[Federal Register: October 10, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 197)] [Notices] [Page 53207-53210] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10oc97-164] [[Page 53207]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part IV Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Visiting Scholars Fellowship Program at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI); Combined Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998; Notice [[Page 53208]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.305V, 84.306V, 84.307V, 84.308V, and 84.309V] Visiting Scholars Fellowship Program at the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI); Combined Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998 Purpose of Program: The OERI Visiting Scholars Fellowship Program allows individuals engaged in educational research to work at one of the following OERI national research institutes in Washington, DC for up to 18 months: 1. National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment (CFDA No. 84.305V). 2. National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students (CFDA No. 84. 306V). 3. National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education (CFDA No. 84. 307V) 4. National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy- Making, and Management (CFDA No. 84.308V). 5. National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning (CFDA No. 84.309V). Administration of Program: This fellowship competition will be administered by the National Research Council (the Council). The Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the Federal Government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Fiscal and Programmatic Information: Except for the individual descriptions of the National Research Institutes, the fiscal and programmatic information in this notice applies separately for each of the competitions under the five institutes. Eligible Applicants: Scholars, researchers, policymakers, education practitioners, librarians, or statisticians who are engaged in the use, collection, and dissemination of information about education and educational research. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: January 5, 1998. Note: Decisions on awards will be made by the Council by April 1998, and fellows will be able to commence their appointments as early as June 1998 or as late as January 1999. Applications Available: October 14, 1997. Fiscal Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Available Estimated range of average Estimated CFDA No. and name of institute funds awards size of number of awards awards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84.305V, National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment........................ $200,000 $50,000-$100,000 $75,000 1-2 84.306V, National Institute on the Education of At- Risk Students..................................... 200,000 50,000-100,000 75,000 1-2 84.307V, National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education......................... 200,000 50,000-100,000 75,000 1-2 84.308V, National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Management 200,000 50,000-100,000 75,000 1-2 84.309V, National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning........ 200,000 50,000-100,000 75,000 1-2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Neither the U.S. Department of Education, nor the Council, is bound by the estimates in this notice. Fellowship Period: From 9 to 18 months. Applicable Regulations: General procedures governing the application process and the evaluation and selection of fellows can be found in the 1998 Program Announcement for the OERI Visiting Scholars Fellowship Program. This Program Announcement, prepared by the Council, is available on the web site http://fellowships.nas.edu, and is also available from the address and telephone number listed at the end of this notice. More specific procedures governing the panel review process will be available from the Council after all applications have been received. The regulations in 34 CFR Part 700 and in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) govern the grant relationship between OERI and the Council and apply to the Council's administration of Federal funds under the grant. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OERI is authorized to make fellowship awards to visiting scholars under section 931(c)(1)(E) of the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994, 20 U.S.C. 6001 et seq. This statute states, in relevant part, that the fellowships ``shall be awarded competitively following the publication of a notice in the Federal Register inviting the submission of applications.'' OERI made a grant to the National Research Council to carry out this activity pursuant to the regulations in 34 CFR Part 700 and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Part 75. OERI is publishing this application notice on behalf of the Council. The Council will fund applications for fellowships under the following OERI national research institutes: National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment (CFDA No. 84.305V). The purpose of the National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment is to support research, development, and evaluation activities to provide research-based leadership for improving student achievement in the core content areas. The institute supports work to identify, develop, and evaluate innovative and exemplary methods to improve student knowledge at all levels in the core academic subjects. The institute also supports basic and applied research in the areas of cognition, learning, and performance, including research on the educational contexts that promote excellence in teaching and learning, and research and development in the area of assessment. National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students (CFDA No. 84.306V). The purpose of the National Institute for the Education of At-Risk Students is to expand research-based knowledge and strategies that will promote excellence and equity in the education of children [[Page 53209]] and youth placed at risk of educational failure because of limited- English proficiency, poverty, race or ethnicity, or geographic location. The institute will carry out a program of research and development to identify and assist others to replicate and adapt programs and models which promote greater achievement and educational success by at-risk students, including innovative methods of instruction, student assessment, professional development, and curricula. National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education (CFDA No. 84.307V). The purpose of the National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education is to carry out a comprehensive program of research and development to provide research-based leadership to the United States as it seeks to improve early childhood development and education. The priority is to improve learning and development in early childhood so that all children can enter kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed in elementary and secondary schools. The institute is interested in developmentally appropriate assessment of preschool children and programs, early literacy, early