84.257 NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY |
(NIL) |
FEDERAL AGENCY |
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
AUTHORIZATION |
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Section 242. |
OBJECTIVES |
To provide national leadership regarding literacy; to coordinate literacy services and policy; and to serve as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs through dissemination. |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
Project Grants; Project Grants (Contracts); Project Grants (Fellowships). |
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
Projects cannot duplicate activities being performed by the Secretary of Education. This program is governed by an interagency group made up of the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor. |
Applicant Eligibility |
Public and private nonprofit institutions may apply. |
Beneficiary Eligibility |
State literacy resource centers, individuals, universities, and education organizations benefit. |
Credentials/Documentation |
None. |
Preapplication Coordination |
Not applicable. |
Application Procedure |
Application procedures are set forth in the announcements in the Federal Register or FebBizops. |
Award Procedure |
Announcements are made in the Federal Register or the Commerce Business Daily. Contact the headquarters office for details. |
Deadlines |
Dates are published in the Federal Register. Contact the headquarters office for particular project deadlines. |
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
The range is approximately 60-90 days. |
Appeals |
Appeals can be made directly to the Director of the National Institute for Literacy. |
Renewals |
If funding is available, renewals are possible for multi-year grants. |
Formula and Matching Requirements |
None. |
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
The length of grants vary depending upon the type of project. |
Reports |
Reporting requirements are included in grant documents. Contact the program office for additional information. |
Audits |
Audits as required by EDGAR. |
Records |
In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, grantees must maintain records for three years. |
Account Identification |
91-0400-0-1-501. |
Obligations |
(Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $3,989,000; FY 08 est $3,906,000; and FY 09 $3,906,000. |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
Varies considerable depending on the project. |
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
The Institute has created the Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS), on information and communication network on the Internet that provides information on effective literacy practices. |
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
Federal Acquisition Regulations and EDGAR apply. |
Regional or Local Office |
None. |
Headquarters Office |
National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006. Contact: Director, NIL. Telephone: (202) 233-2025. E-mail address: www.nifl.gov. |
Web Site Address |
http://www.nifl.gov |
RELATED PROGRAMS |
None. |
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
The Institute has funded development of research-based publications on adult reading instruction: Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults: First Steps for Teachers and Teaching Adults to Read: A Summary of Scientifically Based Research Principles. It has contributed $10 million to a national research program to build understanding of how adults learn to read and how to teach reading to adults effectively. Through a national survey, the Institute is exploring the relationships between adult literacy policies and student outcomes to learn more about the contributions policy can make. It also has convened regional summits on health literacy and a national summit on strengthening instruction and improving performance management in community literacy initiatives. The Institute is working with nationally recognized experts and stakeholders to plan new initiatives to fill gaps in knowledge and services in the areas of adult English language acquisition, adult literacy, workforce basic skills development, and education and employment outcomes for youth with learning disabilities. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
For specific criteria on individual grants, the Institute should be contacted. |
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |