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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5838-5844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01238]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Demonstration Grants for Indian 
Children and Youth Program--Native Youth Community Projects

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is inviting 
applications for the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children and Youth 
Program (Demonstration program).

DATES: 
    Applications Available: January 17, 2025.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: February 18, 2025.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: February 3, 2025.
    Application Deadline: April 28, 2025.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 26, 2025.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to the Application Submission Instructions 
section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Bussell, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3W239, Washington, DC 20202-
6335. Telephone: (202) 987-0204. Email: [email protected].
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Full Text of Announcement:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    1. Purpose of Program: The purpose of the program is to provide 
financial assistance to community-driven projects that develop and 
share innovative services and programs designed to improve the 
educational opportunities and achievement of Indian students by 
addressing community-level challenges.
    Assistance Listing Number: 84.299A.
    OMB Control Number: 1810-0722.
    2. Award Information:
    Type of Award: Discretionary grant.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $72,000,000 
for Special Programs for Indian Children for fiscal year (FY) 2025, of 
which we intend to use an estimated $20,000,000 for this competition. 
The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional 
action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to 
complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this 
program.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $450,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 45.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice. 
Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2026 or in future 
years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months, with potential for renewal of up 
to an additional 24 months (i.e., a total potential grant of up to 60 
months).
    Note: Under section 6121(d)(1)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act (ESEA), the Secretary of Education awards grants for an 
initial period of 36 months (3 years) and may renew them for up to 24 
months (2 years) if the grantee has made substantial progress based on 
the approved application and any needed subsequent modifications to 
such application. The Department requests that applicants provide 
budget information in their applications for the full period, up to 60 
months, for which they hope to be funded.
    3. Eligible Applicants: Under section 6121(b) of the ESEA and 34 
CFR 263.20, the following entities are eligible under this program, 
either alone or in a consortium:
    (a) A State educational agency (SEA)
    (b) A local educational agency (LEA).
    (c) An Indian Tribe.

[[Page 5839]]

    (d) An Indian organization.
    (e) A federally supported elementary school or secondary school for 
Indian students (Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) or Tribally 
Controlled School).
    (f) A Tribal College or University (TCU).
    Note: Non-Tribal applicants who are in partnerships with Indian 
Tribes or Indian organizations should include in their partnership 
agreement, which is specified in Application Requirement (f), a 
description of substantial involvement from Tribes, with Tribal 
direction incorporated throughout the project period.
    4. Background: The Demonstration program-NYCP finds and shares 
innovative, community-driven opportunities to support Native youth. 
Projects aim to develop strategies to prepare Native youth for their 
future while connecting with their Tribal Nations, demonstrate 
effectiveness, and share learning opportunities. Project design relies 
on Tribal input, alignment, and consultation to uphold self-
determination and sovereignty.
    For FY 2025, the Department will fund Native Youth Community 
Projects (NYCP) to support community-driven projects to help Native 
children and youth become college- and career-ready.
    For the FY 2025 awards, the Department prioritizes partnerships 
with local businesses for career preparation programs designed to 
provide Native youth with the knowledge and skills needed to make an 
effective transition from school to a high-skill career.
    The Department is also prioritizing access for Native students to 
early learning educational opportunities promoting equity in 
achievement. In addressing this priority, applicants could propose 
projects that are designed to administer early learning programs that 
are inclusive, developmentally informed, and linguistically and 
culturally responsive to prepare young children to make sufficient 
academic growth by the end of grade 3, including kindergarten and pre-
kindergarten programs, community and family-based preschool programs 
that emphasize school readiness, screening and referral, meaningful 
parent and family engagement, and the provision of services to Native 
children and youth with disabilities to support early school success.
    Both the priority for partnerships with local businesses and career 
centers and the priority for early learning educational opportunities 
are optional competitive preference priorities, as discussed later in 
this notice.
    Note: These tables provide a summary of certain sections in this 
notice. Further detail on each of these sections is provided below. 
Applicants should read the notice in its entirety before applying.

