[Federal Register: August 20, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 162)] [Notices] [Page 43127-43135] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [[Page 43127]] _______________________________________________________________________ Part III Department of Education _______________________________________________________________________ Office of Postsecondary Education; Direct Grant Program and Fellowship Programs; Notice [[Page 43128]] DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Postsecondary Education: Direct Grant Programs and Fellowship Programs AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 1997. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education invites applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 1997 under a number of the Department's direct grant and fellowship programs and announces deadline dates for the transmittal of applications under these programs. This combined notice also lists other FY 1997 programs and competitions of the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) previously announced in the Federal Register, as well as FY 1997 programs and competitions to be announced at a later date. DATES: For each program and competition announced in this notice, the chart includes the following dates: The date on which applications will be available, the deadline for submission of applications, and--for programs subject to Executive Order (EO) 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs)--the deadline date for transmittal of State Process Recommendations by State Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) and comments by other interested parties. ADDRESSES: For Applications or Further Information: The address and telephone number for obtaining applications for, or further information about, an individual program are in the application notice for that program. For Users of TDD or FIRS: Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number, if any, listed in the individual application notices. If a TDD number is not listed for a given program, individuals who use a 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 Intergovernmental Review: The address for transmitting recommendations and comments under Executive Order 12372 is in the appendix to this notice. The appendix also contains the addresses of individual SPOCs. 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: This combined application notice contains those application announcements that the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education is able to publish at this time and references an announcement previously published. Later the Assistant Secretary intends to announce additional programs and competitions of the Office of Postsecondary Education under which the Department plans to make new awards for FY 1997. These include the following: *bullet> CFDA No. 84.015. Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or Foreign Language and International Studies and Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program. * CFDA No. 84.031H. Designation as an Eligible Institution for the Strengthening Institutions and Endowment Challenge Grant Programs. * CFDA No. 84.200. Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program. Program Previously Announced * CFDA No. 84.042. Student Support Services Program. Published in the Federal Register on August 14, 1996 (61 FR 42368). Available Funds The Congress has not yet enacted a fiscal year 1997 appropriation for the Department of Education. The Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education is publishing this notice in order to give potential applicants adequate time to prepare applications. The estimates of the amounts of funds that will be available for these programs are based in part on the President's 1997 budget request and in part on the level of funding available for fiscal year 1996. Potential applicants should note, however, that the Congress is considering proposals to eliminate or reduce funding in 1997 for some of the discretionary grant programs administered by the Department. Final action on the 1997 appropriation may require the Department to cancel some of the competitions announced in this notice, as well as some of those the notice indicates will be announced at a later date. The Department of Education is not bound by any of the estimates in this notice. Programs To Be Announced at a Future Date For FY 1997 some direct grant or fellowship programs of OPE will be governed by new regulations. Application notices for these programs will be published when final regulations are completed. For further information regarding some of these programs, readers are referred to the following notices of proposed rulemaking that have been published in the Federal Register: Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and International Studies--Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 61 FR 13996 (3/ 28/96) Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program--Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 61 FR 14006 (3/28/96) National Education Goals In developing this combined application notice the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education has sought to ensure that programs awarding grants during FY 1997 will further achievement of the National Education Goals, as found in Pub.L. 103-227 (the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, enacted March 31, 1994). The Secretary encourages applicants under these programs to consider the National Education Goals in developing their applications. The National Education Goals for the year 2000 are as follows: * All children in America will start school ready to learn. * The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent. * All