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84.017 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND STUDIES

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

AUTHORIZATION
Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI, Part A, Section 605, as amended.

OBJECTIVES
To improve foreign language, area, and other international studies training through support of research, studies, experimentation, development of specialized instructional materials, and the publication of specialized materials developed as a result of research conducted under this program.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants (Discretionary).

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
The program supports research and studies that may include but are not limited to: (1) Studies and surveys to determine needs for increased or improved instruction in foreign language, area studies, or other international fields including the demand for foreign language, area, and other international specialists in government, education, and the private sector; (2) studies and surveys to assess the utilization of graduates of programs supported under this title by governmental, educational, and private sector organizations and other studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of programs so supported; (3) comparative studies of the effectiveness of strategies to provide international capabilities at institutions of higher education; (4) research on more effective methods of providing instruction and achieving competency in foreign languages; (5) the development and publication of specialized materials for use in foreign language, area studies, and other international fields, or for training foreign language, area and other international specialists; (6) the application of performance tests and standards across all areas of foreign language instruction and classroom use, and (7) other research or materials development projects that further the purposes of the International Education Programs authorized by Part A of Title VI of the HEA. Funds awarded under this program may not be used for the training of students and teachers.

Applicant Eligibility
Public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility
Public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure
Formal applications should be prepared in response to announcements of mandatory program requirements and closing dates in the Federal Register. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed by Department of Education specialists and review panels of scholars.

Deadlines
Will be announced in the Federal Register and are normally in October/November of the year preceding the grant period. Contact the program office for more information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From six to seven months.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Projects conducted under a grant may be phased, with the phases following the first phase subject to renewal on a non-competitive basis. Renewals of grants, which were not included in the original negotiations, will be considered in competition with all other new applications and are dependent on the submission of reports that demonstrate that substantial progress has been made.

Formula and Matching Requirements
None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Depends on project, but is generally from 12 to 36 months. Phasing of projects is determined during the negotiation process.

Reports
A final report or subject data as established through negotiation. Interim progress reports and a financial report are required.

Audits
All fiscal records will be subject to audit by the Department at any time within three years after expiration of the contract or grant.

Records
All records supporting claims under grants or relating to accountability for awarded funds must be available on request: (1) For three years after close of the fiscal year of grant expiration or (2) until the grantee is notified of completion of the Federal audit, whichever is later.

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

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $5,822,840; FY 08 $4,288,000; and FY 09 est $6,837,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For FY 2008, the range of awards is expected to be $50,000 to $200,000; the average award is expected to be $114,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
For FY 2008, 14 new awards and 32 continuation awards are expected to be made.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
Program regulations are available at 34 CFR 655, 660, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations. Contact the program office for information.

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: Ed McDermott. Telephone: (202) 502-7636. E-mail: Ed.mcdermott@ed.gov.

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

RELATED PROGRAMS
84.015, National Resource Centers and Fellowships Program for Language and Area or Language and International Studies; 84.016, Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; 84.018, Overseas Programs_Special Bilateral Projects; 84.019, Overseas_Faculty Research Abroad; 84.021, Overseas_Group Projects Abroad; 84.022, Overseas_Doctoral Dissertation; 84.229, Language Resource Centers.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
"HEA Title VI, Part A, Section 606: An Assessment Study"; "National Proficiency Tests in Ukrainian and Croatian"; "Teaching about the Americas: An Electronic Curriculum"; "Instructional Materials on China and Japan"; "Proficiency-based Business Arabic"; "A CD-ROM-based Video in Japanese Language and Culture"; "Middle East Curriculum and Dissemination Project"; "Teaching Materials for Russian Language Instruction at the Secondary Schools Level"; "Africa: Media and Education Project"; "Survey of Foreign Language Entrance and Degree Requirements in U.S. Colleges and Universities." International Law - Video Course and Learner's Guide, Hausa Language and Culture Video Project, The Muslim Middle East: Curriculum Development and Dissemination Project.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
The criteria for selecting proposals is stated in 34 CFR 655.31, 660.31, 660.32, and 660.33. The Secretary will evaluate applications in accordance with the published criteria. An applicant may receive as many as five or ten points or as few as zero points under each criterion. (20 U.S.C. 1121-1127, 3063- 3065.)


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