Application For Grants Under The Ronald E. Mcnair Postba

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education

Washington, DC 20006-8510

Fiscal Year 2007

APPLICATION FOR GRANTS

UNDER THE

RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

(CFDA NUMBER: 84.217A)

Form Approved

OMB No. ________

Exp. Date: __________

CLOSING DATE:

Table of Contents

Page

• Dear Applicant Letter……………………………………………………………… 4

• Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips………………………………………. 6

• Instructions for Transmitting Applications………………………………………… 8

• Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards…………………………………….. 10

• Authorizing Legislation……………………………………………………………. 30

• McNair Program Regulations……………………………………………………… 35

• McNair Program Assurances………………………………………………………. 44

• 2006 Annual Low Income Levels…………………………………………………..45

• Executive Order 122372 -- Intergovernmental Review and State Single Points of Contact………………………………………………………………………………46

• General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Section 427……………………………52

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)………………………………..53

• Application Instructions And Forms:

• Instructions for Completing the Application and Forms………………………...54

• Instructions for the SF – 424……………………………………………………..56

• Instructions for the ED 524………………………………………………………62

• Supplemental Information and Instructions……………………………………...64

• Part III -- Program Narrative Instructions………………………………………..67

• Part III-A – McNair Program Profile form………………………………………73

• Application Checklist…………………………………………………………….74

• Part I……………………………………………………………………………...75

Application for Federal Assistance form (SF 424)

Supplemental ED Information Form

• Part II – Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction

Programs Form (ED524)…………………………………………………....82

• Part IV – Assurances and Certifications and Survey Forms…………………… 85

GEPA Section 427 Notice

Assurances-Non-Construction Programs (ED 424B)

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF – LLL)

Certification Regarding Lobbying (ED 80 – 0013)

Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity of Applicants

November 2006

Dear Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant under the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program. The McNair Program is designed to provide grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.

This letter highlights a few items in the fiscal year (FY) 2007 application package that will be important to you in applying for grants under this program. You should review the entire application package carefully before preparing and submitting your application. Information on the McNair Program is accessible at the U.S. Department of Education (Department) Web site at:

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html

We are requiring that applications for FY 2007 grants under the McNair Program be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. We urge you to acquaint yourself with the requirements of Grants.gov as soon as possible. A thorough discussion of Grants.gov is included in the application package. Grants.gov is accessible through its portal page at:

http://www.grants.gov

All applicants must complete the “McNair Program Profile” Form (Part III-A). The Profile contains four objectives. Applicants are required to propose the percentage at which each of these four objectives will be attained. The “Objectives” selection criterion will be assigned a maximum of nine points in the review process. All nine points will be assigned based upon the extent to which the proposed objectives are ambitious and attainable, taking into consideration: (1) the need identified by the applicant, (2) the plan of operation, and (3) the project budget and other resources. We have included detailed instructions on submitting the Profile Form in the application booklet.

Please read the Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips, which follows this letter, and explains the submission procedures to ensure your application is received in a timely and acceptable manner. It is important to note that the Grants.gov site works differently than the Department’s e-Application system.

The application must be submitted on or before the deadline date. Electronic submission of applications is required. Therefore, you must submit an electronic application unless you follow the procedures in the Notice Inviting Applications (Notice), published in the Federal Register,

and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement. The requirements for obtaining an exception to the electronic submission have changed. If you think you may need an exception you are urged to review the requirements promptly. Applications submitted late will not be accepted. We strongly suggest that you submit your application several days before the deadline date. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline date. Please note that Grants.gov does not allow applicants to “un-submit” applications. If you discover that changes or additions are needed after your application has been accepted and validated by the Department, you must “re-submit” the application. You should know that if the Department receives duplicate applications proposing to serve the same target population, we will accept and process the application with the latest “date/time received” validation.

You are reminded that the Notice, published in the Federal Register is the official document, and that you should not rely upon any information that is inconsistent with the guidance contained within that official document.

Sincerely,

/signed/

Susan E. Beaudoin

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary

Higher Education Programs

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ FIRST

U.S. Department of Education

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants

Please note that the Grants.gov site works differently than the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) e-Application system. To facilitate your use of Grants.gov, this document includes important submission procedures you need to be aware of to ensure your application is received in a timely manner and accepted by the Department.

1. REGISTER EARLY – Grants.gov registration is a one-time process that may take five or more days to complete. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the Get Started steps are complete. For detailed information on the Get Started Steps, please go to: http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted.

2. SUBMIT EARLY – We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Grants.gov will put a date/time stamp on your application and then process it after it is fully uploaded. The time it takes to upload an application will vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection, and the time it takes Grants.gov to process the application will vary as well. If Grants.gov rejects your application (see step three below), you will need to resubmit successfully before 4:30 p.m. on the deadline date.

Note: To submit successfully, you must provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when your organization registered with the CCR (Central Contractor Registry).

3. VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OK – You will want to verify that Grants.gov and the Department receive your Grants.gov submission timely and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click on the Check Application Status link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 4:30 p.m. on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned.

If the date/time received is later than 4:30 p.m. Washington, D.C. time, on the closing date, your application is late. If your application has a status of “Received” it is still awaiting validation by Grants.gov. Once validation is complete, the status will either change to “Validated” or “Rejected with Errors.” If the status is “Rejected with Errors,” your application has not been received successfully. Some of the reasons Grants.gov may reject an application can be found on the Grants.gov site: http://www.grants.gov/assets/ApplicationErrorTips.doc. If you discover your application is late or has been rejected, please see the instructions below. Note: You will receive a series of confirmations both online and via e-mail about the status of your application. Please do not rely solely on e-mail to confirm whether your application has been received timely and validated successfully.

Submission Problems – What should you do?

If you have problems submitting to Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or use the customer support available on the Web site: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.

If electronic submission is optional and you have problems that you are unable to resolve before the deadline date and time for electronic applications, please follow the transmittal instructions for hard copy applications in the Federal Register notice and get a hard copy application postmarked by midnight on the deadline date.

If electronic submission is required, you must submit an electronic application before 4:30 p.m., unless you follow the procedures in the Federal Register notice and qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please note, once you download an application from Grants.gov, you will be working offline and saving data on your computer. Please be sure to note where you are saving the Grants.gov file on your computer. You will need to logon to Grants.gov to upload and submit the application. (This is different from e-Application, where you are working online and saving data to the Department’s database.) You must provide on your application the DUNS number that was used when your organization registered with the CCR.

Please go to http://www.grants.gov/ForApplicants for help with Grants.gov and click on the links in the lower right corner of the screen under Applicant Tips and Tools. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Submit Application Tips found on the Grants.gov homepage http://www.grants.gov.

Dial-Up Internet Connections

When using a dial up connection to upload and submit your application, it can take significantly longer than when you are connected to the Internet with a high-speed connection, e.g. cable modem/DSL/T1. While times will vary depending upon the size of your application, it can take a few minutes to a few hours to complete your grant submission using a dial up connection. If you do not have access to a high-speed connection and electronic submission is required, you may want to consider following the instructions in the Federal Register notice to obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

MAC Users

If you do not have a Windows operating System, you will need to use a Windows Emulation program to submit an application using Grants.gov. For additional information, review the PureEdge Support for Macintosh white paper published by Pure Edge: http://www.grants.gov/GrantsGov_UST_Grantee/!SSL!/WebHelp/MacSupportforPureEdge.pdf, and/or contact Grants.gov Customer Support (http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport) for more information. If you do not have a Windows emulation program and electronic submission is required, please follow instructions in the Federal Register notice to obtain an exception to the electronic submission requirement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRANSMITTING APPLICATIONS

ATTENTION ELECTRONIC APPLICANTS: Please note that you must follow the Application Procedures as described in the Federal Register notice announcing the grant competition.

