[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4024-4029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00766]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Graduate Assistance in Areas of 
National Need

AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the 
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program, 
Assistance Listing Number 84.200A. This notice relates to the approved 
information collection under OMB control number 1840-0604.

DATES: Applications Available: January 15, 2021.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 1, 2021.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: April 30, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Ell, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B-214, Washington, DC 20202. 
Telephone: (202) 453-6348. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0ffe0f5eff7f1f1fefeefe0c2dfd7c2d1ddf0d5d49ed7dfc6">[email protected]</a>; or ReShone 
Moore, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 2B-
214, Washington, DC 20202-4260. Telephone (202) 453-7624. Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#691b0c1a0106070c470406061b0c290c0d470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b091e081314151e55161414091e3b1e1f551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>.
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The GAANN Program provides grants to academic 
departments and programs of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to 
support graduate fellowships for students with excellent academic 
records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest 
degree available in their course of study at the institution.
    Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and one 
competitive preference priority. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priority is from the regulations for 
this program (34 CFR 648.33(a) and Appendix to part 648--Academic 
Areas). Please note that the codes next to selected academic areas 
under the absolute priority are from the Appendix to part 648--Academic 
Areas of the program regulations and can be found in the application 
booklet as well as on www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f8ad0cf4f75cd9841b2bc1adb98c5739&mc=true&node=pt34.3.648&rgn=div5. The competitive preference priority is from the notice of final 
administrative priorities for discretionary grant programs published in 
the Federal Register on March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640) (Administrative 
Priorities).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent year for which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.
    The absolute priority is:
    Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.
    A project must provide fellowships in one or more of the following 
areas of national need, in an interdisciplinary program of study 
involving at least two of these areas, or for a multidisciplinary 
project. A multidisciplinary project is one that requests fellowships 
for more than a single academic department in one or more of the 
following areas, and in which each department's program of study is 
independent.
    A. For the following academic areas, the project must provide 
fellowships for programs that lead either to a Professional Science 
Master's (PSM) degree, master's degree or a doctoral degree, whichever 
is the highest degree awarded in the area of need at the institution.
    1. Computer and Information Sciences. A degree or a degree with 
specialization in one or more of the following areas:
    <bullet> Cybersecurity (the interdiscipline of ``11.01 Computer and 
Information Sciences, General'' and ``11.05 Computer Systems 
Analysis'').
    <bullet> Secure computer programming (the interdiscipline of 
``11.01 Computer and Information Sciences, General'' and ``11.02 
Computer Programming'').
    <bullet> Artificial Intelligence (the interdiscipline of ``11.02 
Computer Programming,'' ``11.04 Information Sciences and Systems,'' and 
``14.09 Computer Engineering'').
    2. 14. Engineering.

14.01 Engineering, General
    14.02 Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
    14.03 Agricultural Engineering
    14.04 Architectural Engineering
    14.05 Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
    14.06 Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
    14.07 Chemical Engineering
    14.08 Civil Engineering
    14.09 Computer Engineering
    14.10 Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering

[[Page 4025]]

    14.11 Engineering Mechanics
    14.12 Engineering Physics
    14.13 Engineering Science
    14.14 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
    14.15 Geological Engineering
    14.16 Geophysical Engineering
    14.17 Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
    14.18 Materials Engineering
    14.19 Mechanical Engineering
    14.20 Metallurgical Engineering
    14.21 Mining and Mineral Engineering
    14.22 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
    14.23 Nuclear Engineering
    14.24 Ocean Engineering
    14.25 Petroleum Engineering
    14.27 Systems Engineering
    14.28 Textile Sciences and Engineering
    14.29 Engineering Design
    14.30 Engineering/Industrial Management
    14.31 Materials Science
    14.32 Polymer/Plastics Engineering
    B. For the following academic areas, the project must provide 
fellowships in programs that lead either to a PSM degree, master's 
degree, or a doctoral degree, whichever is the highest degree awarded 
in the area of need at the institution. Students pursuing a degree in 
one of these areas are planning a career in either teaching or 
research.
    <bullet> 26. Biological Sciences/Life Sciences.

