan……………………………………………………. 66

Instructions for Budget Summary Form & Itemized Line Item Budget

UISFL Program FY 2020 Application Checklist

Paperwork Burden Statement

Grants.gov Submission Tips

STANDARD INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS (http://www.grants.gov)

Grants.gov Submission Tips Application Transmittal Instructions Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) Supplemental Information Required for Department of Education Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B) U.S. Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction Programs Section A – Budget Summary (ED 524) Section B – Budget Summary Non-Federal Funds (ED 524) Grants.gov Lobbying Form (formerly ED 80-0013) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL) http://www.grants.gov/

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in applying for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 grant under the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program. The program provides grants to institutions of higher education, consortia of institutions of higher education, partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher education, and public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations, to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages.

We have announced two competitive preference priorities and two invitational priorities for this program. The U.S. Department of Education (Department) strongly encourages all applicants to give consideration to these priorities. For additional information about the competitive preference priorities and the invitational priorities, refer to the Federal Register (FR) notice inviting applications for new awards for FY 2020.

This letter highlights a few items in the FY 2020 application package that will be important to you in applying for grants under this program; however, you should review the entire application package carefully before preparing and submitting your application.

Applicants should pay particular attention to the section entitled “Competition Highlights” that describes the invitational and competitive preference priorities as well as other program and competition details. Also, please pay close attention to the “Application Selection and Program Review” information. This section gives an overview of how each application will be reviewed and scored. Another important section is the application checklist. Please use this checklist to ensure that you have completed all the necessary steps prior to electronic submission Applications for grants under the UISFL program must be submitted electronically using the grants.gov system. A detailed description of how to apply using this system is included in the FR notice. You are urged to acquaint yourself with the requirements of this system early. You may access the grants.gov system through its portal page at:

http://www.grants.gov

After you have submitted your application electronically, you will receive an e-mail with your assigned PR award number confirming that your application was received.

You are reminded that the FR notice is the official document for the FY 2020 UISFL competition, and that you should not rely upon any information that is inconsistent with the guidance contained within the official document. For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically, please refer to the FR document.

An overview of the UISFL program is accessible at the Department Web site at:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/index.html

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Tanyelle Richardson at Tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov.

Cheryl E. Gibbs Senior Director International and Foreign Language Education http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/index.html mailto:Tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov

FY 2020 APPLICATION FOR GRANTS

UNDER THE

UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS

1. Grants.gov and Electronic Submission: UISFL applications submitted for FY 2020 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. For more detailed information please see “Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants” found in this document.

Grants.gov is accessible through its portal page at: http://www.grants.gov 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 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.

2. Page Limitation: We recommend that you limit the application narrative to no more than

40-pages for the Program Narrative portion of the application. The FR notice contains the specific standards for preparing the Program Narrative.

3. Project Abstract: Applicants are required to submit a project abstract. It is limited to a one page, single-spaced document and should include the name of the applicant institution, title of the project, name and contact information of the Project Director, and a brief overview of the proposed project. The abstract must be uploaded into the “Abstract Narrative” section of the application..

4. Deadline Information: Please note that you must submit your application by 4:30:00 p.m.

(Washington, D.C. time) on or before the application deadline date. Late applications will not be accepted. We suggest that you submit your application several days before the deadline. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

5. Project Start and End Dates: Proposed start and end dates for the first twelve months of the FY 2020 grant period should be October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021. Please be mindful of these dates as you develop a two- or three-year plan of operation and create an itemized budget for each budget year.

6. Program Priorities: Please note the following program priorities for FY 2020:

Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0, 2, or 3 points).

Applications from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (as defined in this notice) or community colleges (as defined in this notice), whether as individual applicants or as part of a consortium of institutions of higher education (IHEs) (consortium) or a partnership between nonprofit educational organizations and IHEs (partnership).

An application from a consortium or partnership that has an MSI or a community college as the lead applicant will receive more points under this priority than applications in which the MSI or community college is a member of a consortium or partnership but not the lead applicant.

A consortium or partnership must undertake activities designed to incorporate foreign languages into the curriculum of the MSI or community college and to improve foreign language and international or area studies instruction on the MSI or community college campus.

Note: We will award either two or three points to an application that meets this priority. If an MSI or a community college is a single applicant, or the lead applicant in a consortium or partnership, the application will receive three additional points. If an MSI or community college is a member of a consortium or partnership, but not the lead applicant, the application will receive two additional points. No application will receive more than three additional points for this priority.