This program requires the electronic submission of applications--specific requirements and instructions can be found in the Federal Register notice.

If you want to apply for a grant and be considered for funding, you must meet the following deadline requirements:

Applications Submitted Electronically

You must submit your grant application through the Internet using the software provided on the Grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov) by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on the application deadline date. If you submit your application through the Internet via the Grants.gov Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when we receive your application.

For more information on using Grants.gov, please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications that was published in the Federal Register, the Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips document found in the application package instructions, and visit http://www.grants.gov.

According to the instructions found in the Federal Register notice, those requesting and qualifying for an Exception to the electronic submission requirement may submit an application via mail, commercial carrier or by hand delivery.

Applications Sent by Mail:

You must mail the original and two copies of the application on or before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we would appreciate your voluntarily including one additional copy of your application.

Please mail applications to:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: CFDA# (84.217A)

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20202 - 4260

You must show one of the following as proof of mailing:

1. A legibly dated U. S. Postal Service Postmark.

2. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U. S. Postal Service.

3. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier.

4. Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.

If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark.

2. A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Services.

An applicant should note that the U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should check with its local post office.

Applications Delivered by Commercial Carrier:

Applications that are delivered by commercial carrier, such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service, etc. should be mailed to the:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center – Stop 4260

Attention: CFDA# (84.217A)

7100 Old Landover Road

Landover, MD 20785 - 1506

Applications Delivered by Hand:

You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time) on or before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we would appreciate your voluntarily including one additional copy of your application.

Please hand deliver applications to:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: CFDA# (84.217A)

550 12^th Street, S.W.

PCP - Room 7041

Washington, DC 20202 – 4260

The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, D.C. time), except Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays.

4000-01-U

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Postsecondary Education

Overview Information

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (McNair) Program

Notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2007.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.217A

Dates:

Applications Available: (INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN

THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: (INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: (INSERT DATE 105 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and consortia of those institutions.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $380.1 million for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2007. We estimate that we will make awards totaling $41.9 million for the McNair Program. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Estimated Range of Awards: $220,000 - $365,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $234,000.

Maximum Award: We will not fund any application at an amount exceeding the maximum amounts specified below for a single budget period of 12 months. We may choose not to further consider or review applications with budgets that exceed the maximum amounts specified below, if we conclude, during our initial review of the application, that the proposed goals and objectives cannot be obtained with the specified maximum amount.

• For an applicant who is not currently receiving a McNair Program grant, the maximum award amount is $220,000 for a project that will serve a minimum of 25 participants.

• For an applicant who is currently receiving a McNair Program grant, the maximum award is the greater of (a) $220,000 or (b) an amount equal to $9,000 multiplied by the number of participants the applicant is proposing to serve, not to exceed 105 percent of the applicant’s grant award amount for FY 2006.

Estimated Number of Awards: 180.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: Four years except applicants whose peer review scores are within the highest ten percent of scores of all applicants receiving awards will receive five-year awards.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Purpose of Program: The purpose of the McNair Program is to award grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15.

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department

General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 85, and 86.

(b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 647.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian tribes.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

II. Award Information

Type of Award: Discretionary grants.

Estimated Available Funds: The Administration requested $380.1 million for the Federal TRIO Programs for FY 2007. We estimate that we will make awards totaling $41.9 million for the McNair Program. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Estimated Range of Awards: $220,000 - $365,000.

Estimated Average Size of Awards: $234,000.

Maximum Award: We will not fund any application at an amount exceeding the maximum amounts specified below for a single budget period of 12 months. We may choose not to further consider or review applications with budgets that exceed the maximum amounts specified below, if we conclude, during our initial review of the application, that the proposed goals and objectives cannot be obtained with the specified maximum amount.

• For an applicant who is not currently receiving a McNair Program grant, the maximum award amount is $220,000 for a project that will serve a minimum of 25 participants.

• For an applicant who is currently receiving a McNair Program grant, the maximum award is the greater of (a) $220,000 or (b) an amount equal to $9,000 multiplied by the number of participants the applicant is proposing to serve, not to exceed 105 percent of the applicant’s grant award amount for FY 2006.

Estimated Number of Awards: 180.

Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.

Project Period: Four years except applicants whose peer review scores are within the highest ten percent of scores of all applicants receiving awards will receive five-year awards.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and consortia of those institutions.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package: Eileen S. Bland, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., suite 7000, Washington, DC 20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or by e-mail: [email protected].

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact person listed in this section.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission:

Requirements concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you must submit, are in the application package and instructions for this program.

Page Limit: The program narrative (Part III of the application) is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. You must limit the program narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using the following standards:

• A “page” is 8.5” x 11”, on one side only, with 1” margins at the top, bottom, and both sides. Page numbers and an identifier may be within the 1” margin.

• Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, except titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, captions, and all text in charts, tables, and graphs, which may be single spaced.

• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. Applications submitted in any other font (including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will be rejected.

• Use not less than 12-point font.

The page limit does not apply to Part I, the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) and Department of Education Supplemental Information Required for SF 424; Part II, the budget information summary form (ED Form 524); Part III-A, McNair Program Profile; and Part IV, Department of Education Certifications and Assurances and Survey forms. The page limit also does not apply to the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) statement nor does it apply to a table of contents. If you include any attachments or appendices not specifically requested, these items will be counted as part of the program narrative (Part III) for purposes of the page limit requirement. You must include your complete response to the selection criteria in the program narrative (Part III).

We will reject your application if-

• You apply these standards and exceed the page limit;

or

• You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent

of the page limit.

3. Submission Dates and Times:

Applications Available: (INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: (INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For information (including dates and times) about how to submit your application electronically or by mail or hand delivery if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, please refer to Section IV. 6. Other Submission Requirements in this notice.

We do not consider an application that does not comply with the deadline requirements.

Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: (INSERT DATE 105 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER).

4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this program.

5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in this section.

a. Electronic Submission of Applications.

Applications for grants under the McNair Program — CFDA Number 84.217A must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site at: http://www.grants.gov. Through this site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.

We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.

You may access the electronic grant application for the McNair Program at: http://www.grants.gov. You must search for the downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA number’s alpha suffix in your search.

Please note the following:

• When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation.

• Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.

• The amount of time it can take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

• You should review and follow the Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are included in the application package for this program to ensure that you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to Grants.gov at: http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf

• To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must complete all the steps in the Grants.gov registration

process (see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp). These steps include (1) registering your organization, (2) registering yourself as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR), and (3) getting authorized as an AOR by your organization. Details on these steps are outlined in the Grants.gov 3-Step Registration Guide (see http://

www.grants.gov/section910/Grants.govRegistrationBrochure.pdf).

You also must provide on your application the same

D-U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the registration process may take five or more business days to complete, and you must have completed all registration steps to allow you to successfully submit an application via Grants.gov.

• You will not receive additional point value because

you submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your application in paper format.

• You must submit all documents electronically including all information typically included on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the three file types specified above or submit a password protected file, we will not review that material.

• Your electronic application must comply with any page limit requirements described in this notice.

• After you electronically submit your application,

you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying number unique to your application).

• We may request that you provide us original signatures on forms at a later date.

Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues with the Grants.gov System: If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline date because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date, please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under For Further Information Contact, and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application through the Grants.gov system because––

• You do not have access to the Internet; or

• You do not have the capacity to upload large

documents to the Grants.gov system;

and

• No later than two weeks before the application

deadline date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.

Address and mail or fax your statement to: Linda Byrd-Johnson, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., suite 7000, Washington, DC 20006–8510. FAX: (202) 219-7074.

Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.

b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail the original and two copies of your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable following address:

By mail through the U.S. Postal Service:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number 84.217A)

400 Maryland Avenue, SW.

Washington, DC 20202-4260

or

By mail through a commercial carrier:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center – Stop 4260

Attention: (CFDA Number 84.217A)

7100 Old Landover Road

Landover, MD 20785-1506

Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:

(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark,

(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the U.S. Postal Service,

(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial carrier, or

(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:

(1) A private metered postmark, or

(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.

If your application is postmarked after the application deadline date, we will not consider your application.

Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your local post office.

c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.

If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original and two copies of your application, by hand, on or before the application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:

U.S. Department of Education

Application Control Center

Attention: (CFDA Number 84.217A)

550 12th Street, SW.

Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza

Washington, DC 20202-4260

The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.

Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:

(1) You must indicate on the envelope and — if not provided by the Department — in Item 11 of the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) the CFDA number – and suffix letter, if any – of the competition under which you are submitting your application.

(2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 647.21 and are listed in the application package for this competition.

Note: Under the “Objectives” selection criterion, in 34 CFR 647.21(b), applicants must provide comparative data that addresses both process and outcome objectives as listed on the McNair Program Profile relative to the purpose of the McNair Program as described in 34 CFR 647.1.

The McNair Program Profile (Part III-A) in the application package details specific information that applicants must submit regarding four specific process and outcome objectives listed in the profile. Applicants may, but are not required to, develop additional objectives for their projects.

2. Review and Selection Process: The Secretary will select applications for funding in rank-order, based on each application’s total score for the selection criteria and prior experience, pursuant to 34 CFR 647.20 through 647.22. If the total scores of two or more applications are the same and there are insufficient funds for these applications after the approval of higher-ranked applications, the Secretary uses the remaining funds to achieve an equitable geographical distribution of all new projects. In making an equitable distribution of new projects, the Secretary considers only the locations of new projects.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notice (GAN). We may also notify you informally.

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.

3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditures information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118.

4. Performance Measures: The success of the McNair Program is measured by the increase in the percentage of McNair Program participants who enroll in and persist in graduate school. All McNair Program grantees will be required to submit an annual performance report regarding this measure.

VII. Agency Contact

For Further Information Contact: Eileen S. Bland, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., suite 7000, Washington, DC 20006-8510. Telephone: (202) 502-7600 or by

e-mail: [email protected]

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at

1-800-877-8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this section.

VIII. Other Information

Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: www.ed.gov/news/fedregister

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202)

512-1530.

Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the

official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal

Regulations is available on GPO Access

at: www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html

Dated:

_______________________

James F. Manning,

Acting Assistant Secretary for

Postsecondary Education.

Authorizing Legislation

Title IV, Part A, Subpart 2 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended:

CHAPTER 1—FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS SEC. 402A.

20 U.S.C. 1070a–11

PROGRAM AUTHORITY; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

1. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary shall, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, carry out a program of making grants and contracts designed to identify qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, to prepare them for a program of postsecondary education, to provide support services for such students who are pursuing programs of postsecondary education, to motivate and prepare students for doctoral programs, and to train individuals serving or preparing for service in programs and projects so designed.

2. RECIPIENTS, DURATION, AND SIZE. —

   1. RECIPIENTS.—For the purposes described in subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes

(41 U.S.C. 5), to make grants to, and contracts with, institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations, combinations of such institutions, agencies and organizations, and in exceptional circumstances, secondary schools, for planning, developing, or carrying out one or more of the services assisted under this chapter.

2. DURATION.—Grants or contracts made under this chapter shall be awarded for a period of 4 years, except that—(A) the Secretary shall award such grants or contracts for 5 years to applicants whose peer review scores were in the highest 10 percent of scores of all applicants receiving grants or contracts in each program competition for the same award year;(B) grants made under section 402G shall be awarded for a period of 2 years; and(C) grants under section 402H shall be awarded for a period determined by the Secretary.

3. MINIMUM GRANTS.—Unless the institution or agency requests a smaller amount, individual grants under this chapter shall be no less than—

1. $170,000 for programs authorized by sections 402D and 402G;

2. $180,000 for programs authorized by sections 402B and 402F; and

3. $190,000 for programs authorized by sections 402C and 402E

3. PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.—

(1) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant or contract under this chapter shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner and form, and containing such information and assurances, as the Secretary may reasonably require.

(2) PRIOR EXPERIENCE.—In making grants under this chapter, the Secretary shall consider each applicant’s prior experience of service delivery under the particular program for which funds are sought. The level of consideration given the factor of prior experience shall not vary from the level of consideration given such factor during fiscal years 1994 through 1997, except that grants made under section 402H shall not be given prior experience consideration.

(3) ORDER OF AWARDS; PROGRAM FRAUD.—

1. Except with respect to grants made under sections 402G and 402H and as provided in subparagraph the Secretary shall award grants and contracts under this chapter in the order of the scores received by the application for such grant or contract in the peer review process required under paragraph (4) and adjusted for prior experience in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.

2. The Secretary is not required to provide assistance to a program otherwise eligible for assistance under this chapter, if the Secretary has determined that such program has involved the fraudulent use of funds under this chapter.

(4) PEER REVIEW PROCESS.—

1. The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, members of groups underrepresented in higher education, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Native American Pacific Islanders (including Native Hawaiians), are represented as readers of applications submitted under this chapter. The Secretary shall also ensure that persons from urban and rural backgrounds are represented as readers.

2. The Secretary shall ensure that each application submitted under this chapter is read by at least three readers who are not employees of the Federal Government (other than as readers of applications)

(5) NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.—The Secretary shall not limit the number of applications submitted by an entity under any program authorized under this chapter if the additional applications describe programs serving different populations or campuses.

(6) COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.—

The Secretary shall encourage coordination of programs assisted under this chapter with other programs for disadvantaged students operated by the sponsoring institution or agency, regardless of the funding source of such programs. The Secretary shall not limit an entity’s eligibility to receive funds under this chapter because such entity sponsors a program similar to the program to be assisted under this chapter, regardless of the funding source of such program. The Secretary shall permit the Director of a program receiving funds under this chapter to administer one or more additional programs for disadvantaged students operated by the sponsoring institution or agency, regardless of the funding sources of such programs.

(7) APPLICATION STATUS.—The Secretary shall inform each entity operating programs under this chapter regarding the status of their application for continued funding at least 8months prior to the expiration of the grant or contract. The Secretary, in the case of an entity that is continuing to operate a successful program under this chapter, shall ensure that the startup date for a new grant or contract for such program immediately follows the termination of the preceding grant or contract so that no interruption of funding occurs for such successful reapplicants. The Secretary shall inform each entity requesting assistance under this chapter for a new program regarding the status of their application at least 8 months prior to the proposed startup date of such program.

(d) OUTREACH.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct outreach activities to ensure that entities eligible for assistance under this chapter submit applications proposing programs that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this chapter.

(2) NOTICE.—In carrying out the provisions of paragraph(1), the Secretary shall notify the entities described in subsection(b) of the availability of assistance under this subsection not less than 120 days prior to the deadline for submission of applications under this chapter and shall consult national, State, and regional organizations about candidates for notification.

(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide technical training to applicants for projects and programs authorized under this chapter. The Secretary shall give priority to serving programs and projects that serve geographic areas and eligible populations which have been underserved by the programs assisted under this chapter. Technical training activities shall include the provision of information on authorizing legislation, goals and objectives of the program, required activities, eligibility requirements, the application process and application deadlines, and assistance in the development of program proposals and the completion of program applications. Such training shall be furnished at conferences, seminars, and workshops to be conducted at not less than 10 sites throughout the United States to ensure that all areas of the United States with large concentrations of eligible participants are served.

(4) SPECIAL RULE.—The Secretary may contract with eligible entities to conduct the outreach activities described in this subsection.

