International Research and Studies (84.017)

Program

84.017 International Research and Studies

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Postsecondary Education

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VI, Part A, Section 605.

Program Number

84.017

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To improve foreign language, area, and other international studies training through support of research, studies, experimentation, development of specialized instructional materials, and the publication of specialized materials developed as a result of research conducted under this program.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The program supports research and studies that may include but are not limited to: (1) Studies and surveys to determine needs for increased or improved instruction in foreign language, area studies, or other international fields including the demand for foreign language, area, and other international specialists in government, education, and the private sector; (2) studies and surveys to assess the utilization of graduates of programs supported under this title by governmental, educational, and private sector organizations and other studies assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of programs so supported; (3) comparative studies of the effectiveness of strategies to provide international capabilities at institutions of higher education; (4) research on more effective methods of providing instruction and achieving competency in foreign languages; (5) the development and publication of specialized materials for use in foreign language, area studies, and other international fields, or for training foreign language, area and other international specialists; (6) the application of performance tests and standards across all areas of foreign language instruction and classroom use; (7) evaluation of the extent to which programs assisted under this title reflect diverse perspectives and a wide range of views and generate debate on world regions and international affairs, as described in the grantee�s application; (8) the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data that contribute to achieving the purposes of this part; and (9) support for programs or activities to make data collected, analyzed, or disseminated under this section publicly available and easy to understand, and (10) other research or materials development projects that further the purposes of the International Education Programs authorized by Part A of Title VI of the HEA. Funds awarded under this program may not be used for the training of students and teachers.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Public and private agencies, organizations, institutions, and individuals will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. Formal applications should be prepared in response to announcements of mandatory program requirements and closing dates in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed by Department of Education specialists and review panels of scholars.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From six to seven months.

Appeals

Other - Not Specified.

Renewals

Projects conducted under a grant may be phased, with the phases following the first phase subject to renewal on a non-competitive basis. Renewals of grants, which were not included in the original negotiations, will be considered in competition with all other new applications and are dependent on the submission of reports that demonstrate that substantial progress has been made.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Depends on project, but is generally from 12 to 36 months. Phasing of projects is determined during the negotiation process. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: This information is included in the grant award document.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

A final report or subject data as established through negotiation. Interim progress reports and a financial report are required. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. All fiscal records will be subject to audit by the Department at any time within three years after expiration of the contract or grant.

Records

All records supporting claims under grants or relating to accountability for awarded funds must be available on request: (1) For three years after close of the fiscal year of grant expiration or (2) until the grantee is notified of completion of the Federal audit, whichever is later.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: For FY 2008, 11 new awards and 32 continuation awards were to be made. Fiscal Year 2009: For FY 2009, 21 new awards and 22 continuation awards are expected to be made. Fiscal Year 2010: For FY 2010, 9 new awards and 32 continuation awards are expected to be made.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $5,943,200; FY 09 est $6,344,000; FY 10 est $6,344,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies by competition.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Program regulations are available at 34 CFR 655, 660, and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations. Contact the program office for information.

Related Programs

84.015 National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or Foreign Language and International Studies Program and Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship Program; 84.016 Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; 84.018 Overseas Programs_Special Bilateral Projects; 84.019 Overseas Programs - Faculty Research Abroad; 84.021 Overseas Programs - Group Projects Abroad; 84.022 Overseas Programs - Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad; 84.229 Language Resource Centers

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Sam Eisen International Education Program Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, , Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: sam.eisen@ed.gov Phone: (202) 502-7522

Web Site Address

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

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: HEA Title VI, Part A, Section 606: An Assessment Study"; "National Proficiency Tests in Ukrainian and Croatian"; "Teaching about the Americas: An Electronic Curriculum"; "Instructional Materials on China and Japan"; "Proficiency-based Business Arabic"; "A CD-ROM-based Video in Japanese Language and Culture"; "Middle East Curriculum and Dissemination Project"; "Teaching Materials for Russian Language Instruction at the Secondary Schools Level"; "Africa: Media and Education Project"; "Survey of Foreign Language Entrance and Degree Requirements in U.S. Colleges and Universities." International Law - Video Course and Learner's Guide, Hausa Language and Culture Video Project, The Muslim Middle East: Curriculum Development and Dissemination Project. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The criteria for selecting proposals is stated in 34 CFR 655.31, 660.31, 660.32, and 660.33. The Secretary will evaluate applications in accordance with the published criteria. An applicant may receive as many as five or ten points or as few as zero points under each criterion. (20 U.S.C. 1121-1127, 3063- 3065.).