\[Code of Federal Regulations\]

\[Title 34, Volume 3\]

\[Revised as of July 1, 2001\]

\[CITE: 34CFR655\]

**TITLE 34\--EDUCATION**

**CHAPTER VI\--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION**

**PART 655\--INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS\--GENERAL PROVISIONS**

**Subpart A\--General**

Sec.

655.1 Which programs do these regulations govern?

655.3 What regulations apply to the International Education Programs?

655.4 What definitions apply to the International Education Programs?

**Subpart B\--What Kinds of Projects Does the Secretary Assist?**

655.10 What kinds of projects does the Secretary assist?

**Subpart C \[Reserved\]**

**Subpart D\--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?**

655.30 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

655.31 What general selection criteria does the Secretary use?

655.32 What additional factors does the Secretary consider in making
grant awards?

Authority: 20 U.S.C 1121-1130b, unless otherwise noted.

Source: 47 FR 14116, Apr. 1, 1982, unless otherwise noted.

**Subpart A\--General**

**Sec. 655.1 Which programs do these regulations govern?**

The regulations in this part govern the administration of the following
programs in international education:

(a) The National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area
    Studies or Foreign Language and International Studies (section 602
    of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended);

(b) The Language Resource Centers Program (section 603);

(c) The Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program
    (section 604);

(d) The International Research and Studies Program (section 605); and

(e) The Business and International Education Program (section 613).

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1130b)

\[47 FR 14116, Apr. 1, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 32575, June 10, 1993;
64CFR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 655.3 What regulations apply to the International Education
Programs?**

The following regulations apply to the International Education Programs:

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR)
    as follows:

    1.  34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of
        Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations).

    2.  34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

    3.  34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department
        Regulations).

    4.  34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of
        Education Programs and Activities), except that part 79 does not
        apply to 34 CFR parts 660, 669, and 671.

    5.  34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

    6.  34 CFR part 85 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
        (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
        Workplace (Grants).

    7.  34 CFR part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

(b) The regulations in this part 655; and

(c) As appropriate, the regulations in\--

    1.  34 CFR part 656 (National Resource Centers Program for Foreign
        Language and Area Studies or Foreign Language and International
        Studies);

    2.  34 CFR part 657 (Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
        Program);

    3.  34 CFR part 658 (Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign
        Language Program);

    4.  34 CFR part 660 (International Research and Studies Program);

    5.  34 CFR part 661 (Business and International Education Program);
        and

    6.  34 CFR part 669 (Language Resource Centers Program).

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127; 1221e-3)

\[47 FR 14116, Apr. 1, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 32575, June 10, 1993;
64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 655.4 What definitions apply to the International Education
Programs?**

(a) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part and 34
    CFR parts 656, 657, 658, 660, 661, and 669 are defined in 34 CFR
    part 77:

+---------------+----------------+------------------+-----------------+
| Acquisition   | EDGAR          | Grant period     | Private         |
|               |                |                  |                 |
| Applicant     | Equipment      | Local            | Public          |
|               |                | educational      |                 |
| Application   | Facilities     | agency           | Secretary       |
|               |                |                  |                 |
| Award         | Fiscal year    | Nonprofit        | State           |
|               |                |                  | educational     |
| Budget        | Grant          | Project          | agency          |
|               |                |                  |                 |
| Contract      | Grantee        | Project period   | Supplies        |
+---------------+----------------+------------------+-----------------+

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127)

(b) Definitions that apply to these programs: The following definition
    applies to International Education Programs: Combination of
    institutions of higher education means a group of institutions of
    higher education that have entered into a cooperative arrangement
    for the purpose of carrying out a common objective, or a public or
    private nonprofit agency, organization, or institution designated or
    created by a group of institutions of higher education for the
    purpose of carrying out a common objective on their behalf.

