Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary 

Education Program—Career and Educational 

Pathways Exploration System Program (Career 

Pathways)

OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

STUDENT SERVICE

November 20, 2020 Presentation
Welcome and Introduction of Presenters
Agenda

Welcome

General Information

Career Pathways-Purpose

Eligibility Requirements

Absolute Priority

Award Information

Application Review and Selection Process

Application Submission Information
 LINDA BYRD-JOHNSON, 

SENIOR DIRECTOR, 

STUDENT SERVICE
 CHRIS MCCAGHREN, 

DEPUTY ASSISTANT 

SECRETARY FOR 

HIGHER EDUCATION 

PROGRAMS
Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) is in 

the Federal Register

Download application package in 

Grants.gov (84.116C)

6

General Information

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
General Information

 November 9, 2020, application period opened.

 December 9, 2020, by 11:59:59 Eastern Time, 

application period closes.

 December 14-18, 2020, review of proposals.

 December 30, 2020, awards announced.

 January 1, 2021, grant period begins.
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary 

Education—Career Pathways

--Purpose--

 To develop technology-based or technology-enabled 

career exploration systems that enable high school 

students to identify and explore career opportunities 

that align with their interests, ambitions and 

aptitudes; 

 Learn from individuals who work in those fields about 

the nature of their work and opportunities available 

in their fields; and 

 Identify education and training options-including non- college programs such as work-based learning 

opportunities, military training, apprenticeships and 

employer-sponsored training--that enable entry to or 

advancement in those careers.
 Public and private nonprofit institutions and 

agencies with expertise in workforce development 

and/or career counseling, alone or in partnership 

with;

• Institutions of Higher Educations;

• Other public and private nonprofit institutions 

and agencies (such as state workforce boards, 

employers, trade associations, or labor unions)

Who is Eligible to Apply?
 Other Attachments

Upload your non-profit documentation as a PDF to the 

other attachment form in grants.gov.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

How to submit documentation
Award Information

 Estimated Available Funds - $9,900,000

 Estimated Range of Awards: $4,400,000-9,000,000.

(Budgets may not exceed range cap but may be below the 

estimated range)

 Estimated Number of Awards: 1-2

 Project Period: Up to 36 months

 Grant Performance/Budget Period: January 1 - December 31

11

Career Pathways Program

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
Providing Career and Education Pathways Exploration 

Activities

To meet this priority, applicants must submit--

(a) A plan to create or expand a sustainable 

technology-based or technology-enabled career and 

education pathways exploration system that accomplishes 

all of the following objectives:

Award Information

Absolute Priority
Absolute Priority

 1) Enabling high school students to identify and learn 

about career opportunities based on their personal 

interests, aptitudes, and career goals;

 (2) Enabling high school students to identify, consider, 

and compare the possible education and training 

pathways that lead to career entry and advancement in 

their fields of interest;
Career Pathways 

Absolute Priority (cont.)

 (3) Engaging individuals who work in featured 

occupations, or using other interactive bot technologies 

simulating interaction with an individual, to provide 

information to students about their experience working in 

the field, the aptitudes and attitudes that are necessary for 

success, and the challenges and opportunities typical for 

those who work in the field; and
Career Pathways

Absolute Priority (cont.)

 (4) Enabling students to use embedded financial tools to compare the cost 

and benefits of the career options and educational pathways they are 

considering, including the long-term impact of taking student loans on their 

financial security, including likely entry and mid-career earnings in featured 

fields. 

 (b) An evaluation plan to assess the effectiveness of the system in assisting 

students in identifying their career goals, identifying potential education 

pathways to achieve that goal, and comparing the costs and benefits of each 

pathway.

 (c) A logic model for developing and implementing the project.
Award Information

Absolute Priority

 Please address the absolute priority separately in the 

project narrative section with a header “Absolute 

Priority” to make it identifiable. 
 It will be used to determine eligibility;

 The Absolute Priority will be assessed by the peer reviewer as 

part of the project design;

 All four components must be addressed including the logic 

model;

 Did you provide an exceptional approach to the Absolute 

Priority? It must be convincing to the peer reviewer that will 

provide an assessment.

17

Absolute Priority 1

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Career Pathways

Program Requirements

 Independent Evaluation.

 A grantee must conduct an independent evaluation of the activities 

carried out under the grant and submit to the Department an annual 

report that includes--

 (a) A description of how the grant funds were used;

 (b) The performance of the project with respect to, at a minimum, 

the performance measures described in the approved application; and

 (c) A quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of the project.
Career Pathways

Program Requirements (cont.)