  Table 1--Summary of Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) Sections That
         MUST Be Addressed for Your Application To Be Considered
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     Application section                      Description
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Absolute Priority............  Applicants must propose a project that
The full text is in the         fulfills the requirements of a Native
 priorities section below..     Youth Community Project:
                               1) Focused on a defined local geographic
                                area
                               2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that
                                Indian students are prepared for college
                                and careers
                               3) Informed by evidence
                               4) Focused on one or more barriers or
                                opportunities with a community-based
                                strategy or strategies and measurable
                                objectives
                               5) Designed and implemented through a
                                partnership of various entities
                               6) Led by an entity that is eligible and
                                demonstrates the capacity to improve
                                relevant outcomes
Application Requirements.....  (a) Tribal and Family Involvement.
The full text of each          (b) Evaluation Plan.
 requirement is in the         (c) Evidence-Based and Culturally
 application requirements       Appropriate.
 section below..               (d) Project Sustainability Post Grant.
                               (e) Needs Assessment or Other Data
                                Analysis.
                               (f) Signed Partnership Agreement.
                               (g) Project plan with measurable
                                objectives.
                               (h) Assurance that funds will be used to
                                supplement other program funding.
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     Table 2--Summary of NIA Sections That Are Evaluated and Scored
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     Application section                 Description and points
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Competitive Preference         CPP 1: Tribal Lead Applicants (0 or 2
 Priorities (CPP).              points)
The full text is in the        CPP 2: Tribal Partnership (0 or 1 point)
 priorities section below..    CPP 3: Improving Educational
                                Opportunities and Achievement of Indian
                                Children and Youth (up to 2 points)
Selection criteria...........  Need for the Project (20 points)
The full text is in the        Quality of the Project Design (40 points)
 selection criteria section    Quality of Project Personnel (20 points)
 below..                       Quality of Project Evaluation or Other
                                Evidence Building (20 points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. Priorities: This notice contains one absolute priority and three 
competitive preference priorities.\1\
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    \1\ The absolute priority is from 34 CFR 263.21(c)(1) and 
incorporates a definition from 34 CFR 263.20; Competitive Preference 
Priority 1 is from 34 CFR 263.21(b)(1); Competitive Preference 
Priority 2 is from 34 CFR 263.21(b)(2); and Competitive Preference 
Priority 3 is from section 6121(c) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7441).
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    Absolute Priority: For FY 2025 and any future year in which we make 
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority, which

[[Page 5840]]

