[Federal Register: November 14, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 221)] [Notices] [Page 58441-58442] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 58441]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part II Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 1997 [[Page 58442]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA NO. 84.200] Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 1997. Purpose of Program: This program provides fellowships through academic departments and programs of institutions of higher education to assist graduate students of superior ability who demonstrate financial need. The purpose of the program is to sustain and enhance the capacity for teaching and research in areas of national need. Eligible Applicants: Academic departments and programs of institutions of higher education that meets the requirements in 34 CFR 648.2. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 6, 1997. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: March 6, 1997. Applications Available: November 15, 1996. Available Funds: $6,500,000 for new awards. Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-$750,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $130,000. Estimated Number of Awards: 50. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR Part 648. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Stipend Level: The Secretary has determined that the maximum fellowship stipend for academic year 1997-1998 is $14,400, which is equal to the level of support that the National Science Foundation is providing for its graduate fellowships. Institutional Payment: The Secretary estimates that the institutional payment for academic year 1997-1998 will be $9,993, which represents a 2.7 percent adjustment of the academic year 1996-1997 payment based on the Department of Labor's projection in April 1996 of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 1996. The Secretary will adjust the institutional payment prior to the issuance of grant awards based on the Department of Labor's projection in December 1996 of the CPI for 1997. Priorities Absolute Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and 34 CFR 648.33, the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet one or more of the following priorities. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet one or more of these absolute priorities: Applications that propose to provide fellowships in one or more of the following areas of national need: Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics. FOR APPLICATIONS OR INFORMATION CONTACT: Cosette H. Ryan, U.S. Department of Education, International Education and Graduate Program Service, 600 Independence Ave, S.W., Suite 600-B, Portals Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 260-3608. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server (at gopher:// gcs.ed.gov/) or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1134l-1134q-1. Dated: November 6, 1996. David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. [FR Doc. 96-29123 Filed 11-13-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P