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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5856-5863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01316]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary 
Grants Programs; Professional Development Program (PD)--Training Grants

AGENCY: Office of Elementary and Secondary 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) 2025 for 
Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs PD--Training Grants.

DATES: 
    Applications Available: January 17, 2025.
    Date of Pre-Application Webinar: February 11, 2025.
    Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: February 18, 2025.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 28, 2025.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: June 26, 2025.

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 December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Brake, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202-6335. Telephone: 
(202) 987-0796. 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

    Purpose of Program: The purposes of the PD Program that are 
relevant to this competition are to increase the number of qualified 
Indian individuals in professions that serve Indian students and to 
provide training and support to qualified Indian individuals to become 
teachers and administrators.
    Assistance Listing Number: 84.299B.
    OMB Control Number: 1810-0580.
    Background: To be successful, every student should have access to

[[Page 5857]]

outstanding, well-prepared, well-supported educators who reflect the 
diversity of the students they serve. The PD Training Grants program 
provides critical support to increase the number of qualified Indian 
educators and administrators serving Indian students who can help meet 
the unique linguistic and cultural needs of Native American students. 
It is the policy of the United States to fulfill the Federal 
Government's unique and continuing trust relationship with and 
responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian 
children. The Federal Government will continue to work with local 
educational agencies (LEAs), Indian Tribes and organizations, 
postsecondary institutions, and other entities toward the goal of 
ensuring that programs that serve Indian children are of the highest 
quality. The Department is committed to supporting opportunities for 
educator recruitment, preparation, and retention in a way that creates 
a diverse and well-prepared educator workforce.
    The PD Training Grants program can support multiple types of 
training, including Registered Apprenticeships (RA).
    We encourage applicants to consider creative ways to meet the needs 
of Indian students by identifying and overcoming barriers to training 
and supporting future Indian teachers and administrators.
    Priorities: This competition includes two absolute priorities and 
two competitive preference priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 
75.105(b)(2)(ii), the absolute priorities are from 34 CFR 263.6(b)(1) 
and (2), as amended pursuant to the notice of final regulations for 
this program published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register 
(Final Rule), and the competitive preference priorities are from 34 CFR 
263.6(a)(1) and (2), as amended by the Final Rule.
    Absolute Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in which 
we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR 
75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet one of these 
priorities.
    Note: The Department may create two funding slates--one for 
applicants that meet Absolute Priority 1 and one for applicants that 
meet Absolute Priority 2. As a result, the Department may fund 
applications out of the overall rank order, provided there is a 
sufficient number of high-quality applications, but the Department is 
not bound to do so. Applicants must clearly identify the specific 
absolute priority the proposed project addresses in the project 
abstract and narrative; an applicant that wishes to apply under both 
priorities should submit two separate applications.
    These priorities are:
    Absolute Priority 1: Pre-Service Training for Teachers.
    Projects that--
    (a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete 
a pre-service education program before the end of the award period that 
enables the individuals to meet the requirements for full State 
certification or licensure as a teacher through--
    (1) Training that leads to a degree in education;
    (2) For States allowing a degree in a specific subject area, 
training that leads to a degree in the subject area;
    (3) Training in a current or new specialized teaching assignment 
that requires a degree and in which a documented teacher shortage 
exists; or
    (4) Training in the field of Native American language instruction;
    (b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to 
participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two 
years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in 
schools in local educational agencies (LEAs) that serve a high 
proportion of Indian students; and
    (c) Include goals for the--
    (1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
    (2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
    (3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
    (4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within 12 
months of completion.
    Absolute Priority 2: Pre-service Administrator Training.
    Projects that--
    (a) Provide support and training to Indian individuals to complete 
a graduate degree in education administration that is provided before 
the end of the award period and that allows participants to meet the 
requirements for State certification or licensure as an education 
administrator;
    (b) Provide induction services, during the award period, to 
participants after graduation, certification, or licensure, for two 
years, while participants are completing their work-related payback in 
schools in LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students; and
    (c) Include goals for the--
    (1) Number of participants to be recruited each year;
    (2) Number of participants to continue in the project each year;
    (3) Number of participants to graduate each year; and
    (4) Number of participants to find qualifying employment within 
twelve months of completion.
    Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent 
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications 
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference 
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award an additional 5 
points to an application that meets Competitive Preference Priority 1 
or an additional 3 points to an application that meets Competitive 
Preference Priority 2. Applicants are eligible for points under either 
Competitive Preference Priority 1 or 2, not both; thus, the maximum 
number of points is 5.
    These priorities are:
    Competitive Preference Priority 1: Tribal Applicants (Zero or five 
points).
    An application submitted by an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, 
or Tribal college or university (TCU) that is eligible to participate 
in the Professional Development program. A consortium application of 
eligible entities that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 
75.129 and includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU will 
be considered eligible to receive preference under this priority only 
if the lead applicant for the consortium is the Indian Tribe, Indian 
organization, or TCU. In order to be considered a consortium 
application, the application must include the consortium agreement, 
signed by all parties.
    Competitive Preference Priority 2: Consortium Applicants, Non-
Tribal Lead (Zero or three points).
    A consortium application of eligible entities that--
    (a) Meets the requirements of 34 CFR 75.127 through 75.129 and 
includes an Indian Tribe, Indian organization, or TCU; and
    (b) Is not eligible to receive a preference under Competitive 
Preference Priority 1.
    Application Requirements: For FY 2025 and any subsequent year in 
which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this 
competition, applicants must meet the following application 
requirements from 34 CFR 263.5.
    Each applicant must:
    (a) Describe how it will--
    (1) Recruit qualified Indian individuals, such as students who may 
not be of traditional college age, to become teachers, principals, or 
school leaders, if applicable;
    (2) Use funds made available under the grant to support the 
recruitment, preparation, retention, and professional