    26.01 Biology, General
    26.02 Biochemistry and Biophysics
    26.03 Botany
    26.04 Cell and Molecular Biology
    26.05 Microbiology/Bacteriology
    26.06 Miscellaneous Biological Specializations
    26.07 Zoology
    <bullet> 42. Psychology.
    42.01 Psychology

    42.02 Clinical Psychology
    42.03 Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
    42.04 Community Psychology
    42.06 Counseling Psychology
    42.07 Developmental and Child Psychology
    42.08 Experimental Psychology
    42.09 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
    42.11 Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
    42.16 Social Psychology
    42.17 School Psychology
    <bullet> 51.16 Nursing. Applications from nursing programs must 
focus on the preparation of nursing scholars for educational leadership 
roles. Graduates will become teachers preparing students for careers in 
nursing and will disseminate to the public new knowledge gained from 
disciplined inquiry related to nursing and nursing education.

    Note:
    Not for clinical degrees.

    Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2021 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award an additional one 
point to an application that meets this priority.
    This priority is:
    Applications from New Potential Grantees (1 point).
    Under this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the 
applicant does not, as of the deadline date for submission of 
applications, have an active grant, including through membership in a 
group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, 
under the program from which it seeks funds.

    Note: For the purpose of this priority, a grant or contract is 
active until the end of the grant's or contract's project or funding 
period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the 
grantee's or contractor's authority to obligate funds.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135e.

    Note: Projects must be awarded and operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in the 
U.S. Constitution and the Federal civil rights laws.

    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 
98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to 
Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 
2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department 
in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR 
part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 648. (e) 
The Administrative Priorities.

    Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply to this program.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants, including funds redistributed 
as graduate fellowships to individual fellows.
    Estimated Available Funds: $20,425,000.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from 
the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $101,460-$405,840.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $275,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 72.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 36 months.
    Stipend Level: For the 2021-22 academic year, the institution must 
pay the fellow a stipend at a level of support equal to that provided 
by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship 
Program, except that this amount must be adjusted as necessary so as 
not to exceed the fellow's demonstrated level of financial need as 
stated under part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as 
amended.
    Institutional Payment: For the 2021-22 academic year, the estimated 
institutional payment is $16,730 per fellow. This amount was determined 
by adjusting the previous academic year's institutional payment of 
$16,370 per fellow by the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price 
Index for the 2020 calendar year.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: (a) Any academic department of an IHE that 
provides a course of study that--
    (i) Leads to a graduate degree in an area of national
    need; and
    (ii) Has been in existence for at least four years at the time of 
an application for a grant under this competition; or
    (b) An academic department of an IHE that--
    (i) Satisfies the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; 
and
    (ii) Submits a joint application with one or more eligible non-
degree-granting institutions that have formal arrangements for the 
support of doctoral dissertation research with one or more degree-
granting institutions.

    Note: Students are not eligible to apply for grants under this 
program.


    Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, 
you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof 
that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant 
as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under 
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from 
a State taxing

[[Page 4026]]