> Critical languages means each of the languages contained in the list
> of critical languages designated by the Secretary pursuant to section
> 212(d) of the Education for Economic Security Act, except that, in the
> implementation of this definition, the Secretary may set priorities
> according to the purposes of title VI of the Higher Education Act of
> 1965, as amended.
>
> Institution of higher education means, in addition to an institution
> that meets the definition of section 101(a) of the Higher Education
> Act of 1965, as amended, an institution that meets the requirements of
> section 101(a) except that (1) it is not located in the United States,
> and (2) it applies for assistance under title VI of the Higher
> Education Act of 1965, as amended, in consortia with institutions that
> meet the definitions in section 101(a).

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127, and 1141)

\[47 FR 14116, Apr. 1, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 32575, June 10, 1993;
64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Subpart B\--What Kinds of Projects Does the Secretary Assist?**

**Sec. 655.10 What kinds of projects does the Secretary assist?**

Subpart B of 34 CFR parts 656, 657, 658, 660, 661, and 669 describes the
kinds of projects that the Secretary assists under the International
Education Programs.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1021-1027)

\[47 FR 14116, Apr. 1, 1982, as amended at 58 FR 32575, June 10, 1993,
64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Subpart C \[Reserved\]**

**Subpart D\--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?**

**Sec. 655.30 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?**

The Secretary evaluates an applications for International Education
Programs on the basis of\--

(a) The general criteria in Sec. 655.31; and

(b) The specific criteria in, as applicable, subpart D of 34 CFR parts
    658, 660, 661, and 669.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127)

\[64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 655.31 What general selection criteria does the Secretary use?**

(a) Plan of operation.

    1.  The Secretary reviews each application for information that
        shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

    2.  The Secretary looks for information that shows---

        i.  High quality in the design of the project;

        ii. An effective plan of management that ensures proper and
            efficient administration of the project;

        iii. A clear description of how the objectives of the project
             relate to the purpose of the program;

        iv. The way the applicant plans to use its resources and
            personnel to achieve each objective; and

        v.  A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal
            access and treatment for eligible project participants who
            are members of groups that have been traditionally
            underrepresented, such as---

    3.  Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

    4.  Women; and

    5.  Handicapped persons.

(b) Quality of key personnel.

    1.  The Secretary reviews each application for information that
        shows the quality of the key personnel the applicant plans to
        use on the project.

    2.  The Secretary looks for information that shows\--

        i.  The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be
            used);

        ii. The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be
            used in the project. In the case of faculty, the
            qualifications of the faculty and the degree to which that
            faculty is directly involved in the actual teaching and
            supervision of students; and

        iii. The time that each person referred to in paragraphs
             (b)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section plans to commit to the
             project; and

        iv. The extent to which the applicant, as part of its
            nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages
            applications for employment from persons who are members of
            groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such
            as members of racial or ethnic minority groups, women,
            handicapped persons, and the elderly.

    3.  To determine the qualifications of a person, the Secretary
        considers evidence of past experience and training, in fields
        related to the objectives of the project, as well as other
        information that the applicant provides.

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness.

    1.  The Secretary reviews each application for information that
        shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost
        effective.

    2.  The Secretary looks for information that shows\--

        i.  The budget for the project is adequate to support the
            project activities; and

        ii. Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the
            project.

(d) Evaluation plan.

    1.  The Secretary reviews each application for information that
        shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.

    2.  The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of
        evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the
        extent possible, are objective and produce data that are
        quantifiable.

(e) Adequacy of resources.

    1.  The Secretary reviews each application for information that
        shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to
        the project.

    2.  The Secretary looks for information that shows\--

        i.  Other than library, facilities that the applicant plans to
            use are adequate (language laboratory, museums, etc.); and

        ii. The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use
            are adequate.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1121-1127)

**Sec. 655.32 What additional factors does the Secretary consider in
making grant awards?**

Except for 34 CFR parts 656, 657, and 661, to the extent practicable and
consistent with the criterion of excellence, the Secretary seeks to
achieve an equitable distribution of funds throughout the Nation.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1126(b)).

\[58 FR 32575, June 10, 1993\]

\[Code of Federal Regulations\]

\[Title 34, Volume 3\]

\[Revised as of July 1, 2001\]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

\[CITE: 34CFR656\]

**TITLE 34---EDUCATION**

**CHAPTER VI\--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION**

**PART 656**\--**NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
AND AREA STUDIES OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES**

**Subpart A\--General**

Sec.

