Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs

Citation85 FR 26445
Record Number2020-09446
Published date04 May 2020
SectionNotices
CourtEducation Department
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 86 (Monday, May 4, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 86 (Monday, May 4, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 26445-26450]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-09446]
                =======================================================================
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                DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
                Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Special
                Education Research Grant Programs
                AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.
                ACTION: Notice.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice
                inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the
                Education Research and Special Education Research Grant Programs,
                Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers 84.305A, 84.305B,
                84.305C, 84.305R, 84.324A, 84.324B, 84.324P, and 84.324R. This notice
                relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number
                4040-0001.
                DATES: The dates when applications are available and the deadlines for
                transmittal of applications invited under this notice are indicated in
                the chart at the end of this notice and in the Requests for
                Applications (RFAs) that are posted at the following website: https://ies.ed.gov/funding.
                ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
                application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
                Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
                Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
                www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The contact person associated with a
                particular research competition is listed in the chart at the end of
                this notice, as well as in the relevant RFA and application package.
                [[Page 26446]]
                 If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
                telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
                800-877-8339.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Full Text of Announcement
                I. Funding Opportunity Description
                 Purpose of Program: In awarding these grants, the Institute of
                Education Sciences (IES) intends to provide national leadership in
                expanding knowledge and understanding of (1) developmental and school
                readiness outcomes for infants and toddlers with or at risk for a
                disability, (2) education outcomes for all learners from early
                childhood education through postsecondary and adult education, and (3)
                employment and wage outcomes when relevant (such as for those engaged
                in career and technical, postsecondary, or adult education). The IES
                research grant programs are designed to provide interested individuals
                and the general public with reliable and valid information about
                education practices that support learning and improve academic
                achievement and access to education opportunities for all learners.
                These interested individuals include parents, educators, learners,
                researchers, and policymakers. In carrying out its grant programs, IES
                provides support for programs of research in areas of demonstrated
                national need.
                 Competitions in This Notice: IES is announcing eight research
                competitions through two of its centers:
                 The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) is annoucing
                four competitions--one competition in each of the following areas:
                Education research; education research training; education research and
                development centers; and systematic replication in education.
                 The IES National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) is
                announcing four competitions--one competition in each of the following
                areas: Special education research; special education research training;
                National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) process data; and
                systematic replication in special education.
                NCER Competitions
                 The Education Research Competition. Under this competition, NCER
                will consider only applications that address one of the following
                topics:
                 Career and Technical Education.
                 Civics Education and Social Studies.
                 Cognition and Student Learning.
                 Early Learning Programs and Policies.
                 Effective Instruction.
                 English Learners.
                 Improving Education Systems.
                 Postsecondary and Adult Education.
                 Literacy.
                 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
                Education.
                 Social and Behavioral Context for Academic Learning.
                 The Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences
                Competition. Under this competition, NCER will consider only
                applications that address one of the following topics:
                 Pathways to the Education Sciences Research Training
                Program.
                 Postdoctoral Research Training Program in the Education
                Sciences.
                 Methods Training for Education Researchers.
                 The Education Research and Development Centers Competition. Under
                this competition, NCER will consider only applications that address the
                following topic:
                 Improving Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary
                Institutions.
                 Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication. Under this
                competition, NCER will consider only applications that address
                identifying what works in education through systematic replication.
                NCSER Competitions
                 The Special Education Research Competition. Under this competition,
                NCSER encourages a broad range of research including studies that may
                have more than one research focus (such as reading and behavior) and
                may focus broadly on students with disabilities or on a particular
                disability (such as autism spectrum disorders). Applicants should
                identify their primary focus of research from one of the following
                topics:
                 Cognition and Student Learning.
                 Early Intervention and Early Learning.
                 Educators and School-Based Service Providers.
                 Families of Children with Disabilities.
                 Reading, Writing, and Language.
                 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
                 Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Competence.
                 Systems, Policy, and Finance.
                 Transition to Postsecondary Education, Career, and/or
                Independent Living.
                 The Research Training Programs in Special Education Competition.
                Under this competition, NCSER will consider only applications that
                address one of the following two topics:
                 Early Career Development and Mentoring.
                 Methods Training for Special Education Research.
                 Research Grants Focused on NAEP Process Data for Learners with
                Disabilities. Under this competition, NCSER will consider only
                applications using the restricted-use data, including the NAEP process
                data, from the 2017 eighth-grade NAEP mathematics assessment to examine
                outcomes for students with disabilities.
                 Research Grants Focused on Systematic Replication. Under this
                competition, NCSER will consider only applications that address
                identifying what works in special education through systematic
                replication.