body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization 
is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no 
part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private 
shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's 
certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly 
establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item 
described above if that item applies to a State or national parent 
organization, together with a statement by the State or parent 
organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: An institution must provide, from 
non-Federal funds, an institutional matching contribution equal to at 
least 25 percent of the grant amount received. (See 34 CFR 648.7.)
    b. Supplement-Not-Supplant: This competition involves supplement-
not-supplant funding requirements. (See 34 CFR 648.20(b)(5).)
    c. Indirect Cost Rate Information: We specify unallowable costs 
under IV. Application and Submission Information.
    d. Administrative Cost Limitation: We specify unallowable costs 
under IV. Application and Submission Information.
    3. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.
    4. Other: For requirements relating to selecting fellows, see 34 
CFR 648.40.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at 
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-02-13/pdf/2019-02206.pdf, which 
contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.
    2. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 
12372 is in the application package for this program.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We specify unallowable costs in 34 CFR 
648.64. We reference additional regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Recommended Page Limit: Applications that do not follow the page 
limit and formatting recommendations will not be penalized. The 
application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the 
selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We 
recommend the following page limits and standards:
    <bullet> A project narrative in a single discipline or for an 
interdisciplinary course of study should be limited to no more than 40 
pages.
    <bullet> A project narrative for a multidisciplinary project should 
be limited to no more than 40 pages for each academic department.
    <bullet> A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins.
    <bullet> Double-space all text in the application project 
narrative, and single-space titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, 
references, and captions.
    <bullet> Use a 12-point font.
    <bullet> Use an easily readable font such as Times New Roman, 
Courier, Courier New, or Arial.
    <bullet> Limit appendices to the following: Two-page version of a 
curriculum vitae, per faculty member; a course listing; letters of 
commitment showing institutional support; a bibliography; and one 
additional optional appendix relevant to the support of the proposals, 
recommended not to exceed five pages.
    The recommended page limit does not include the Application for 
Federal Assistance (SF 424) and the Department of Education 
Supplemental Information for the SF 424 Form; the one-page abstract; 
the GAANN Statutory Assurances Form; the GAANN Budget Spreadsheet(s) 
Form; the Appendices; the Assurances and Certifications; or an optional 
two-page table of contents.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 648.31 and are as follows:
    (a) Meeting the purposes of the program (7 points). The Secretary 
reviews each application to determine how well the project will meet 
the purposes of the program, including the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant's general and specific objectives for the project 
are realistic and measurable;
    (2) The applicant's objectives for the project seek to sustain and 
enhance the capacity for teaching and research at the institution and 
at State, regional, or national levels;
    (3) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and 
procedures to ensure the enrollment of talented graduate students from 
traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
    (4) The applicant's objectives seek to institute policies and 
procedures to ensure that it will award fellowships to individuals who 
satisfy the requirements of 34 CFR 648.40.
    (b) Extent of need for the project (5 points). The Secretary 
considers the extent to which a grant under the program is needed by 
the academic department by considering--
    (1) How the applicant identified the problems that form the 
specific needs of the project;
    (2) The specific problems to be resolved by successful realization 
of the goals and objectives of the project; and
    (3) How increasing the number of fellowships will meet the specific 
and general objectives of the project.
    (c) Quality of the graduate academic program (20 points). The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the 
current graduate academic program for which project funding is sought, 
including--
    (1) The course offerings and academic requirements for the graduate 
program;
    (2) The qualifications of the faculty, including education, 
research interest, publications, teaching ability, and accessibility to 
graduate students;
    (3) The focus and capacity for research; and
    (4) Any other evidence the applicant deems appropriate to 
demonstrate the quality of its academic program.
    (d) Quality of the supervised teaching experience (10 points). The 
Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the 
teaching experience the applicant plans to provide fellows under this 
program, including the extent to which the project--
    (1) Provides each fellow with the required supervised training in 
instruction;
    (2) Provides adequate instruction on effective teaching techniques;
    (3) Provides extensive supervision of each fellow's teaching 
performance; and
    (4) Provides adequate and appropriate evaluation of the fellow's 
teaching performance.
    (e) Recruitment plan (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the applicant's recruitment 
plan, including--
    (1) How the applicant plans to identify, recruit, and retain 
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in the 
academic program for which fellowships are sought;
    (2) How the applicant plans to identify eligible students for 
fellowships;
    (3) The past success of the academic department in enrolling 
talented graduate students from traditionally underrepresented 
backgrounds; and
    (4) The past success of the academic department in enrolling 
talented graduate students for its academic program.

[[Page 4027]]