656.1 What is the National Resource Centers Program?

656.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?

656.3 What activities define a comprehensive or undergraduate National
Resource Center?

656.4 What types of Centers receive grants?

656.5 What activities may be carried out?

656.6 What regulations apply?

What definitions apply?

**Subpart B\--How Does One Apply for a Grant?**

656.10 What combined application may an institution submit?

**Subpart C\--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?**

656.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?

656.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate an
application for a comprehensive Center?

656.22 What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate an
application for an undergraduate Center?

23. What priorities may the Secretary establish?

**Subpart D\--What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?**

30. What are allowable costs and limitations on allowable costs?

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122, unless otherwise noted.

Source: 61 FR 50193, Sept. 24, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

**Subpart A\--General**

**Sec. 656.1 What is the National Resource Centers Program?**

Under the National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and
Areas Studies or Foreign Language and International Studies (National
Resource Centers Program), the Secretary awards grants to institutions
of higher education and combinations of institutions to establish,
strengthen, and operate comprehensive and undergraduate Centers that
will be national resources for---

(a) Teaching of any modern foreign language;

(b) Instruction in fields needed to provide full understanding of areas,
    regions, or countries in which the modern foreign language is
    commonly used;

(c) Research and training in international studies and the international
    and foreign language aspects of professional and other fields of
    study; and

(d) Instruction and research on issues in world affairs that concern one
    or more countries.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

\[61 FR 50193, Sept. 24, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 656.2 Who is eligible to receive a grant?**

An institution of higher education or a combination of institutions of
higher education is eligible to receive a grant under this part.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Sec. 656.3 What activities define a comprehensive or undergraduate
National Resource Center?**

A comprehensive or undergraduate National Resource Center\--

(a) Teaches at least one modern foreign language;

(b) Provides\--

    1.  Instruction in fields necessary to provide a full understanding
        of the areas, regions, or countries in which the modern foreign
        language taught is commonly used;

    2.  Resources for research and training in international studies,
        and the international and foreign language aspects of
        professional and other fields of study; or

    3.  Instruction and research on issues in world affairs that concern
        one or more countries

(c) Provides outreach and consultative services on a national, regional,
    and local basis;

(d) Maintains linkages with overseas institutions of higher education
    and other organizations that may contribute to the teaching and
    research of the Center;

(e) Maintains important library collections;

(f) Employs faculty engaged in training and research that relates to the
    subject area of the Center;

(g) Conducts projects in cooperation with other centers addressing
    themes of world, regional, cross-regional, international, or global
    importance; and

(h) Conducts summer institutes in the United States or abroad designed
    to provide language and area training in the Center\'s field or
    topic.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

\[64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 656.4 What types of Centers receive grants?**

The Secretary awards grants to Centers that

(a) Focus on\--

    1.  A single country or on a world area (such as East Asia, Africa,
        or the Middle East) and offer instruction in the principal
        language or languages of that country or area and those
        disciplinary fields necessary to provide a full understanding of
        the country or area; or

    2.  International studies or the international aspects of
        contemporary issues or topics (such as international business or
        energy) while providing instruction in modern foreign languages;
        and

(b) Provide training at the---

    1.  Graduate, professional, and undergraduate levels, as a
        comprehensive Center; or

    2.  Undergraduate level only, as an undergraduate Center.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

Sec. 656.5 What activities may be carried out?

(a) A Center may carry out any of the activities described in Sec. 656.3
    under a grant received under this part.

(b) The Secretary may make an additional grant to a Center for any one
    or a combination of the following purposes:

    1.  Linkage or outreach between foreign language, area studies, and
        other international fields and professional schools and
        colleges.

    2.  Linkage or outreach with 2- and 4-year colleges and
        universities.

    3.  Linkage or outreach with departments or agencies of Federal and
        State governments.

    4.  Linkage or outreach with the news media, business, professional,
        or trade associations.

    5.  Summer institutes in foreign area, foreign language, and other
        international fields designed to carry out the activities in
        paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

\[61 FR 50193, Sept. 24, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]

**Sec. 656.6 What regulations apply?**

The following regulations apply to this program:

(a) The regulations in 34 CFR part 655.

