[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25210]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 12, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Research
Special Research Grant Program Notice 95-03: Pre-Freshman
Enrichment Program (PREP)
AGENCY: Office of Energy Research (ER), U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE).
ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.
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SUMMARY: The Office of University and Science Education Programs (OUSE)
of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announces its interest in
receiving grant applications from four-year and two-year (community
colleges) institutions of higher education that will support the
development of programs and approaches to encourage underrepresented
populations in science-based careers. Examples of these approaches
include, but are not limited to, summer institutes and academic year
activities that prepare students in science and mathematics subject
matter and motivate them to take future college-preparatory courses in
science, mathematics, and engineering.
DATES: Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be
received by 4:30 p.m., E.D.T., November 15, 1994, to permit timely
consideration for award. Awards will be made using FY 1996 funds. No
electronic submissions of formal applications will be accepted.
ADDRESSES: Formal applications referencing Program Notice 95-03 should
be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Acquisition and Assistance
Management Division, ER-64, Washington, D.C. 20585. The following
address must be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal
Service Express Mail, any commercial mail delivery service, or when
hand carried by the applicant: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Energy Research, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division, ER-64,
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874.
FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION: John Ortman, Program Manager, Office
of University and Science Education, ET-32, U.S. Department of Energy,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (202)
586-8949.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOE has, as a part of its mission, a
goal to increase the number of science, engineering and mathematics
professionals that are available to perform its research and
development mission and is authorized in the Energy Reorganization Act
of 1974 to ``* * * assure an adequate supply of manpower for the
accomplishment of energy research and development programs by
sponsoring and assisting in education and training activities in
postsecondary institutions, vocational schools and other institutions *
* *'' 42 U. S. C. 5813 (11).
Specifically, DOE's concern is based on the consideration that the
future supply of science and engineering manpower is threatened by two
factors: fewer students enrolling in science-based courses in high
school and fewer students available to join the science, engineering
and math pool due to declining birth rates. Students who have completed
the ninth grade in high school often decide not to take another
science-based course. Once the traditional math/science sequence is
disrupted, it is too late for students to meet the minimum requirements
for admission to college and university science and engineering
programs.
The primary purpose of PREP is to alleviate manpower shortages in
science, engineering and math careers by preparing and guiding students
entering sixth through tenth grades (have not completed the tenth
grade) in the selection of college-preparatory courses in science,
mathematics and engineering. Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR
600.7(b)(1), eligibility for awards under this notice is limited to
four-year accredited institutions of higher education which grant
baccalaureate degrees in science, mathematics and engineering and to
two-year institutions (community colleges). Community colleges are
encouraged to maintain articulation agreements with four-year
institutions which offer degrees in science, mathematics and
engineering. Eligibility is restricted to these institutions because
they offer the science, mathematics and engineering degrees which the
student participants entering sixth through tenth grade will be
encouraged to pursue.
PREP projects are required to have a summer component and an
academic year component. The summer component must be no less than four
continuous weeks, reaching a minimum of 24 students in grades six to
ten (have not completed the tenth grade). These 24 students must
participate in the program for four continuous weeks. The academic year
component should provide enough time for meaningful followup.
Typically, PREP grantee institutions work collaboratively with local
school districts, local industry, students' parents and peers to ensure
success. If a previous PREP award recipient, the applicant should
describe the progress or results of work accomplished. Other elements
which may strengthen applications include, but are not limited to:
interdisciplinary approach to teaching science and mathematics; the use
of role models and field trips; and students' active participation in
hands-on activities. DOE financial support is expected not to comprise
the totality of funding for an individual project. In FY 1995, projects
were supported at 46 institutions. DOE funds of approximately $2
million were augmented by over $2.3 million in non-DOE (private
industry and university) funds and it is desirable that applications
for the FY 1996 program indicate similar non-DOE support.
Contingent upon availability of appropriated funds, DOE expects to
make several two-year grants in FY 1996 to meet the objectives of the
program. The amount of each grant award will be limited to a maximum of
$42,000 or $21,000 per year.
Information about the development and submission of applications,
eligibility, limitations, program requirements, evaluation and
selection processes, and other policies and procedures may be found in
the ER Application Guide, and 10 CFR Part 605. The application kit and
guide is available from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
University and Science Education, ET-32, Washington, D.C. 20585.
Telephone requests may be made by calling (202) 586-8949.
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program
is 81.049.
This notice requests further that the ``Detailed Description of
Research Work Proposed'' component of a complete grant application as
established by 10 CFR 605 should not exceed 15 double-spaced, typed
pages. This description of work should include: (1) The conceptual
design and how that design relates to program objectives; (2) the
target audience(s) the project will serve and efforts planned to serve
that audience; (3) the mechanisms to be used to organize and manage the
project, including the roles and responsibilities, financial and
otherwise, of any partnerships; (4) the monitoring and evaluation plan,
including how those plans can be used for possible modification; (5)
the planned outcomes and how these outcomes will be assessed and
reported; and (6) the anticipated significance of the project and how
it will be confirmed.
Issued in Washington, DC, on October 5, 1994.
William A. Lewis, Jr.,
Director, Office of University and Science Education.
[FR Doc. 94-25210 Filed 10-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
