[Federal Register: February 1, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 22)] [Notices] [Page 3690-3691] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION [CFDA No.: 84.215V] Fund for the Improvement of Education: Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Projects 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 standards, and contribute to the achievement of the National Education Goals. The purpose of this competition is to support pilot projects that design and implement character education programs as a way to address the broader FIE objectives. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Only State educational agencies, in partnership with one or more local educational agencies, may apply for grants under this program. DEADLINE FOR TRANSMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS: March 26, 1996. APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: February 1, 1996. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE FISCAL YEAR 1996 FUNDS: $1,000,000. ESTIMATED RANGE OF AWARDS: $200,000-$250,000. ESTIMATED AVERAGE SIZE OF AWARDS: $250,000. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: 4. 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 $250,000 for the first 12-month budget period. PROJECT PERIOD: Up to 48 months. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is the Department's intent to fund two cycles of awards from this competition. The first cycle of awards will be made from fiscal year 1996 funds. If applications of high quality remain unfunded, additional awards will be made in the second cycle in 1997, pending availability of Fiscal Year 1997 funds. Under the Character Education program, State educational agencies provide technical and professional assistance to local educational agencies in the development and implementation of curriculum materials, teacher training, and other activities related to character education. Applicants requesting funds under this program must propose projects designed to develop character education programs that incorporate the following elements of character: (a) Caring. (b) Civic virtue and citizenship. (c) Justice and fairness. (d) Respect. (e) Responsibility. (f) Trustworthiness. (g) Any other elements deemed appropriate by the members of the partnership. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) 34 CFR Parts 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86, and (b) the regulations in 34 CFR Parts 98 and 99, and (c) 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), to be codified as 34 CFR Part 700. TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION: Voice Mail: 202-219-2274; Facsimile machine: 202-219-2053; Mail: OERI/FIE Application, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20208-5645. 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, or on the Internet Gopher Server at GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 8003. [[Page 3691]] Dated: January 26, 1996. Sharon P. Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. [FR Doc. 96-2046 Filed 1-31-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P