means that all applications must address it to be eligible.\2\
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    \2\ For information about absolute priorities in general, please 
see 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75#p-75.105(c)(3).
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    This priority is:
    Native Youth Community Projects.
    To meet this priority, applicants must propose a project that 
fulfils the requirements of a Native Youth Community Project.
    A Native Youth Community Project means a project that is:
    (1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
    (2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are 
prepared for college and careers;
    (3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment 
conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on--
    (i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and
    (iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;
    (4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a 
community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
    (5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various 
entities which--
    (i) Must include--
    (A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
    (B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more LEAs, or both; and
    (ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based 
organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional 
corporations; and
    (6) Led by an entity that--
    (i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration Grants for 
Indian Children program; and
    (ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, 
the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus 
through experience with programs funded through other sources.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2025 and any future year 
in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from 
this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Applicants are not required to address the competitive 
preference priorities, but addressing them may result in additional 
points.\3\ An application can receive points under either Competitive 
Preference Priority 1 or 2, but not both. Any application can also 
receive points under Competitive Preference Priority 3.
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    \3\ For additional information about competitive preference 
priorities, please see 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75#p-75.105(c)(2)(i).
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    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Lead Applicants (0 or 2 
points).
    To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by an 
Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-funded school, or TCU that is 
eligible to participate in the Demonstration program. A group 
application submitted by a consortium that meets the requirements of 34 
CFR 75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership is eligible to 
receive the preference only if the lead applicant for the consortium is 
the Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-funded school, or TCU.
    Note: Being the lead applicant means that the Indian Tribe, Indian 
organization, BIE-funded school, or TCU submits the application and 
leads the work with partners.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: Tribal Partnership (0 or 1 
point).
    To meet this priority, an application must be submitted by a 
consortium of eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.127 through 75.129 or submitted by a partnership if the consortium 
or partnership: (1) includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, BIE-
funded school, or TCU; and (2) is not eligible to receive the 
preference under Competitive Preference Priority 1.
    Note: To receive points under this priority, an applicant must 
include a signed agreement with the Indian Tribe, Indian organization, 
BIE-funded school, or TCU detailing the activities that each member of 
the group plans to perform.\4\
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    \4\ See 34 CFR 263.21(b)(2) and 34 CFR 75.127 through 129.
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    Competitive Preference Priority 3: Improving Educational 
Opportunities and Achievement of Indian Children and Youth (up to 2 
points).
    To meet this priority, an applicant must demonstrate that the 
application proposes a project designed to improve educational 
opportunities for Indian students through one or both of the following 
activities:
    (1) Early childhood education programs that are effective in 
preparing young children to make sufficient academic growth by the end 
of grade 3, including kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs, 
family-based preschool programs that emphasize school readiness, 
screening and referral, and the provision of services to Indian 
children and youth with disabilities.
    (2) Partnership projects between schools and local businesses for 
career preparation programs designed to provide Indian youth with the 
knowledge and skills to make an effective transition from school to a 
high-skill career.
    Under section 6121(d)(1)(B) of the ESEA, the Department gives 
priority to applications that propose a plan for offering both early 
learning educational opportunities and career preparation opportunities 
as described above for a period of more than 1 year. Applicants can 
receive 1 point for each activity and must address both activities to 
receive 2 points under this priority.
    Note: To receive points under paragraph (2), consistent with 34 CFR 
263.22(b)(2) and application requirement (f) in this notice, applicants 
must include an agreement signed by the partners in the proposed 
project, identifying the responsibilities of each partner in the 
project. The agreement must include the local business and describe the 
local business's responsibilities as a partner in the proposed project.
    6. Requirements: For FY 2025 and any future year in which we make 
awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, 
applicants must meet the following application requirements from 
section 6121 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7441) and 34 CFR 263.22.
    Application Requirements:
    (a) A description of how Indian Tribes and parents and families of 
Indian children and youth have been, and will be, involved in 
developing and implementing the proposed activities;
    (b) Assurances that the applicant will participate, at the request 
of the Secretary, in any national evaluation of this program;
    (c) Information demonstrating that the proposed project is 
evidence-based, where applicable, or is based on an existing evidence-
based program that has been modified to be culturally appropriate for 
Indian students;
    (d) A description of how the applicant will continue the proposed 
activities once the grant period is over;
    (e) Evidence, which could be either a needs assessment conducted 
within the last three years or other data analysis, of--
    (1) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (2) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and

[[Page 5841]]