students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter, including English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography; and every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in our Nation's modern economy. * United States students will be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement. * Every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge [[Page 43129]] and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. * Every school in the United States will be free of drugs, violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning. * The Nation's teaching force will have access to programs for the continued improvement of their professional skills and the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to instruct and prepare all American students for the next century. * Every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children. Applicability of Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 A number of programs listed in this announcement provide that a grant, fellowship, traineeship, or other monetary benefit may be awarded to an individual. This award may be made to the individual either directly by the Department or by a grantee that receives Federal funds for the purpose of providing, for example, fellowships, traineeships, or other awards to individuals. Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690; 21 U.S.C. 862) provides that a sentencing court may deny eligibility for certain Federal benefits to an individual convicted of drug trafficking or possession. Thus, an individual who applies for a grant, fellowship, or other monetary benefit under a program covered by this notice should understand that, if convicted of drug trafficking or possession, he or she is subject to denial of eligibility for that benefit if the sentencing court imposes such a sanction. This denial applies whether the Federal benefit is provided to the individual directly by the Department or is provided through a grant, fellowship, traineeship, or other award made available with Federal funds by a grantee. Any persons determined to be ineligible for Federal benefits under the provisions of section 5301 are listed in the General Services Administration's ``Lists of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs.'' Applicability of the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act of 1990 The programs listed in the chart make discretionary awards subject to the eligibility requirements of the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-647; 28 U.S.C. 3201). The Act provides that if there is a judgment lien against a debtor's property for a debt to the United States, the debtor is not eligible to receive a Federal grant or loan, except direct payments to which the debtor is entitled as beneficiary, until the judgment is paid in full or otherwise satisfied. Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs Certain programs in this notice are subject to the requirements of EO 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. These programs are identified in the chart by a date in the column headed ``Deadline for intergovernmental review.'' For further information, an applicant under a program subject to the Executive order--and other parties interested in that program--are directed to the appendix to this notice. Chart 5.--Office of Postsecondary Education -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deadline for Estimated CFDA No. and name Applications Application intergovernmental Estimated range average size of Estimated number of awards available deadline date review of awards awards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84.016A Undergraduate 8/30/96 11/4/96......... 1/3/97 $40,000-90,000.. $68,000......... 26. International Studies and Foreign Language Program. 84.017A International 8/30/96 11/4/96......... N/A 30,000-110,000.. 94,031.......... 19. Research and Studies Program. 84.019A Fulbright-Hays 9/16/96 11/8/96......... N/A 23,000-65,000... 36,309 (per 23 (indiv. fellowships). Faculty Research Abroad fellow). Program. 84.021A Fulbright-Hays Group 8/26/96 10/21/96........ N/A 35,000-65,000... 58,000.......... 27. Projects Abroad Program. 84.022A Fulbright-Hays 9/16/96 11/8/96......... N/A 14,000-72,000... 28,573 (per 63 (indiv. fellowships). Doctoral Dissertation fellow). Research Abroad Program. 84.031G Endowment Challenge 4/15/97 6/16/97......... N/A 50,000-500,000.. 350,000......... 6. Grant Program. 84.120A Minority Science 9/13/96 11/22/96........ 1/31/97 Institutional 120,000......... 15. Improvement Program-- Projects: Institutional, Design, 100,000-300,000. Special, and Cooperative Projects. .............. xl Design Projects: 18,000.......... 2. 16,000-20,000. [[Page 43130]] .............. xl Special 25,000.......... 10. Projects: 20,000-150,000. .............. xl Cooperative 293,000......... 2. Projects: 200,000-500,000. 84.153A Business and 8/30/96 11/8/96......... 1/7/97 50,000-90,000... 77,000.......... 18. International Education Program. 84.274A American Overseas 8/30/96 11/1/96......... 1/2/97 35,000-75,000... 50,000.......... 10. Research Centers Program. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84.116A and B Comprehensive 8/20/96 10/18/96 5/15/97 15,000-150,000.. 75,000.......... 73. Program. (Preapplication s). 3/15/97 (Final applications) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84.016A Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program Purpose of Program: To provide grants to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages in the United States. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; combinations of institutions of higher education; and public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations, including professional and scholarly associations. 