[[Page 5858]]

development of Indian teachers or principals in LEAs that serve a high 
proportion of Indian students, as applicable; \1\ and
    (3) Assist participants who receive pre-service training in meeting 
the payback requirements under 34 CFR 263.9(b), if applicable;
    (b) Submit one or more letters of support from LEAs that serve a 
high proportion of Indian students. Each letter must include--
    (1) A statement that the LEA agrees to consider program graduates 
for employment;
    (2) Evidence that the LEA meets the definition of ``LEA that serves 
a high proportion of Indian students''; and
    (3) The signature of an authorized representative of the LEA;
    (c) If applying as an Indian organization, demonstrate that the 
entity meets the definition of ``Indian organization'';
    (d) If it is an affected LEA that is subject to the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), consult with 
appropriate officials from Tribe(s) or Tribal organizations approved by 
the Tribes located in the area served by the LEA prior to its 
submission of an application, as required under ESEA section 8538; and
    (e) Comply with any other requirements in the application package.
    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 member of any 
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    Definitions: The following definitions are from 34 CFR 263.3, as 
amended by the Final Rule, and apply to this competition.
    BIE-funded school means a Bureau of Indian Education school, a 
contract or grant school, or a school for which assistance is provided 
under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
    Dependent allowance means costs for the care of minor children 
under the age of 18 who reside with the training participant and for 
whom the participant has responsibility. The term does not include 
financial obligations for payment of child support required of the 
participant.
    Full course load means the number of credit hours that the 
institution requires of a full-time student.
    Graduate degree means a post-baccalaureate degree awarded by an 
institution of higher education.
    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 of 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 
or by charter of 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.
    Induction services means services provided--
    (1)(i) By educators, local traditional leaders, or cultural 
experts;
    (ii) For the two years of qualifying employment; and
    (iii) In LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian students;
    (2) To support and improve participants' professional performance 
and promote their retention in the field of education and teaching, and 
that include, at a minimum, these activities:
    (i) High-quality mentoring, coaching, and consultation services for 
the participant to improve performance.
    (ii) Access to research materials and information on teaching and 
learning.
    (iii) Assisting new teachers with use of technology in the 
classroom and use of data, particularly student achievement data, for 
classroom instruction.
    (iv) Clear, timely, and useful feedback on performance, provided in 
coordination with the participant's supervisor.
    (v) Periodic meetings or seminars for participants to enhance 
collaboration, feedback, and peer networking and support.
    In-service training means activities and opportunities designed to 
enhance the skills and abilities of individuals in their current areas 
of employment.
    Institution of higher education (IHE) has the meaning given that 
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1001(a)).
    Local educational agency (LEA) that serves a high proportion of 
Indian students means--
    (1) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high 
proportion of Indian students in the LEA as compared to other LEAs in 
the State; or
    (2) An LEA, including a BIE-funded school, that serves a high 
proportion of Indian students in the school in which the participant 
works compared to other LEAs in the State, even if the LEA as a whole 
in which the participant works does not have a high proportion of 
Indian students compared to other LEAs in the State.
    Native American means ``Indian'' as defined in section 6151(3) of 
the ESEA, which includes Alaska Native and members of federally-
recognized or State-recognized Tribes; Native Hawaiian; and Native 
American Pacific Islander.
    Native American language means the historical, traditional 
languages spoken by Native Americans.
    Participant means an Indian individual who is being trained under 
the Professional Development program.
    Payback means work-related service or cash reimbursement to the 
Department of Education for the training received under the 
Professional Development program.
    Pre-service training means training to Indian individuals to 
prepare them to meet the requirements for licensing or certification in 
a professional field requiring at least a baccalaureate degree, or 
licensing or certification in the field of Native American language 
instruction.
    Qualifying employment means employment in an LEA that serves a high 
proportion of Indian students.