Competitive Preference Priority 2 (0 or 2 points).

Applications from IHEs or consortia of these institutions that require entering students to have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction or that require each graduating student to earn two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in the foreign language); or, in the case of a two-year degree granting institution, offer two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

This priority is:

Training in Less Commonly Taught Languages or Thematic Focus on Area Studies or International Studies Programs.

Applications that propose programs or activities focused on language training or the development of area or international studies programs focused on contemporary topics or themes in conjunction with training in any modern foreign languages, except French, German, or Spanish.

7. Selection Criterion and Application Review:

Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 658.31, 658.32, 658.33, and 655.32. The maximum score for all the selection criteria, together with the maximum number of points awarded to applicants that address the competitive preference priorities, is 105 points for applications from IHEs, consortia, and partnerships; and 100 points for applications from public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.

All Applications. All applications will be evaluated based on the general selection criteria as follows:

(a) Plan of operation (up to 15 points).

(b) Quality of key personnel (up to 10 points).

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness (up to 10 points).

(d) Evaluation plan (up to 20 points).

(e) Adequacy of resources (up to 5 points). :

(f) Commitment to international studies (up to 15 points).

(g) Elements of the proposed international studies program (up to 10 points).

(h) Need for and prospective results of the proposed program (up to 15 points). (1) The

(I)Need for and potential impact of the proposed project in improving international studies and the study of modern foreign language at the undergraduate level (up to 40 points).

These reviewers will also review and score the applications that address the competitive preference priorities.

Please Note:

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 guidance contained within the official document.

8. Reporting Requirements

If you receive a FY 2020 new grant award, you will be required to submit performance reports in the fall and spring, and a final performance and financial status report at the end of the project period. All performance reports for the UISFL program must be submitted electronically into the IFLE web-based reporting system, International Resource Information System (IRIS). This online system collects narrative, data, and budget information about funded projects to enable IFLE program officers to determine whether grantees are making substantial progress toward approved project objectives. For more information about IRIS and to view the reporting instructions, please go to:

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsuisfl/performance.html

9. Program Statutory Assurances

In addition to any other requirements outlined in the application package for this program, section 604(a)(7) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1124(a)(7), requires that each application from an IHE, consortia, or partnership include—

• Evidence that the applicant has conducted extensive planning prior to submitting the application;

• An assurance that the faculty and administrators of all relevant departments and programs served by the applicant are involved in ongoing collaboration with regard to achieving the stated objectives of the application;

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsuisfl/performance.html

• An assurance that students at the applicant institutions, as appropriate, will have equal access to, and derive benefits from, the UISFL program;

• An assurance that each applicant, consortium, or partnership will use the Federal assistance provided under the UISFL program to supplement and not supplant non-Federal funds the institution expends for programs to improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages;

• A description of how the applicant will provide information to students regarding federally funded scholarship programs in related areas;

• An explanation of how the activities funded by the grant will reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views, and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, where applicable; and

• A description of how the applicant will encourage service in areas of national need, as identified by the Secretary.

Note: If an application is submitted on behalf of a consortium, the application must include diverse perspectives and areas of national need descriptions for all institutions in the consortium.

INTRODUCTION

UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM

AUTHORIZATION

Title VI, Part A, Section 604 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Program regulations are in 34 CFR Parts 655 and 658.

PURPOSE

To assist institutions of higher education, consortia of such institutions, partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher education, and public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations, to plan, develop, and carry out programs to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Institutions of higher education, consortia of institutions of higher education, partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and institutions of higher education, and nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION / ACTIVITIES FUNDED UNDER THIS PROGRAM

Applicants should use Federal funds to primarily revise and update curricula and to develop additional faculty expertise.

AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. Eligible activities to be conducted under this section may include:

(1) development of a global studies/international studies program which is interdisciplinary in design;

(2) development of a program which focuses on issues or topics, such as international business or international health;

(3) development of an area studies program and its languages;

(4) creation of innovative curricula which combines the teaching of international studies with professional or pre-professional studies, such as engineering;

(5) research for and development of specialized teaching materials, including language materials; i.e. Spanish for Healthcare Professionals;

(6) establishment of internship/study abroad opportunities for faculty and students in domestic and overseas settings;

(7) development of study abroad programs.