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 for this program in 34 CFR parts 655 and 658. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), 34 CFR 658.35, and section 604(a)(4) of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, the Secretary gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards five points to an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Applications from institutions of higher education or combinations of institutions that-- (a) Require entering students to have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction; (b) Require each graduating student to earn two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language or have demonstrated equivalent competence in the foreign language; (c) In the case of a two-year degree granting institution, offer two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language. Supplementary Information: An institutional grantee shall pay a minimum of 50 percent of the cost of the project for each fiscal year. Project Period: 24 to 36 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Christine Corey, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9783. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1124. 84.017A International Research and Studies Program Purpose of Program: To provide grants to conduct research and studies to improve and strengthen instruction in modern foreign languages, area studies, and other international fields to provide full understanding of the places in which the foreign languages are commonly used. Eligible Applicants: Public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions; and individuals. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR parts 655 and 660. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), and 34 CFR 660.34(a)(1) and 660.10(f), the Secretary gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards five points to an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Studies and surveys to assess the use of graduates of programs supported under title VI of the Higher Education Act, as amended, by governmental, educational, and private sector organizations; and other studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of programs supported under title VI. Project Period: 12 to 36 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Jose L. Martinez, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9784. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1125. [[Page 43131]] 84.019A Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Program 84.022A Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program Purpose of Programs: (a) The Faculty Research Abroad Program offers opportunities to faculty members of higher education for research and study in modern foreign languages and area studies. (b) The Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program provides opportunities for graduate students to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for these programs in 34 CFR parts 662 and 663. Priorities: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), 34 CFR 663.32(c) (Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship Program), and 34 CFR 662.32(c) (Higher Education Programs in Modern Foreign Language Training and Area Studies--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship Program) the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds only applications that meet this absolute priority: Research projects that focus on one or more of the following: Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, the Near East, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and the Western Hemisphere (Central and South America, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean). Note: Applications that propose projects focused on Western Europe will not be funded. Project Period: Three to 12 months for Faculty Research Abroad; and 6 to 12 months for Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad. For Applications or Information Contact: For Faculty Research Abroad Program: Eliza Washington, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9777. For Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program: Karla Ver Bryck Block, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9774. Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6). 84.021A Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program Purpose of Program: To provide grants to support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages and area studies by teachers, students, and faculty engaged in a common endeavor. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, group research or study, or advanced intensive language projects. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education; State departments of education; nonprofit private educational organizations; and consortia of these types of institutions, departments, and organizations. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 664. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Priorities Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) and 34 CFR 664.32 the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds only applications that meet this absolute priority: Group projects that focus on one or more of the following: Africa, East Asia, the Western Hemisphere (Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, the Near East, and South Asia. Note: Applications that propose projects focused on Western Europe or Canada will not be funded. Competitive Priority: Within the absolute priority specified in this notice, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) and 34 CFR 664.32, gives preference to applications that meet the following competitive priority. The Secretary awards up to five points to an application that meets this competitive priority in a particularly effective way. These points are in addition to any points the application earns under the selection criteria for the program: Short-term seminars that develop and improve foreign language and area studies at elementary and secondary schools. Project Period: four to six weeks. For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Lungching Chiao, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9772. Program Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2452(b)(6). 