(b) The regulations in this part 656.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Sec. 656.7 What definitions apply?**

The following definitions apply to this part:

(a) The definitions in 34 CFR part 655.

(b) Area studies means a program of comprehensive study of the aspects
    of a world area\'s society or societies, including study of history,
    culture, economy, politics, international relations, and languages.

(c) Center means an administrative unit of an institution of higher
    education that has direct access to highly qualified faculty and
    library resources, and coordinates a concentrated effort of
    educational resources, including language training and various
    academic disciplines, in the area and subject matters described in
    Sec. 656.3.

(d) Comprehensive Center means a Center that---

    1.  Contributes significantly to the national interest in advanced
        research and scholarship;

    2.  Offers intensive language instruction;

    3.  Maintains important library collections related to the area of
        its specialization;

    4.  Makes training available to a graduate, professional, and
        undergraduate clientele; and

    5.  Engages in curriculum development and community outreach.

(e) For purposes of this section, intensive language instruction means
    instruction of at least five contact hours per week during the
    academic year or the equivalent of a full academic year of language
    instruction during the summer.

(f) Undergraduate Center means an administrative unit of an institution
    of higher education that\--

    1.  Contributes significantly to the national interest through the
        education of students who matriculate into advanced language and
        area studies programs or professional school programs;

    2.  Incorporates substantial international and foreign language
        content into baccalaureate degree program;

    3.  Makes training available predominantly to undergraduate
        students; and

    4.  Engages in research, curriculum development, and community
        outreach.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Subpart B\--How Does One Apply for a Grant?**

**Sec. 656.10 What combined application may an institution submit?**

An institution that wishes to apply for a grant under this part and for
an allocation of fellowships under 34 CFR part 657 may submit one
application for both.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Subpart C\--How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?**

**Sec. 656.20 How does the Secretary evaluate an application?**

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a comprehensive Center
    under the criteria contained in Sec. 656.21, and for an
    undergraduate Center under the criteria contained in Sec. 656.22.

(b) In general, the Secretary awards up to 155 possible points for these
    criteria. However, if the criterion in Sec. 656.21(j) or Sec.
    656.22(j) is used, the Secretary awards up to 165 possible points.
    The maximum possible points for each criterion are shown in
    parentheses.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Sec. 656.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate
an application for a comprehensive Center?**

The Secretary uses the following criteria in evaluating an application
for a comprehensive Center:

(a) Program planning and budget. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine\--

    1.  The extent to which the activities for which the applicant seeks
        funding are of high quality and directly related to the purpose
        of the National Resource Centers Program (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the applicant provides a development plan or
        timeline demonstrating how the proposed activities will
        contribute to a strengthened program and whether the applicant
        uses its resources and personnel effectively to achieve the
        proposed objectives (5 points);

    3.  The extent to which the costs of the proposed activities are
        reasonable in relation to the objectives of the program (5
        points); and

    4.  The long-term impact of the proposed activities on the
        institution\'s undergraduate, graduate, and professional
        training programs (5 points).

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(b) Quality of staff resources. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which teaching faculty and other staff are
        qualified for the current and proposed Center activities and
        training programs, are provided professional development
        opportunities (including overseas experience), and participate
        in teaching, supervising, and advising students (10 points);

    2.  The adequacy of Center staffing and oversight arrangements,
        including outreach and administration and the extent to which
        faculty from a variety of departments, professional schools, and
        the library are involved (5 points); and

    3.  The extent to which the applicant, as part of its
        nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications
        for employment from persons who are members of groups that have
        been traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial
        or ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and
        the elderly (5 points).

