2025-01316. Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs; Professional Development Program (PD)-Training Grants

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Department of Education

AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs PD—Training Grants.

DATES:

Applications Available: January 17, 2025.

Date of Pre-Application Webinar: February 11, 2025.

Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: February 18, 2025.

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2025.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 26, 2025.

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 December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2024/​12/​23/​2024-30488/​common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Linda Brake, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202-6335. Telephone: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purposes of the PD Program that are relevant to this competition are to increase the number of qualified Indian individuals in professions that serve Indian students and to provide training and support to qualified Indian individuals to become teachers and administrators.

Assistance Listing Number: 84.299B.

OMB Control Number: 1810-0580.

Background: To be successful, every student should have access to ( print page 5857) outstanding, well-prepared, well-supported educators who reflect the diversity of the students they serve. The PD Training Grants program provides critical support to increase the number of qualified Indian educators and administrators serving Indian students who can help meet the unique linguistic and cultural needs of Native American students. It is the policy of the United States to fulfill the Federal Government's unique and continuing trust relationship with and responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children. The Federal Government will continue to work with local educational agencies (LEAs), Indian Tribes and organizations, postsecondary institutions, and other entities toward the goal of ensuring that programs that serve Indian children are of the highest quality. The Department is committed to supporting opportunities for educator recruitment, preparation, and retention in a way that creates a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.

The PD Training Grants program can support multiple types of training, including Registered Apprenticeships (RA).

We encourage applicants to consider creative ways to meet the needs of Indian students by identifying and overcoming barriers to training and supporting future Indian teachers and administrators.

Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from 34 CFR 263.6(b)(1) and (2), as amended pursuant to the notice of final regulations for this program published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register (Final Rule), and the competitive preference priorities are from 34 CFR 263.6(a)(1) and (2), as amended by the Final Rule.

Absolute Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one of these priorities.

Note: The Department may create two funding slates—one for applicants that meet Absolute Priority 1 and one for applicants that meet Absolute Priority 2. As a result, the Department may fund applications out of the overall rank order, provided there is a sufficient number of high-quality applications, but the Department is not bound to do so. Applicants must clearly identify the specific absolute priority the proposed project addresses in the project abstract and narrative; an applicant that wishes to apply under both priorities should submit two separate applications.

These priorities are:

Absolute Priority 1: Pre-Service Training for Teachers.

Projects that—

(a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete a pre-service education program before the end of the award period that enables the individuals to meet the requirements for full State certification or licensure as a teacher through—

(1) Training that leads to a degree in education;

(2) For States allowing a degree in a specific subject area, training that leads to a degree in the subject area;

(3) Training in a current or new specialized teaching assignment that requires a degree and in which a documented teacher shortage exists; or

(4) Training in the field of Native American language instruction;

(b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in schools in local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve a high proportion of Indian students; and

(c) Include goals for the—

(1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;

(2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;

(3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and

(4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within 12 months of completion.

Absolute Priority 2: Pre-service Administrator Training.

Projects that—

(a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete a graduate degree in education administration that is provided before the end of the award period and that allows participants to meet the requirements for State certification or licensure as an education administrator;

(b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in schools in LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students; and

(c) Include goals for the—

(1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;

(2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;

(3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and

(4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within twelve months of completion.

Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional 5 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1 or an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 2. Applicants are eligible for points under either Competitive Preference Priority 1 or 2, not both; thus, the maximum number of points is 5.

These priorities are:

Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Applicants (Zero or five points).

An application submitted by an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or Tribal college or university (TCU) that is eligible to participate in the Professional Development program. A consortium application of eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 and includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU will be considered eligible to receive preference under this priority only if the lead applicant for the consortium is the Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU. In order to be considered a consortium application, the application must include the consortium agreement, signed by all parties.

Competitive Preference Priority 2: Consortium Applicants, Non-Tribal Lead (Zero or three points).

A consortium application of eligible entities that—

(a) Meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 and includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU; and

(b) Is not eligible to receive a preference under Competitive Preference Priority 1.

Application Requirements: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, applicants must meet the following application requirements from 34 CFR 263.5.

