Title 34—Education--Volume 1
PART 660—THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AND STUDIES PROGRAM
§ 660.1   What is the International Research and Studies Program?
The Secretary may, directly or through grants or contracts, conduct research and studies which contribute to the purposes of the International Education Program authorized by part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). The research and studies may include, but are not limited to—
(a) Studies and surveys to determine needs for increased or improved instruction in modern foreign languages, area studies, or other international fields, including the demand for foreign language, area, and other international specialists in government, education, and the private sector;
(b) Research on more effective methods of providing instruction and achieving competency in foreign languages, area studies, or other international fields;
(c) Research on applying performance tests and standards across all areas of foreign language instruction and classroom use;
(d) Developing and publishing specialized materials for use in foreign language, area studies, and other international fields or for training foreign language, area, and other international specialists;
(e) Studies and surveys to assess the use of graduates of programs supported under title VI of the HEA by governmental, educational, and private-sector organizations and other studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of supported programs;
(f) Comparative studies of the effectiveness of strategies to provide international capabilities at institutions of higher education;
(g) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under title VI of the HEA that address national needs would not otherwise be offered;
(h) Studies and surveys of the use of technologies in foreign language, area studies, and international studies programs;
(i) Studies and evaluations of effective practices in the dissemination of international information, materials, research, teaching strategies, and testing techniques throughout the educational community, including elementary and secondary schools;
(j) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under title VI of the HEA reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, as described in the grantee's application;
(k) Systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data that contribute to achieving the purposes of title VI, part A of the HEA; and
(l) Support for programs or activities to make data collected, analyzed, or disseminated under this part publicly available and easy to understand.
§ 660.2   Who is eligible to apply for grants under this program?
Public and private agencies, organizations, and institutions, and individuals are eligible to apply for grants under this part.
§ 660.3   What regulations apply?
The following regulations apply to this program:
(a) The regulations in 34 CFR part 655.
(b) The regulations in this part 660.
§ 660.4   What definitions apply to the International Research and Studies Program?
The definitions in 34 CFR 655.4 apply to this program.
§ 660.10   What activities does the Secretary assist?
An applicant may apply for funds to carry out any of the following types of activities:
(a) Studies and surveys to determine the need for increased or improved instruction in—
(1) Modern foreign languages; and
(2) Area studies and other international fields needed to provide full understanding of the places in which those languages are commonly used.
(b) Research and studies—
(1) On more effective methods of instruction and achieving competency in modern foreign languages, area studies, or other international fields;
(2) To evaluate competency in those foreign languages, area studies, or other international fields; or
(3) On the application of performance tests and standards across all areas of foreign language instruction and classroom use.
(c) The development and publication of specialized materials—
(1) For use by students and teachers of modern foreign languages, area studies, and other international fields; and
(2) For use in—
(i) Providing such instruction and evaluation; or
(ii) Training individuals to provide such instruction and evaluation.
(d) Research, surveys, studies, or the development of instructional materials that serve to enhance international understanding.
(e) Other research or material development projects that further the purposes of the International Education Program authorized by part A of title VI of the HEA.
(f) Studies and surveys to assess the use of graduates of programs supported under title VI of the HEA by governmental, educational, and private-sector organizations, and other studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of supported programs.
(g) Comparative studies of the effectiveness of strategies to provide international capabilities at institutions of higher education.
(h) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under title VI of the HEA that address national needs would not otherwise be offered.
(i) Studies and surveys of the uses of technology in foreign language, area studies, and international studies programs.
(j) Studies and evaluations of effective practices in the dissemination of international information, materials, research, teaching strategies, and testing techniques through the education community, including elementary and secondary schools.
(k) Evaluations of the extent to which programs assisted under title VI of the HEA reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, as described in the grantee's application.
(l) Systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data that contribute to achieving the purposes of title VI, part A of the HEA.
(m) Support for programs or activities to make data collected, analyzed, or disseminated under this part publicly available and easy to understand.
§ 660.30   How does the Secretary evaluate an application?
(a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a research project, a study, or a survey on the basis of the criteria in §§ 660.31 and 660.32. The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register .
