The Director amends Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations by
revising Part 1100 to read as follows:

PART 1100 ‑‑ NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY: LITERACY LEADER FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM

Subpart A‑‑General

Sec.

1100.1 What is the Literacy Leader Fellows Program?

1100.2 Who is eligible for a fellowship?

1100.3 What types of projects may a fellow conduct under this program?

1100.4 What regulations apply?

1100.5 What definitions apply?

1100.6 What priorities may the Director establish?

Subpart B‑‑How Does an Individual Apply for a Fellowship?

1100.10 What categories of fellowships does the Institute award?

1100.11 How does an individual apply for a fellowship?

1100.12 What applications are not evaluated for funding?

Subpart C‑‑How Does the Director Award a Fellowship?

1100.20 How is a fellow selected?

1100.21 What selection criteria does the Director use to rate an
applicant?

1100.22 How does the Director determine the amount of a fellowship?

1100.23 What payment methods may the Director use?

1100.24 What are the procedures for payment of a fellowship award
directly to the fellow?

1100.25 What are the procedures for payment of a fellowship award
through the fellow's employer?

Subpart D‑‑What Conditions must Be Met by a Fellow?

1100.30 Where may the fellowship project be conducted?

1100.31 Who is responsible for oversight of fellowship activities?

1100.32 What is the duration of a fellowship?

1100.33 What reports are required?

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1213c(e)

Subpart A‑‑General

§1100.1 [What is the Literacy Leader Fellowship Program?]{.underline}

\(a\) Under the Literacy Leader Fellowship Program, the Director of the
National Institute for Literacy provides financial assistance to
outstanding individuals who are pursuing careers in adult education or
literacy.

\(b\) Fellowships are awarded to these individuals for the purpose of
carrying out short-term, innovative projects that contribute to the
knowledge base of the adult education or literacy field.

\(c\) Fellowships are intended to benefit the fellow, the Institute, and
the national literacy field by providing the fellow with the opportunity
to interact with national leaders in the field and make contributions to
federal policy initiatives that promote a fully literate adult
population.

§1100.2 [Who is eligible for a fellowship?]{.underline}

\(a\) Only individuals are eligible to be recipients of fellowships.

\(b\) To be eligible for a fellowship under this program, an individual
must be \--

\(1\) A citizen or national of the United States, or a permanent
resident of the United States, or an individual who is in the United
States for other than temporary purposes and intends to become a
permanent resident;

\(2\) Eligible for Federal assistance under the terms of 34 CFR 75.60
and 75.61; and

\(3\) Either a literacy worker or an adult learner.

\(c\) An individual who has received a fellowship award in a prior year
is not eligible for another award.

\(d\) Several individuals may apply jointly for one award, if each
individual will contribute significantly to the proposed project and if
the proposed project will develop leadership for each individual.

§1100.3 [What type of project may a fellow conduct under this
program]{.underline}?

\(a\) Under the auspices of the Institute, and in accordance with the
Fellowship Agreement, a Literacy Leader Fellow may use a fellowship
awarded under this part to engage in research, education, training,
technical assistance, or other activities that advance the field of
adult education or literacy, including the training of volunteer
literacy providers at the national, State, or local level.

\(b\) A Literacy Leader Fellow may not use a fellowship awarded under
this part for any of the following:

\(1\) Tuition and fees for continuing the education of the applicant
where this is the sole or primary purpose of the project.

\(2\) Planning and implementing fundraisers

\(3\) General program operations and administration.

\(4\) Activities that otherwise do not meet the purposes of the Literacy
Leader Fellowship program, as described in paragraph (a) of this
section.

§1100.4 [What regulations apply?]{.underline}

This program is governed by the regulations in this part and the
following additional regulations:

34 CFR 74.36, Intangible property;

34 CFR 75.60, Individuals ineligible to receive assistance;

34 CFR part 85, Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)
and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug‑Free Workplace (Grants).

§1100.5 [What definitions apply?]{.underline}

\(a\) The definitions in 34 CFR 77.1, except that the definitions of
"Applicant", "Application", "Award", and "Project" do not apply to this
part.

\(b\) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this
part:

[Adult learner]{.underline} means an individual over 16 years old who is
pursuing or has completed some form of literacy or basic skills
training, including preparation for the G.E.D.