84.031G Endowment Challenge Grant Program Purpose of Program: To provide matching grants to eligible institutions of higher education to establish or increase their endowment funds. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education that are designated as eligible. The Secretary publishes separately in the Federal Register a notice informing interested parties how to be designated as eligible to apply for Endowment Challenge Grant funds. Note: In the fiscal year 1997 budget request, the President has proposed to limit eligibility. If the President's proposal is enacted, only historically black colleges and universities that meet the eligibility requirements of this program would be eligible to apply for support. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 74.61(h) or 34 CFR 80.26 and the appendix to 34 CFR part 80, as applicable; 74.80, 74.84 and 74.85; 75.100 through 75.102 and 75.217; and in 34 CFR parts 82, 85, and 86; and (b) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 628. Project Period: 240 months (20 years). For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Louis Venuto, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5337. Telephone: (202) 708-8839. Applications will be sent to those institutions designated as eligible. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1065. 84.120A Minority Science Improvement Program--Institutional, Design, Special, and Cooperative Projects Purpose of Program: To effect long-range improvement in science education at predominantly minority institutions and to increase the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into scientific careers. Eligible Applicants (a) For institutional, design, and special projects described in 34 CFR 637.14 (a), (b) and (c): Public and nonprofit private minority institutions. Note: A minority institution is defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b) as an accredited college or university whose enrollment of a single minority group or combination of minority groups, as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment. [[Page 43132]] (b) For special projects described in 34 CFR 637.14 (b) and (c): Non-profit science-oriented organizations; professional scientific societies; and nonprofit accredited colleges and universities that render a needed service to a group of eligible minority institutions, as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b), or that provide inservice training of project directors, scientists, and engineers from eligible minority institutions. (c) For cooperative projects: Groups of nonprofit accredited colleges and universities whose primary fiscal agent is an eligible minority institution, as defined in 34 CFR 637.4(b). 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 for this program in 34 CFR part 637. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Project Period: Up to 36 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Dr. Argelia Velez- Rodriguez, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Courtyard Suite C-80, Portals Building, Washington, DC 20202-5329. Telephone: (202) 260-3261 or by internet to (argelia__velez__rodriguez@ED.GOV). The Department encourages applicants to FAX requests for applications to: (202) 260-7615. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135b-1135b-3, 1135d-1135d-6. 84.153A Business and International Education Program Purpose of Program: To provide grants both to enhance international business education programs and expand the capacity of the business community to engage in international economic activities. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education that have entered into agreements with business enterprises, trade organizations, or associations engaged in international economic activity. 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 for this program in 34 CFR parts 655 and 661. Supplementary Information: A grantee shall pay a minimum of 50 percent of the cost of the project for each fiscal year. Project Period: 24 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Sarah T. Beaton, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Telephone: (202) 401-9778. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1130-1130b. 84.274 American Overseas Research Centers Program Purpose of Program: To provide assistance to eligible consortia to establish or operate overseas research centers that promote postgraduate research, exchanges, and area studies. Eligible Applicants: Consortia of U.S. institutions of higher education. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) Because there are no program-specific regulations for this program, applicants are directed to the authorizing statute for the American Overseas Research Centers, section 610 of part A, title VI, of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1130-1). Selection Criteria: In evaluating applications for grants under this program, the Secretary uses the EDGAR selection criteria in 34 CFR 75.210. The selection criteria and the points assigned to each criteria are included in the application package. Project Period: 36 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Cheryl E. Gibbs, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5331. Telephone: (202) 401-9782. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1127. 