[Federal Register: June 21, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 121)] [Notices] [Page 32313-32314] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 32313]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part XI Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Fund for the Improvement of Education; Elementary School Mathematics and Science Equipment Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards, Final Priority and Limitation on Use of Funds for Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997 [[Page 32314]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.215Q] Fund for the Improvement of Education; Elementary School Mathematics and Science Equipment Program; Notice Inviting Applications For New Awards for Fiscal Years 1996 and 1997 Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE) is to support nationally significant programs to improve the quality of education, assist all students to meet challenging State content and student performance standards, and contribute to the achievement of the National Education Goals. The purpose of this competition is to raise the quality of instruction in mathematics and science in the Nation's elementary schools by providing equipment and materials necessary for hands-on instruction. Eligible Applicants: Only local education agencies located within Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities may apply for awards under this competition. A list of Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities is included at the end of the Notice of Final Priorities published in this edition of the Federal Register. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 2, 1996. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: October 1, 1996. Applications Available: June 24, 1996 Available Funds: $3,000,000. Estimated Range of Awards: $35,000-$350,000. Estimated Average Size of Awards: $192,500. Estimated Number of Awards: 16. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Maximum Award: The Secretary does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $350,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. Project Period: Up to 12 months. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Awards will be made from fiscal year 1996 funds. If Congress requires the Department to use fiscal year 1997 funds to make additional awards under the elementary school mathematics and science equipment program, the Secretary intends to elect applications of sufficiently high quality that remain unfunded under this competition. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR Parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 85; and (b) the final regulations for Standards for the Conduct and Evaluation of Activities Carried Out by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI)--Evaluation of Applications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements and Proposals for Contracts, published on September 14, 1995, in the Federal Register (60 FR 47808), and to be codified at 34 CFR Part 700. Priority: The notice of final priorities as published in this issue of the Federal Register applies to this competition. Limitations on Use of Funds: Limitations on the use of funds are defined in the notice of final priorities as published in this issue of the Federal Register. Note: Through the Notice of Final Priority, the Secretary makes sections 14503 - 14506 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 8893-8896) applicable to awards made to LEAs under this program. Section 14503 requires an LEA receiving grant funds under this program to provide private school children and teachers, on an equitable basis, special educational services or other program benefits under this program. The section further requires LEAs to consult with private school officials during the design and development of the proposed project. Each application should describe the ways in which the proposed project will address the needs of private school children and teachers. For Applications or Information Contact: We encourage you to request an application by facsimile machine: Jennifer Ryan, (202) 219- 2053, or by mail: Math and Science Equipment Application, U.S. Department of Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Room 502K, Washington, DC 20208-5645. However, if that is not convenient, you may use voicemail: Jennifer Ryan, (202) 219-2274. 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.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or on the World Wide Web at (http://www.ed.gov/money.html). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 8001. Dated: June 18, 1996. Sharon P. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for Research and Improvement. [FR Doc. 96-15903 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P