Appl: Nat Institutes' Field-Init Studies Grant Prog [OERI]
[Federal Register: March 20, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 13491-13494]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr97-155]
[[Page 13491]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of Educational Research and Improvement; National Institutes'
Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program; Combined Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for FY 1997
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA Nos.: 84.305F, 84.306F, 84.307F, 84.308F, and 84.309F]
Office of Educational Research and Improvement--National
Institutes' Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program; Combined Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997
SUMMARY: The Secretary invites applications for new awards for FY 1997
and announces closing dates for the transmittal of applications under
the Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program supported by the five
National Research Institutes:
1. Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment (84.305F).
2. Education of At-Risk Students (84.306F).
3. Educational Governance, Finance, Policymaking, and Management
(84.307F).
4. Early Childhood Development and Education (84.308F).
5. Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning
(84.309F).
The Field-Initiated Studies Grant Program will support educational
research projects related to the missions of the Institutes.
ADDRESSES: For Applications or Further Information: The address and
telephone number for requesting an application or obtaining further
information about individual institutes are listed in this notice under
the section ``Institute Mission Statements.''
For Users of TDD or FIRS: 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.
For Electronic Access to Information: 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Educational Research, Development,
Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (``Act'') (20 U.S.C. 6001 et
seq.) established five national research institutes within the
Department. Each of the institutes supports a Field-Initiated Studies
(FIS) Grant program to fund field-initiated research projects on topics
related to the legislative mission of the relevant Institute. Only
applications for educational research projects will be considered for
funding. Section 931 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 6031) contains a complete
description of the mission of each Institute.
The Field-Initiated Studies Grant program provides assistance to
institutions of higher education, public and private organizations,
institutions, agencies, and individuals for educational research and
development to improve American education. The Act defines
``educational research'' to include basic and applied research, inquiry
with the purpose of applying tested knowledge gained to specific
educational settings and problems, development, planning, surveys,
assessments, evaluation, investigation, experiments, and demonstrations
in the field of education and other fields relating to education (20
U.S.C. 6011(l)(6)). The Act also defines the term ``field-initiated
research'' to mean education research in which topics and methods of
study are generated by investigators, including teachers and other
practitioners (20 U.S.C. 6011(l)(7)).
Invitational Priorities
National Research Priorities Plan
The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet
one or more of the following priorities included in the Department's
published Research Priorities Plan. If an applicant addresses one of
the priorities in the plan, please indicate in the application which
one is addressed. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an applicant that
addresses one of these priorities will not receive competitive or
absolute preference over other applicants.
The priorities include:
* 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 in the
nation.
The Department's Research Priorities Plan is available on-line at
(http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/
RschPriority/). Copies may also be requested by calling Paulette Lee at
202-219-1519.
Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher
education, state and local agencies; public and private organizations,
institutions, and agencies; and individuals.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 9, 1997.
Note: All applications must be received on or before that date.
This requirement takes exception to EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.102. In
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553), it
is the practice of the Secretary to offer interested parties the
opportunity to comment on proposed regulations. However, this
amendment makes procedural changes only and does not establish new
substantive policy. Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), proposed
rulemaking is not required.
Tentative Award Date: August 29, 1997.
Applications Available: April 18, 1997.
Available Funds: $1,050,000 per Institute.
Estimated Range of Awards: $100,000-225,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $150,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 7.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Periods: Research projects may extend from one to three
years.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 85 and 86 (Part 86 applies to IHEs only); and (b) The regulations
in 34 CFR Part 700.
Length of Application: The application narrative must not exceed a
total of 40 pages, with printing on only
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one side of the paper, on 8\1/2\ x 11 inch paper. This includes the
title page form, table of contents, abstract, proposal narrative, the
budget summary form, budget narrative, and all attachments. We strongly
encourage applicants to use double-spacing, a 12 point or larger font
size, and 1-inch margins. Applications should be concise, clearly
written, and pages should be consecutively numbered.
Applicable Evaluation Criteria
In accordance with 34 CFR 700.30, the Secretary applies the
following evaluation criteria to the Field-Initiated Studies Grant
program competitions.
(1) National Significance (30 points).
(i) The Secretary considers the national significance of the
proposed project.
(ii) In determining the national significance of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) The importance of the problem or issue to be addressed.
(B) The potential contribution of the project to increased
knowledge or understanding of educational problems, issues, or
effective strategies.
(C) The potential contribution of the project to the development
and advancement of theory and knowledge in the field of study.
(2) Quality of the Project Design (30 points).
(i) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the
proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) Whether the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by
the project are clearly specified and measurable.
(B) Whether a specific research design has been proposed, and the
quality and appropriateness of that design, including the scientific
rigor of the studies involved.