84.116A; 84.116B Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education-- Comprehensive Program (Preapplications and Applications) Purpose of Program: To provide grants or enter into cooperative agreements to improve postsecondary education opportunities. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education (IHEs); combinations of IHEs; and nonprofit private educational institutions and agencies. Note: All applicants must submit a preapplication to be eligible to submit a final application. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 85, and 86, with the exceptions noted in 34 CFR 630.4a(2); and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Part 630. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Priorities Absolute Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), 34 CFR 630.12 and 34 CFR 630.11(a), the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary funds under this competition only applications that meet this absolute priority: Projects that respond to immediate problems or issues and that seek to improve postsecondary educational opportunities. Invitational Priorities: Within the absolute priority specified in this notice, the Secretary, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) and 34 CFR 630.12, is particularly interested in applications that meet one or more of the following invitational priorities. However, an application that meets one or more of these invitational priorities does not receive competitive or absolute preference over other applications: Invitational Priority 1--Projects to support new ways of ensuring equal access to postsecondary education, and to improve rates of retention and program completion, especially for low income and underrepresented minority students, whose retention and completion rates continue to lag disturbingly behind those of other groups. Invitational Priority 2--Projects to create programs that (1) prepare students for entering the workforce and (2) serve the continuing education and retraining needs of workers. Invitational Priority 3--Projects to improve the campus climate by creating an environment that is safe, welcoming, and conducive to learning for all students. Invitational Priority 4--Projects (1) to restructure institutions in ways that reassert the primacy of teaching and learning; and (2) to increase learning productivity; that is, to transform programs and teaching to promote more student learning relative to institutional resources expended. Invitational Priority 5--Projects to promote cooperation between colleges and universities and elementary and secondary schools in order to improve students' preparation for, access to, and success in college. In particular, the Secretary seeks innovative school-college partnerships to improve articulation and develop new ways to improve both pre-service and in-service teacher education at both the elementary and secondary level. Invitational Priority 6--Projects to support innovative reforms of undergraduate, graduate, and professional curricula that improve not [[Page 43133]] only what students learn, but how they learn. Invitational Priority 7--Projects to support the development of faculty as professionals by (1) assessing and rewarding effective teaching; (2) helping institutions and faculty find ways to increase their emphasis on teaching and other means of involvement with student learners; (3) promoting new and more effective teaching methods; and (4) improving the preparation--especially the teaching skills--of graduate students who will be future faculty members. Invitational Priority 8--Projects to disseminate to other institutions innovative postsecondary educational programs that have been locally developed and implemented. Selection Criteria In evaluating applications for grants under this program competition, the Secretary uses the following selection criteria chosen from those listed in 34 CFR 630.32: (a) Significance for postsecondary education. The Secretary reviews each proposed project for its significance in improving postsecondary education by determining the extent to which it would-- (1) Address an important problem or need; (2) Represent an improvement upon, or important departure from, existing practice; (3) Involve learner-centered improvements; (4) Achieve far-reaching impact through improvements that will be useful in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings; and (5) Increase the cost-effectiveness of services. (b) Feasibility. The Secretary reviews each proposed project for its feasibility by determining the extent to which-- (1) The proposed project represents an appropriate response to the problem or need addressed; (2) The applicant is capable of carrying out the proposed project, as evidenced by, for example-- (i) The applicant's understanding of the problem or need; (ii) The quality of the project design, including objectives, approaches, and evaluation plan; (iii) The adequacy of resources, including money, personnel, facilities, equipment, and supplies; (iv) The qualifications of key personnel who would conduct the project; and (v) The applicant's relevant prior experience; (3) The applicant and any other participating organizations are committed to the success of the proposed project, as evidenced by, for example-- (i) Contribution of resources by the applicant and by participating organizations; (ii) Their prior work in the area; and (iii) The potential for continuation of the proposed project beyond the period of funding (unless the project would be self-terminating); and (4) The proposed project demonstrates potential for dissemination to or adaptation by other organizations, and shows evidence of interest by potential users. (c) Appropriateness of funding projects. The Secretary reviews each application