    (3) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;
    (f) A copy of an agreement signed by the partners in the proposed 
project, identifying the responsibilities of each partner in the 
project. The agreement can be either--
    (1) A consortium agreement that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 
75.128, if each of the entities are eligible entities under this 
program; or
    (2) Another form of partnership agreement, such as a memorandum of 
understanding or a memorandum of agreement, if not all the partners are 
eligible entities under this program;
    (g) A plan, which includes measurable objectives, to evaluate 
reaching the project goal or goals;
    (h) An assurance that--
    (1) Services will be supplemental to the education program provided 
by local schools attended by the students to be served;
    (2) Funding will be supplemental to existing sources, such as 
Johnson O'Malley funding; and
    (3) The availability of funds for supplemental special education 
and related services (i.e., services that are not part of the special 
education and related services, supplementary aids and services, and 
program modifications or supports for school personnel that are 
required to make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available 
under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 
to a child with a disability in conformity with the child's 
individualized education program or the regular or special education 
and related aids and services required to make FAPE available under a 
section 504 plan, if any) does not affect the right of the child to 
receive FAPE under Part B of the IDEA or Section 504, and the 
respective implementing regulations.
    Statutory Hiring Preference:
    (a) Awards that are primarily for the benefit of Indians are 
subject to the provisions of section 7(b) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638). That 
section requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee--
    (1) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
    (2) Give to Indian organizations and to Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, as defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 
1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(e)), preference in the award of contracts in 
connection with the administration of the grant.
    (b) For purposes of this preference, an Indian is a is a member of 
any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    7. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210. The maximum score for addressing each criterion 
and factor within each criterion, is included in parentheses. The 
maximum score for these criteria is 100 points.
    The selection criteria are as follows:
    (a) Need for project (20 points). The Secretary considers the need 
for the proposed project. In determining the need for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates the 
magnitude of the need for the services to be provided or the activities 
to be carried out by the proposed project. (Up to 10 points)
    (2) The extent to which the specific nature and magnitude of gaps 
or challenges are identified and the extent to which these gaps or 
challenges will be addressed by the services, supports, infrastructure, 
or opportunities described in the proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project will focus on serving 
or otherwise addressing the needs of underserved populations. (Up to 5 
points)
    (b) Quality of project design (40 points). The Secretary considers 
the quality of the design of the proposed project. 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, measurable, and 
ambitious yet achievable within the project period, and aligned with 
the purposes of the grant program. (Up to 5 points)
    (2) The extent to which the design of the proposed project 
demonstrates meaningful community engagement and input to ensure that 
the project is appropriate to successfully address the needs of the 
target population or other identified needs and will be used to inform 
continuous improvement strategies. (Up to 10 points)
    (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 valid and 
reliable information about the effectiveness of the approach or 
strategies employed by the project. (Up to 10 points)
    (4) The quality of the proposed demonstration design, such as 
qualitative and quantitative design, and procedures for documenting 
project activities and results for underserved populations. (Up to 5 
points)
    (5) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a 
rationale (as defined in this notice) that is aligned with the purposes 
of the grant program. (Up to 10 points)
    (c) Quality of project personnel (20 points). The Secretary 
considers the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed 
project. In determining the quality of project personnel, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has 
project personnel or a plan for hiring of personnel who are members of 
groups that have historically encountered barriers, or who have 
professional or personal experiences with barriers, based on one or 
more of the following: economic disadvantage; language; and living in a 
rural location. (Up to 1 point)
    (2) The extent to which the project director or principal 
investigator, when hired, has the qualifications required for the 
project, including formal training or work experience in fields related 
to the objectives of the project and experience in designing, managing, 
or implementing similar projects for the target population to be served 
by the project. (Up to 5 points)
    (3) The extent to which the key personnel in the project, when 
hired, have the qualifications required for the proposed project, 
including formal training or work experience in fields related to the 
objectives of the project, and represent or have lived experiences of 
the target population. (Up to 10 points)
    (4) The extent to which the proposed project team maximizes diverse 
perspectives, for example by reflecting the lived experiences of 
project participants, or relevant experience working with the target 
population. (Up to 4 points)
    (d) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building 
(20 points). The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to 
be conducted of the proposed project. In determining the quality of the 
evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other 
evidence-building are appropriate to the context in which the project 
operates and the target population of the proposed project. (Up to 10 
points)
    (2) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about 
effective strategies suitable for replication or

[[Page 5842]]