(e) DOCUMENTATION OF STATUS AS A LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL.—

(1) Except in the case of an independent student, as defined in section 480(d), documentation of an individual’s status pursuant to subsection (g)(2)

shall be made by providing the Secretary with—

(a) A signed statement from the individual’s parent or legal guardian;

(b) Verification from another governmental source;

(c) A signed financial aid application; or

(d) A signed United States or Puerto Rico income tax return.

(2) In the case of an independent student, as defined in section 480(d), documentation of an individual’s status pursuant to subsection (g)(2) shall be made by providing the Secretary with—

(a) A signed statement from the individual;

(b) Verification from another governmental source;

(c) A signed financial aid application; or

(d) A signed United States or Puerto Rico income tax return.

(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the purpose of making grants and contracts under this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated $700,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. Of the amount appropriated under this chapter, the Secretary may use no more than 1/2 of 1 percent of such amount to obtain additional qualified readers and additional staff to review applications, to increase the level of oversight monitoring, to support impact studies, program assessments and reviews, and to provide technical assistance to potential applicants and current grantees. In expending these funds, the Secretary shall give priority to the additional administrative requirements provided in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, to outreach activities, and to obtaining additional readers. The Secretary shall report to Congress by October1, 1994, on the use of these funds.

(g) DEFINITIONS.—For the purpose of this chapter:

(1) FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT.—The term ‘‘first-generation college student’’ means—

(A) An individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree;

or

(B) In the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.

(2) LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘low-income individual’’ means an individual from a family whose taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.

(3) VETERAN ELIGIBILITY.—No veteran shall be deemed ineligible to participate in

any program under this chapter by reason of such individual’s age who—

(A) served on active duty for a period of more than 180days, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955,and was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable; or

(B) served on active duty after January 31, 1955, and was discharged or released there from because of a service connected disability.

(4) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the service requirements in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) if the Secretary determines the application of the service requirements to a veteran will defeat the purpose of a program under this chapter.

Sec. 402E [20 U.S.C. 1070a–15] POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENTPROGRAM AUTHORITY.

(a) PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—The Secretary shall carry out a program to be known as the

‘‘Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program’’ that shall be designed to provide

disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.

(b) SERVICES.—A post-baccalaureate achievement project assisted under this section may

provide services such as—

(1) Opportunities for research or other scholarly activities at the institution or at

graduate centers designed to provide students with effective preparation for doctoral study;

(2) Summer internships;

(3) Seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for

doctoral study;

(4) Tutoring;

(5) Academic counseling;

(6) Activities designed to assist students participating in the project in securing

admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs;

(7) Mentoring programs involving faculty members at institutions of higher

education, students, or any combination of such persons; and

(8) Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to

disadvantaged students.

(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In approving applications for post-baccalaureate achievement projects

assisted under this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall require—

(1) An assurance that not less than two-thirds of the individuals participating in the project

proposed to be carried out under any application be low income individuals who are first generation college students;

(2) An assurance that the remaining persons participating in the project proposed to be

carried out be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education;

(3) An assurance that participants be enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution

having an agreement with the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of section

487;and

(4) An assurance that participants in summer research internships have completed their

sophomore year in postsecondary education.

(d) AWARD CONSIDERATIONS.—In addition to such other selection criteria as may be

prescribed by regulations, the Secretary shall consider in making awards to institutions under this

section—

(1) The quality of research and other scholarly activities in which students will be involved;

(2) The level of faculty involvement in the project and the description of the research in

which students will be involved; and

(3) The institution’s plan for identifying and recruiting participants including students

enrolled in projects authorized under this section.

(e) MAXIMUM STIPENDS.—Students participating in research under a post-baccalaureate

achievement project may receive an award that—

(1) Shall include a stipend not to exceed $2,800 per annum; and

(2) May include, in addition, the costs of summer tuition, summer room and board, and

transportation to summer programs.

(f) FUNDING.—From amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of section 402A(f), the

Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, allocate funds for projects authorized by this section in an

amount which is not less than $11,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1993 through 1997.

McNair Program Regulations

TITLE 34 – EDUCATION

CHAPTER VI--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PART 647--RONALD E. MCNAIR POSTBACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM—

Code of Federal Regulations

Title 34, Volume 3

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

Table of Contents

Subpart A_General

Sec. 647.1 What is the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program?

Subpart A General

Sec.

647.1 What is the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program?

647.2 Who is eligible for a grant?

647.3 Who is eligible to participate in a McNair project?

647.4 What activities and services may a project provide?

647.5 How long is a project period?

647.6 What regulations apply?

647.7 What definitions apply?

Subpart B Assurances

647.10 What assurances must an applicant submit?

Subpart C How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?

647.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?

647.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

647.22 How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?

647.23 How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?

Subpart D What Conditions Must Be Met by a Grantee?

647.30 What are allowable costs?

647.31 What are unallowable costs?

647.32 What other requirements must a grantee meet?

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15, unless otherwise noted.

Source: 59 FR 43989, Aug. 25, 1994, unless otherwise noted.

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program--referred to in these regulations as the McNair program--awards grants to institutions of higher education for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students with effective preparation for doctoral study.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15)

Subpart A General

Sec. 647.2 Who is eligible for a grant?

Institutions of higher education and combinations of those institutions are eligible for grants to carry out McNair projects.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11, 1070a-15, 1088, and 1141(a) and 1144a)

Sec. 647.3 Who is eligible to participate in a McNair project?

A student is eligible to participate in a McNair project if the student meets all the following requirements:

(a)(1) Is a citizen or national of the United States; or

(2) Is a permanent resident of the United States; or

(3) Is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of his or her intent to become a permanent resident; or

(4) Is a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; or

(5) Is a resident of one of the Freely Associated States.

(b) Is currently enrolled in a degree program at an institution of higher education that participates in the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA.

(c) Is--

(1) A low-income individual who is a first-generation college student;

(2) A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education; or

(3) A member of a group that is not listed in Sec. 647.7 if the group is underrepresented in certain academic disciplines as documented by standard statistical references or other national survey data submitted to and accepted by the Secretary on a case-by-case basis.

(d) Has not enrolled in doctoral level study at an institution of higher education.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15)

Sec. 647.4 What activities and services may a project provide?

A McNair project may provide the following services and activities:

(a) Opportunities for research or other scholarly activities at the grantee institution or at graduate centers that are designed to provide participants with effective preparation for doctoral study.

(b) Summer internships.

(c) Seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare participants for doctoral study.

(d) Tutoring.

(e) Academic counseling.

(f) Assistance to participants in securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs.

(g) Mentoring programs involving faculty members or students at institutions of higher education, or any combination of faculty members and students.

(h) Exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to project participants.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15)

Sec. 647.5 How long is a project period?

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a project period under the McNair program is four years.

(b) The Secretary approves a project period of five years for applications that score in the highest ten percent of all applications approved for new grants under the criteria in Sec. 647.21.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11)

Sec. 647.6 What regulations apply?

The following regulations apply to the McNair program:

(a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) as follows:

(1) 34 CFR part 74 (Administration of Grants to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Nonprofit Organizations).

(2) 34 CFR part 75 (Direct Grant Programs).

(3) 34 CFR part 77 (Definitions that Apply to Department Regulations).

(4) 34 CFR part 79 (Intergovernmental Review of Department of Education Programs and Activities).

(5) 34 CFR part 82 (New Restrictions on Lobbying).

(6) 34 CFR part 85 ((Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)).

(7) 34 CFR part 86 (Drug-Free Schools and Campuses).

(b) The regulations in this part 647.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15)

Sec. 647.7 What definitions apply?

(a) Definitions in EDGAR. The following terms used in this part are defined in 34 CFR 77.1:

Applicant

Application

Budget

Budget Period

EDGAR

Equipment

Facilities

Fiscal Year

Grant

Grantee

Project

Project Period

Public

Secretary

Supplies

(b) Other definitions. The following definitions also apply to this part:

First-generation college student means--

(1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or

(2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.