(c) Impact and evaluation. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center\'s activities and training
        programs have a significant impact on the university, community,
        region, and the Nation as shown through indices such as
        enrollments, graduate placement data, participation rates for
        events, and usage of Center resources; and the extent to which
        the applicant supplies a clear description of how the applicant
        will provide equal access and treatment of eligible project
        participants who are members of groups that have been
        traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial or
        ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and
        the elderly (10 points); and

    2.  The extent to which the applicant provides an evaluation plan
        that is comprehensive and objective and that will produce
        quantifiable, outcome-measure-oriented data; and the extent to
        which recent evaluations have been used to improve the
        applicant\'s program (10 points).

(d) Commitment to the subject area on which the Center focuses. (10
    points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the
    extent to which the institution provides financial and other support
    to the operation of the Center, teaching staff for the Center\'s
    subject area, library resources, linkages with institutions abroad,
    outreach activities, and qualified students in fields related to the
    Center.

(e) Strength of library. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine\--

    1.  The strength of the institution\'s library holdings (both print
        and non-print, English and foreign language) in the subject area
        and at the educational levels (graduate, professional,
        undergraduate) on which the Center focuses; and the extent to
        which the institution provides financial support for the
        acquisition of library materials and for library staff in the
        subject area of the Center (10 points); and

    2.  The extent to which research materials at other institutions are
        available to students through cooperative arrangements with
        other libraries or on-line databases and the extent to which
        teachers, students, and faculty from other institutions are able
        to access the library\'s holdings (5 points).

(f) Quality of the Center\'s non-language instructional program. (20
    points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine---

    1.  The quality and extent of the Center\'s course offerings in a
        variety of disciplines, including the extent to which courses in
        the Center\'s subject matter are available in the institution\'s
        professional schools (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the Center offers depth of specialized
        course coverage in one or more disciplines of the Center\'s
        subject area (5 points);

    3.  The extent to which the institution employs a sufficient number
        of teaching faculty to enable the Center to carry out its
        purposes and the extent to which instructional assistants are
        provided with pedagogy training (5 points); and

    4.  The extent to which interdisciplinary courses are offered for
        undergraduate and graduate students (5 points).

(g) Quality of the Center\'s language instructional program. (20 points)
    The Secretary reviews each application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center provides instruction in the
        languages of the Center\'s subject area and the extent to which
        students enroll in the study of the languages of the subject
        area through programs or instruction offered by the Center or
        other providers (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the Center provides three or more levels of
        language training and the extent to which courses in disciplines
        other than language, linguistics, and literature are offered in
        appropriate foreign languages (5 points);

    3.  Whether sufficient numbers of language faculty are available to
        teach the languages and levels of instruction described in the
        application and the extent to which language teaching staff
        (including faculty and instructional assistants) have been
        exposed to current language pedagogy training appropriate for
        performance-based teaching (5 points); and

    4.  The quality of the language program as measured by the
        performance-based instruction being used or developed, the
        adequacy of resources for language teaching and practice, and
        language proficiency requirements (5 points).

(h) Quality of curriculum design. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center\'s curriculum has incorporated
        undergraduate instruction in the applicant\'s area or topic of
        specialization into baccalaureate degree programs (for example,
        major, minor, or certificate programs) and the extent to which
        these programs and their requirements (including language
        requirements) are appropriate for a Center in this subject area
        and will result in an undergraduate training program of high
        quality (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the Center\'s curriculum provides training
        options for graduate students from a variety of disciplines and
        professional fields and the extent to which these programs and
        their requirements (including language requirements) are
        appropriate for a Center in this subject area and result in
        graduate training programs of high quality (5 points); and

    3.  The extent to which the Center provides academic and career
        advising services for students; the extent to which the Center
        has established formal arrangements for students to conduct
        research or study abroad and the extent to which these
        arrangements are used; and the extent to which the institution
        facilitates student access to other institutions\' study abroad
        and summer language programs (5 points).