[Applicant]{.underline} means an individual (or more than one
individual, if applying jointly) requesting a fellowship under this
program.

[Application]{.underline} means a written request for a fellowship under
this program.

[Award]{.underline} means an amount of funds provided for fellowship
activities.

[Board]{.underline} means the National Institute for Literacy's advisory
board established pursuant to section 384(f) of the Adult Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1213c(f)).

[Director]{.underline} means the Director of the National Institute for
Literacy.

[Fellow]{.underline} means a recipient of a fellowship.

[Fellowship Agreement]{.underline} means a written agreement entered
into between the Institute and a fellow, which, when executed, has the
legal effect of obligating the fellowship award, and which states the
rights and obligations of the parties.

[Fellowship]{.underline} means an award of financial assistance made by
the Institute to an individual pursuant to section 384(e) of the Adult
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1213c(e)) to enable that individual to conduct
research or other authorized literacy activities under the auspices of
the Institute.

[Institute]{.underline} means the National Institute for Literacy.

[Literacy worker]{.underline} means an individual who is pursuing a
career in literacy or adult education or a related field and who either
has a minimum of five years of relevant academic, volunteer or
professional experience in the literacy, adult education, or related
field, or has made a significant contribution to, or notable progress
in, the field. Relevant experience includes teaching, policymaking,
administration, or research.

[Project]{.underline} means the work to be engaged in by the fellow
during the period of the fellowship.

[Research]{.underline} means one or more of the following activities in
literacy or education or education related fields: basic and applied
research, planning, surveys, assessments, evaluations, investigations,
experiments, development and demonstrations.

§1100.6 [What priorities may the Director establish?]{.underline}

The Director may, through a notice published in the FEDERAL REGISTER,
select annually one or more priorities for funding. These priorities may
be chosen from the areas of greatest immediate concern to the Institute
and may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

\(a\) [Developing Leadership in Adult Learners]{.underline}. 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.

\(b\) [Expanding the Use of Technology in Literacy
Programs]{.underline}. One of the Institute'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.

\(c\) [Improving Accountability for Literacy Programs]{.underline}.
Literacy programs must develop accountability systems that demonstrate
their effectiveness in helping adult learners contribute more fully in
the workplace, family and community. There is growing interest in
results-oriented literacy practice, especially as related to the
Equipped for the Future (EFF) framework.

\(d\) [Raising Public Awareness about Literacy]{.underline}. The
Institute is leading a national effort to raise public awareness that
literacy is part of the solution to many social concerns, including
health, welfare, the economy, and the well-being of children. Projects
that enhance this effort will be given priority consideration.

Subpart B‑‑How Does an Individual Apply for a Fellowship?

§1100.10 [What categories of fellowships does the Institute
award?]{.underline}

The Institute awards two categories of Literacy Leadership Fellowships:

(a)Literacy Worker Fellowships; and

\(b\) Adult Learner Fellowships.

§1100.11 [How does an individual apply for a fellowship?]{.underline}

An individual shall apply to the Director for a fellowship award in
response to an application notice published by the Director in the
FEDERAL REGISTER. The application must describe a plan for one or more
of the activities stated in §1100.3 that the applicant proposes to
conduct under the fellowship. The application must indicate which
category of fellowship, as described in §1100.10(b), most accurately
describes the applicant. Applicants must also submit four letters of
recommendation and certain forms, assurances and certifications,
including the certification required under 34 CFR 75.61. (Approved by
the Office of Management and Budget under OMB Control Number 3430-0003,
Expiration Date 6/30/2000.)

§1100.12 What applications are not evaluated for funding?

The Director does not evaluate an application if\--

\(a\) The applicant is not eligible under §1100.2;

\(b\) The applicant does not comply with all of the procedural rules
that govern the submission of applications for Literacy Leader
Fellowship funds;

\(c\) The application does not contain the information required by the
Institute;

\(d\) The application proposes a project for which a fellow may not use
fellowship funds, as described in §1100.3(b).

\(e\) The application is not submitted by the deadline stated in the
application notice.

Subpart C‑‑How Does the Director Award a Fellowship?

§1100.20 How is a fellow selected?