                 Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the
                Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to
                section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C.
                1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the
                opportunity to comment on priorities, selection criteria, definitions,
                and requirements.
                 Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.
                 Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
                Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98,
                and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable,
                except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103,
                75.105, 75.109(a), 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-
                (c), 75.219, 75.220, 75.221, 75.222, 75.230, and 75.708. (b) The Office
                of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide
                Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted
                and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c)
                The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
                Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and
                amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.
                 Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
                higher education only.
                 Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not
                apply for this competition.
                II. Award Information
                 Types of Awards: Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements.
                [[Page 26447]]
                 Fiscal Information: Although Congress has not yet enacted an
                appropriation for FY 2021, IES is inviting applications for these
                competitions now so that applicants can have adequate time to prepare
                their applications. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on
                final congressional action. In addition, the level of available funding
                may depend on IES provision of additional support for ongoing grants
                that have been affected by COVID-19. IES may announce additional
                competitions later in 2020.
                 Estimated Range of Awards: See chart at the end of this notice. The
                size of the awards will depend on the scope of the projects proposed.
                 Estimated Number of Awards: The number of awards made under each
                competition will depend on the quality of the applications received for
                that competition, the availability of funds, and the following limits
                on awards for specific competitions and topics set by IES.
                 IES may waive any of the following limits on awards for a specific
                competition or topic in the special case that the peer review process
                results in a tie between two or more grant applications, making it
                impossible to adhere to the limits without funding only some of the
                equally ranked applications. In that case, IES may make a larger number
                of awards to include all applications of the same rank.
                 For NCER's Research Training Programs in the Education Sciences
                competition, we intend to fund up to five grants under the Pathways to
                the Education Sciences Research Training Program topic. However, should
                funding be available, we may consider making additional awards to high-
                quality applications that remain unfunded after five awards are made.
                 For NCER's Education Research and Development Center competition,
                we intend to fund up to one grant. However, should funding be
                available, we may consider making additional awards to high-quality
                applications that remain unfunded after one award is made.
                 For NCSER's Research Training Programs in Special Education, under
                the Methods Training for Special Education Research topic we will not
                fund training in single-case design and we intend to fund only one
                grant for training programs focused on any particular method. However,
                should funding be available, we may consider making awards to more than
                one high-quality application focused on a particular method.
                 For all competitions, contingent on the availability of funds and
                the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2022
                from the list of highly-rated unfunded applications from the FY 2021
                competitions.
                 Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
                notice.
                 Project Period: See chart at the end of this notice.
                III. Eligibility Information
                 1. Eligible Applicants: Applicants that have the ability and
                capacity to conduct scientifically valid research are eligible to
                apply. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, nonprofit
                and for-profit organizations and public and private agencies and
                institutions of higher education, such as colleges and universities.
                 2. Cost Sharing or Matching: These programs do not require cost
                sharing or matching.
                 3. Subgrantees: Under 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c) a grantee under this
                competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project
                activities described in its application--to the following types of
                entities: Nonprofit and for-profit organizations and public and private
                agencies and institutions of higher education. The grantee may award
                subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.
                IV. Application and Submission Information
                 1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to
                follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
                Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
                Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at
                www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which
                contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
                 2. Other Information: Information regarding program and application
                requirements for the competitions will be contained in the currently
                available IES Application Submission Guide and in the NCER and NCSER
                RFAs, which will be available on or before May 30, 2020 on the IES
                website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. The dates on which the
                application packages for these competitions will be available are
                indicated in the chart at the end of this notice.
                 3. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
                concerning the content of an application are contained in the RFA for
                the specific competition. The forms that must be submitted are in the
                application package for the specific competition.
                 4. Submission Dates and Times: The deadline date for transmittal of
                applications for each competition is indicated in the chart at the end
                of this notice and in the RFAs for the competitions.
                 We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
                deadline requirements.
                 5. Intergovernmental Review: These competitions are not subject to
                Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
                 6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
                restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
                V. Application Review Information
                 1. Selection Criteria: For all of its grant competitions, IES uses
                selection criteria based on a peer review process that has been
                approved by the National Board for Education Sciences. The Peer Review
                Procedures for Grant Applications can be found on the IES website at
                https://ies.ed.gov/director/sro/peer_review/application_review.asp.
                 For the 84.305A, 84.324A, 84.324P, 84.305R, and 84.324R
                competitions, peer reviewers will be asked to evaluate the significance
                of the application, the quality of the research plan, the
                qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the
                applicant to support the proposed activities, and the quality of the
                dissemination history and dissemination plan. These criteria are
                described in greater detail in the RFAs.