(i) Outreach activities. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine the extent to which the Center demonstrates
    a significant and measurable regional and national impact of, and
    faculty and professional school involvement in, domestic outreach
    activities that involve---

    1.  Elementary and secondary schools (5 points);

    2.  Postsecondary institutions (5 points); and

    3.  Business, media, and the general public (5 points).

(j) Degree to which priorities are served. (10 points) If, under the
    provisions of Sec. 656.23, the Secretary establishes competitive
    priorities for Centers, the Secretary considers the degree to which
    those priorities are being served.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number
1840-0068)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Sec. 656.22 What selection criteria does the Secretary use to evaluate
an application for an undergraduate Center?**

The Secretary uses the following criteria in evaluating an application
for an undergraduate Center:

(a) Program planning and budget. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the activities for which the applicant seeks
        funding are of high quality and directly related to the purpose
        of the National Resource Centers Program (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the applicant provides a development plan or
        timeline demonstrating how the proposed activities will
        contribute to a strengthened program and whether the applicant
        uses its resources and personnel effectively to achieve the
        proposed objectives (5 points);

    3.  The extent to which the costs of the proposed activities are
        reasonable in relation to the objectives of the program (5
        points); and

    4.  The long-term impact of the proposed activities on the
        institution\'s undergraduate training program (5 points).

(b) Quality of staff resources. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which teaching faculty and other staff are
        qualified for the current and proposed Center activities and
        training programs, are provided professional development
        opportunities (including overseas experience), and participate
        in teaching, supervising, and advising students (10 points);

    2.  The adequacy of Center staffing and oversight arrangements,
        including outreach and administration and the extent to which
        faculty from a variety of departments, professional schools, and
        the library are involved (5 points); and

    3.  The extent to which the applicant, as part of its
        nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications
        for employment from persons who are members of groups that have
        been traditionally underrepresented, such as members of racial
        or ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and
        the elderly (5 points).

(c) Impact and evaluation. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center\'s activities and training
        programs have a significant impact on the university, community,
        region, and the Nation as shown through indices such as
        enrollments, graduate placement data, participation rates for
        events, and usage of Center resources; the extent to which
        students matriculate into advanced language and area or
        international studies programs or related professional programs;
        and the extent to which the applicant supplies a clear
        description of how the applicant will provide equal access and
        treatment of eligible project participants who are members of
        groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as
        members of racial or ethnic minority groups, women, persons with
        disabilities, and the elderly (10 points); and

    2.  The extent to which the applicant provides an evaluation plan
        that is comprehensive and objective and that will produce
        quantifiable, outcome-measure-oriented data; and the extent to
        which recent evaluations have been used to improve the
        applicant\'s program (10 points).

(d) Commitment to the subject area on which the Center focuses. (10
    points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine the
    extent to which the institution provides financial and other support
    to the operation of the Center, teaching staff for the Center\'s
    subject area, library resources, linkages with institutions abroad,
    outreach activities, and qualified students in fields related to the
    Center.

(e) Strength of library. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The strength of the institution\'s library holdings (both print
        and non-print, English and foreign language) in the subject area
        and at the educational levels (graduate, professional,
        undergraduate) on which the Center focuses; and the extent to
        which the institution provides financial support for the
        acquisition of library materials and for library staff in the
        subject area of the Center (10 points); and

    2.  The extent to which research materials at other institutions are
        available to students through cooperative arrangements with
        other libraries or on-line databases and the extent to which
        teachers, students, and faculty from other institutions are able
        to access the library\'s holdings (5 points).

(f) Quality of the Center\'s non-language instructional program. (20
    points) The Secretary reviews each application to determine---

    1.  The quality and extent of the Center\'s course offerings in a
        variety of disciplines (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the Center offers depth of specialized
        course coverage in one or more disciplines of the Center\'s
        subject area (5 points);

    3.  The extent to which the institution employs a sufficient number
        of teaching faculty to enable the Center to carry out its
        purposes and the extent to which instructional assistants are
        provided with pedagogy training (5 points); and

    4.  The extent to which interdisciplinary courses are offered for
        undergraduate students (5 points).

(g) Quality of the Center\'s language instructional program. (20 points)
    The Secretary reviews each application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center provides instruction in the
        languages of the Center\'s subject area and the extent to which
        students enroll in the study of the languages of the subject
        area through programs offered by the Center or other providers
        (5 points);

    2.  The extent to which the Center provides three or more levels of
        language training and the extent to which courses in disciplines
        other than language, linguistics, and literature are offered in
        appropriate foreign languages (5 points);

    3.  Whether sufficient numbers of language faculty are available to
        teach the languages and levels of instruction described in the
        application and the extent to which language teaching staff
        (including faculty and instructional assistants) have been
        exposed to current language pedagogy training appropriate for
        performance-based teaching (5 points); and

    4.  The quality of the language program as measured by the
        performance-based instruction being used or developed, the
        adequacy of resources for language teaching and practice, and
        language proficiency requirements (5 points).