\(a\) The Director selects applications for fellowships on the basis of
the selection criteria in §1100.21 and any priorities that have been
published in the FEDERAL REGISTER and are applicable to the selection of
applications.

(b)(1) The Director may use experts from the literacy field to rank
applications according to the selection criteria in §1100.21, and then
provide the top-ranked applications to the Institute's Advisory Board.

\(2\) The Institute\'s Advisory Board evaluates these applications based
on the selection criteria in §1100.21 and makes funding recommendations
to the Director.

\(3\) The Director then determines the number of awards to be made in
each fellowship category and the order in which applications will be
selected for fellowships, based on the initial rank order,
recommendations by the board, and any other information relevant to any
of the selection criteria, applicable priorities, or the purposes of the
Literacy Leader Fellowship Program, including whether the selection of
an application would increase the diversity of fellowship projects under
this program.

§1100.21 [What selection criteria does the Director use to rate an
applicant?]{.underline}

The Director uses the following criteria in evaluating each applicant
for a fellowship:

\(a\) [Quality of Plan]{.underline}. (45 points) The Director uses the
following criteria to evaluate the quality of the proposed project:

\(1\) The proposed project deals with an issue of major concern to the
literacy field.

\(2\) The design of the project is strong and feasible.

\(3\) The project addresses critical issues in an innovative way.

\(4\) The plan demonstrates a knowledge of similar programs and an
intention, where appropriate, to coordinate with them.

\(5\) The applicant describes adequate support and resources for the
project.

\(6\) The plan includes evaluation methods to determine the
effectiveness of the project.

\(7\) The project results are likely to contribute to the knowledge base
in literacy or adult education, and to federal policy initiatives in
these or related areas.

\(8\) The project will enhance literacy or adult education practice.

\(9\) The project builds research capacity or improves practice within
the field.

\(b\) [Qualifications of Applicant]{.underline}. (25 points) The
Director uses the following criteria to evaluate the qualifications of
the applicant:

\(1\) The applicant has a strong background in the literacy field.
\[Include all relevant experience, which many include experience as a
volunteer or an adult learner.\]

\(2\) The applicant has expertise in the proposed area of the project.

\(3\) The applicant has demonstrated the ability to complete a quality
project or has shown leadership in this area.

\(4\) The applicant provides letters of recommendation that show strong
knowledge by others in the literacy field of the applicant's background
and past work.

\(c\) [Relevance to the Institute]{.underline}. (10 points) The Director
uses the following criteria to evaluate the relevance of the applicant's
proposal to the the Institute:

\(1\) The project significantly relates to the purposes and work of the
Institute.

\(2\) The applicant proposes to spend a significant portion of the
project time at the Institute, taking into account the nature and scope
of the proposed project.

\(d\) [Dissemination Plan]{.underline}. (10 points) The Director uses
the following criteria to evaluate the quality of the dissemination
plan:

\(1\) The applicant clearly specifies what information will be made
available to the field and how this information will further the efforts
of the field.

\(2\) The applicant describes how this information will be shared with
the field (e.g., print, on-line, presentations, video, etc.).

\(e\) [Budget]{.underline}. (10 points) The Director uses the following
criteria to evaluate the budget:

\(1\) The budget will adequately support the project.

\(2\) The costs are clearly related to the objectives of the project.

\(3\) The budget is cost effective.

\(4\) The budget narrative clearly describes the budget and how costs
are calculated.

§1100.22 [How does the Director determine the amount of a
fellowship?]{.underline}

The amount of a fellowship includes‑‑

\(a\) A stipend, not to exceed \$30,000, based on‑‑

\(1\) The fellow\'s current annual salary, prorated for the length of
the fellowship salary reimbursement; or

\(2\) If a fellow has no current salary, the fellow\'s education and
experience; and

\(b\) A subsistence allowance, materials allowance (covering costs of
materials and supplies directly related to the completion of the
project), and travel expenses (including expenses to attend quarterly
meetings in Washington, DC) related to the fellowship and necessary to
complete the scope of work outlined in the proposal, consistent with
Title 5 U.S.C. chapter 57.