[[Page 5859]]

    Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Education or an 
official or employee of the Department acting for the Secretary under a 
delegation of authority.
    Stipend means that portion of an award that is used for room, 
board, and personal living expenses for participants in pre-service 
training who are living at or near the institution providing the 
training.
    Tribal college or university (TCU) has the meaning given that term 
in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1059c(b)).
    Tribal educational agency (TEA) means the agency, department, or 
instrumentality of an Indian Tribe that is primarily responsible for 
supporting Tribal students' elementary and secondary education.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7442.
    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 
(Uniform Guidance), as adopted and amended as regulations of the 
Department in 2 CFR part 3474. (d) The regulations for this program in 
34 CFR part 263, as amended by the Final Rule.
    Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the 
provisions stated in the updated Uniform Guidance (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/.
    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 IHEs only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $72,000,000 
for Special Programs for Indian Children, of which we intend to use an 
estimated $13,000,000 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.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2026 and subsequent 
years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $400,000-$500,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $450,000.
    Maximum Award: We will not make an award exceeding $500,000 for the 
first, second, or third 12-month budget period. The last two 12-month 
budget periods will be limited to induction services only, at a cost 
not to exceed $120,000 per year. We will not make an award exceeding 
$120,000 for the fourth or fifth 12-month budget period.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 29.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: Up to 36 months with the potential for renewal of 
up to an additional 24 months. We will award grants for an initial 
period of not more than three years and may renew such grants for an 
additional period of not more than two years if we find that the 
grantee is achieving the objectives of the grant. 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.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants:
    (a) An eligible applicant must be--
    (1) An IHE, including a TCU;
    (2) A State educational agency in a consortium with an IHE or a 
TCU;
    (3) An LEA in a consortium with an IHE or a TCU;
    (4) An Indian Tribe or Indian organization in a consortium with an 
IHE or a TCU; or
    (5) A BIE-funded school in a consortium with at least one TCU, 
where feasible. BIE-funded schools are eligible applicants for a pre-
service training program when the BIE-funded school applies in 
consortium with an institution of higher education that meets the 
requirements in paragraph(c) of this section.
    (b) Eligibility of an applicant that is an IHE or a TCU, or an 
applicant requiring a consortium with an IHE or a TCU, requires that 
the IHE or TCU be accredited to provide the coursework and level of 
degree or Native American language certificate required by the project.
    Post Award Requirements:
    (a) Requirement for payback meeting. Prior to providing funds or 
services to a participant, the grantee must conduct a payback meeting 
with the participant to explain the costs of training and payback 
responsibilities following training.
    (b) Requirement for payback agreement. (1) Prior to providing funds 
or services to a participant, and for each subsequent year that 
training funds are disbursed, the grantee must enter into a written 
agreement with each participant in which the participant agrees to the 
terms and conditions required by 34 CFR 263.12.
    (2) The payback agreement must explain the Secretary's authority to 
grant deferrals and exceptions to the service obligation pursuant to 
Sec.  263.10 and include--(i) The current Department address for 
purposes of the participant's compliance with Sec.  263.11, or any 
other purpose under this part, and other Office of Indian Education 
contact information;
    (ii) The estimated length of training;
    (iii) The total training costs;
    (iv) The total amount of assistance accrued year-to-date;
    (v) The total number of months in the service obligation year-to-
date;
    (vi) A statement explaining that work must be in an ``LEA that 
serves a high proportion of Indian students,'' and the regulatory 
definition of that phrase; and
    (vii) Information documenting that the grantee held a payback 
meeting with the participant that meets the requirements of this 
section.
    (3) The grantee must submit a signed payback agreement to the 
Department within 30 days of the date on which the payback agreement is 
fully executed by the grantee and participant. The grantee must provide 
a copy of the payback agreement to the participant upon execution.
    (c) Exit certification. At the time of exit from the program, the 
grantee must provide the below information to the participant. Upon 
receipt of this information from the grantee, the participant must 
provide written certification to the grantee that this information is 
correct:
    (1) The name of the institution where the participant received pre-
service training and the award number of the Federal grant that 
provided the scholarship.
    (2) The number of months the participant needs to work in an LEA 
that serves a high proportion of Indian students to satisfy the payback 
requirements in 263.9.
    (3) The total amount of financial assistance received.