EXPECTED FUNDING LEVELS

Amounts are anticipated only; the U. S. Department of Education is not bound by the estimates given below.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration’s budget request for FY 2020 does not include funds for this program. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Estimated Range of Awards:

For single applicant grants: $70,000–$100,000 for each 12-month budget period.

For consortia or partnership grants: $90,000-$120,000 for each 12-month budget period.

Estimated Average Size of Awards:

For single applicant grants: $83,603.

For consortia or partnership grants: $101,000.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $100,000 for a single applicant for a single budget period of 12 months, or an award exceeding $120,000 for a consortium or partnership applicant for a single budget period of 12 months.

Estimated Number of Awards: 30.

Supplemental Information

The following information supplements the information provided in the “Dear Applicant” letter and the Federal Register notice.

I. BUDGET INFORMATION

Applicants should budget $1,800 - $2,000 (per person) of Federal funds to attend the annual meeting of Title VI project directors each budget year. We recommend two key staff to attend our annual project directors’ meeting. Funds can be reallocated if there is no meeting.

Single institutions may receive up to two (2) years of support, while consortia and nonprofit organizations/associations and partnerships between institutions of higher education and organizations and associations can receive up to three (3) years of support.

Applicants may request for up to 10% of funds to be used for educational programs abroad that are closely linked to the project’s goals and promote foreign language fluency and knowledge of world regions.

Applicants are limited to 8% indirect costs under this grant. Institutions with a higher negotiated indirect cost rate cannot use the un-recovered indirect costs as a part of their matching.

NON-FEDERAL SHARE (or Matching Requirements) – the applicant’s required matching funds may be obtained in either of the following ways:

(a) private sector cash equal to 1/3 of the total project budget; or

(b) a combination of institutional and non-institutional cash or in-kind amounts equal to ½

(50%) of the total project budget.

*SPECIAL RULE – The Secretary may waive or reduce the required non-Federal share for institutions that-

(A) Are eligible to receive assistance under Part A or Part B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; and

(B) Have submitted a grant application under the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language program that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.

** An applicant that meets the Special Rule must include a letter in its application appendices signed by the institution’s authorizing representative certifying that the institution meets the Special Rule.

II. APPENDICES TO APPLICATION

Please limit supporting documents to the following:

1. Letters of support;

2. Curriculum vitae of key personnel, i.e. project director(s), faculty participants, consultants, and evaluators (recommended two pages per each individual).

3. Sample evaluation and assessment tools

4. Project timeline chart

5. Letter to request Special Rule Waiver (if applicable)

6. Project-Specific Performance Measure Forms (2 measures minimum; 1 measure per form)

7. Program Profile Form

8. Supplemental Program Information to Meet Statutory Requirements

Ill. APPLICANT FUNDING

The Department is often unable to award the full amount of funds requested. Applicants should pay close attention to the “Maximum Award” section of the FR notice. The Department will not fund any application at an amount exceeding the applicable maximum funding level.

IV. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR AWARDS

A two-member panel of non-federal evaluators reviews each application. Each reviewer will prepare a written evaluation of the application and assign points for each selection criterion.

V. SELECTION OF GRANTEES

Under 34 CFR 658.34, in addition to the selection criteria for this program, the Secretary, to the extent practicable and consistent with the criterion of excellence, may encourage diversity by ensuring that a variety of types of projects and institutions receive funding. In the FY 2020 competition, the Secretary may seek to achieve greater diversity in the types of institutions assisted under this program by selecting applicants that represent a variety of types of institutions, including minority-serving institutions eligible for assistance under Part A or B of Title III or under Title V of the HEA, community colleges, or institutions that have not received grants under the UISFL program previously.

VI. NOTICE TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

The Department’s Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs will inform the Congress regarding applicants approved for UISFL Program new grant awards. Successful applicants will receive award notices by mail shortly after the Congress is notified. No funding information will be released before the Congress is notified. Notification of successful applicants will take place be no later than September 30, 2020.

VII. NOTICE TO UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing from the IFLE office following the notice to successful applicants.

**Please note that all applicants (successful and unsuccessful) will receive copies of evaluators’ scores and comments for reference purposes.