(h) Quality of curriculum design. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine---

    1.  The extent to which the Center\'s curriculum has incorporated
        undergraduate instruction in the applicant\'s area or topic of
        specialization into baccalaureate degree programs (for example,
        major, minor, or certificate programs) and the extent to which
        these programs and their requirements (including language
        requirements) are appropriate for a Center in this subject area
        and will result in an undergraduate training program of high
        quality (10 points); and

    2.  The extent to which the Center provides academic and career
        advising services for students; the extent to which the Center
        has established formal arrangements for students to conduct
        research or study abroad and the extent to which these
        arrangements are used; and the extent to which the institution
        facilitates student access to other institutions\' study abroad
        and summer language programs (5 points).

(i) Outreach activities. (15 points) The Secretary reviews each
    application to determine the extent to which the Center demonstrates
    a significant and measurable regional and national impact of, and
    faculty and professional school involvement in, domestic outreach
    activities that involve---

    1.  Elementary and secondary schools (5 points);

    2.  Postsecondary institutions (5 points); and

    3.  Business, media and the general public (5 points).

(j) Degree to which priorities are served. (10 points) If, under the
    provisions of Sec. 656.23, the Secretary establishes competitive
    priorities for Centers, the Secretary considers the degree to which
    those priorities are being served. (Approved by the Office of
    Management and Budget under control number 1840-0068.)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

**Sec. 656.23 What priorities may the Secretary establish?**

(a) The Secretary may select one or more of the following funding
    priorities:

    1.  Specific countries or world areas, such as, for example, East
        Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.

    2.  Specific focus of a Center, such as, for example, a single world
        area; international studies; a particular issue or topic, e.g.,
        business, development issues, or energy; or any combination.

    3.  Level or intensiveness of language instruction, such as
        intermediate or advanced language instruction, or instruction at
        an intensity of 10 contact hours or more per week.

    4.  Types of activities to be carried out, for example, cooperative
        summer intensive language programs, course development, or
        teacher training activities.

(b) The Secretary may select one or more of the activities listed in
    Sec. 656.5 as a funding priority.

(c) The Secretary announces any priorities in the application notice
    published in the Federal Register.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

Subpart D\--What Conditions Must Be Met By a Grantee?

Sec. 656.30 What are allowable costs and limitations on allowable costs?

(a) Allowable costs. Except as provided under paragraph (b) of this
    section, a grant awarded under this part may be used to pay all or
    part of the cost of establishing, strengthening, or operating a
    comprehensive or undergraduate Center including, but not limited to,
    the cost of---

    1.  Faculty and staff salaries and travel;

    2.  Library acquisitions;

    3.  Teaching and research materials;

    4.  Curriculum planning and development;

    5.  Bringing visiting scholars and faculty to the Center to teach,
        conduct research, or participate in conferences or workshops;

    6.  Training and improvement of staff;

    7.  Projects conducted in cooperation with other centers addressing
        themes of world, regional, cross-regional, international, or
        global importance; and

    8.  Summer institutes in the United States or abroad designed to
        provide language and area training in the Center\'s field or
        topic.

(b) Limitations on allowable costs. The following are limitations on
    allowable costs:

    1.  Equipment costs exceeding 10 percent of the grant are not
        allowable.

    2.  Funds for undergraduate travel are allowable only in conjunction
        with a formal program of supervised study in the subject area on
        which the Center focuses.

    3.  Grant funds may not be used to supplant funds normally used by
        applicants for purposes of this part.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1122)

\[61 FR 50193, Sept. 24, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 7739, Feb. 16, 1999\]