[[Page 5860]]

    (4) The participant's field of study and the obligation of the 
participant to perform the service obligation with employment that 
meets the requirements in Sec.  263.9(b).
    (d) Career preparation. During the grant period, a grantee must 
conduct activities to assist participants in identifying qualified 
employment opportunities following completion of the program.
    (e) Information and annual reporting. The grantee must report to 
the Secretary all participant training and payback information in a 
manner specified by the Secretary as well as any other information that 
is necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions under section 6122 
of the ESEA and 34 CFR part 263. Each grantee will make annual reports 
to the Secretary, unless more frequent reporting is required by the 
Secretary, that are necessary to carry out the Secretary's functions 
under 34 CFR part 263.
    (f) Standards for satisfactory progress. The grantee must 
establish, publish, notify participants of, and apply reasonable 
standards for measuring whether a participant is making satisfactory 
progress in the training program. The Secretary considers an 
institution's standards to be reasonable if the standards--
    (1) Are the same as the institution's standards for a student 
enrolled in the same academic program who is not receiving assistance 
under this program; and
    (2) Include the following elements:
    (i) Grades, work projects completed, including performance tasks, 
or comparable factors that are measurable against a norm and are 
aligned with demonstrating effective practice.
    (ii) A maximum timeframe in which the participant must complete the 
participant's educational objective, degree, or certificate.
    (iii) Consistent application of standards to all participants 
within categories of students (e.g., full-time, part-time, 
undergraduate students, and graduate students).
    (iv) Specific policies defining the effect of course incompletes, 
withdrawals, repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses on 
satisfactory progress.
    (v) Specific procedures for appeal of a determination that a 
participant is not making satisfactory progress and for reinstatement 
of aid.
    (g) Requirement for Indian preference. (1) Under section 7(b) of 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-
638), to the greatest extent feasible, a grantee must--
    (i) Give to Indians preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment in connection with the administration of the grant; and
    (ii) 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.
    (2) For the purposes of this paragraph (g), an Indian is a member 
of any federally recognized Indian Tribe.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: This program uses a training 
indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an 
entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated 
indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total 
direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information 
regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. 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. Note, however, that consistent with 34 CFR 
75.562(c)(4), this training rate limitation does not apply to agencies 
of Indian Tribal governments.
    c. Administrative Cost Limitation: This program does not include 
any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All 
administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to 
Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform 
Guidance.
    d. 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 must budget for a 
two-day Project Directors' meeting in Washington, DC during each year 
of the project period. This meeting may be held virtually if conditions 
warrant such a format.