Each applicant must:

(a) Describe how it will—

(1) Recruit qualified Indian individuals, such as students who may not be of traditional college age, to become teachers, principals, or school leaders, if applicable;

(2) Use funds made available under the grant to support the recruitment, preparation, retention, and professional ( print page 5858) development of Indian teachers or principals in LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students, as applicable; ¹ and

(3) Assist participants who receive pre-service training in meeting the payback requirements under 34 CFR 263.9(b), if applicable;

(b) Submit one or more letters of support from LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students. Each letter must include—

(1) A statement that the LEA agrees to consider program graduates for employment;

(2) Evidence that the LEA meets the definition of “LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students”; and

(3) The signature of an authorized representative of the LEA;

(c) If applying as an Indian organization, demonstrate that the entity meets the definition of “Indian organization”;

(d) If it is an affected LEA that is subject to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), consult with appropriate officials from Tribe(s) or Tribal organizations approved by the Tribes located in the area served by the LEA prior to its submission of an application, as required under ESEA section 8538; and

(e) Comply with any other requirements in the application package.

Statutory Hiring Preference:

(a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee—

(1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and

(2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in connection with the administration of the grant.

(b) For purposes of this preference, an Indian is a member of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.

Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 263.3, as amended by the Final Rule, and apply to this competition.

BIE-funded school means a Bureau of Indian Education school, a contract or grant school, or a school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988.

Dependent allowance means costs for the care of minor children under the age of 18 who reside with the training participant and for whom the participant has responsibility. The term does not include financial obligations for payment of child support required of the participant.

Full course load means the number of credit hours that the institution requires of a full-time student.

Graduate degree means a post-baccalaureate degree awarded by an institution of higher education.

Indian means an individual who is—

(1) A member of an Indian Tribe or band, as membership is defined by the Indian Tribe or band, including any Tribe or band terminated since 1940, and any Tribe or band recognized by the State in which the Tribe or band resides;

(2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of this definition;

(3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;

(4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or

(5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 19, 1994.

Indian organization means an organization that—

(1) Is legally established—

(i) By Tribal or inter-Tribal charter or in accordance with State or Tribal law; and

(ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of incorporation;

(2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of Indians;

(3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is Indian;

(4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction or by charter of the governing body of that reservation;

(5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the direct control of, any institution of higher education or TCU; and

(6) Is not an agency of State or local government.

Induction services means services provided—

(1)(i) By educators, local traditional leaders, or cultural experts;

(ii) For the two years of qualifying employment; and

(iii) In LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students;

(2) To support and improve participants' professional performance and promote their retention in the field of education and teaching, and that include, at a minimum, these activities:

(i) High-quality mentoring, coaching, and consultation services for the participant to improve performance.

(ii) Access to research materials and information on teaching and learning.

(iii) Assisting new teachers with use of technology in the classroom and use of data, particularly student achievement data, for classroom instruction.

(iv) Clear, timely, and useful feedback on performance, provided in coordination with the participant's supervisor.

(v) Periodic meetings or seminars for participants to enhance collaboration, feedback, and peer networking and support.

In-service training means activities and opportunities designed to enhance the skills and abilities of individuals in their current areas of employment.

Institution of higher education (IHE) has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

Local educational agency (LEA) that serves a high proportion of Indian students means—

(1) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high proportion of Indian students in the LEA as compared to other LEAs in the State; or

(2) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high proportion of Indian students in the school in which the participant works compared to other LEAs in the State, even if the LEA as a whole in which the participant works does not have a high proportion of Indian students compared to other LEAs in the State.

Native American means “Indian” as defined in section 6151(3) of the ESEA, which includes Alaska Native and members of federally-recognized or State-recognized Tribes; Native Hawaiian; and Native American Pacific Islander.

Native American language means the historical, traditional languages spoken by Native Americans.

Participant means an Indian individual who is being trained under the Professional Development program.

Payback means work-related service or cash reimbursement to the Department of Education for the training received under the Professional Development program.

Pre-service training means training to Indian individuals to prepare them to meet the requirements for licensing or certification in a professional field requiring at least a baccalaureate degree, or licensing or certification in the field of Native American language instruction.

Qualifying employment means employment in an LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students. ( print page 5859)

Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Education or an official or employee of the Department acting for the Secretary under a delegation of authority.