Use of Funds 

(a) Development of a technology-based or technology-enabled 

career exploration and pathways system that enables students to 

identify career options and possible education and training 

pathways based on their interests, aptitudes, and goals.

(b) Identifying and recruiting individuals who work in featured 

occupations to participate in content development for the system 

and providing career information to students.
Career Pathways

Program Requirements (cont.)

Use of Funds 

(c) Providing training to high school guidance counselors and 

teachers on proper use of the system to help students explore 

career opportunities and educational pathways.

(d) Disseminating information about the system to high schools, 

workforce development boards, training providers, IHEs, and other 

entities.
 The selection criteria are the criteria against which the peer reviewers 

evaluate and score each application.

 The Department selects grantees based on peer reviewer scores, so clearly 

addressing the selection criteria is critical. 

 Respond to the selection criteria and each factor in the appropriate section.

 The project narrative should be organized in seven labeled sections that 

correspond to and follow the order of the seven selection criteria.

a. Significance

b. Quality of the Project Design 

c. Quality of the Project Services

d. Quality of the Project Personnel

e. Adequacy of Resources

f. Quality of the Management Plan

g. Quality of the Project Evaluation 

 The maximum total score that any applicant may receive on the seven 

selection criteria is 100 points. 21

Selection Criteria

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Seven (7) evaluation areas:

Total Possible Score

a. Significance 20

b. Quality of the Project Design 25 

c. Quality of the Project Services 10

d. Quality of the Project Personnel 10

e. Adequacy of Resources 5

f. Quality of the Management Plan 15

g. Quality of the Project Evaluation 15

_____________________________________________________

Total Max. Score Possible 100

22

Selection Criteria

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In determining the significance of the proposed project, the 

Secretary considers the following factors:

1)The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build 

local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that 

address the needs of the target population.

2)The potential replicability of the proposed project or 

strategies, including, as appropriate, the potential for 

implementation in a variety of settings.

23

Significance 

(up to 20 points)

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 Does the project or proposed strategies have potential to 

be replicated in a variety of settings? 

 If the project is successful, what improvements or 

systemic changes are expected?

24

Questions to Consider - Significance

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary 

considers the following factors:

1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved by 

the proposed project are clearly specified and measurable. 

2) The extent to which the design of the proposed project is appropriate to, 

and will successfully address, the needs of the target population or other 

identified needs. 

3) The extent to which the design for implementing and evaluating the 

proposed project will result in information to guide possible replication of 

project activities or strategies, including information about the 

effectiveness of the approach or strategies employed by the project.

4) The extent to which the proposed project represents an exceptional 

approach to the priority or priorities established for the competition.

25

Quality of the Project Design

(up to 25 points)

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 Is there evidence that supports your approach to the design of 

the project? 

 How do the objectives relate to the project goals and what are 

the anticipated outcomes? Are they measurable? 

 Have you identified the target population? Their challenges? 

Needs?

 Will the design or implementing the project be able to guide in 

replication? 

 How will the project continue after the grant period? 

 How well did you address the absolute priority? 26

Questions to Consider – Project Design

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the quality of the services to be provided by the proposed project, 

the Secretary considers the quality and sufficiency of strategies for ensuring equal 

access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups 

that have traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 

origin, gender, age, or disability. In addition, the Secretary considers the following 

factors:

1) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project are 

appropriate to the needs of the intended recipients or beneficiaries of those 

services.

2) The extent to which the services to be provided by the proposed project reflect 

up-to-date knowledge from research and effective practice. 

27

Quality of the Project Services

(up to 10 points)

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Are the proposed services appropriate for the targeted 

outcome/impact? Do they meet the need of students, 

parents.

 Was the most up-to-date research and effective practices 

used for the delivery of services.

28

Questions to Consider – Project Services

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the quality of the personnel who will carry out the 

proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the 

applicant encourages applications for employment from persons who 

are members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented 

based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. In 

addition, the Secretary considers the following factors:

1) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, of the 

project director or principal investigator. 

2) The qualifications, including relevant training and experience, 

of key project personnel. 

29

Quality of Project Personnel

(up to 10 points)

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Is the experience and training of the Project Director and 

key personnel directly related to the activity objectives?

 Did the qualifications provided include details regarding 

training and experience requirements.

30

Questions to Consider – Project Personnel

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the adequacy of resources for the proposed 

project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

1) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 

proposed project.

2) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to 

the objectives, design, and potential significance of the 

proposed project.

31

Adequacy of Resources

(up to 5 points)

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 How are the resources related to the successful 

implementation of the project? Are they adequate 

to support the project.

 Are the requested funds reasonable in relation to 

the complexity and scale of the project?

