Title 34—Education--Volume 1
PART 655—INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 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 and the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program (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).
§ 655.3   What regulations apply to the International Education Programs?
The following regulations apply to the International Education Programs:
(a) The regulations in this part 655; and
(b) 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).
§ 655.4   What definitions apply to the International Education Programs?
(a) The following terms used in this part and 34 CFR parts 656, 657, 658, 660, 661, and 669 are defined in 2 CFR part 200, subpart A, 34 CFR 77.1, 34 CFR 600.2, or 34 CFR 668.2:
(1) Academic engagement.
(2) Acquisition.
(3) Applicant.
(4) Application.
(5) Award.
(6) Budget.
(7) Clock hour.
(8) Contract.
(9) Correspondence course.
(10) Credit hour.
(11) Distance education.
(12) Educational program.
(13) EDGAR.
(14) Enrolled.
(15) Equipment.
(16) Facilities.
(17) Fiscal year.
(18) Full-time student.
(19) Graduate or professional student.
(20) Grant.
(21) Grantee.
(22) Grant period.
(23) Half-time student.
(24) Local educational agency.
(25) National level.
(26) Nonprofit.
(27) Project.
(28) Project period.
(29) Private.
(30) Public.
(31) Regular student.
(32) Secretary.
(33) State educational agency.
(34) Supplies.
(35) Undergraduate student.
(b) The following definitions apply to International Education Programs:
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.
Areas of national need means the various needs in the government, education, business, and nonprofit sectors for expertise in foreign language, area, and international studies identified by the Secretary as significant for maintaining or improving the security, stability, and economic vitality of the United States.
Consortium 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.
Consultation on areas of national need means the process that allows the head officials of a wide range of Federal agencies to consult with the Secretary and provide recommendations regarding national needs for expertise in foreign languages and world areas that the Secretary may take into account when identifying areas of national need.
Diverse perspectives means a variety of viewpoints relevant to understanding global or international issues in context, especially those derived from scholarly research or sustained professional activities and community engagement abroad, and relevant to building multifaceted knowledge and expertise in area studies, international studies, and the international aspects of professional studies, including issues related to world regions, foreign languages, and international affairs, among stakeholders.
Educational program abroad means a program of study, internship, or service learning outside the United States that is part of a foreign language or other international curriculum at the undergraduate or graduate education level.
Institution of higher education means an institution that meets the definition in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as well as 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 definition in section 101(a).
Intensive language instruction means instruction of at least five clock hours per week during the academic year or the equivalent of a full academic year of language instruction during the summer.
§ 655.5   What are the purposes of the International Educational Programs?
(a) Each of the programs authorized by part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, contributes to at least one, but not necessarily all, of the following purposes:
(1) Provision of support for centers, programs, and fellowships in institutions of higher education in the United States for producing increased numbers of trained personnel and research in foreign languages, area studies, and other international studies.
(2) Development of a pool of international experts to meet national needs.
(3) Development and validation of specialized materials and techniques for foreign language acquisition and fluency, emphasizing (but not limited to) the less commonly taught languages.
(4) Promotion of access to research and training overseas, including through linkages with overseas institutions.
(5) Advancement of the internationalization of a variety of disciplines throughout undergraduate and graduate education.
(6) Support for cooperative efforts promoting access to and the dissemination of international and foreign language knowledge, teaching materials, and research, throughout education, government, business, civic, and nonprofit sectors in the United States, through the use of advanced technologies.
(b) The regulations in this part govern the following programs that are authorized by part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended:
(1) The National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies and the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program.
(2) The Language Resource Centers Program.
(3) The Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program.
(4) The International Research and Studies Program.
(c) The following activities authorized by part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, contribute to the coordination of the programs of the Federal Government in the areas of foreign language, area studies, and other international studies, including professional international affairs education and research:
(1) The consultation on areas of national need.
(2) The periodic survey of fellows who have participated in the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program to determine postgraduate employment, education, or training.
(d) Each of the programs authorized by part B of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, contributes to at least one, but not necessarily all, of the following purposes:
(1) Increase and promotion of the Nation's capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise through the provision of suitable international education and training for business personnel in various stages of professional development; and develop a pool of international experts to meet national needs.
(2) Promotion of institutional and noninstitutional educational and training activities that will contribute to the ability of United States business to prosper in an international economy.
(e) The regulations in this part govern the following programs that are authorized by part B of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended: The Business and International Education Program.
§ 655.10   What kinds of projects does the Secretary assist?
Subpart A of 34 CFR parts 656, 657, and 669 and subpart B of 34 CFR parts 658, 660, 661 describe the kinds of projects that the Secretary assists under the International Education Programs.
§ 655.30   How does the Secretary evaluate an application?
The Secretary evaluates applications for International Education Programs using the criteria described in one or more of the following:
(a) The general criteria in § 655.31.
(b) The specific criteria, as applicable, in subpart C of 34 CFR parts 656 and 657, or subpart D of 34 CFR parts 658, 660, 661, and 669.
§ 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—
(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
(B) Women; and
(C) 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) Facilities (including but not limited to language laboratories, museums, and libraries) that the applicant plans to use are adequate; 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) Facilities (including but not limited to language laboratories, museums, and libraries) that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and
(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate.
§ 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.