(3) Quality and potential contributions of personnel (20 points).
(i) The secretary considers the quality and potential contributions
of personnel for the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality and potential contributions of
personnel for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the
following factors--
(A) The qualifications, including training and experience, of the
project director or principal investigator.
(B) The qualifications, including training and experience, of key
project personnel.
(4) Adequacy of Resources (10 points).
(i) The Secretary considers the adequacy of resources for the
proposed project.
(ii) In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed
project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) Whether the budget is adequate to support the project.
(B) Whether the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives,
design, and potential significance of the project.
(5) Quality of the Management Plan (10 points).
(i) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan of
the proposed project.
(ii) In determining the quality of the management plan of a
proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors--
(A) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives
of the project, including the specification of staff responsibility,
timelines, and benchmarks for accomplishing project tasks.
(B) Whether time commitments of the project director or principal
investigator and other key personnel are appropriate and adequate to
meet project objectives.
(C) How the applicant will ensure that persons who are otherwise
eligible to participate in the project are selected without regard to
race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
Institute Mission Statements
CFDA No. 84.305F--The National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program
The purpose of the National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment is to provide leadership to improve teaching
and learning. The Institute will carry out a program of research to
identify, develop, and evaluate innovative and exemplary methods to
improve student knowledge K-12 in the core academic subject areas; to
examine the areas of learning, cognition and performance, including the
organization of schools which promote excellence in learning and
instruction, and motivational issues related to student achievement; to
identify, develop, and evaluate programs designed to enhance academic
achievement and narrow performance gaps in a variety of subject areas;
and to address such issues as validity, reliability, generalizability,
costs, relative merits, and appropriate uses of various approaches and
methods of assessing student learning and achievement.
For Applications or Information Contact: Clara Lawson-Holmes, or
Carol Cameron Lyons, National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New
Jersey Avenue, NW., Room 510, Washington, DC 20208-5573. Telephone
(202) 219-2079 or E-Mail: clawson@inet.ed.gov or Carol__Lyons@ed.gov
CFDA No. 84.306F--The National Institute on the Education of At-Risk
Students, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program
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 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
assessments, professional development, and curricula.
For Applications or Information Contact: Beth Fine or Karen Suagee,
National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students, U.S.
Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Room 610,
Washington, DC 20208-5521. Telephone (202) 219-1323 or E-Mail:
bfine@inet.ed.gov; or (202) 219-2244 or E-Mail: Karen__Suagee@ed.gov
CFDA 84.307F--The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and
Education, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program
The purpose of the National Institute on Early Childhood
Development and Education is to identify, develop, evaluate and assist
others to replicate methods and approaches that improve early childhood
development and education. The Institute is to carry out a program of
research and development for young children in areas such as the social
and educational development; topics relating to school readiness,
including prenatal care, health services, and nutrition; family
literacy; the role of parental involvement in their children's
learning; effective learning methods and curriculum for young children;
methods for integrating learning in settings other than the classroom;
the impact of outside influences, such as television, violence, and
drug abuse; and
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instruction that considers the cultural environment of children.
For Applications or Information Contact: Veda Bright, National
Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education, U.S. Department
of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5520.
Telephone (202) 219-1935 or E-Mail: Veda__Bright@ed.gov
CFDA 84.308F--The National Institute on Educational Governance,
Finance, Policy-Making, and Management, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program
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.
For Applications or Information Contact: Jim Fox or Duc-Le To,
National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making,
and Management, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20208-5573. Telephone (202) 219-2234 or E-Mail:
Jim__Fox@ed.gov; (202) 219-2248 or E-Mail: Duc-Le__To@ed.gov
CFDA 94.309F--The National Institute on Postsecondary Education
Libraries and Lifelong Learning, Field-Initiated Studies Program
Purpose of Program
The purpose of the National Institute on Postsecondary Education,
Libraries and Lifelong Learning is to promote greater coordination of
Federal research and development on issues related to adult learning
and to carry out a program of research and development in adult
learning to provide nonpartisan, research-based leadership to the
United States as it seeks to improve libraries, postsecondary
education, literacy, and lifelong learning throughout the United
States.
For Applications or Information Contract: Delores Monroe or Norman
Brandt, National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and
Lifelong Learning, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue,
NW, Room 620, Washington, DC 20208-5531. Telephone (202) 219-2229 or E-
Mail: dmonroe@inet.ed.gov; or (202) 219-1662.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 6031(c)(2)(B).
Dated: March 14, 1997.
Marshall S. Smith,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 97-6949 Filed 3-19-97; 8:45 am]
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