[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34382-34383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16494]
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 25, 1997 /
Notices
[[Page 34382]]
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY
[CFDA NO. 84.257I]
Literacy Leader Fellowship Program
AGENCY: National Institute for Literacy.
ACTION: Notice.
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Purpose of Program: The Literacy Leader Fellowship Program is
designed to provide Federal financial assistance to adult learners and
to individuals pursuing careers in adult education or literacy in the
areas of instruction, research, or innovation. Under the program,
literacy workers and adult learners are applicants for fellowships.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: Applications must be
received at the National Institute for Literacy no later than 4:30 p.m.
August 4, 1997.
Available Funds: $140,000.
Estimated Range of Awards: $30,000-$50,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $35,000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 4.
Note: The National Institute for Literacy is not bound by any
estimates in this notice.
Project Period: Projects will be not less than three and no more
than 12 months of full or part-time activity.
Applicable Regulations: The regulations governing the National
Institute for Literacy's Literacy Leader Fellowship Program as
published in this issue of the Federal Register.
While the Institute is administered by an Interagency agreement
with the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human
Services, the specific policies and procedures of these agencies
regarding rulemaking and administration of grants are not adopted by
the Institute except as expressly stated in this Notice and in the
regulations.
Transmittal of Applications: An original and seven (7) copies of
applications for award must be received by the Institute on or before
the deadline date of August 4, 1997.
Applications delivered by mail: Applications sent by mail must be
addressed to National Institute for Literacy, 800 Connecticut Avenue,
NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006, Attention: (CFDA#84.257I).
An applicant is encouraged to use registered, certified, or first-
class mail.
Late applicants will be notified that their applications will not
be considered, and their applications will be returned.
Applications delivered by Hand: Applications that are hand-
delivered must be taken to the National Institute for Literacy, 800
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC.
The Institute will accept hand-delivered applications between 8:30
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Washington, DC time) daily, except Saturdays,
Sundays and Federal holidays. Applications that are hand-delivered will
not be accepted by the Institute after 4:30 p.m. on the due date.
Acknowledgment of Applications: The Institute will mail an
Applicant Receipt Acknowledgment to each applicant within 15 days from
the due date. If an applicant fails to receive the application
acknowledgement, call the National Institute for Literacy at (202) 632-
1525.
The applicant must indicate on the outside of the envelope the CFDA
number of the competition under which the application is being
submitted.
Application Forms: Applicants are required to submit the following
forms, assurances and certifications:
(a) Application Information and Budget Summary (NIFL Form No. 001)
(b) Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
(c) Certification Regarding Lobbying: Debarment, Suspension, and
other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED
80-0013).
(d) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) (if
applicable); and
(e) Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance in Certain
Programs (ED 80-0016)
The NIFL form, assurances, and certifications must each have an
original signature. No award can be made unless these forms are
submitted.
Prescribed Format: Applicants will also be required to submit a
proposal narrative. The narrative should be no more than 8 pages in
length. The narrative format is described in the Literacy Leader
Fellowship Application package. Applicants should also submit a resume,
budget narrative, and four letters of recommendation.
Priorities: (a) The Director invites applications for Literacy
Leader Fellowships that meet the priorities for 1997.
(b) The priorities for 1997 are major areas of concern in the
literacy field that are currently being addressed in the Institute's
work.
(c) An application may be awarded up to 5 bonus points for
addressing a priority or priorities, depending on how well the
application meets the priority or priorities.
(d) The publication of these priorities does not bind the Institute
to fund only applications addressing priorities. The Director is
especially interested in fellowship applications that address one or
more of the priorities, but not to the exclusion of other significant
issues that may be proposed by applicants.
(e) The priorities selected from the regulations for 1997 are as
follows:
(1) Developing Leadership in Adult Learners. Because Adult learners
are the true experts on literacy, they are an important resource for
the field. Their firsthand experience as ``customers'' of the literacy
system can be invaluable in assisting the field in moving forward,
particularly in terms of raising public awareness and understanding
about literacy. Projects that enhance best practices or the adult
learner network will be given priority consideration.
(2) Expanding the Use of Technology in Literacy Programs. One of
the NIFL's major projects is the Literacy Information and Communication
System (LINCS), an Internet based information system that provides
timely information and abundant resources to the literacy community.
Keeping the literacy community up to date in the information age is
vital. Projects that improve or increase use of technology will be
given priority consideration.
(3) Improving Accountability for Literacy Programs. Legislation
that has passed both houses of the U.S. Congress emphasizes that
literacy programs must develop accountability systems that demonstrate
their effectiveness in helping adult learners contribute more fully in
the workplace, family and community. Projects that focus on results-
oriented literacy practice, especially as related to the Equipped for
the Future (EFF) framework, are a priority.
(4) Raising Public Awareness about Literacy. The NIFL is leading a
national effort to raise public awareness that literacy is part of the
solution to many social concerns, including the well-being of children,
health, welfare and the economy. Projects that enhance this effort will
be given priority consideration.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National Educational Goal 6, which is
included in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, puts forward an
ambitious agenda for adult literacy and lifelong learning in America.
To further this goal, the Congress passed Public Law 102-73, the
National Literacy Act of 1991, which is the first piece of national
legislation to focus exclusively on literacy. The overall intent of the
Act, as stated, is:
To enhance the literacy and basic skills of adults, to ensure
that all adults in the United States acquire the basic skills
necessary to function effectively and achieve the greatest possible
opportunity in their work and in their lives and to strengthen and
coordinate adult literacy programs.
[[Page 34383]]
In designing the Act, among the primary concerns shared by the
Congress and literacy stakesholders was the fragmentation and lack of
coordination among the many efforts in the field. To address these
concerns, the Act created the National Institute for Literacy to:
(A) provide a national focal point of research, technical
assistance, and research dissemination, policy analysis and program
evaluation in the area of literacy; and
(B) facilitate a pooling of ideas and expertise across fragmented
programs and research efforts.
Among the Institute's authorized activities is the awarding of
fellowships to outstanding individuals who are pursuing careers in
adult education or literacy in the areas of instruction, management,
research, or innovation. These fellowships are to be awarded for
activities that advance the field of adult education and literacy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meg Young, National Institute for
Literacy, 800 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC
20006. Telephone: 202/632-1517, Fax: 202/632-1512. E-mail:
myoung@nifl.gov. To receive an application package, please contact
Darlene McDonald at the same address: Telephone: 202/632-1517, E-mail:
dmcdonald@nifl.gov.
Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 3430-0003, Expiration Date 6/30/2000. The
time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average 20 hours per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
disseminating the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. If you have any comments concerning the
accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this form,
please write to: the National Institute for Literacy, 800 Connecticut
Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20006.
Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1213c.
Dated: June 17, 1997.
Carolyn Staley,
Deputy Director, NIFL.
[FR Doc. 97-16494 Filed 6-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6055-01-M