VIII. PERFORMANCE REPORTS

If you receive a FY 2020 new grant award, you will be required to submit annual and final performance reports during the two-to-three-year funding cycle using the International Resource

Information System (IRIS). 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. When determining whether a grantee has made substantial progress, program officers will consider factors such as whether the grant activities were conducted in accordance with the approved scope of the project and budget, whether the project has faced any major problems or delays that might impede the achievement of one or more of the project objectives, and whether evaluations of the grant demonstrate effectiveness or useful recommendations. More information can be found here:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/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 if you receive a FY 2020 grant award. The performance report will assist our program staff in determining whether or not the UISFL project is making substantial progress toward meeting the approved project objectives and whether or not a continuation award (if applicable) is in the best interest of the Federal government. Project Directors will be responsible for overall project reports as well as entering project participant information into the system.

The IRIS reporting instrument includes sections for grantees to input data that responds to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) to assess overall program performance.

IX. RESOURCES FOR PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

National Resource Centers (NRCs) are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and serve the general purpose of training specialists in modern foreign languages and area or international studies. Most NRC institutions have outreach coordinators whose general purpose is to disseminate information and assist other institutions with accessing needed information and resources. Institutions interested in submitting proposals to the UISFL program are encouraged to contact NRCs and their outreach coordinators for assistance in accessing suitable resources for proposal and program development. Additional information can be found at the NRC program website at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsnrc/index.html.

http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/performance.html http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsnrc/index.html

X. CONTACT INFORMATION

For program-related questions and assistance, please contact:

Senior Program Officer: Tanyelle H. Richardson Address: International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) U.S. Department of Education

Telephone: (202) 453-6391 Fax: 202.453.6742 E-mail: tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov

For technical and Grants.gov-related questions and assistance, please contact:

Grants.gov Support Desk Telephone: (800) 518-4726 Email: support@grants.gov Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays) mailto:tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov mailto:support@grants.gov

FY 2020 Notice Inviting Applicants (NIA)

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of

Education.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 for the

Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number

84.016A. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1840–0796.

DATES:

Applications Available: [January 14, 2020].

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: [March 24, 2020].

Pre-Application Webinar Information: The Department will hold a pre-application meeting via webinar for prospective applicants.

Detailed information regarding this webinar will be provided on the website for the UISFL program at www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsugisf/index.html.

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: Tanyelle H. Richardson, U.S.

Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 258-14, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 453-6391. Email:

tanyelle.richardson@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 UISFL program provides grants for planning, developing, and carrying out projects to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages in the United States.

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

Preference Priority 1 is from the notice of final priority (NFP) published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2014 (79 FR mailto:tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov

33432). Competitive Preference Priority 2 is from 34 CFR

658.35(a).

Note: Applicants must indicate in the recommended one-page abstract and on the FY 2020 UISFL program Profile Form in the application package whether they intend to address one or both of the competitive preference priorities or the invitational priority.

Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR

75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional two or three points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1, depending on how well the application meets the priority, and an additional two points to an application that meets Competitive

Preference Priority 2, for a maximum of five additional points.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1 (0, 2, or 3 points).

Applications from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) (as defined in this notice) or community colleges (as defined in this notice), whether as individual applicants or as part of a consortium of institutions of higher education (IHEs)

(consortium) or a partnership between nonprofit educational organizations and IHEs (partnership).

An application from a consortium or partnership that has an

MSI or a community college as the lead applicant will receive more points under this priority than applications in which the

MSI or community college is a member of a consortium or partnership but not the lead applicant.

A consortium or partnership must undertake activities designed to incorporate foreign languages into the curriculum of the MSI or community college and to improve foreign language and international or area studies instruction on the MSI or community college campus.

Note: We will award either two or three points to an application that meets this priority. If an MSI or a community college is a single applicant, or the lead applicant in a consortium or partnership, the application will receive three additional points. If an MSI or community college is a member of a consortium or partnership, but not the lead applicant, the application will receive two additional points. No application will receive more than three additional points for this priority.

Competitive Preference Priority 2 (0 or 2 points).

Applications from IHEs or consortia of these institutions that require entering students to have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction or that require each graduating student to earn two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in the foreign language); or, in the case of a two-year degree granting institution, offer two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language.

Invitational Priority: For FY 2020 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an invitational priority.

Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1), we do not give an application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.

This priority is:

Training in Less Commonly Taught Languages or Thematic

Focus on Area Studies or International Studies Programs.

Applications that propose programs or activities focused on language training or the development of area or international studies programs focused on contemporary topics or themes in conjunction with training in any modern foreign languages, except French, German, or Spanish.

Definitions: The following definitions are from the NFP.

