National Institute for Literacy (84.257)

Program

84.257 National Institute for Literacy

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Vocational And Adult Education

Authorization

Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, Section 242.

Program Number

84.257

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide national leadership regarding literacy; to coordinate literacy services and policy; and to serve as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs through dissemination.

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments for Specified Use; PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects cannot duplicate activities being performed by the Secretary of Education. This program is governed by an interagency group made up of the Secretaries of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Public and private nonprofit institutions may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State literacy resource centers, individuals, universities, and education organizations 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

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

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Application procedures are set forth in the announcements in the Federal Register or FebBizops.

Award Procedure

Announcements are made in the Federal Register or the Commerce Business Daily. Contact the headquarters office for details.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals

Appeals can be made directly to the Director of the National Institute for Literacy.

Renewals

If funding is available, renewals are possible for multi-year grants. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

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

The length of grants vary depending upon the type of project. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are included in grant documents. Contact the program office for additional information. 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. Audits as required by EDGAR.

Records

In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, grantees must maintain records for three years.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: The Institute has created the Literacy Information and Communications System (LINCS), an information and communication network on the Internet that provides information on effective literacy practices. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0400-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $3,906,000; FY 09 est $3,906,000; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

to be determined.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Federal Acquisition Regulations and EDGAR apply.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Director National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, N.W., Ste. 730, Washington, District of Columbia 20006-2401 Phone: (202) 233-2025

Web Site Address

http://www.nifl.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: The Institute has funded development of research-based publications on adult reading instruction: Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults: First Steps for Teachers and Teaching Adults to Read: A Summary of Scientifically Based Research Principles. It has contributed $10 million to a national research program to build understanding of how adults learn to read and how to teach reading to adults effectively. Through a national survey, the Institute is exploring the relationships between adult literacy policies and student outcomes to learn more about the contributions policy can make. It also has convened regional summits on health literacy and a national summit on strengthening instruction and improving performance management in community literacy initiatives. The Institute is working with nationally recognized experts and stakeholders to plan new initiatives to fill gaps in knowledge and services in the areas of adult English language acquisition, adult literacy, workforce basic skills development, and education and employment outcomes for youth with learning disabilities. Fiscal Year 2009: The Institute continues to support LINCS as well as a variety of projects intended to support the field of literacy. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

For specific criteria on individual grants, the Institute should be contacted.