to determine whether support of the proposed project by the Secretary is appropriate in terms of availability of other funding sources for the proposed activities. Under 630.32, the Secretary determines the methods to be used in applying the selection criteria. For preapplications (preliminary applications) the Secretary gives greater weight to the selection criteria under (a) Significance for Postsecondary Education. The Secretary gives equal weight to (b) Feasibility and (c) Appropriateness of funding projects. For final applications (applications) the Secretary gives equal weight to all three criteria and, within each of these criteria, equal weight to each of the subcriteria. In applying the criteria, the Secretary first analyzes a preapplication or application in terms of each individual criterion and subcriterion. The Secretary then bases the final judgment of an application on an overall assessment of the degree to which the applicant addresses all selection criteria. Project Period: Up to 36 months. For Applications or Information Contact: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., room 3100, ROB-3, Washington, D.C. 20202- 5175. Telephone: (202) 708-5750. Through World Wide Web at: "http://www.ed.gov/prog__info/FIPSE". Through Internet E-mail: FIPSE@ed.gov (Application materials will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. Please indicate ``Comprehensive Program'' and give us your postal mailing address. Informational inquiries by e-mail will be given to the appropriate staff member and will be answered by return e-mail.) Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135a-3. Dated: August 14, 1996. David A. Longanecker, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. Appendix--Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs This appendix applies to each program that is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. The objective of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying on State and local processes for State and local government coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance. Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established in each of those States under the Executive order. A listing containing the Single Point of Contact for each State is included in this appendix. In States that have not established a process or chosen a program for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit comments directly to the Department. Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand- delivered by the date indicated in this notice to the following address: The Secretary, EO 12372--CFDA# [commenter must insert number--including suffix letter, if any], U.S. Department of Education, room 6213, 600 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-0124. Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date indicated in this notice. Please note that the above address is not the same address as the one to which the applicant submits its completed application. Do not send applications to the above address. State Single Points of Contact Note: In accordance with Executive Order #12372, this listing represents the designated State Single Points of Contact. Because participation is voluntary some States no longer participate in the process. These include: Alaska, American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. Alabama Jon C. Strickland, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Planning and Economic Development Division, 401 Adams Avenue, [[Page 43134]] Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690, Telephone: (205) 242-5483, FAX: (205) 242-5515 Arizona Joanne Saad, Arizona State Clearinghouse, 3800 N. Central Avenue, Fourteenth Floor, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, Telephone: (602) 280-1315, FAX: (602) 280-8144 Arkansas Mr. Tracy L. Copeland, Manager, State Clearinghouse, Office of Intergovernmental Services, Department of Finance and Administration, 1515 W. 7th Street, room 412, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203, Telephone: (501) 682-1074, FAX: (501) 682-5206 California Grants Coordinator, Office of Planning and Research, 1400 Tenth Street, room 121, Sacramento, California 95814, Telephone: (916) 323-7480, FAX: (916) 323-3018 Delaware Francine Booth, State Single Point of Contact, Executive Department, Thomas Collins Building, P.O. Box 1401, Dover, Delaware 19903, Telephone: (302) 739-3326, FAX: (302) 739-5661 District of Columbia Charles Nichols, State Single Point of Contact, Office of Grants Management and Development, 717 14th Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 727-6554, FAX: (202) 727-1617 Florida Florida State Clearinghouse, Department of Community Affairs, 2740 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100, Telephone: (904) 922-5438, FAX: (904) 487-2899 Georgia Tom L. Reid, III, Administrator, Georgia State Clearinghouse, 254 Washington Street, SW., room 401J, Atlanta, Georgia 30334, Telephone: (404) 656-3855 or 656-3829, FAX: (404) 656-7938 Illinois Barbara Beard, State Single Point of Contact, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, 620 East Adams, Springfield, Illinois 62701, Telephone: (217) 782-1671, FAX: (217) 534-1627 Indiana Amy Brewer, State Budget Agency, 212 State House, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, Telephone: (317) 232-5619, FAX: (317) 233-3323 Iowa Steven R. McCann, Division for Community Assistance, Iowa Department of Economic Development, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, Telephone: (515) 242-4719, FAX: (515) 242-4859 Kentucky Ronald W. Cook, Office of the Governor, Department of Local Government, 1024 Capitol Center Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601- 8204, Telephone: (502) 573-2382, FAX: (502) 573-2512 Maine Joyce