(3) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.

Graduate center means an educational institution as defined in sections 481, 1201(a), and 1204 of the HEA; and that--

(1) Provides instruction in one or more programs leading to a doctoral degree;

(2) Maintains specialized library collections;

(3) Employs scholars engaged in research that relates to the subject areas of the center; and

(4) Provides outreach and consultative services on a national, regional or local basis.

Graduate education means studies beyond the bachelor's degree leading to a postbaccalaureate degree.

HEA means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Groups underrepresented in graduate education. The following ethnic and racial groups are currently underrepresented in graduate education:

Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native.

Institution of higher education means an educational institution as defined in sections 481, 1201(a) and 1204 of the HEA.

Low-income individual means an individual whose family's taxable income did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level in the calendar year preceding the year in which the individual participates in the project. Poverty level income is determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Summer internship means an educational experience in which participants, under the guidance and direction of experienced faculty researchers, are provided an opportunity to engage in research or other scholarly activities.

Target population means the universe from which McNair participants will be selected. The universe may be expressed in terms of geography, type of institution, academic discipline, type of disadvantage, type of underrepresentation, or any other qualifying descriptor that would enable an applicant to more precisely identify the kinds of eligible project participants they wish to serve.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11, 1070a-15, and 1141)

Subpart B Assurances

Sec. 647.10 What assurances must an applicant submit?

An applicant must submit as part of its application, assurances that--

(a) Each participant enrolled in the project will be enrolled in a degree program at an institution of higher education that participates in one or more of the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA;

(b) Each participant given a summer research internship will have completed his or her sophomore year of study; and

(c)(1) At least two thirds of the students to be served will be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students; and

(2) The remaining students to be served will be members of groups underrepresented in graduate education.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15)

Subpart C How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?

Sec. 647.20 How does the Secretary decide which new grants to make?

(a) The Secretary evaluates an application for a new grant as follows:

(1)(i) The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the selection criteria in Sec. 647.21.

(ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in Sec. 647.21 is 100 points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses with the criterion.

(2)(i) For an application from an applicant who has carried out a McNair project in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the applicant is applying, the Secretary evaluates the applicant's prior experience on the basis of the criteria in Sec. 647.22.

(ii) The maximum score for all the criteria in Sec. 647.22 is fifteen (15) points. The maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses with the criterion.

(iii) If an applicant described in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section applies for more than one new grant in the same fiscal year, the Secretary applies the criteria in Sec. 647.22 to a project that seeks to continue support for an existing McNair project on that campus.

(b) The Secretary makes new grants in rank order on the basis of the total scores received by applications under paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section.

(c)(1) If the total scores of two or more applications are the same and there are insufficient funds for these applications after the approval of higher-ranked applications, the Secretary uses the remaining funds to achieve an equitable geographic distribution of all new projects.

(2) In making an equitable geographic distribution of new projects, the Secretary considers only the locations of new projects.

(d) The Secretary may decline to make a grant to an applicant that carried out a Federal TRIO Program project that involved the fraudulent use of funds.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15)

Subpart C How Does the Secretary Make a Grant?

Sec. 647.21 What selection criteria does the Secretary use?

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate an application for a new grant:

(a) Need (16 Points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the extent to which the applicant can clearly and definitively demonstrate the need for a McNair project to serve the target population. In particular, the Secretary looks for information that clearly defines the target population; describes the academic, financial and other problems that prevent potentially eligible project participants in the target population from completing baccalaureate programs and continuing to postbaccalaureate programs; and demonstrates that the project's target population is underrepresented in graduate education, doctorate degrees conferred and careers where a doctorate is a prerequisite.

(b) Objectives (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the applicant's proposed project objectives on the basis of the extent to which they--

(1) Include both process and outcome objectives relating to the purpose of the McNair program stated in Sec. 647.1;

(2) Address the needs of the target population; and

(3) Are measurable, ambitious, and attainable over the life of the project.

(c) Plan of Operation (44 points). The Secretary reviews each application to determine the quality of the applicant's plans of operation, including--

(1) (4 points) The plan for identifying, recruiting and selecting participants to be served by the project, including students enrolled in the Student Support Services program;

(2) (4 points) The plan for assessing individual participant needs and for monitoring the academic growth of participants during the period in which the student is a McNair participant;

(3) (5 points) The plan for providing high quality research and scholarly activities in which participants will be involved;

(4) (5 points) The plan for involving faculty members in the design of research activities in which students will be involved;

(5) (5 points) The plan for providing internships, seminars, and other educational activities designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral study;

(6) (5 points) The plan for providing individual or group services designed to enhance a student's successful entry into postbaccalaureate education;

(7) (3 points) The plan to inform the institutional community of the goals and objectives of the project;

(8) (8 points) The plan to ensure proper and efficient administration of the project, including, but not limited to matters such as financial management, student records management, personnel management, the organizational structure, and the plan for coordinating the McNair project with other programs for disadvantaged students; and

(9) (5 points) The follow-up plan that will be used to track the academic and career accomplishments of participants after they are no longer participating in the McNair project.

(d) Quality of key personnel (9 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project on the basis of the following:

(1)(i) The job qualifications of the project director.

(ii) The job qualifications of each of the project's other key personnel.

(iii) The quality of the project's plan for employing highly qualified persons, including the procedures to be used to employ members of groups underrepresented in higher education, including Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (including Native Hawaiians).

(2) In evaluating the qualifications of a person, the Secretary considers his or her experience and training in fields related to the objectives of the project.

(e) Adequacy of the resources and budget (15 points). The Secretary evaluates the extent to which--

(1) The applicant's proposed allocation of resources in the budget is clearly related to the objectives of the project;

(2) Project costs and resources, including facilities, equipment, and supplies, are reasonable in relation to the objectives and scope of the project; and

(3) The applicant's proposed commitment of institutional resources to the McNair participants, as for example, the commitment of time from institutional research faculty and the waiver of tuition and fees for McNair participants engaged in summer research projects.

(f) Evaluation plan (7 points). The Secretary evaluates the quality of the evaluation plan for the project on the basis of the extent to which the applicant's methods of evaluation--

(1) Are appropriate to the project's objectives;

(2) Provide for the applicant to determine, in specific and measurable ways, the success of the project in--

(i) Making progress toward achieving its objectives (a formative evaluation); and

(ii) Achieving its objectives at the end of the project period (a summative evaluation); and

2. Provide for a description of other project outcomes, including the use of quantifiable measures, if appropriate.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15)

Sec. 647.22 How does the Secretary evaluate prior experience?

(a) The Secretary reviews information relating to an applicant's performance as a grantee under its expiring McNair project. In addition to the application under review, this information may be derived from performance reports, audit reports, site visit reports, and project evaluation reports received by the Secretary during the project period about to be completed.

(b) The Secretary evaluates the applicant's performance as a grantee on the basis of the following criteria:

(1) (3 points) Whether the applicant consistently served the number and types of participants the project was funded to serve.

(2) (4 points) Whether the applicant was successful in providing the participants with research and scholarly activities and whether those activities had an impact on project participants.

(3) (8 points) The extent to which the applicant met or exceeded its funded objectives with regard to project participants as demonstrated by the number of participants who--

(i) Attained a baccalaureate degree;

(ii) Enrolled in a postbaccalaureate program; and

(iii) Attained a doctoral level degree.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11 and 1070a-15)

Sec. 647.23 How does the Secretary set the amount of a grant?

(a) The Secretary sets the amount of a grant on the basis of--

(1) 34 CFR 75.232 and 75.233 for new grants; and

(2) 34 CFR 75.253 for the second and subsequent years of a project period.