Community college means an institution that meets the definition in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of

1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)); or an IHE (as defined in section 101 of the HEA) that awards degrees and certificates, more than 50 percent of which are not bachelor’s degrees (or an equivalent) or master’s, professional, or other advanced degrees.

Minority-Serving Institution means an institution that is eligible to receive assistance under sections 316 through 320 of part A of title III, under part B of title III, or under title V of the HEA.

Note: The list of institutions currently designated as eligible under title III and title V is available at:

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html#el-inst.

Application Requirements: In addition to any other requirements outlined in the application package for this program, section

604(a)(7) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1124(a)(7), requires that each application from an IHE, consortia, or partnership include—

(1) Evidence that the applicant has conducted extensive planning prior to submitting the application;

(2) An assurance that the faculty and administrators of all relevant departments and programs served by the applicant are involved in ongoing collaboration with regard to achieving the stated objectives of the application;

(3) An assurance that students at the applicant institutions, as appropriate, will have equal access to, and derive benefits from, the UISFL program;

(4) An assurance that each applicant, consortium, or partnership will use the Federal assistance provided under the

UISFL program to supplement and not supplant non-Federal funds the institution expends for programs to improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages;

(5) A description of how the applicant will provide information to students regarding federally funded scholarship programs in related areas;

(6) An explanation of how the activities funded by the grant will reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views, and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, where applicable; and

(7) A description of how the applicant will encourage service in areas of national need, as identified by the

Secretary.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124.

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 34 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 34 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations in 34 CFR parts 655 and 658.

(e) The NFP.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration’s budget request for FY 2020 does not include funds for this program. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process before the end of the current fiscal year, if

Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2021 from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards:

For single applicant grants: $70,000–$100,000 for each 12-month budget period.

For consortia or partnership grants: $90,000-$120,000 for each

12-month budget period.

Estimated Average Size of Awards:

For single applicant grants: $83,603.

For consortia or partnership grants: $101,000.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $100,000 for a single applicant for a single budget period of 12 months, or an award exceeding $120,000 for a consortium or partnership applicant for a single budget period of 12 months.

Estimated Number of Awards: 30.

Note: For applications from public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations, the maximum award for a single budget period of 12 months is $100,000 if the entity applies alone and $120,000 if the entity applies with partner organizations.

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

Project Period:

For single applicant grants: Up to 24 months.

For consortia or partnership grants: Up to 36 months.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: (a) IHEs; (b) consortia of IHEs;

(c) partnerships between nonprofit educational organizations and

IHEs; and (d) public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations.

2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program has a matching requirement under section 604(a)(3) of the HEA, 20

U.S.C. 1124(a)(3), and the regulations for this program in 34

CFR 658.41. UISFL program grantees must provide matching funds in either of the following ways: (i) cash contributions from private sector corporations or foundations equal to one-third of the total project costs; or (ii) a combination of institutional and non-institutional cash or in-kind contributions including

State and private sector corporation or foundation contributions, equal to one-half of the total project costs.

The Secretary may waive or reduce the required matching share for institutions that are eligible to receive assistance under part A or part B of title III or under title V of the HEA that have submitted an application that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.

b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This program involves supplement-not-supplant funding requirements, which are described in section 604(a)(7)(D) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C.

1124(a)(7)(D).

3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a grantee under this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project activities described in its application--to the following types of entities: IHEs, nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, or businesses. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in the approved application or that it selects through a competition under procedures established by the grantee.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to

Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-

02206.pdf, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the UISFL grant competition, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended). Consistent with the process followed in the FY 2018 UISFL competition, we plan to post on our website a selection of funded abstracts and applications’ narrative sections.

Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf information. For additional information please see 34 CFR

5.11(c).

3. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

4. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in

34 CFR 658.40. We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative

(Part III) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 40 pages and (2) use the following standards:

● A “page” is 8.5" x 11", on one side only, with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.

● Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.

● Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).

● Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part IV, the assurance and certifications;

or the abstract, the resumes, the biography, or letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 658.31, 658.32, 658.33, and 655.32. The maximum score for all the selection criteria, together with the maximum number of points awarded to applicants that address the competitive preference priorities, is 105 points for applications from IHEs, consortia, and partnerships; and 100 points for applications from public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.

All Applications. All applications will be evaluated based on the general selection criteria as follows:

(a) Plan of operation (up to 15 points). (1) The

Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) High quality in the design of the project;

(ii) An effective plan of management that ensures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and

(v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women; and

(C) Handicapped persons.