Stipend means that portion of an award that is used for room, board, and personal living expenses for participants in pre-service training who are living at or near the institution providing the training.

Tribal college or university (TCU) has the meaning given that term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for supporting Tribal students' elementary and secondary education.

Program Authority:20 U.S.C. 7442.

Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal civil rights laws.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (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 (Uniform Guidance), as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 263, as amended by the Final Rule.

Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the provisions stated in the updated Uniform Guidance (89 FR 30046, April 22, 2024) when preparing an application. For more information about these regulations please visit: https://www.cfo.gov/​resources-coffa/​uniform-guidance/​.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to IHEs only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $72,000,000 for Special Programs for Indian Children, of which we intend to use an estimated $13,000,000 for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2026 and subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$500,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $450,000.

Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $500,000 for the first, second, or third 12-month budget period. The last two 12-month budget periods will be limited to induction services only, at a cost not to exceed $120,000 per year. We will not make an award exceeding $120,000 for the fourth or fifth 12-month budget period.

Estimated Number of Awards: 29.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: Up to 36 months with the potential for renewal of up to an additional 24 months. We will award grants for an initial period of not more than three years and may renew such grants for an additional period of not more than two years if we find that the grantee is achieving the objectives of the grant. The Department requests that applicants provide budget information in their applications for the full period, up to 60 months, for which they hope to be funded.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants:

(a) An eligible applicant must be—

(1) An IHE, including a TCU;

(2) A State educational agency in a consortium with an IHE or a TCU;

(3) An LEA in a consortium with an IHE or a TCU;

(4) An Indian Tribe or Indian organization in a consortium with an IHE or a TCU; or

(5) A BIE-funded school in a consortium with at least one TCU, where feasible. BIE-funded schools are eligible applicants for a pre-service training program when the BIE-funded school applies in consortium with an institution of higher education that meets the requirements in paragraph(c) of this section.

(b) Eligibility of an applicant that is an IHE or a TCU, or an applicant requiring a consortium with an IHE or a TCU, requires that the IHE or TCU be accredited to provide the coursework and level of degree or Native American language certificate required by the project.

Post Award Requirements:

(a) Requirement for payback meeting. Prior to providing funds or services to a participant, the grantee must conduct a payback meeting with the participant to explain the costs of training and payback responsibilities following training.

(b) Requirement for payback agreement. (1) Prior to providing funds or services to a participant, and for each subsequent year that training funds are disbursed, the grantee must enter into a written agreement with each participant in which the participant agrees to the terms and conditions required by 34 CFR 263.12.

(2) The payback agreement must explain the Secretary's authority to grant deferrals and exceptions to the service obligation pursuant to § 263.10 and include—(i) The current Department address for purposes of the participant's compliance with § 263.11, or any other purpose under this part, and other Office of Indian Education contact information;

(ii) The estimated length of training;

(iii) The total training costs;

(iv) The total amount of assistance accrued year-to-date;

(v) The total number of months in the service obligation year-to-date;

(vi) A statement explaining that work must be in an “LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students,” and the regulatory definition of that phrase; and

(vii) Information documenting that the grantee held a payback meeting with the participant that meets the requirements of this section.

(3) The grantee must submit a signed payback agreement to the Department within 30 days of the date on which the payback agreement is fully executed by the grantee and participant. The grantee must provide a copy of the payback agreement to the participant upon execution.

(c) Exit certification. At the time of exit from the program, the grantee must provide the below information to the participant. Upon receipt of this information from the grantee, the participant must provide written certification to the grantee that this information is correct:

(1) The name of the institution where the participant received pre-service training and the award number of the Federal grant that provided the scholarship.

(2) The number of months the participant needs to work in an LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students to satisfy the payback requirements in 263.9.

(3) The total amount of financial assistance received. ( print page 5860)

(4) The participant's field of study and the obligation of the participant to perform the service obligation with employment that meets the requirements in § 263.9(b).

(d) Career preparation. During the grant period, a grantee must conduct activities to assist participants in identifying qualified employment opportunities following completion of the program.