(b) If the circumstances described in section 402A(b)(3) of the HEA exist, the Secretary uses the available funds to set the amount of the grant beginning in fiscal year 1995 at the lesser of--

(1) $190,000; or

(2) The amount requested by the applicant.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-11)

Sec. 647.30 What are allowable costs?

Allowable project costs, not specifically covered by 34 CFR part 74, may include the following costs reasonably related to carrying out a McNair project:

(a) Activities of an academic or scholarly nature, such as trips to institutions of higher education offering doctoral programs, and special lectures, symposia, and professional conferences, which have as their purpose the encouragement and preparation of project participants for doctoral studies.

(b) Stipends of up to $2,400 per year for students engaged in research internships, provided that the student has completed the sophomore year of study at an eligible institution before the internship begins.

(c) Necessary tuition, room and board, and transportation for students engaged in research internships during the summer.

(d) Purchase of computer hardware, computer software, or other equipment for student development, project administration, and recordkeeping, if the applicant demonstrates to the Secretary's satisfaction that the equipment is required to meet the objectives of the project more economically or efficiently.

Sec. 647.31 What are unallowable costs?

Costs that may not be charged against a grant under this program include the following:

(a) Payment of tuition, stipends, test preparation and fees or any other form of student financial support to staff or participants not expressly allowed under Sec. 647.30.

(b) Construction, renovation, and remodeling of any facilities.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-5)

Sec. 647.32 What other requirements must a grantee meet?

(a) Eligibility of participants. (1) A grantee shall determine the eligibility of each student before the student is selected to participate. A grantee does not have to redetermine a student's eligibility once the student has been determined eligible in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 647.3; and

(2) A grantee shall determine the status of a low-income individual on the basis of the documentation described in section 402A(e) of the HEA.

(b) Recordkeeping. For each student, a grantee shall maintain a record of--

(1) The basis for the grantee's determination that the student is eligible to participate in the project under Sec. 647.3;

(2) The individual needs assessment;

(3) The services provided to the participant; and

(4) The specific educational progress made by the student during and after participation in the project.

(c) Other reporting requirements. A grantee shall submit to the Secretary reports and other information as requested in order to demonstrate program effectiveness.

(d) Project director. A grantee shall designate a project director who has--

(1) Authority to conduct the project effectively; and

(2) Appropriate professional qualifications, experience and administrative skills to effectively fulfill the objectives of the project.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 2070a-15)

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

ASSURANCES

All applicants must comply with the following statutory and regulatory requirements:

1. The applicant assures that at least two-thirds (2/3) of the individuals it serves under its proposed Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program will be low-income individuals who are first-generation college students;

2. The applicant assures that the remaining persons participating in the project proposed to be carried out be from a group that is underrepresented in graduate education;

3. The applicant assures that the project participants will be enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution in accordance with the provisions of Section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended; and

4. Participants in summer research internships, if any, have completed their sophomore year in postsecondary education.

IMPORTANT NOTE: By submitting this application, the applicant institution agrees that it will comply with the four McNair Program Assurances, listed above.

F

Federal TRIO Programs

2006 Annual Low Income Levels

(Effective February 2006 Until Further Notice)

ederal TRIO Pro

Size of Family Unit	48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Outlying Jurisdictions	Alaska	Hawaii
1	$14,700	$18,375	$16,905
2	$19,800	$24,750	$22,770
3	$24,900	$31,125	$28,635
4	$30,000	$37,500	$34,500
5	$35,100	$43,875	$40,365
6	$40,200	$50,250	$46,230
7	$45,300	$56,625	$52,095
8	$50,400	$63,000	$57,960

For family units with more than 8 members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $5,100 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $6,375 for Alaska; and $5,865 for Hawaii.

The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 15, January 24, 2006, pp. 3848-3849.

Executive Order 12372 -- Intergovernmental Review

APPENDIX

This appendix applies to each program that is subject to the requirements of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

The objective of the Executive order is to foster an intergovernmental partnership and to strengthen federalism by relying on State and local processes for State and local government coordination and review of proposed Federal financial assistance.

Applicants must contact the appropriate State Single Point of Contact to find out about, and to comply with, the State's process under Executive Order 12372. Applicants proposing to perform activities in more than one State should immediately contact the Single Point of Contact for each of those States and follow the procedure established in each of those States under the Executive order. A listing containing the Single Point of Contact for each State is included in this appendix.

In States that have not established a process or chosen a program for review, State, areawide, regional, and local entities may submit comments directly to the Department.

Any State Process Recommendation and other comments submitted by a State Single Point of Contact and any comments from State, areawide, regional, and local entities must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in the actual application notice to the following address: The Secretary, EO 12372--CFDA# [commenter must insert number--including suffix letter, if any], U.S. Department of Education, room 7W301, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202.

Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as applications (see 34 CFR 75.102). Recommendations or comments may be hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on the date indicated in the actual application notice.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE ADDRESS IS NOT THE SAME ADDRESS AS THE ONE TO WHICH THE APPLICANT SUBMITS ITS COMPLETED APPLICATION. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

STATE SINGLE POINTS OF CONTACT (SPOCs)

It is estimated that in 2004 the federal government will outlay $400 billion in grants to state and local governments. Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," was issued with the desire to foster the intergovernmental partnership and strengthen federalism by relying on state and local processes for the coordination and review of proposed federal financial assistance and direct federal development. The Order allows each state to designate an entity to perform this function. Below is the official list of those entities. For those states that have a home page for their designated entity, a direct link has been provided on the official version: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html

States that are not listed on this page have chosen not to participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within one of these states, you may still send application materials directly to a federal awarding agency.

Contact information for federal agencies that award grants can be found in The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Contents Page. You can access Appendix IV by Agency [http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web.pdf] or by State [http://12.46.245.173/CFDA/appx4_web_state.pdf].

ARKANSAS Tracy L. Copeland Manager, State Clearinghouse Office of Intergovernmental Services Department of Finance and Admin. 1515 W. 7th St., Room 412 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 Telephone: (501) 682-1074 Fax: (501) 682-5206 [email protected]	CALIFORNIA Grants Coordination State Clearinghouse Office of Planning and Research P.O. Box 3044, Room 222 Sacramento, California 95812-3044 Telephone: (916) 445-0613 Fax: (916) 323-3018 [email protected]
DELAWARE Sandra R. Stump Executive Department Office of the Budget 540 S. Dupont Highway, 3rd Floor Dover, Delaware 19901 Telephone: (302) 739-3323 Fax: (302) 739-5661 [email protected]	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Marlene Jefferson DC Government Office of Partnerships And Grants Development 441 4th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001 Telephone: (202) 727-6518 Fax: (202) 727-1652 [email protected]
FLORIDA Lauren P. Milligan Florida State Clearinghouse Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Mail Station 47 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000 Telephone: (850) 245-2161 Fax: (850) 245-2190 [email protected]	GEORGIA Barbara Jackson Georgia State Clearinghouse 270 Washington Street, SW, 8th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Telephone: (404) 656-3855 Fax: (404) 656-7901 [email protected]

