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84.220 CENTERS FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATION

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION
Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI, Part B, Section 612, as amended.

OBJECTIVES
To provide a comprehensive university approach to improve the teaching of international business by bringing together faculty from numerous disciplines and to engage in research to promote the international competitiveness of U.S. business.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants (Discretionary).

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
The centers funded will: be national resources for the teaching of improved business techniques, strategies, and methodologies that emphasize the international context in which business is transacted; provide instruction in critical foreign languages and international fields needed to provide an understanding of the cultures and customs of U.S. trading partners; provide research and training in the international aspects of trade, commerce, and other fields of study; provide training to students enrolled in the institution or institutions in which a center is located; serve as regional resources to local businesses by offering programs and providing research designed to meet the international training needs of such businesses; and serve other faculty, students, and institutions of higher education located within their respective regions. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on 202-708-7770.

Applicant Eligibility
Accredited public and nonprofit private institutions of higher education, or combinations of such institutions, that establish a center advisory council before the date Federal assistance is received may apply. This council will conduct extensive planning concerning the scope of the center's activities and the design of its program prior to establishing the center.

Beneficiary Eligibility
Students and faculty of accredited institutions of higher education 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 Center for International Education. 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 defined by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations.

Deadlines
Deadlines for transmitting proposals are announced in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 150 days.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Project period may last up to 48 months. Applicants submit performance reports for continuation funding according to instructions published by the Department. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of the cost of centers is: (a) Not more than 90 percent for the first year in which Federal funds are furnished; (b) not more than 70 percent for the second year; and (c) not more than 50 percent for the third year and succeeding years. The nonfederal share for planning, establishing and operating the center may be provided by in-cash or in-kind assistance.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded for a up to 48 month period, subject to the availability of funds.

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 for three years after close of the fiscal year in which the grant was closed out or until the grantee is notified of the completion of a Federal financial audit, whichever is later.

Account Identification
91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $10,650,000; FY 08 $10,960,000; and FY 09 est $10,669,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $330,000 to $370,000; the average award is $354,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Thirty-one continuation grants are expected to be awarded in FY 2008.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
34 CFR 74, 75, 77, and 85 (Education Department General Administrative Regulations).

Regional or Local Office
None.

Headquarters Office
International Education Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Contact: Susanna C. Easton. Telephone: (202) 502-7628. E-Mail: Susanna.easton@ed.gov.

Web Site Address
http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpscibe/

RELATED PROGRAMS
84.015, National Resource Centers and Fellowships Program for Language and Area or Language and International Studies; 84.153, Business and International Education Projects.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
Projects that support linkages among international business education, foreign language, and area studies programs at institutions of higher education perform research on issues to improve U.S. competitiveness and provide assistance to the business community on matters of international commerce. San Diego State University (SDSU) developed a very successful interdisciplinary international business undergraduate degree program. The SDSU CIBER enhanced this program through implementing the following activities: dual, transnational undergraduate degrees with Mexico, France, and Canada, developed internships, both abroad and domestic, developed business courses taught in target languages, enhanced study abroad programs, and developed courses in area studies. The CIBER also provides business training for liberal arts faculty as well as language training for the business community. The breadth and depth of the SDSU CIBER collaborative activities guarantee timely and wide dissemination of its programs and research. The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) CIBER initiated several activities to globalize business education and research. UT-Austin CIBER developed comprehensive exchange academic programs in Latin America, created double degree programs, within UT- Austin and with a foreign university, created an MBA/MA degree in collaboration with the National Resource Centers on the UT-Austin campus. The Export Video Series for the business community created an International Trade Analysis Program and conducted several academic outreach programs for other institutions of higher education. UT-Austin CIBER collaborative activities demonstrates how the CIBER acts as a national and regional resource.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Applications for awards will be evaluated competitvely under selection criteria that includes: EDGAR (34 CFR 75.209 and 75.210) and (a) meeting the purpose of the authorizing statute (20 points), (b) significance (18 points), (c) quality of the project design (10 points), (d) quality of the management plan (10 points), (e) quality of project personnel (10 points), (f) quality of project services (2 points), (g) adequacy of resources (10 points), and (h) quality of the project evaluation (20 points).


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)