Business and International Education Projects (84.153)

Program

84.153 Business and International Education Projects

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Postsecondary Education

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VI, Part B, Section 613.

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 consortium of the named entities. Eligible activities include but are not limited to: Improving the business and international education curriculum of institutions to serve the needs of the business community, including the development of new programs for mid-career or part-time students; Developing programs to inform the public of increasing international economic interdependence and the role of U.S. businesses within the international economic system; Internationalizing curricula at the junior and community college level and at undergraduate and graduate schools of business; Developing area studies and interdisciplinary international programs; Establishing export education programs; Conducting research and developing specialized teaching materials appropriate to business-oriented students; Establishing student and faculty fellowships and internships or other training or research opportunities; Creating opportunities for business and professional faculty to strengthen international skills; Developing research programs on issues of common interest to IHEs and private sector organizations and associations engaged in or promoting international economic activity; Establishing internships overseas to enable foreign language students to develop their foreign language skills and knowledge of foreign cultures and societies; Establishing links overseas with IHEs and organizations that contribute to the education objectives of this program; and Establishing summer institutes in international business, foreign areas, and other international studies designed to carry out the purposes of this program. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76.563. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 377-3838.

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

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. 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 Programs Service.

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

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 120 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

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

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 50.%.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a 12 or 24 month period. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic tranfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Institutions must provide final reports upon completion of the program. Financial reports are also required. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Audit requirements are included in the award document.

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

Fiscal Year 2008: Twenty-three new grants and 26 continuation grants were awarded in FY 2008. Fiscal Year 2009: Twenty-eight new grants and 23 continuation grants are expected to be awarded in FY 2009. Fiscal Year 2010: Twenty-three new awards and 28 continuation awards are expected to be awarded in FY 2010.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $4,191,200; FY 09 est $4,592,000; FY 10 est $4,592,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

To be determined.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

34 CFR 655, 661, Education Department General Administrative Regulations. Contact the program office for more information.

Related Programs

84.220 Centers for International Business Education

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Tanyelle Richardson International Education Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: tanyelle.richardson@ed.gov Phone: (202) 502-7626

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsbie/.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: 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. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications for awards will be evaluated competitively in accordance with the selection criteria published in 34 CFR 661.31. The Secretary will weigh criteria using points indicated in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register.