Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs (84.016)

 

Program

84.016 Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs

 

Federal Agency

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Higher Education Act of 1965, Title VI, Section 604, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1124.

 

Program Number

84.016

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

The Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program issues awards to institutions of higher education and public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations. The purpose of the awards is to: (1) Assist institutions of higher education to plan, develop, and carry out a program to strengthen and improve undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages; and (2) assist associations and organizations to develop projects that will make an especially significant contribution to strengthening and improving undergraduate instruction in international studies and foreign languages.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used for curriculum development activities; faculty development activities; administration, lectures and conferences; library enhancement; and for staff travel. 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 colleges and universities, and public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Not applicable.

Credentials/Documentation

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure

When funds are available for the support of new programs, announcements are issued in the Federal Register. Application forms and guidelines for submission of proposals are available from the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Program. 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 in accordance with the published criteria.

Deadlines

A closing date generally appears in Federal Register in August. Contact the program office for more information.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Institutions of higher education and associations and organizations currently receiving funds for two or three year phased program support must submit performance reports for continuation funding according to instructions established by the Department. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share for each fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of each project. The Secretary may waive or reduce the matching requirement for institutions that are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B of Title III or under Title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for 12 month periods, subject to renewals of one or 2 years. Payments are made as stipulated in the grant. Renewals are subjects to the availability of funds.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

All programs must provide final reports upon completion of the program.

Audits

All fiscal records will be subject to audit any time within three years after expiration of the grant.

Records

All records supporting claims under a grant or relating to the accountability for awarded funds must be available upon request: (1) For three years after close of the fiscal year in which contract was liquidated; or (2) until the grantee is notified of completion of Federal financial audit, whichever is later.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, grants were made for 60 undergraduate programs.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 act $4,600,000; FY 03 est $4,600,000; and FY 04 est. $4,600,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In fiscal year 2002, the average new award was $75,000. Average continuation award was $75,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

34 CFR 655 and 658.

 

Related Programs

84.015, National Resource Centers and Fellowships Program for Language and Area or Language and International Studies; 84.018, Overseas Seminars Abroad_Bilateral Projects; 84.019, Overseas_Faculty Research Abroad; 84.021, Overseas_Group Projects Abroad; 84.022, Overseas_Doctoral Dissertation; 84.229, Language Resource Centers.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

International Studies Branch, International Education and Graduate Programs Service, Office of Postsecondary Education, Office of International Education and Foreign Language Studies, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-5332. Contact: Christine Corey. Telephone: (202) 502-7629. Email: Christine.corey@ed.gov.

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

The Consortium for Inter- Institutional Collaboration in African and Latin-American Studies, situated at Michigan State University, is characterized by a series of on-campus and in-country intensive language and area studies institutes, organized through cooperation with 20 or more Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), 12 liberal arts colleges in the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA), and several institutions in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM). Wayne State University will develop an interdisciplinary program in Eastern Europe, representing a collaborative effort between the School of Business, the Department of German and Slavic Studies and Wayne State University.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

In addition to evaluation on the basis of criteria found in the Education Division General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, and 78 the Secretary will further evaluate applications for Federal support for international studies programs in accordance with the criteria published in 34 CFR 655, 658, and 45 CFR 86872.