Benson, State Planning Office, State House Station #38, Augusta, Maine 04333, Telephone: (207) 287-3261, FAX: (207) 287-6489 Maryland William G. Carroll, Manager, State Clearinghouse for Intergovernmental Assistance, Maryland Office of Planning, 301 W. Preston Street--Room 1104, Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2365, Staff Contact: Linda Janey, Telephone: (410) 225-4490, FAX: (410) 225-4480 Michigan Richard Pfaff, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, 1900 Edison Plaza, 660 Plaza Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Telephone: (313) 961-4266, FAX: (313) 961-4869 Mississippi Cathy Mallette, Clearinghouse Officer, Department of Finance and Administration, 455 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202- 3087, Telephone: (601) 359-6762, FAX (601): 359-6764 Missouri Lois Pohl, Federal Assistance Clearinghouse, Office of Administration, P.O. Box 809, room 760, Truman Building, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, Telephone: (314) 751-4834, FAX: (314) 751-7819 Nevada Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse, Capitol Complex, Carson City, Nevada 89710, Telephone: (702) 687-4065, FAX: (702) 687-3983 New Hampshire Jeffrey H. Taylor, Director, New Hampshire Office of State Planning, Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process/Mike Blake, 2\1/2\ Beacon Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301, Telephone: (603) 271-2155, FAX: (603) 271-1728 New Mexico Robert Peters, State Budget Division, room 190, Bataan Memorial Building, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503, Telephone: (505) 827-3640, FAX: (505) 827-3861 New York New York State Clearinghouse, Division of the Budget, State Capitol, Albany, New York 12224, Telephone: (518) 474-1605 North Carolina Chrys Baggett, Director, N.C. State Clearinghouse, Office of the Secretary of Admin., 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-8003, Telephone: (919) 733-7232, FAX: (919) 733-9571 North Dakota North Dakota Single Point of Contact, Office of Intergovernmental Assistance, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58505- 0170, Telephone: (701) 224-2094, FAX: (701) 224-2308 Ohio Larry Weaver, State Single Point of Contact, State Clearinghouse, Office of Budget and Management, 30 East Broad Street, 34th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0411 Please direct correspondence and questions about intergovernmental review to: Linda Wise, Telephone: (614) 466-0698, FAX: (614) 466-5400 Rhode Island Daniel W. Varin, Associate Director, Department of Administration, Division of Planning, One Capitol Hill, 4th Floor, Providence, Rhode Island 02908-5870, Telephone: (401) 277-2656, FAX: (401) 277-2083 Please direct correspondence and questions to: Review Coordinator, Office of Strategic Planning South Carolina Omeagia Burgess, State Single Point of Contact, Grant Services, Office of the Governor, 1205 Pendleton Street, room 477, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, Telephone: (803) 734-0494, FAX: (803) 734-0385 Texas Tom Adams, Governors Office, Director, Intergovernmental Coordination, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711, Telephone: (512) 463-1771, FAX: (512) 463-1888 Utah Carolyn Wright, Utah State Clearinghouse, Office of Planning and Budget, room 116, State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114, Telephone: (801) 538-1535, FAX: (801) 538-1547 Vermont Nancy McAvoy, State Single Point of Contact, Pavilion Office Building, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609, Telephone: (802) 828-3326, FAX: (802) 828-3339 West Virginia Fred Cutlip, Director, Community Development Division, West Virginia Development Office, Building #6, room 553, Charleston, West Virginia 25305, Telephone: (304) 558-4010, FAX: (304) 558-3248 Wisconsin Martha Kerner, Section Chief, State/Federal Relations, Wisconsin Department of Administration, 101 East Wilson Street, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 7868, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, Telephone: (608) 266-2125, FAX: (608) 267-6931 Wyoming Sheryl Jeffreis, State Single Point of Contact Office of the Governor, State Capitol, Room 124, Cheyenne, WY 82002, Telephone: (307) 777-5930, FAX: (307) 632-3909 Territories Guam Mr. Giovanni T. Sgambelluri, Director, Bureau of Budget and Management Research, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 2950, Agana, Guam 96910, Telephone: 011-671-472-2285, FAX: 011-671-472-2825 North Mariana Islands Mr. Alvaro A. Santos, Executive Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Office [[Page 43135]] of the Governor, Saipan, MP 96950, Telephone: (670) 664-2256, FAX: (670) 664-2272 Contact person: Ms. Javoba T. Seman, Federal Programs Coordinator, Telephone: (670) 664-2289, FAX: (670) 664-2272 Puerto Rico Norma Burgos/Jose B. Caro, Chairwoman/Director, Puerto Rico Planning Board, Federal Proposals Review Office, Minillas Government Center, P.O. Box 41119, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119, Telephone: (809) 727-4444 or 723-6190, FAX: (809) 724-3270 or 724-3103 Virgin Islands Jose George, Director, Office of Management and Budget, #41 Norregade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 Please direct all questions and correspondence about intergovernmental review to: Linda Clarke, Telephone: (809) 774-0750, FAX (809): 776-0069 Note: This list is based on the most current information provided by the States. Information on any changes or apparent errors should be provided to Sherron Duncan (Telephone (202) 395- 3914) at the Office of Management and Budget and to the State in question. Changes to the list will only be made upon formal notification by the State. [FR Doc. 96-21155 Filed 8-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P