math and science learning, how the arts relate to early learning, development of the early childhood workforce, translating brain development research into policy and practice, how communities and schools support early learning, supporting diverse populations, and supporting adolescent parents and their children. National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy- Making, and Management (CFDA No. 84.308V). The purpose of the National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Management is to develop and disseminate research-based information that helps guide the design and implementation of governance arrangements, finance systems, policy approaches, and management strategies that will support high levels of learning by all students. By law, the institute supports work which promises to improve education equity and excellence at the State, local, tribal, school building and classroom levels of elementary and secondary education in the United States. National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning (CFDA No. 84.309V). The purpose of the National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning is to support research and development activities designed to meet the following goals: improve successful participation and degree completion by students in postsecondary education; affordability, quality, and positive learning outcomes of postsecondary education; adult learning and literacy; and connections/transitions between education and work. Of central concern is the investigation of how adults learn--in formal educational institutions and work settings as well as in informal settings such as libraries, museums, and communities. Our vision is that all adults will be provided with opportunities for affordable, high quality education tailored to their individual, citizenship, and workplace needs. Invitational Priorities The Council is particularly interested in applications that meet one or both of the following two invitational priorities. However, an application that addresses one or both of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications. Invitational Priority 1--Research Priorities Plan--Making Connections The subjects under this invitational priority are taken from the OERI's Research Priorities Plan published on June 6, 1996 in the Federal Register (61 FR 28858), which defines national priorities for education research and development under section 912(f) of OERI's authorizing statute. An applicant that responds to this invitational priority is encouraged to address one or more of the following subjects: Improving curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student learning at all levels of education to promote high academic achievement, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and the motivation for further learning. Ensuring effective teaching by expanding the supply of potential teachers, improving teacher preparation, and promoting career-long professional development at all levels of education. Strengthening schools, particularly middle and high schools, as institutions capable of engaging young people as active and responsible learners. Supporting schools to effectively prepare diverse populations to meet high standards for knowledge, skills, and productivity, and to participate fully in American economic, cultural, social, and civic life. Promoting learning in informal and formal settings, and building the connections that cause out-of-school experiences to contribute to in-school achievement. Improving learning and development in early childhood so that all children can enter kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed in elementary and secondary schools. Understanding the changing requirements for adult competence in civic, work, and social contexts, and how these requirements affect learning and the futures of individuals and the nation. Note: The Department's Research Priorities Plan is available on- line at www.ed.gov. Copies may also be requested by calling OERI at (202) 219-2000. Invitational Priority 2--Traditionally Underrepresented Groups and Institutions Based on section 931(c)(5) of OERI's authorizing statute, the Council also invites applications from groups of researchers or institutions that have been historically underutilized in Federal educational research activities. Such groups and institutions include: Women, African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives or other ethnic minorities; promising young or new researchers in the field, such as postdoctoral students and recently appointed assistant or associate professors, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges, and other institutions of higher education with large numbers of minority students; institutions of higher education located in rural areas; and institutions and researchers located in States and regions of the United States which have historically received the least Federal support for educational research and development. Applicants are invited to propose projects that are designed to increase the participation in the activities of the institutes of the above groups and institutions. Selection Criteria: According to the Council's 1998 Program Announcement for the OERI Visiting Scholars Fellowship Program, qualifications of applicants will be evaluated by panels of distinguished scholars selected by the Council. The evaluation of applications will be based on achievement, experience, and training as evidenced by the application materials submitted, and by the importance of the proposed work to the field of education and the goals of the OERI. Panelists will carefully consider the application, proposed project plan, letters of recommendation, and other supporting documentation. The quality of the proposed project and the appropriateness of the proposed study at the OERI will also be carefully reviewed. The final selection of fellows, based on the panelists' recommendations, will be made by the National Research Council. The Council will set forth the specific procedures [[Page 53210]] governing the panel review process in a l988 ``Guide for Panelists'' after the number and composition of the applications have been determined. For Applications and Information Contact: Delores Banks, The Fellowship Program, National Research Council, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20418, (202) 334-2872. 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. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document and the applications in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph. Note: The official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Electronic Access to This Document Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm http://www.ed.gov/news.html To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498. Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases. Note: The official version of a document is the document published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6001 et seq. (OERI) and 36 U.S.C. 253 (National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council). Dated: October 6, 1997. Ricky Takai, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. [FR Doc. 97-26936 Filed 10-9-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-U