ILLINOIS Roukaya McCaffrey Department of Commerce and    Economic Opportunities 620 East Adams, 6th Floor Springfield, Illinois 62701 Telephone: (217) 524-0188 Fax: (217) 558-0473 [email protected]	IOWA Kathy Mable Iowa Department of Management State Capitol Building Room G 12 1007 E Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 Telephone: (515) 242-8834 Fax: (515) 242-5897 [email protected]
KENTUCKY Ron Cook The Govenor’s Office for Local Development 1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 340 Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Telephone: (502) 573-2382/(800) 346-5606 Fax: (502) 573-2512 Ron.cook@Ky.Gov	MAINE Joyce Benson State Planning Office 184 State Street 38 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 Telephone: (207) 287-3261 (direct): (207) 287-1461 Fax: (207) 287-6489 [email protected]
MARYLAND Linda C. Janey, J.D. Director, Capital Planning and Development Review Maryland Department of Planning 301 West Preston Street, Room 1104 Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2305 Telephone: (410) 767-4490 Fax: (410) 767-4480 [email protected]	MICHIGAN Richard Pfaff Southeast Michigan Council of Governments 535 Griswold, Suite 300 Detroit, Michigan 48226 Telephone: (313) 961-4266 Fax: (313) 961-4869 [email protected]
MISSISSIPPI Mildred Tharpe Clearinghouse Officer Department of Finance and Administration 1301 Woolfolk Building, Suite E 501 North West Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Telephone: (601) 359-6762 Fax: (601) 359-6758	MISSOURI Federal Assistance Clearinghouse Office of Administration P.O. Box 809 Truman Building, Room 840 Jefferson City, Missouri 65102 Telephone: (573) 751-4834 Fax: (573) 522-4395 [email protected]
NEVADA Michael Stafford Department of Administration State Clearinghouse 209 E. Musser Street, Room 200 Carson City, Nevada 89701 Telephone: (775) 684-0209 Fax: (775) 684-0260 [email protected]	NEW HAMPSHIRE MaryAnn Manoogian Director, New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning Attn: Intergovernmental Review Process Benjamin Frost 57 Regional Drive Concord, New Hampshire 03301-8519 Telephone: (603) 271-2155 Fax: (603) 271-2615 [email protected]
NEW YORK Linda Shkreli Office of Public Security Homeland Security Grants Coordination 633 3rd Avenue New York, New York 10017 Telephone: (212) 867-1289 Fax: (212) 867-1725	NORTH DAKOTA Jim Boyd ND Department of Commerce 1600 East Century Avenue, Suite 2 P.O. Box 2057 Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-2057 Telephone: (701) 328-2676 Fax: (701) 328-2308 [email protected]

RHODE ISLAND Joyce Karger Department of Administration Statewide Planning Program One Capitol Hill Providence, Rhode Island 02908-5870 Telephone: (401) 222-6181 Fax: (401) 222-2083 [email protected]	SOUTH CAROLINA SC Clearinghouse Budget and Control Board Office of State Budget 1201 Main Street, Suite 950 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Telephone: (803) 734-0494 Fax: (803) 734-0645 [email protected]
TEXAS Denise S. Francis Director, State Grants Team Governor's Office of Budget and Planning P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711 Telephone: (512) 305-9415 Fax: (512) 936-2681 [email protected]	UTAH Sophia DiCaro Utah State Clearinghouse Governor's Office of Planning and Budget Utah Capitol Complex Suite E210, P.O. Box 142210 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-2210 Telephone: (801) 538-1027 Fax: (801) 538-1547 [email protected]
WEST VIRGINIA Fred Cutlip, Director Community Development Division West Virginia Development Office Building #6, Room 553 Charleston, West Virginia 25305 Telephone: (304) 558-4010 Fax: (304) 558-3248 [email protected]	WISCONSIN Jeff Smith Section Chief, Federal/State Relations Wisconsin Department of Administration 101 East Wilson Street, 6th Floor P.O. Box 7868 Madison, Wisconsin 53707 Telephone: (608) 266-0267 Fax: (608) 267-6931 [email protected]
AMERICAN SAMOA Pat M. Galea'i Federal Grants/Programs Coordinator Office of Federal Programs/Office of the Governor Department of Commerce American Samoa Government Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 Telephone: (684) 633-5155 Fax: (684) 633-4195 [email protected]	GUAM Director Bureau of Budget and Mgmt. Research Office of the Governor P.O. Box 2950 Agana, Guam 96910 Telephone: 011-671-472-2285 Fax: 011-671-472-2825 [email protected]
NORTH MARIANA ISLANDS Ms. Jacoba T. Seman Federal Programs Coordinator Office of Management and Budget Office of the Governor Saipan, MP 96950 Telephone: (670) 664-2289 Fax: (670) 664-2272 [email protected]	PUERTO RICO Jose Caballero / Mayra Silva Puerto Rico Planning Board Federal Proposals Review Office Minillas Government Center P.O. Box 41119 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00940-1119 Telephone: (787) 723-6190 Fax: (787) 722-6783

VIRGIN ISLANDS Ira Mills Director, Office of Management and Budget #41 Norre Gade Emancipation Garden Station, Second Floor Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 Telephone: (340) 774-0750 Fax: (340) 776-0069 [email protected]

Changes to this list can be made only after OMB is notified by a state's officially designated representative. E-mail messages can be sent to [email protected]. If you prefer, you may send correspondence to the following postal address:

Attn: Grants Management
Office of Management and Budget
New Executive Office Building, Suite 6025
725 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20503

Please note: Inquiries about obtaining a federal grant should not be sent to the OMB e-mail or postal address shown above. The best source for this information is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance or CFDA http://www.cfda.gov and the Grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov).

General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)

ALL APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM.

Section 427 requires each applicant to include in its application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its federally-assisted program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs.

This section allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six barriers that can impede equitable access or participation that you may address: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age.

A general statement of an applicant’s nondiscriminatory hiring policy is not sufficient to meet this requirement. Applicants must identify potential barriers and explain steps they will take to overcome these barriers.

Important Note: Applicants must address this provision by attaching a statement to the GEPA “Notice to All Applicants” form that is included in the McNair application package that must be downloaded in Grants.gov.

Government Performance

and Results Act (GPRA)

What is GPRA?

The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) is a straightforward statute that requires all federal agencies to manage their activities with attention to the consequences of those activities. Each agency is to clearly state what it intends to accomplish, identify the resources required, and periodically report their progress to the Congress. In so doing, it is expected that the GPRA will contribute to improvements in accountability for the expenditures of public funds, improve Congressional decision-making through more objective information on the effectiveness of federal programs, and promote a new government focus on results, service delivery, and customer satisfaction.

How has the Department of Education Responded to the GPRA Requirements?

As required by GPRA, the Department of Education has prepared a strategic plan for 2002-2007. This plan reflects the Department’s priorities and integrates them with its mission and program authorities and describes how the Department will work to improve education for all children and adults in the U.S. The Department’s goals, as listed in the plan, are:

Goal 1: Create a Culture of Achievement

Goal 2: Improve Student Achievement

Goal 3: Develop Safe Schools and Strong Character

Goal 4: Transform Education into an Evidence-based Field

Goal 5: Enhance the Quality of and Access to Postsecondary and Adult Education

Goal 6: Establish Management Excellence

The performance indicators for the Federal TRIO Programs are part of the Department’s plan for meeting Goal 5: Ensure access to postsecondary education and lifelong learning. One of the Department’s objectives for Goal 5 is to “reduce the gaps in college access and completion among student populations differing by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and disability while increasing educational attainment of all.”

What is the Performance Indicator for the McNair Program?

The Federal TRIO Program’s overarching goal is: to increase the percentage of low-income, first generation college students who successfully pursue postsecondary education opportunities.

The specific performance measure for the McNair Program is the increase in the percentage of McNair Program participants who enroll in and persist in graduate school.

The success of the McNair Program is measured by the increase of McNair participants who complete research or other scholarly activities; who complete research or other scholarly activities and continue in their undergraduate program or enroll in a graduate program in the subsequent academic year; who attain baccalaureate degrees; who enroll in postbaccalaureate programs; and who attain doctoral degrees.

Instructions for Completing the Application

and Forms

The McNair application consists of the following four parts:

Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), and

Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424

Part II: Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED 524)

Part III: Program Narrative --

Project Narrative Attachment Form

Other Attachments Form

Part III-A McNair Program Profile

NOTE: In Grants.gov, applicants will find a list of Mandatory Documents which includes all of the required forms, assurances, the Project Narrative Attachment Form and the Other Attachments Form.

