Business and International Education Projects (84.153)

 

Program

84.153 Business and International Education Projects

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VI, Part B, Public Law 102-325, 20 U.S.C. 1130, 1130b, and 1132.

 

Program Number

84.153

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To promote innovation and improvement in international business education curricula at institutions of higher education (IHEs) and promote linkages between IHEs and the business community.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Institutions eligible for discretionary grant funding must enter into an agreement with a business enterprise, trade organization or association engaged in international economic activity, or a combination or consortium of the named entities. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Accredited institutions of higher education may apply. Institutions must enhance their own international academic programs and provide appropriate services to the business community to expand U.S. exports abroad.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Students and faculty at accredited institutions will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Eligible institutions may submit proposals for funding of projects when the announcement of a new competition appears in the Federal Register. Application forms and guidelines are available from the International Education Graduate Program Service. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Final recommendations are made to the Secretary of Education following advice from a panel of consultants, developed according to procedures in regulations.

Deadlines

Deadline for transmittal of proposals is announced in the Federal Register.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Project period may last up to 24 months. Applicants submit performance reports for continuation funding according to instructions established by the Department. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share for each fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of each project.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a 12 or 24 month period. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Institutions must provide final reports upon completion of the program. Financial reports are also required.

Audits

None.

Records

All records supporting claims under grants or relating to accountability for awarded funds must be available upon request: (1) For three years after close of the fiscal year in which the grant was closed out; or (2) until the grantee is notified of the completion of a Federal financial audit, whichever is later.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, 61 awards were made to eligible institutions.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $4,634,000; FY 03 est $4,634,000; and FY 04 est $4,620,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In 2002, the average new award was $73,000; the average continuation award was $79,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

34 CFR 655, 661. Contact the program office for more information.

 

Related Programs

84.220, Centers for International Business Education.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

International Studies Team, International Education and Graduate Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Contact: Tanyelle Richardson. Telephone: (202) 502-7626. email: tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/HEP/iegps/bie.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Projects to improve the teaching of international business and support linkages between institutions of higher education and the business community engaged in international commerce. Howard Community College's International Business and Education Center developed a one-stop shopping International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC) which promotes economic development in Howard County and the State of Maryland with Title VI funding. ITAC provides services to businesses in all phases of exporting. Furthermore, ITAC has partnered with several public entities, including Maryland's International Division, World Trade Center Institute and Howard County's Economic Development Authority and others. These partnerships enable ITAC to serve businesses and promote their capacity to sell its goods and services outside the United States. Moreover, the International Business and Educational Center (IBEC) has launched major initiatives to internationalize both credit and non-credit courses at Howard Community College. These initiatives include international faculty exchanges. The first-hand experience enables faculty to enrich both the curriculum and the student awareness of international business issues. Purdue University's School of Agriculture trained twenty undergraduate students in agribusiness, Russian language and area studies. The students studied Russian language, area studies, agriculture and business practices in both Indiana and Novgorod, Russia. Each student collected and compiled market research for Indiana businesses and were involved in several trade workshops in Indiana to increase the capacity of Indiana agribusiness to conduct trade activities in Russia.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications for awards will be evaluated competitively under the selection criteria which includes: (1) Plan of operation (30 points); (2) qualifications of key personal (10 points); (3) budget and cost-effectiveness (15 points); (4) evaluation plan (15 points); (5) adequacy of resources (10 points); and (6) need for the project (20 points).