                 For the 84.305B competition, peer reviewers for the pathways and
                postdoctoral training programs will be asked to evaluate the
                significance of the application, the quality of the research training
                plan, the qualifications and experience of the personnel, and the
                resources of the applicant to support the proposed activities. For the
                84.305B and 84.324B competitions, peer reviewers for the methods
                training programs will be asked to evaluate the significance of the
                application, the quality of the research training plan, the
                qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the
                applicant to support the proposed activities, and the quality of the
                dissemination plan. For the 84.324B competition, peer reviewers for the
                early career development and mentoring program will be asked to
                evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
                research plan, the quality of the career development plan, the
                qualifications and experience of the personnel, the resources of the
                applicant to support the proposed activities, and
                [[Page 26448]]
                the quality of the dissemination plan. These criteria are described in
                greater detail in the RFA.
                 For the 84.305C competition, peer reviewers will be asked to
                evaluate the significance of the application, the quality of the
                research plan for the focused program of research, the quality of the
                plans for other center activities, the quality of the management and
                institutional resources, and the qualifications and experience of the
                personnel. These criteria are described in greater detail in the RFA.
                 For all IES competitions, applications must include budgets no
                higher than the relevant maximum award as set out in the relevant RFA.
                IES will not make an award exceeding the maximum award amount as set
                out in the relevant RFA.
                 2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants
                that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition,
                IES may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of
                the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's
                use of funds, achievement of project objectives, compliance with the
                IES policy regarding public access to research, and compliance with
                grant conditions. IES may also consider whether the applicant failed to
                submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of
                unacceptable quality.
                 In addition, in making a competitive grant award, IES also requires
                various assurances including those applicable to Federal civil rights
                laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving
                Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5,
                106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
                 3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR
                200.205, before awarding grants under these competitions, the
                Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2
                CFR 3474.10, IES may impose specific conditions and, in appropriate
                circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or
                grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory
                performance; has a financial or other management system that does not
                meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the
                conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.
                 4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this
                competition to receive an award that over the course of the project
                period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently
                $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.205(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your
                integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
                awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make
                an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that
                is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as
                the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System
                (FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may
                review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal
                agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
                 Please note that, if the total value of your currently active
                grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the
                Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2
                CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity
                information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2
                CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal
                funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.
                VI. Award Administration Information
                 1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
                U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
                Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to
                access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally,
                also.
                 If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
                we notify you.
                 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
                administrative and national policy requirements in the application
                package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
                Regulations section of this notice.
                 We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
                an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
                include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
                incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
                commitments under the grant.
                 3. Grant Administration: Applicants should budget for an annual
                meeting of up to three days for project directors to be held in
                Washington, DC.
                 4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under one of the
                competitions announced in this notice, you must ensure that you have in
                place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting
                requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the
                competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR
                170.110(b).
                 (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final
                performance report, including financial information, as directed by
                IES. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual
                performance report that provides the most current performance and
                financial expenditure information as directed by IES under 34 CFR
                75.118. IES may also require more frequent performance reports under 34
                CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to
                www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
                 5. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
                education research and special education research grant programs, IES
                annually assesses the percentage of projects that result in peer-
                reviewed publications and the number of IES-supported interventions
                with evidence of efficacy in improving learner education outcomes. In
                addition, NCSER annually assesses the number of newly developed or
                modified interventions with evidence of promise for improving learner
                education outcomes. School readiness outcomes include pre-reading,
                reading, pre-writing, early mathematics, early science, and social-
                emotional skills that prepare young children for school. Student
                academic outcomes include learning and achievement in academic content
                areas, such as reading, writing, math, and science, as well as outcomes
                that reflect students' successful progression through the education
                system, such as course and grade completion; high school graduation;
                and postsecondary enrollment, progress, and completion. Social and
                behavioral competencies include social and emotional skills, attitudes,
                and behaviors that are important to academic and post-academic success.
                Additional education outcomes for students with or at risk of a
                disability (as defined in the relevant RFA) include developmental
                outcomes for infants and toddlers (birth to age three) pertaining to
                cognitive, communicative, linguistic, social, emotional, adaptive,
                functional, or physical development; and developmental and functional
                outcomes that improve education outcomes, transition to employment,
                independent living, and postsecondary education for students with
                disabilities.