(b) Quality of key personnel (up to 10 points). (1) The

Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used);

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project. In the case of faculty, the qualifications of the faculty and the degree to which that faculty is directly involved in the actual teaching and supervision of students; and

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs

(b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the project; and

(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or ethnic minority groups, women, handicapped persons, and the elderly.

(3) To determine the qualifications of a person, the

Secretary considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the applicant provides.

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness (up to 10 points). (1)

The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and

(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(d) Evaluation plan (up to 20 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are quantifiable.

(e) Adequacy of resources (up to 5 points). (1) The

Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) Other than library, facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate (language laboratory, museums, etc.);

and

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate.

Applications from IHEs, Consortia, or Partnerships.

Applications submitted by IHEs, consortia, or partnerships will also be evaluated based on the following criteria:

(f) Commitment to international studies (up to 15 points).

(1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the applicant's commitment to the international studies program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--

(i) The institution's current strength as measured by the number of international studies courses offered;

(ii) The extent to which planning for the implementation of the proposed program has involved the applicant's faculty, as well as administrators;

(iii) The institutional commitment to the establishment, operation, and continuation of the program as demonstrated by optimal use of available personnel and other resources; and

(iv) The institutional commitment to the program as demonstrated by the use of institutional funds in support of the program's objectives.

(g) Elements of the proposed international studies program

(up to 10 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the nature of the applicant's proposed international studies program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--

(i) The extent to which the proposed activities will contribute to the implementation of a program in international studies and foreign languages at the applicant institution;

(ii) The interdisciplinary aspects of the program;

(iii) The number of new and revised courses with an international perspective that will be added to the institution's programs; and

(iv) The applicant's plans to improve or expand language instruction.

(h) Need for and prospective results of the proposed program (up to 15 points). (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the need for and the prospective results of the applicant's proposed program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--

(i) The extent to which the proposed activities are needed at the applicant institution;

(ii) The extent to which the proposed use of Federal funds will result in the implementation of a program in international studies and foreign languages at the applicant institution;

(iii) The likelihood that the activities initiated with

Federal funds will be continued after Federal assistance is terminated; and

(iv) The adequacy of the provisions for sharing the materials and results of the program with other institutions of higher education.

Applications from Public and Private Nonprofit Agencies and

Organizations, Including Professional and Scholarly

Associations. Applications from public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations, will also be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Need for and potential impact of the proposed project in improving international studies and the study of modern foreign language at the undergraduate level (up to 40 points). (1) The

Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the need for and potential impact of the applicant’s proposed projects in improving international studies and the study of modern foreign language at the undergraduate level.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows--

(i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed apportionment of Federal funds among the various budget categories for the proposed project will contribute to achieving results;

(ii) The international nature and contemporary relevance of the proposed project;

(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will make an especially significant contribution to the improvement of the teaching of international studies or modern foreign languages at the undergraduate level; and

(iv) The adequacy of the applicant's provisions for sharing the materials and results of the proposed project with the higher education community.

Additional information regarding these criteria is in the application package for this program. The total number of points available under these selection criteria combined with the competitive preference priorities, is as follows:

Selection

Criteria

UISFL IHEs UISFL

Consortia and

Partnerships

UISFL

Public and Private

Nonprofit Agencies and Organizations, Including

Professional and

Scholarly

Associations

(a) Plan of

Operation 15 15 15

(b) Quality of Key

Personnel 10 10 10

(c) Budget and Cost

Effectiveness 10 10 10

(d) Evaluation Plan 20 20 20

(e) Adequacy of

Resources 5 5 5

(f) Commitment to

International

Studies

15 15 n/a

(g) Elements of

Proposed

International

Studies Program

10 10 n/a

(h) Need for and

Prospective Results of Proposed Program

15 15 n/a

(i) Need for and

Potential Impact of the Proposed

Project in

Improving

International

Studies and the

Study of Modern

Foreign Languages at the

Undergraduate Level n/a n/a

Sub-Total 100 100 100

Competitive

Preference Priority

#1 (Optional)

3 3 n/a

Competitive

Preference Priority

#2 (Optional)

2 2 n/a

Total Possible

Points 105 105 100

2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR

75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant’s use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality.

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the

Secretary also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education (34 CFR

100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

Separate rank order slates for applications from (1) IHEs, consortia, and partnerships; and (2) public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations will be developed and used to make funding recommendations.