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| 84.153 BUSINESS AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROJECTS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI, Part B, Section 613, as amended. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To promote innovation and improvement in international business education curricula at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and promote linkages between IHEs and the business community. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Discretionary). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Institutions eligible for discretionary grant funding must enter into an agreement with a business enterprise, trade organization or association engaged in international economic activity, or a combination or consortium of the named entities. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: Improving the business and international education curriculum of institutions to serve the needs of the business community, including the development of new programs for mid-career or part-time students; Developing programs to inform the public of increasing international economic interdependence and the role of U.S. businesses within the international economic system; Internationalizing curricula at the junior and community college level and at undergraduate and graduate schools of business; Developing area studies and interdisciplinary international programs; Establishing export education programs; Conducting research and developing specialized teaching materials appropriate to business-oriented students; Establishing student and faculty fellowships and internships or other training or research opportunities; Creating opportunities for business and professional faculty to strengthen international skills; Developing research programs on issues of common interest to IHEs and private sector organizations and associations engaged in or promoting international economic activity; Establishing internships overseas to enable foreign language students to develop their foreign language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies; Establishing links overseas with IHEs and organizations that contribute to the education objectives of this program; and Establishing summer institutes in international business, foreign areas, and other international studies designed to carry out the purposes of this program. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.563. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Accredited institutions of higher education may apply. Institutions must enhance their own international academic programs and provide appropriate services to the business community to expand U.S. exports abroad. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Students and faculty at accredited institutions will benefit. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. |
| Application Procedure |
| Eligible institutions may submit proposals for funding of projects when the announcement of a new competition appears in the Federal Register. Application forms and guidelines are available from the International Education Graduate Program Service. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. |
| Award Procedure |
| Final recommendations are made to the Secretary of Education following advice from a panel of consultants, developed according to procedures in regulations. |
| Deadlines |
| Deadline for transmittal of proposals is announced in the Federal Register. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Approximately 120 days. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Project period may last up to 24 months. Applicants submit performance reports for continuation funding according to instructions established by the Department. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| The Federal share for each fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of each project. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Grants are awarded for a 12 or 24 month period. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. |
| Reports |
| Institutions must provide final reports upon completion of the program. Financial reports are also required. |
| Audits |
| None. |
| Records |
| All records supporting claims under grants or relating to accountability for awarded funds must be available upon request: (1) For three years after close of the fiscal year in which the grant was closed out; or (2) until the grantee is notified of the completion of a Federal financial audit, whichever is later. |
| Account Identification |
| 91-0201-0-1-502. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $4,340,000; FY 08 $4,141,000; and FY 09 est $4,350,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $50,000 to $110,000; the average award is $82,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Twenty-three new grants and 26 continuation grants are expected to be awarded in FY 2008. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 34 CFR 655, 661, Education Department General Administrative Regulations. Contact the program office for more information. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| International Education Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Contact: Tanyelle Richardson. Telephone: (202) 502-7626. E-mail: tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsbie/ |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 84.220, Centers for International Business Education. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Projects to improve the teaching of international business and support linkages between institutions of higher education and the business community engaged in international commerce. Howard Community College's International Business and Education Center developed a one-stop shopping International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) which promotes economic development in Howard County and the State of Maryland with Title VI funding. ITAC provides services to businesses in all phases of exporting. Furthermore, ITAC has partnered with several public entities, including Maryland's International Division, World Trade Center Institute and Howard County's Economic Development Authority and others. These partnerships enable ITAC to serve businesses and promote their capacity to sell its goods and services outside the United States. Moreover, the International Business and Educational Center (IBEC) has launched major initiatives to internationalize both credit and non-credit courses at Howard Community College. These initiatives include international faculty exchanges. The first-hand experience enables faculty to enrich both the curriculum and the student awareness of international business issues. Purdue University's School of Agriculture trained twenty undergraduate students in agribusiness, Russian language and area studies. The students studied Russian language, area studies, agriculture and business practices in both Indiana and Novgorod, Russia. Each student collected and compiled market research for Indiana businesses and were involved in several trade workshops in Indiana to increase the capacity of Indiana agribusiness to conduct trade activities in Russia. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Applications for awards will be evaluated competitively under the selection criteria which includes: 35 CFR 661.31 and (a) Neef for the project (25 points); (b) plan of operation (20 points); (c) qualifications of the key personnel (10 points); (d) budget and cost effectiveness (15 points; (e) evaluation plan (25 points); and (f) adequacy of resoures (5 points). |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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