Centers for International Business Education (84.220)

 

Program

84.220 Centers for International Business Education

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF THE 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 a-b.

 

Program Number

84.220

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide a comprehensive university approach to improve the teaching of international business by bringing together faculty from numerous disciplines and to engage in research to promote the international competitiveness of U.S. business.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Institutions of higher education eligible for discretionary grant funding must: (a) Establish a center advisory council to conduct extensive planning regarding the scope of the center's activities and the design of its programs prior to establishing the center; (b) assure ongoing collaboration in the center's establishment and operation by appropriate faculty from business, management, foreign language, international studies and other professional schools/departments; (c) assure that the center's programs are open to students concentrating in these areas; and (d) assure that the recipient institution will use the aid provided to supplement and not to supplant their activities. 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 public and nonprofit private institutions of higher education, or combinations of such institutions, that establish a center advisory council before the date Federal assistance is received may apply. This council will conduct extensive planning concerning the scope of the center's activities and the design of its program prior to establishing the center.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Students and faculty of accredited institutions of higher education 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 Center for International Education. 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 defined by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations.

Deadlines

Deadlines for transmitting proposals are announced in the Federal Register.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Project period may last up to 36 months. Applicants submit performance reports for continuation funding according to instructions published by the Department. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share of the cost of centers is: (a) Not more than 90 percent for the first year in which Federal funds are furnished; (b) not more than 70 percent for the second year; and (c) not more than 50 percent for the third year and succeeding years. The nonfederal share for planning, establishing and operating the center may be provided by in-cash or in-kind assistance.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a 36 month period, subject to the availability of funds.

 

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 for three years after close of the fiscal year in which the grant was closed out or until the grantee is notified of the completion of a Federal financial audit, whichever is later.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, 30 awards were made to eligible institutions.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $10,266,000; FY 03 est $11,100,000; and FY 04 est $10,266,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In fiscal year 2002, the average award was $342,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations are found in 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, and 85.

 

Related Programs

84.015, National Resource Centers and Fellowships Program for Language and Area or Language and International Studies; 84.153, Business and International Education Projects.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

International Studies Branch, Center for International Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Contact: Susanna C. Easton. Telephone: (202) 502-7700. E-Mail: Susanna.easton@ed.gov.

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Projects that support linkages among international business education, foreign language, and area studies programs at institutions of higher education perform research on issues to improve U.S. competitiveness and provide assistance to the business community on matters of international commerce. San Diego State University (SDSU) developed a very successful interdisciplinary international business undergraduate degree program. The SDSU CIBER enhanced this program through implementing the following activities: dual, transnational undergraduate degrees with Mexico, France, and Canada, developed internships, both abroad and domestic, developed business courses taught in target languages, enhanced study abroad programs, and developed courses in area studies. The CIBER also provides business training for liberal arts faculty as well as language training for the business community. The breadth and depth of the SDSU CIBER collaborative activities guarantee timely and wide dissemination of its programs and research. The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) CIBER initiated several activities to globalize business education and research. UT-Austin CIBER developed comprehensive exchange academic programs in Latin America, created double degree programs, within UT- Austin and with a foreign university, created an MBA/MA degree in collaboration with the National Resource Centers on the UT-Austin campus. The Export Video Series for the business community created an International Trade Analysis Program and conducted several academic outreach programs for other institutions of higher education. UT-Austin CIBER collaborative activities demonstrates how the CIBER acts as a national and regional resource.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications for awards will be evaluated competitively under selection criteria that include: (1) Meeting the purpose of the statute (30 points); (2) extent of need for the project (10 points); (3) quality of management plan (10 points); (4) quality of key personnel (10 points); (5) significance (10 points); (6) evaluation plan (5 points); (7) adequacy of resources (8 points); quality of the project design (15 points); and quality of project services (2 points).