                 6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR
                75.253, IES considers, among other things: Whether a grantee has made
                substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the
                project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is
                consistent with its approved application and budget;
                [[Page 26449]]
                whether a grantee is in compliance with the IES policy regarding public
                access to research; and if IES has established performance measurement
                requirements, whether the grantee has met the performance targets in
                the grantee's approved application.
                 In making a continuation award, IES also considers whether the
                grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved
                application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws
                that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving
                Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5,
                106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
                VII. Other Information
                 Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
                document and a copy of the RFA in an accessible format (e.g., braille,
                large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the appropriate
                program contact person listed in the chart at the end of this notice.
                 Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
                document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
                access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
                Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this
                document, as well as all other documents of this Department published
                in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To
                use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at
                the site.
                 You may also access documents of the Department published in the
                Federal Register by using the article search feature at
                www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search
                feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
                by the Department.
                Mark Schneider,
                Director, Institute of Education Sciences.
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Application Deadline for For further
                 CFDA No. and name package transmittal of Estimated range Project period information
                 available applications of awards * contact
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 National Center for Education Research (NCER)
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                84.305A Education Research... 6/11/20 8/20/20 $100,000 to Up to 5 years.. Erin Higgins,
                [ssquf] Career and Technical $760,000. [email protected]
                 Education.. d.gov.
                 [ssquf] Civics Education
                 and Social Studies.
                 [ssquf] Cognition and
                 Student Learning.
                 [ssquf] Early Learning
                 Programs and Policies.
                 [ssquf] Effective
                 Instruction.
                 [ssquf] English Learners.
                 [ssquf] Improving
                 Education Systems.
                 [ssquf] Postsecondary and
                 Adult Education.
                 [ssquf] Literacy.
                 [ssquf] Science,
                 Technology, Engineering,
                 and Mathematics
                 Education.
                 [ssquf] Social and
                 Behavioral Context for
                 Academic Learning.
                84.305B Research Training 6/11/20 8/20/20 $100,000 to Up to 5 years.. Katina
                 Programs in the Education $312,000. Stapleton,
                 Sciences. Katina.Staplet
                [ssquf] Pathways to the [email protected]
                 Education Sciences Research
                 Training Program..
                 [ssquf] Postdoctoral
                 Research Training
                 Program in the Education
                 Sciences.
                 [ssquf] Methods Training
                 for Education
                 Researchers.
                84.305C Education Research 6/11/20 8/20/20 $1,000,000 to Up to 5 years.. Meredith
                 and Development Centers. $2,000,000. Larson,
                [ssquf] Improving Teaching Meredith.Larso
                 and Learning in [email protected]
                 Postsecondary Institutions..
                84.305R Research Grants 6/11/20 8/20/20 $400,000 to Up to 5 years.. Christina
                 Focused on Systematic $900,000. Chhin,
                 Replication. [email protected].
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                84.324A Special Education 6/11/20 8/20/20 $100,000 to Up to 5 years.. Jacquelyn
                 Research. $760,000. Buckley,
                [ssquf] Cognition and Student Jacquelyn.Buck
                 Learning.. [email protected]
                 [ssquf] Early
                 Intervention and Early
                 Learning.
                 [ssquf] Educators and
                 School-Based Service
                 Providers.
                 [ssquf] Families of
                 Children with
                 Disabilities.
                 [ssquf] Reading, Writing,
                 and Language.
                 [ssquf] Science,
                 Technology, Engineering,
                 and Mathematics (STEM).
                 [ssquf] Social, Emotional
                 and Behavioral
                 Competence.
                 [ssquf] Systems, Policy,
                 and Finance.
                 [ssquf] Transition to
                 Postsecondary Education,
                 Career, and/or
                 Independent Living.
                84.324B Research Training 6/11/20 8/20/20 $100,000 to Up to 4 years.. Katherine
                 Programs in Special $266,000. Taylor,
                 Education. Katherine.Tayl
                [ssquf] Early Career [email protected]
                 Development and Mentoring..
                 [ssquf] Methods Training
                 for Special Education
                 Research.
                84.324P Research Grants 6/11/20 8/20/20 $100,000 to Up to 2.5 years Sarah Brasiel,
                 Focused on NAEP Process Data $280,000. [email protected]
                 for Learners with ed.gov.
                 Disabilities.
                84.324R Research Grants 6/11/20 8/20/20 $400,000 to Up to 5 years.. Katherine
                 Focused on Systematic $900,000. Taylor,
                 Replication. [email protected].
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                * These estimates are annual amounts.
                [[Page 26450]]
                 Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
                notice.
                 Note: If you use a TDD or a TTY, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-
                800-877-8339.
                [FR Doc. 2020-09446 Filed 5-1-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
                

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