§1100.23 [What payment methods may the Director use?]{.underline}

\(a\) The Director will pay a fellowship award directly to the fellow or
through the fellow's employer. The application should specify if the
fellow wishes to be paid directly or through the fellow's employer.

\(b\) The Director considers the preferences of the fellow in
determining whether to pay a fellowship award directly to the fellow or
through the fellow's employer; however, the Director pays a fellowship
award through the fellow's employer only if the employer enters into an
agreement with the Director to comply with the provisions of §1100.25.

§1100.24 [What are the procedures for payment of a fellowship award
directly to the fellow?]{.underline}

\(a\) If the Director pays a fellowship award directly to the fellow
after the Director determines the amount of a fellowship award, the
fellowship recipient shall submit a payment schedule to the Director for
approval. The Director advises the recipient of the approved schedule.

\(b\) If a fellow does not complete the fellowship, or if the Institute
terminates the fellowship, the fellow shall return to the Director a
prorated portion of the stipend and any unused subsistence and materials
allowance and travel funds at the time and in the manner required by the
Director.

§1100.25 [What are the procedures for payment of a fellowship award
through the fellow's employer?]{.underline}

\(a\) If the Director pays a fellowship award through the fellow's
employer, the employer shall submit a payment schedule to the Director
for approval.

\(b\) The employer shall pay the fellow the stipend, subsistence and
materials allowance, and travel funds according to the payment schedule
approved by the Director. If the fellow does not complete the
fellowship, the fellow shall return to the employer a prorated portion
of the stipend and any unused subsistence and materials allowance and
travel funds. The employer shall return the funds to the Director at the
time and in the manner required by the Director. The employer shall also
return to the Director any portion of the stipend, subsistence and
materials allowance and travel funds not yet paid by the employer to the
fellow.

Subpart D‑‑What Conditions Must be Met by a Fellow?

§1100.30 [Where may the fellowship project be conducted?]{.underline}

\(a\) A fellow carries out all, or a portion of, the fellowship project
at the National Institute for Literacy in Washington, D.C. If the
Director determines that unusual circumstances exist, the Director may
authorize the fellow to carry out all of the project elsewhere.

\(b\) Office space and logistics will be provided by the Institute.

\(c\) The fellow may also be required to participate in meetings,
conferences and other activities at the Departments of Education, Labor,
or Health and Human and Services, in Washington D.C., or in site visits
to other locations, if deemed appropriate for the project being
conducted.

§1100.31 [Who is responsible for oversight of fellowship
activities?]{.underline}

\(a\) All fellowship activities are conducted under the direct or
general oversight of the Institute. The Institute may arrange through
written agreement for another Federal agency, or another public or
private nonprofit agency or organization that is substantially involved
in literacy research or services, to assume direct supervision of the
fellowship activities.

\(b\) Fellows may be assigned a peer mentor to orient them to the
Federal system and Institute procedures.

§1100.32 [What is the duration of a fellowship?]{.underline}

\(a\) The Institute awards fellowships for a period of at least three
and not more than 12 months of full‑time or part-time activity. An award
may not exceed 12 months in duration. The actual period of the
fellowship will be determined at the time of award based on proposed
activities.

\(b\) In order to continue the fellowship to completion, the fellow must
be making satisfactory progress as determined periodically by the
Director.

\(c\) A fellowship may be terminated under the terms of 34 CFR 74.61.

§1100.33 [What reports are required?]{.underline}

\(a\) A fellow shall submit fellowship results to the Institute in
formats suitable for wide dissemination to policymakers and the public.
These formats should include, as appropriate to the topic of the
fellowship and the intended audience, articles for academic journals,
newspapers, and magazines.

\(b\) Each fellowship agreement will contain specific provisions for
how, when, and in what format the fellow will report on results, and how
and to whom the results will be disseminated.

\(c\) A fellow shall submit a final performance report to the Director
no later than 90 days after the completion of the fellowship. The report
must contain a description of the activities conducted by the fellow and
a thorough analysis of the extent to which, in the opinion of the
fellow, the objectives of the project have been achieved. In addition,
the report must include a detailed discussion of how the activities
performed and results achieved could be used to enhance literacy
practice in the United States. (Approved by the Office of Management and
Budget under OMB Control Number 3430-0003, Expiration Date 6/30/2000.)