(b) The Secretary evaluates an application for the development of specialized instructional materials on the basis of the criteria in §§ 660.31 and 660.33. The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register .
§ 660.31   What selection criteria does the Secretary use for all applications for a grant?
The Secretary evaluates an application for a project under this program on the basis of the criteria in this section. The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register .
(a) Plan of operation. (See 34 CFR 655.31(a))
(b) Quality of key personnel. (See 34 CFR 655.31(b))
(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (See 34 CFR 655.31(c))
(d) Evaluation plan. (See 34 CFR 655.31(d))
(e) Adequacy of resources. (See 34 CFR 655.31(e))
§ 660.32   What additional selection criteria does the Secretary use for an application for a research project, a survey, or a study?
In addition to the criteria referred to in § 660.31, the Secretary evaluates an application for a research project, study, or survey on the basis of the criteria in this section.
(a) Need for the project. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows—
(1) A need for the proposed project in the field of study on which the project focuses; and
(2) That the proposed project will provide information about the present and future needs of the United States for study in foreign language and other international fields.
(b) Usefulness of expected results. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the extent to which the results of the proposed project are likely to be used by other research projects or programs with similar objectives.
(c) Development of new knowledge. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the extent to which the proposed project is likely to develop new knowledge that will contribute to the purposes of the International Education Program authorized by part A of title VI of the HEA.
(d) Formulation of problems and knowledge of related research. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that problems, questions, or hypotheses to be dealt with by the applicant—
(1) Are well formulated; and
(2) Reflect adequate knowledge of related research.
(e) Specificity of statement of procedures. The Secretary reviews each application for the specificity and completeness of the statement of procedures to be followed, including a discussion of such components as sampling techniques, controls, data to be gathered, and statistical and other analyses to be undertaken.
(f) Adequacy of methodology and scope of project. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows—
(1) The adequacy of the proposed teaching, testing, and research methodology; and
(2) The size, scope, and duration of the proposed project.
§ 660.33   What additional selection criteria does the Secretary use for an application to develop specialized instructional materials?
In addition to the criteria referred to in § 660.31, the Secretary evaluates an application to develop specialized instructional materials on the basis of the criteria in this section.
(a) Need for the project. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that—
(1) The proposed materials are needed in the educational field of study on which the project focuses; and
(2) The language or languages, the area, region, or country, or the issues or studies for which the materials are to be developed, are of sufficient priority and significance to the national interest to warrant financial support by the Federal Government.
(b) Potential for the use of materials in other programs. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the extent to which the proposed materials may be used elsewhere in the United States.
(c) Account of related materials. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that—
(1) All existing related or similar materials have been accounted for and the critical commentary on their adequacy is appropriate and accurate; and
(2) The proposed materials will not duplicate any existing adequate materials.
(d) Likelihood of achieving results. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the outlined methods and procedures for preparing the materials are practicable and can be expected to produce the anticipated results.
(e) Expected contribution to other programs. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the extent to which the proposed work may contribute significantly to strengthening, expanding, or improving programs of foreign language studies, area studies, or international studies in the United States.
(f) Description of final form of materials. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows a high degree of specificity in the description of the contents and final form of the proposed materials.
(g) Provisions for pretesting and revision. The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that adequate provision has been made for—
(1) Pretesting the proposed materials; and
(2) If necessary, revising the proposed materials before publication.
§ 660.34   What priorities may the Secretary establish?
(a) The Secretary may each year select for funding from among the following priorities:
(1) Categories of eligible projects described in § 660.10.
(2) Specific languages or regions for study or materials development; for example, the Near or Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Inner Asia, the Far East, Africa or Latin America, or the languages of those regions.
(3) Topics of research and studies; for example, language acquisition processes, methodology of foreign language instruction, foreign language performance testing, or assessments of resources and needs.
(4) Levels of education; for example, elementary, secondary, postsecondary or university-level education, or teacher education.
(b) The Secretary announces any priorities in the application notice published in the Federal Register.
§ 660.40   What are the limitations on allowable costs?
Funds awarded under this part may not be used for the training of students and teachers.