testing and potential implementation in other settings. (Up to 5 
points)
    (3) The extent to which the evaluator has the qualifications, 
including the relevant training, experience, and independence, required 
to conduct an evaluation of the proposed project, including experience 
conducting evaluations of similar methodology as proposed and with 
evaluations for the proposed population and setting. (Up to 5 points)
    8. Performance Measures: If funded under this competition, each 
grantee will be required to provide data on the performance measures 
listed below,\5\ in annual and final performance reports. These 
measures constitute the Department's indicators of success for this 
program. The performance measures for this program are:
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    \5\ These are the performance measures used for purposes of 
Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110.
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    (1) The number and percentage of the annual measurable objectives, 
as described in the application, that the grantees meet; and
    (2) The number of, and percentage increase in, community 
collaborative efforts that promote college and career readiness of 
Indian children.
    9. Definitions: The following definitions apply to this 
competition.\6\
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    \6\ The definition of ``evidence-based'' is from section 
8101(21) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)), and the definitions of 
``Indian,'' ``Indian organization,'' ``Parent,'' ``Native youth 
community project,'' and ``Tribal college or university'' are from 
34 CFR 263.20. The definitions of ``demonstrates a rationale,'' 
``evidence-based,'' ``relevant outcome,'' ``project component,'' and 
``logic model'' are from 34 CFR 77.1.
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    Demonstrates a rationale means that there is a key project 
component included in the project's logic model that is supported by 
citations of high-quality research or evaluation findings that suggest 
that the project component is likely to significantly improve relevant 
outcomes.
    Evidence-based, when used with respect to a State, LEA, or school 
activity, means an activity, strategy, or intervention that--
    (1) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving 
student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on--
    (i) Strong evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented experimental study;
    (ii) Moderate evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented quasi-experimental study; or
    (iii) Promising evidence from at least one well-designed and well-
implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection 
bias; or
    (2)(i) Demonstrates a rationale based on high-quality research 
findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or 
intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant 
outcomes; and
    (ii) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such 
activity, strategy, or intervention.
    Indian means an individual who is--
    (1) A member of an Indian Tribe or band, as membership is defined 
by the Indian Tribe or band, including any Tribe or band terminated 
since 1940, and any Tribe or band recognized by the State in which the 
Tribe or band resides;
    (2) A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the 
requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition;
    (3) Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for 
any purpose;
    (4) An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
    (5) A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant 
under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 
19, 1994.
    Indian organization means an organization that--
    (1) Is legally established--
    (i) By Tribal or inter-Tribal charter or in accordance with State 
or Tribal law; and
    (ii) With appropriate constitution, by-laws, or articles of 
incorporation;
    (2) Includes in its purposes the promotion of the education of 
Indians;
    (3) Is controlled by a governing board, the majority of which is 
Indian;
    (4) If located on an Indian reservation, operates with the sanction 
of or by charter from the governing body of that reservation;
    (5) Is neither an organization or subdivision of, nor under the 
direct control of, any institution of higher education or TCU; and
    (6) Is not an agency of State or local government.
    Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a 
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed 
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be 
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the 
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project 
components and relevant outcomes.
    Native youth community project means a project that is--
    (1) Focused on a defined local geographic area;
    (2) Centered on the goal of ensuring that Indian students are 
prepared for college and careers;
    (3) Informed by evidence, which could be either a needs assessment 
conducted within the last three years or other data analysis, on--
    (i) The greatest barriers, both in and out of school, to the 
readiness of local Indian students for college and careers;
    (ii) Opportunities in the local community to support Indian 
students; and
    (iii) Existing local policies, programs, practices, service 
providers, and funding sources;
    (4) Focused on one or more barriers or opportunities with a 
community-based strategy or strategies and measurable objectives;
    (5) Designed and implemented through a partnership of various 
entities, which--
    (i) Must include--
    (A) One or more Tribes or their Tribal education agencies; and
    (B) One or more BIE-funded schools, one or more LEAs, or both; and
    (ii) May include other optional entities, including community-based 
organizations, national nonprofit organizations, and Alaska regional 
corporations; and
    (6) Led by an entity that--
    (i) Is eligible for a grant under the Demonstration program; and
    (ii) Demonstrates, or partners with an entity that demonstrates, 
the capacity to improve outcomes that are relevant to the project focus 
through experience with programs funded through other sources.
    Parent includes a legal guardian or other person standing in loco 
parentis (such as a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child 
lives, or a person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare).
    Project component means an activity, strategy, intervention, 
process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence 
may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of 
project components (e.g., training teachers on instructional practices 
for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).
    Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) 
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the 
specific goals of the program.
    Tribal College or University (TCU) means an accredited college or 
university within the United States cited in section 532 of the Equity 
in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994, any other institution 
that qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or 
University Assistance Act of 1978, and the Navajo Community College, 
authorized in the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978.