(e) Information and annual reporting. The grantee must report to the Secretary all participant training and payback information in a manner specified by the Secretary as well as any other information that is necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under section 6122 of the ESEA and 34 CFR part 263. Each grantee will make annual reports to the Secretary, unless more frequent reporting is required by the Secretary, that are necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under 34 CFR part 263.

(f) Standards for satisfactory progress. The grantee must establish, publish, notify participants of, and apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a participant is making satisfactory progress in the training program. The Secretary considers an institution's standards to be reasonable if the standards—

(1) Are the same as the institution's standards for a student enrolled in the same academic program who is not receiving assistance under this program; and

(2) Include the following elements:

(i) Grades, work projects completed, including performance tasks, or comparable factors that are measurable against a norm and are aligned with demonstrating effective practice.

(ii) A maximum timeframe in which the participant must complete the participant's educational objective, degree, or certificate.

(iii) Consistent application of standards to all participants within categories of students ( e.g., full-time, part-time, undergraduate students, and graduate students).

(iv) Specific policies defining the effect of course incompletes, withdrawals, repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses on satisfactory progress.

(v) Specific procedures for appeal of a determination that a participant is not making satisfactory progress and for reinstatement of aid.

(g) Requirement for Indian preference. (1) Under section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638), to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee must—

(i) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and

(ii) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e), preference in the award of contracts in connection with the administration of the grant.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph (g), an Indian is a member of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.

2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see https://www.ed.gov/​about/​ed-offices/​ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division. Note, however, that consistent with 34 CFR 75.562(c)(4), this training rate limitation does not apply to agencies of Indian Tribal governments.

c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.

d. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.

3. Other: Projects funded under this competition must budget for a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year of the project period. This meeting may be held virtually if conditions warrant such a format.

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 December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2024/​12/​23/​2024-30488/​common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the Indian Education Professional Development Program, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).

Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public by posting them on our website, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.

Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).

3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition.

4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

The allowable costs below are from 34 CFR 263.4.

A PD program may include, as training costs, assistance to—

(1) Fully finance a student's educational expenses including tuition, books, and required fees; health insurance required by the IHE; stipend; dependent allowance; technology costs; program required travel; and instructional supplies; or

(2) Supplement other financial aid, including Federal funding other than loans, for meeting a student's educational expenses.

The maximum stipend amount is $2,300 per month for full-time students; grantees may also provide participants with a $500 allowance per month per dependent during an academic term. ( print page 5861) The Department will reduce any stipends in excess of this amount.

Other costs that a PD program may include, but that must not be included as training costs, include costs for-

(1) Collaborating with prospective employers within the grantees' local service area to create a pool of potentially available qualifying employment opportunities;

(2) In-service training activities such as providing mentorships linking experienced teachers at job placement sites with program participants;

(3) Assisting participants in identifying and securing qualifying employment opportunities in their fields of study following completion of the program;

(4) Teacher mentoring programs, professional guidance, and instructional support provided by educators, local traditional leaders, or cultural experts, as appropriate for teachers for up to their first three years of employment as teachers; and

(5) Programs designed to train traditional leaders and cultural experts to assist participants with relevant Native language and cultural mentoring, guidance, and support.

We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 30 pages and (2) use the following standards:

• A “page” is 8.5” x 11”, on one side only, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
• Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
• Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium agreement. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the application narrative.

An application will not be disqualified if it exceeds the recommended page limit.

6. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information provided.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are from 34 CFR 75.210 and 263.7. An applicant may earn up to a total of 100 points based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also includes the factors that the reviewers will consider in determining how well an application meets the criterion. The criteria are as follows:

(a) Need for project (up to 5 points). In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the proposed project will prepare personnel in specific fields in which shortages have been demonstrated through a job market analysis.