    (f) Project administration (8 points). The Secretary reviews the 
quality of the proposed project administration, including--
    (1) How the applicant will select fellows, including how the 
applicant will ensure that project participants who are otherwise 
eligible to participate are selected without regard to race, color, 
national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling condition;
    (2) How the applicant proposes to monitor whether a fellow is 
making satisfactory progress toward the degree for which the fellowship 
has been awarded;
    (3) How the applicant proposes to identify and meet the academic 
needs of fellows;
    (4) How the applicant proposes to maintain enrollment of graduate 
students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds; and
    (5) The extent to which the policies and procedures the applicant 
proposes to institute for administering the project are likely to 
ensure efficient and effective project implementation, including 
assistance to and oversight of the project director.
    (g) Institutional commitment (15 points). The Secretary reviews 
each application for evidence that--
    (1) The applicant will provide, from any funds available to it, 
sufficient funds to support the financial needs of the fellows if the 
funds made available under the program are insufficient;
    (2) The institution's social and academic environment is supportive 
of the academic success of students from traditionally underrepresented 
backgrounds on the applicant's campus;
    (3) Students receiving fellowships under this program will receive 
stipend support for the time necessary to complete their courses of 
study, but in no case longer than five years; and
    (4) The applicant demonstrates a financial commitment, including 
the nature and amount of the institutional matching contribution, and 
other institutional commitments that are likely to ensure the 
continuation of project activities for a significant period of time 
following the period in which the project receives Federal financial 
assistance.
    (h) Quality of key personnel (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of key personnel the applicant 
plans to use on the project, including--
    (1) The qualifications of the project director;
    (2) The qualifications of other key personnel to be used in the 
project;
    (3) The time commitment of key personnel, including the project 
director, to the project; and
    (4) How the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard 
to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disabling 
condition, except pursuant to a lawful affirmative action plan.
    (i) Budget (5 points). The Secretary reviews each application to 
determine the extent to which--
    (1) The applicant shows a clear understanding of the acceptable 
uses of program funds; and
    (2) The costs of the project are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives of the project.
    (j) Evaluation plan (15 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the quality of the evaluation plan for the 
project, including the extent to which the applicant's methods of 
evaluation--
    (1) Relate to the specific goals and measurable objectives of the 
project;
    (2) Assess the effect of the project on the students receiving 
fellowships under this program, including the effect on persons of 
different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages, and on 
persons with disabilities who are served by the project;
    (3) List both process and product evaluation questions for each 
project activity and outcome, including those of the management plan;
    (4) Describe both the process and product evaluation measures for 
each project activity and outcome;
    (5) Describe the data collection procedures, instruments, and 
schedules for effective data collection;
    (6) Describe how the applicant will analyze and report the data so 
that it can make adjustments and improvements on a regular basis; and
    (7) Include a time-line chart that relates key evaluation processes 
and benchmarks to other project component processes and benchmarks.
    (k) Adequacy of resources (5 points). The Secretary reviews each 
application to determine the adequacy of the resources that the 
applicant makes available to graduate students receiving fellowships 
under this program, including facilities, equipment, and supplies.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
(34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    For this competition, a panel of non-Federal reviewers will review 
each application in accordance with the selection criteria in 34 CFR 
648.31 and the competitive preference priority, if that applies. The 
individual scores of the reviewers will be added and the sum divided by 
the number of reviewers to determine the peer review score received in 
the review process.
    Additional factors we consider in selecting an application for an 
award are in 34 CFR 648.32.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.205, before awarding grants under this program the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
3474.10, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, in 
appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative

[[Page 4028]]

agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal Government 
exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 200, 
Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity information to 
FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, 
Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal funds you 
receive exceed $10,000,000.
    5. In General: In accordance with the Office of Management and 
Budget's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal 
laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department will review and 
consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting 
applications in accordance with--
    (a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering 
results based on the program objectives through an objective process of 
evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);
    (b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video 
surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115--232) (2 CFR 
200.216);
    (c) Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in 
alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) 
and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at 
Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (2 CFR 200.300, 200.303, 
200.339, and 200.341);
    (d) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to 
maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United 
States (2 CFR 200.322); and
    (e) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest 
extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program 
goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, 
also.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by the 
Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) Grantees will be required to submit a supplement to the Final 
Performance Report two years after the expiration of their GAANN grant. 
The purpose of this supplement is to identify and report the 
educational outcome of each GAANN fellow.
    4. Performance Measures: Under the Government Performance and 
Results Act of 1993, the following measures will be used by the 
Department in assessing the performance of the GAANN Program and for 
Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110:
    (1) The percentage of GAANN fellows completing the terminal degree 
in the designated areas of national need.
    (2) The median time to completion of master's and doctoral degrees 
for GAANN fellows.
    (3) The percentage of GAANN fellows who have placements in faculty 
or professional positions in the area of their studies within one year 
of completing the degree.
    If funded, you will be required to collect and report data in your 
project's annual performance report (34 CFR 75.590) on those measures 
and steps taken toward improving performance toward those outcomes. 
Consequently, applicants are advised to include these outcome measures 
in conceptualizing the design, implementation, and evaluation of their 
proposed projects. These outcome measures should be included in the 
project evaluation plan, in addition to measures of your progress 
toward the goals and objectives specific to your project.
    All grantees will be expected to submit an annual performance 
report documenting their success in addressing these performance 
measures.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee 
has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; and, if the 
Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the 
performance targets in the grantee's approved application.
    In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers 
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in 
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil 
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities 
receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 
100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact persons listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an 
accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an 
accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text 
format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
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Christopher J. McCaghren,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2021-00766 Filed 1-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P


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