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 December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to 
submit an application.
    2. Submission of Proprietary Information: Given the types of 
projects that may be proposed in applications for the Indian Education 
Professional Development 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 plan to 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).
    3. Intergovernmental Review: This competition 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 
competition.
    4. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    The allowable costs below are from 34 CFR 263.4.
    A PD program may include, as training costs, assistance to--
    (1) Fully finance a student's educational expenses including 
tuition, books, and required fees; health insurance required by the 
IHE; stipend; dependent allowance; technology costs; program required 
travel; and instructional supplies; or
    (2) Supplement other financial aid, including Federal funding other 
than loans, for meeting a student's educational expenses.
    The maximum stipend amount is $2,300 per month for full-time 
students; grantees may also provide participants with a $500 allowance 
per month per dependent during an academic term.

[[Page 5861]]

The Department will reduce any stipends in excess of this amount.
    Other costs that a PD program may include, but that must not be 
included as training costs, include costs for-
    (1) Collaborating with prospective employers within the grantees' 
local service area to create a pool of potentially available qualifying 
employment opportunities;
    (2) In-service training activities such as providing mentorships 
linking experienced teachers at job placement sites with program 
participants;
    (3) Assisting participants in identifying and securing qualifying 
employment opportunities in their fields of study following completion 
of the program;
    (4) Teacher mentoring programs, professional guidance, and 
instructional support provided by educators, local traditional leaders, 
or cultural experts, as appropriate for teachers for up to their first 
three years of employment as teachers; and
    (5) Programs designed to train traditional leaders and cultural 
experts to assist participants with relevant Native language and 
cultural mentoring, guidance, and support.
    We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions 
in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    5. Recommended Page Limit: The application narrative is where you, 
the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to 
evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the 
application narrative to no more than 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.
    6. 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.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition 
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and 263.7. An applicant may earn up to a total 
of 100 points based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for 
each criterion is indicated in parentheses. Each criterion also 
includes the factors that the reviewers will consider in determining 
how well an application meets the criterion. The criteria are as 
follows:
    (a) Need for project (up to 5 points). In determining the need for 
the proposed project, the Secretary considers the extent to which the 
proposed project will prepare personnel in specific fields in which 
shortages have been demonstrated through a job market analysis.
    (b) Quality of project design (up to 20 points). The Secretary 
considers the following factors in determining the quality of the 
design of the proposed project:
    (1) The extent to which the goals, objectives, and outcomes to be 
achieved by the proposed project are ambitious but also attainable and 
address--
    (i) The number of participants expected to be recruited in the 
project each year;
    (ii) The number of participants expected to continue in the project 
each year;
    (iii) The number of participants expected to graduate; and
    (iv) The number of participants expected to find qualifying 
employment within twelve months of completion. (up to 10 points)
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project has a plan for 
recruiting and selecting participants, including students who may not 
be of traditional college age, that ensures that program participants 
are likely to complete the program. (up to 5 points)
    (3) The extent to which the proposed project will incorporate the 
needs of potential employers, as identified by a job market analysis, 
by establishing partnerships and relationships with LEAs that serve a 
high proportion of Indian students and developing programs that meet 
their employment needs. (up to 5 points)
    (c) Quality of project services (up to 20 points) The Secretary 
considers the following factors in determining the quality of the 
design of project services:
    (1) The likelihood that the proposed project will provide 
participants with learning experiences that develop needed skills for 
successful teaching and/or administration in LEAs that serve a high 
proportion of Indian students. (up to 4 points)
    (2) The extent to which the proposed project prepares participants 
to adapt teaching and/or administrative practices to meet the breadth 
of Indian student needs. (up to 4 points)
    (3) The extent to which the applicant will provide job placement 
activities that reflect the findings of a job market analysis and needs 
of potential employers and that offer qualifying employment 
opportunities. (up to 4 points)
    (4) The extent to which the applicant will offer induction services 
that reflect the latest research on effective delivery of such 
services. (up to 4 points)
    (5) The extent to which the applicant will assist participants in 
meeting the service obligation requirements. (up to 4 points)
    (d) Quality of project personnel (up to 15 points). In determining 
the quality of the personnel who will carry out the proposed project, 
the Secretary considers the qualifications, including relevant 
training, experience, and cultural competence, of key project personnel 
and the amount of time to be spent on the project and direct 
interactions with participants.
    (e) Adequacy of resources (up to 10 points). In determining the 
adequacy of resources for the proposed project, the Secretary considers 
the following factors:
    (1) The relevance and demonstrated commitment of each partner in 
the proposed project to the implementation and success of the project. 
(Up to 5 points)
    (2) The extent to which the budget is adequate to support the 
proposed project and the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
objectives, design, and potential significance of the proposed project. 
(Up to 5 points)