(b) Quality of project design (up to 20 points). The Secretary considers the following factors in determining the quality of the design of the proposed project:

(1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by the proposed project are ambitious but also attainable and address—

(i) The number of participants expected to be recruited in the project each year;

(ii) The number of participants expected to continue in the project each year;

(iii) The number of participants expected to graduate; and

(iv) The number of participants expected to find qualifying employment within twelve months of completion. (up to 10 points)

(2) The extent to which the proposed project has a plan for recruiting and selecting participants, including students who may not be of traditional college age, that ensures that program participants are likely to complete the program. (up to 5 points)

(3) The extent to which the proposed project will incorporate the needs of potential employers, as identified by a job market analysis, by establishing partnerships and relationships with LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students and developing programs that meet their employment needs. (up to 5 points)

(c) Quality of project services (up to 20 points) The Secretary considers the following factors in determining the quality of the design of project services:

(1) The likelihood that the proposed project will provide participants with learning experiences that develop needed skills for successful teaching and/or administration in LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students. (up to 4 points)

(2) The extent to which the proposed project prepares participants to adapt teaching and/or administrative practices to meet the breadth of Indian student needs. (up to 4 points)

(3) The extent to which the applicant will provide job placement activities that reflect the findings of a job market analysis and needs of potential employers and that offer qualifying employment opportunities. (up to 4 points)

(4) The extent to which the applicant will offer induction services that reflect the latest research on effective delivery of such services. (up to 4 points)

(5) The extent to which the applicant will assist participants in meeting the service obligation requirements. (up to 4 points)

(d) Quality of project personnel (up to 15 points). In determining the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project, the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant training, experience, and cultural competence, of key project personnel and the amount of time to be spent on the project and direct interactions with participants.

(e) Adequacy of resources (up to 10 points). In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. (Up to 5 points)

(2) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. (Up to 5 points) ( print page 5862)

(f) Quality of the management plan (up to 10 points). In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(1) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks. (Up to 5 points)

(2) The adequacy of plans for ensuring the use of quantitative and qualitative data, including meaningful community member and partner input, to inform continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project. (Up to 5 points)

(g) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building. (up to 20 points). In determining the quality of the evaluation or other evidence-building of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors: (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building are appropriate to the context within which the project operates and the target population of the proposed project. (Up to 10 points)

(2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other evidence-building will provide performance feedback and provide formative, diagnostic, or interim data that is a periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 10 points)

2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary 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, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary 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, the Secretary 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).

The Department will screen applications that are submitted in accordance with the requirements in this notice and determine which applications are eligible to be read by peer reviewers based on whether they have met the eligibility, priorities and application requirements in this notice. The Department will use peer reviewers with knowledge and expertise on issues related to educator training and improving outcomes for Native American youth to score the selection criteria. The Department will thoroughly screen all peer reviewers for conflicts of interest to ensure a fair and competitive review.

In reviewing applications, the Department will assign points for Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2 based on each application's adherence to the requirements of each.

Technical scoring. Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written evaluation, and assign a technical score to the applications assigned to their panel, using the selection criteria provided in this notice. The Department will then prepare rank order(s) of applications based on the technical scores.

3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under this competition, the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, 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 200.206(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 also notify you informally.

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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20.

4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 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. See the standards in 2 CFR 170.105 to determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.

(b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance ( print page 5863) report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. 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 the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary 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.

(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

5. Performance Measures: For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established the following performance measures:

(a) The number and percentage of participants in administrator preparation projects who become principals, vice principals, or other school administrators in “LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students”;

(b) The number and percentage of participants in teacher preparation projects who become teachers in “LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students”;

(c) The number and percentage of program participants who meet State licensure requirements;

(d) The number and percentage of program participants who complete their service requirement on schedule;

(e) The cost per individual who successfully completes an administrator preparation program, takes a position in an “LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students,” and completes the service requirement in such a district; and

(f) The cost per individual who successfully completes a teacher preparation program, takes a position in an “LEA that serves a high proportion of Indian students,” and completes the service requirement in such a district.

These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant under this program to carefully consider these measures in conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these measures.

6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary 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; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.

In making a continuation award, the Secretary 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).

(a) In making continuation awards, in addition to applying the criteria in 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers the extent to which a grantee has achieved its project goals to recruit, retain, graduate, and place in qualifying employment program participants.

(b) The Secretary may reduce continuation awards, including the portion of awards that may be used for administrative costs, as well as student training costs, based on a grantee's failure to achieve its project goals specified in paragraph (a) of this section.

VII. Other Information

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, compact disc, or other accessible format.

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 Department documents 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 Department documents 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.

Adam Schott,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority To Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.