[[Page 5843]]

    10. Program Authority and Applicable Regulations:
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7441.
    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 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 program regulations in 34 CFR part 263.
    Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply to this program.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants 
except federally recognized Indian Tribes.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.
    Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the 
provisions stated in the Uniform Guidance for Federal Financial 
Assistance (89 FR 30046, April 22, 2024) when preparing an application. 
For more information about these regulations please visit: https://www.cfo.gov/resources-coffa/uniform-guidance/.

II. Supplemental Requirements

    1. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo#Indirect-Cost-Division.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: Under ESEA section 6121(e), no 
more than five percent of the funds awarded for a grant may be used for 
administrative costs. Note that, since fiscal year 2020, Congress has 
included language in appropriations acts to clarify that the statutory 
5 percent limit does not include indirect costs. In the event such 
language is not included in the FY 2025 appropriations act, the 
Department will work with successful applicants to make budget 
adjustments to align with administrative cost restrictions, if 
necessary.
    2. Subgrantees: A grantee under this competition may not award 
subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities 
described in its application.
    3. Other: Projects funded under this competition should budget for 
a two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year 
of the project period.

III. Application and Submission Information

    1. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative refers to the 
application section that addresses the priorities and selection 
criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend 
that the application narrative (1) not exceed 30 pages and (2) use the 
following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial.
    The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the 
budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the 
assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the resumes, 
the bibliography, the letter(s) of support, or the signed consortium 
agreement. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative. An application will not be disqualified if it 
exceeds the recommended page limit.
    2. Notice of Intent to Apply: The Department will be able to review 
grant applications more efficiently if we know the approximate number 
of applicants that intend to apply. Therefore, we strongly encourage 
each potential applicant to notify us of their intent to submit an 
application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT with the subject line ``Intent to 
Apply,'' and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name 
and email address. Applicants that do not submit a notice of intent to 
apply may still apply for funding; applicants that do submit a notice 
of intent to apply are not bound to apply or bound by the information 
provided.
    3. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    4. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs (89 FR 104528, December 23, 
2024), which are available at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.
    5. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Demonstration 
program, your application may include business information that you 
consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11 we define ``business information'' 
and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that 
information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as 
amended).
    Because we may make successful applications available to the public 
by posting them on our website, you may wish to request confidentiality 
of business information.
    Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your 
application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure 
under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your 
application, under ``Other Attachments Form,'' please list the page 
number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional 
information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).
    6. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is subject to 
intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372. Information about 
this process is in the application package.

IV. Application Review Information

    1. Review and Selection Process: In reviewing grant applications, 
the Secretary may consider the applicant's prior performance on other 
grant awards, including whether the projects achieved their objectives 
and the timeliness and quality of required reporting.
    To receive an award, the Secretary requires assurances, including 
that the recipient of Federal financial assistance will comply with all 
Federal civil rights and non-discrimination laws.

[[Page 5844]]

    2. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Before awarding grants 
under this competition, the Department conducts a review of the risks 
posed by applicants. 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.
    3. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected to receive 
an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the 
simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), 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 determining risk, we review the 
information in 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.
    If the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative 
agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal Government 
exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements 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.

V. 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.
    The GAN identifies the terms and conditions and applicable 
regulations of your award. The GAN also incorporates your approved 
application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.
    2. 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 should you receive 
funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an 
exception.
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information. 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. The Secretary may also 
require more frequent performance reports. For specific requirements on 
reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    (c) The Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for 
data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary 
establishes a data collection period.
    5. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award, 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, whether 
the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving 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.

VI. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person 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, 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 
Federal Regulations at http://www.federalregister.gov/. At this site 
you can view this document, as well as all other Department documents 
published in the Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format 
(PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is 
available free at the site.
    You may also access Department documents published in the Federal 
Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Adam Schott,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Delegated the Authority to 
Perform the Functions and Duties of the Assistant Secretary Office of 
Elementary and Secondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2025-01238 Filed 1-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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