[[Page 5862]]

    (f) Quality of the management plan (up to 10 points). In 
determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed 
project, the Secretary considers the following factors:
    (1) The feasibility of the management plan to achieve project 
objectives and goals on time and within budget, including clearly 
defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing 
project tasks. (Up to 5 points)
    (2) The adequacy of plans for ensuring the use of quantitative and 
qualitative data, including meaningful community member and partner 
input, to inform continuous improvement in the operation of the 
proposed project. (Up to 5 points)
    (g) Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building. 
(up to 20 points). In determining the quality of the evaluation or 
other evidence-building of the proposed project, the Secretary 
considers the following factors: (1) The extent to which the methods of 
evaluation or other evidence-building are appropriate to the context 
within which the project operates and the target population of the 
proposed project. (Up to 10 points)
    (2) The extent to which the methods of evaluation or other 
evidence-building will provide performance feedback and provide 
formative, diagnostic, or interim data that is a periodic assessment of 
progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (Up to 10 points)
    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).
    The Department will screen applications that are submitted in 
accordance with the requirements in this notice and determine which 
applications are eligible to be read by peer reviewers based on whether 
they have met the eligibility, priorities and application requirements 
in this notice. The Department will use peer reviewers with knowledge 
and expertise on issues related to educator training and improving 
outcomes for Native American youth to score the selection criteria. The 
Department will thoroughly screen all peer reviewers for conflicts of 
interest to ensure a fair and competitive review.
    In reviewing applications, the Department will assign points for 
Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2 based on each application's 
adherence to the requirements of each.
    Technical scoring. Peer reviewers will read, prepare a written 
evaluation, and assign a technical score to the applications assigned 
to their panel, using the selection criteria provided in this notice. 
The Department will then prepare rank order(s) of applications based on 
the technical scores.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition, the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 
3474.10, 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 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.

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 also notify you 
informally.
    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. Open Licensing Requirements: Unless an exception applies, if you 
are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to 
openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in 
part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of 
modifications to pre-existing works, the license extends only to those 
modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent 
that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or 
other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. 
Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant 
funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. 
This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your 
application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional 
information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 
3474.20.
    4. 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. See the standards in 
2 CFR 170.105 to determine whether you are covered by 2 CFR part 170.
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance

[[Page 5863]]

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) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), 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. Performance Measures: For the purpose of Department reporting 
under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established the following 
performance measures:
    (a) The number and percentage of participants in administrator 
preparation projects who become principals, vice principals, or other 
school administrators in ``LEAs that serve a high proportion of Indian 
students'';
    (b) The number and percentage of participants in teacher 
preparation projects who become teachers in ``LEAs that serve a high 
proportion of Indian students'';
    (c) The number and percentage of program participants who meet 
State licensure requirements;
    (d) The number and percentage of program participants who complete 
their service requirement on schedule;
    (e) The cost per individual who successfully completes an 
administrator preparation program, takes a position in an ``LEA that 
serves a high proportion of Indian students,'' and completes the 
service requirement in such a district; and
    (f) The cost per individual who successfully completes a teacher 
preparation program, takes a position in an ``LEA that serves a high 
proportion of Indian students,'' and completes the service requirement 
in such a district.
    These measures constitute the Department's indicators of success 
for this program. Consequently, we advise an applicant for a grant 
under this program to carefully consider these measures in 
conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation for, its proposed 
project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual 
performance and final reports, data about its progress in meeting these 
measures.
    6. 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).
    (a) In making continuation awards, in addition to applying the 
criteria in 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers the extent to which 
a grantee has achieved its project goals to recruit, retain, graduate, 
and place in qualifying employment program participants.
    (b) The Secretary may reduce continuation awards, including the 
portion of awards that may be used for administrative costs, as well as 
student training costs, based on a grantee's failure to achieve its 
project goals specified in paragraph (a) of this section.

VII. 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 www.govinfo.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. 2025-01316 Filed 1-15-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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