Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (84.200)

 

Program

84.200 Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Postsecondary Education

 

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Title VII, Part A, Subpart 2.

 

Program Number

84.200

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide fellowships through graduate academic departments, programs, and units of institutions of higher education to graduate students of superior ability who demonstrate financial need for the purpose of sustaining and enhancing the capacity for teaching and research in academic areas of national need, as designated by the Secretary.

 

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Awards made to institutions under this part shall be used exclusively to provide direct fellowship aid that will include need-based stipends, based on the support level of National Science Foundation fellowships and an institutional allowance for each individual awarded a fellowship to be adjusted annually in accordance with the Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. 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 or submit joint proposals involving a nondegree granting institution having formal arrangements for support of doctoral dissertation research.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Graduate students receiving fellowships must demonstrate financial need, have excellent academic records, plan to pursue the highest degree in the field, and be a U.S. citizen or a National, or a permanent resident of the U.S., or intend to become a U.S. citizen, be a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or a citizen of any one of the Freely Associated States.

Credentials/Documentation

A properly formatted application must be filed with the Secretary. 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. Instructions and forms concerning application procedures will be mailed to eligible institutions of higher education following publication of the Notice Inviting Application funding criteria in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure

Panels of experts from outside the Government will appraise all applications. The program office will recommend funding to the Secretary, who will make the final decisions.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The range is approximately three months.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Noncompeting continuation applications must be given funding preference subject to the availability of funds.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. A grantee must match the award by 25 percent. Federal funds and matching funds must be used for stipends, tuition fees, and other educational costs of students.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The length of the award is three years, subject to yearly appropriations. However students may receive support for up to five years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual fiscal and performance reports are 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. Audits are performed as required by regulations.

Records

None.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 08, 178 grants were awarded; 702 fellowships were provided. Fiscal Year 2009: 162 grants will be awarded; 713 fellowships will be provided. Fiscal Year 2010: 142 grants will be awarded; 700 fellowships will be provided.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $29,541,730; FY 09 est $31,030,000; FY 10 est $31,030,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Regulations were published in the Federal Register on December 16, 1993. The application package including forms and regulations will be mailed to eligible institutions and other interested parties. Contact the Program Office for information.

 

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Gary Thomas Teacher & Student Development Programs Service, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 1900 K St, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, District of Columbia 20006 Email: ope_gaann_program@ed.gov Phone: (202) 502-7767

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Awards are made to institutions of higher education to be used exclusively to provide fellowship aid to assist graduate students in designated academic areas of national need. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

This program will use the selection criteria contained in program regulations made available in the application package. Contact the program office for additional information.