32

Questions to Consider - Resources

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the quality of the management plan for the 

proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

1) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives 

of the proposed project on time and within budget, including 

clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for 

accomplishing project tasks. 

2) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous 

improvement in the operation of the proposed project.

3) The adequacy of mechanisms for ensuring high-quality products 

and services from the proposed project.

33

Quality of the Management Plan

(up to 15 points)

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 What is the plan to ensure proper and efficient management of the project, 

including methods of coordination across organizational units, partners, 

stakeholders, etc.? Who is responsible for what? 

 How will you ensure that the project is on schedule and within budget to meet the 

identified goals and objectives of the project?

 Have sufficient staff and time been committed to ensure that the identified goals 

and objectives are met?

 Did you provide procedures for on-going evaluation and continuous improvement.

 Did the management plan demonstrate how the project will produce high-quality 

products and services.

34

Questions to Consider – Management Plan

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers 

the following factors:

1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation are thorough, 

feasible, and appropriate to the goals, objectives, and outcomes 

of the proposed project. 

2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation include the use 

of objective performance measures that are clearly related to 

the intended outcomes of the project and will produce 

quantitative and qualitative data to the extent possible.

35

Quality of the Project Evaluation

(up to 15 points)

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Describe the methods for data collection and 

evaluation? 

36

Questions to Consider – Project Evaluation

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Within every program in the Department, we identify 

measures that when aggregated help inform us and the 

public of progress and performance toward reaching the 

purpose of the program. 

 The applicant should also propose performance measures 

that produce data about the desired outcomes.

37

Performance Measures

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Program Specific Performance Measures

 Project-specific performance measures. How each proposed performance 

measure would accurately measure the performance of the project and 

how the proposed performance measures would be consistent with the 

performance measures established for the program funding the 

competition.

 Baseline Data

(1) Why each proposed baseline is valid; or

(2) If the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline 

data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is 

no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the 

applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure.
Program Specific Performance Measures

 (d) Performance targets. Why each proposed performance target is ambitious 

yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, 

during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s).

 (e) Data collection and reporting.

 (1) The data collection and reporting methods the applicant would use and why 

those methods are likely to yield reliable, valid, and meaningful performance data; 

and

 (2) The applicant’s capacity to collect and report reliable, valid, and meaningful 

performance data, as evidenced by high-quality data collection, analysis, and 

reporting in other projects or research.
 Budgets should reflect the scale and scope of the project.

 Budgets may not exceed the estimated range of $4,400,000 -

$9,000,000 (but they may be below the estimated range). 

 Complete the ED standard form 524 and prepare a detailed budget 

narrative that includes the costs and justification of costs. 

 No cost share or matching requirements. 

 The indirect cost rate is 8 percent. 

 Budgets will be evaluated by peer reviewers for relevance and 

appropriateness. Program staff will also review budgets to ensure that 

proposed costs are justifiable, reasonable and allowable. 

40

Budget Tips 

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Applications are screened to ensure that they meet all the 

requirements of the program.

 Peer reviewers have expertise in areas pertinent to a grant 

program. 

 All reviewers are screened for conflicts of interest to ensure a fair 

and competitive review process. 

 Reviewers will read and score applications for each selection 

criterion as well as the absolute priority. 

 A rank order of all applications is developed based on the peer 

review score. 

41

Review and Selection Process 

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Register early: Grants.gov registration involves many steps 

including registration on SAM (www.sam.gov). 

 Write clearly: Peer reviewers have only your writing to 

evaluate. 

 Submit Early: We strongly recommend that you do not wait 

until the last day to submit your application. 

READ THE NIA. UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS. 

PLAN AHEAD.

42

Application and Submission Information

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
 Electronic submission required through grants.gov unless you have a waiver. The 

application uploading process is time consuming. Please submit your application 

early. 

 Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, 

online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access 

and edit different web forms within an application.

 Workspace, Adobe Forms and PDF Files Required

 For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

 If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov, please contact Grants.gov Customer 

Support at 1-800-518-4726 or email at: mailto:support@grants.gov or access the 

Grants.gov Self-Service Knowledge Base web portal at: https://grantsportal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants

43

Applying Through Grants.gov

Visit Grants.gov for submission procedures and tips for applicants

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
44

Contact Information

Sharon Easterling

Co-Competition Manager

Sharon.easterling@ed.gov

202-453-7425

Carmen Gordon

Co-Competition Manager

Carmen.Gordon@ed.gov

202-453-7311

The Federal Register is the official application submission guide. This webinar only provides technical assistance.
Questions
Closing

Thank you for attending!