The Project Narrative Attachment Form (found in the Grants.gov application package) is where applicants will attach their narrative responses to the selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applications submitted for this competition. This section has a strict page limit of 50 pages. Please see the Notice, published in the Federal Register, for detailed information on page limits.

The Other Attachments Form (found in the Grants.gov application package) is where applicants will attach the Part III-A McNair Program Profile form. You must copy the McNair Program Profile form from page 73 of this booklet.

Part IV: Assurances and Certifications, and Survey Form -- Applicants must complete

the following forms included in the application package:

◊ Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 424B)

◊ Grants.gov Lobbying Form (formerly Certification Regarding Lobbying ED 80-0013)

◊ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

◊ ED GEPA 427 Form

◊ Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants

Supplemental Information and Instructions

The following information supplements the information provided in the “Dear Applicant” letter and the Notice.

Please note: The Notice, published in the Federal Register, is the official document governing this competition.

A. Criteria for Funding

All applications for grants under the McNair Program will be evaluated as new submissions according to the selection criteria listed in the program regulations (34 CFR 647.21). Applicants funded in the 2003-2007 grant cycle are eligible to receive up to 15 points for prior experience (34 CFR 647.22).

B. McNair Program Assurances

All applicants must comply with the McNair Program statutory and regulatory requirements. The assurances are included in the application package. By submitting a McNair Program application, an applicant certifies that it has read the assurances and will fully comply with the requirements.

C. McNair Program Profile (Part III-A)

All applicants must complete the information requested on this form. The McNair Program Profile contains four standardized objectives. Applicants are required to propose the percentage at which each of these five standardized objectives will be attained. You may not modify, amend or delete any of these objectives.

Applicants must copy and paste the McNair Program Profile form into a separate document, or recreate the page exactly as it appears. Complete the form, save it to your computer and attach it to the Other Attachments Form as either a .doc, .rtf or .pdf document. Do not modify or amend the contents of the form in any way. The form can be found on page 73 of these instructions.

D. Formatting

Double-space all text in Part III -- the Program Narrative except titles, headings, footnotes, captions, quotations, references, and all text in charts, tables and graphs, which may be single-spaced. Applicants may only use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New or Arial. Applications submitted in any other font (including Times Roman and Arial Narrow) will not be accepted. Applicants must use not less than size 12 fonts, only.

Include a Table of Contents. In addition, applicants are strongly encouraged to include an identifying header or footer (using the 1” margin at either the top or bottom of each page) that contains the applicant’s name and the page numbers. The pages must be numbered in consecutive order.

The Project Narrative Attachment Form is limited to 50 pages. This section is where applicants will attach their narrative responses to the selection criteria. Applicants will attach the Program Narrative to the Project Narrative Attachment Form. Appendices and attachments should not be included. If these items are included, they will be counted as part of the 50-page limit. The page limit does not apply to the following:

Table of Contents;

Part I Application for Federal Assistance Face Sheet Form (SF 424), and

Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424;

Part II Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction form (ED 524);

Part III-A McNair Program Profile form; and

Part IV Assurances and Certifications and Survey Forms, including the

ED GEPA form.

The Notice contains specific instructions on page limits.

E. Length of New Award

Applicants may apply for a maximum of five years of funding. However, only applicants that score in the highest ten percent of all applications will be awarded five-year grants; all other selected applicants will be funded for four years (34 CFR 647.5).

F. Evaluation of Applications for Awards

A three-member panel of non-federal reviewers will read each application. Each reviewer will prepare a written evaluation of the application and assign points for each selection criterion.

G. Selection of Grantees

The Secretary will select an application for funding in rank order, based on the application’s total score for the selection criteria and prior experience (34 CFR 647.20 – 647.22). If the total scores of two or more applications are the same and there are insufficient funds for these applications after the approval of higher-ranked applications, the Secretary uses the remaining funds to achieve an equitable distribution of all new projects. In making an equitable geographic distribution of new projects, the Secretary considers only the locations of new projects (34 CFR 647.20).

H. Applicant Funding

The Department is often unable to award the full amount of funds requested. Applicants should pay close attention to the “Maximum Award” section of the Notice. The Department will not fund any application at an amount exceeding the maximum amounts specified in the Notice.

I. Notice to Successful Applicants

The Department's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs will inform the Congress regarding applicants approved for new McNair Program grants. Successful applicants will receive award notices by mail shortly after the Congress is notified. No funding information will be released before the Congress is notified.

J. Notice to Unsuccessful Applicants

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing following the notice to successful applicants.

Part III Program Narrative Instructions

Important Note: The program narrative is to be attached to the Project Narrative Attachment Form in Grants.gov.

Before preparing the Program Narrative, applicants should review the Dear Applicant Letter, Notice, authorizing legislation, and program regulations for specific guidance and requirements. Please note: applications will be evaluated according to the specific selection criteria specified in the Notice and this application package.

The Secretary evaluates an application on the basis of the selection criteria in the McNair Program regulations, a copy of which is included in this application package. See 34 CFR 647.21. The Program Narrative should provide, in detail, the information that addresses each selection criterion. The maximum possible score for each selection criterion category is indicated in parenthesis. The McNair Program selection criteria contain weighted sub-criteria. Applicants must address each sub-criterion, specifically.

You must limit the Program Narrative to 50 pages, double-spaced using one of the acceptable font types, and number the pages consecutively. The narrative should be written concisely. Only the required information should be submitted. If appendices or other supplemental materials are included, they will count as part of the 50-page limit. Please refer to the Notice for specific page limit instructions and additional application submission requirements.

To facilitate the review of the application, provide responses to each of the following selection criteria in the following order:

1. Need (34 CFR 647.21(a)) (16 points)

2. Objectives (34 CFR 647.21(b)) ( 9 points)

3. Plan of Operation (34 CFR 647.21(c)) (44 points)

4. Quality of Key Personnel (34 CFR 647.21(d)) ( 9 points)

5. Adequacy of Resources and Budget (34 CFR 647.21(e)) ( 15 points)

6. Evaluation Plan (34 CFR 647.21(f)) ( 7 points)

_________

Total Maximum Score for Selection Criteria 100 points

The following guidance may assist you in addressing each of the selection criteria:

1. Need: In responding to this criterion, you must provide data to define the target population: the academic, financial and other problems encountered by eligible project participants to prevent their completing baccalaureate programs and continuing to postbaccalaureate programs. Also, you must provide data to demonstrate that the proposed target population is underrepresented in graduate education.

2. Objectives: All applicants must include the four objectives listed on the Part III-A McNair Program Profile form. On the Profile form, you must fill-in the blanks indicating the percentage level of achievement for each of these four objectives. These objectives cannot be rewritten, restated or reworded.

In the Program Narrative, you must address each of these four objectives, and explain how these objectives are ambitious and attainable. Applicants should use comparative data to show why the proposed percentages are ambitious and attainable, based on information provided in the Need section of the Program Narrative. Applicants may add additional objectives, but are not required to do so. Applicants will not receive additional points or penalties for proposing additional objectives.

3. Plan of Operation: This criterion contains nine sub-criteria, and applicants must address all nine sub-criteria. This part of the application should provide information on who, what, when and how the project will provide services to meet its goals and objectives. If the applicant proposes to serve students from other institutions of higher education exclusively, or along with students from its campus, the application must include information that specifically addresses how the project will coordinate pre and post-service activities for the students at the other participating institutions both during the academic year and during the summer research component of the project activity. In addition, the applicant must include details of the follow-up activities that will be undertaken, including tracking mechanisms that will be employed, which are integral to the long-range success of the project activities. Applicants must also provide information on how they will ensure that sufficient resources are available to effectively and efficiently serve the students selected from other institutions of higher education.

Further, the applicant must also provide information on: how faculty members will be involved in the planning of research activities for the students; its plan for providing sound research experiences and other educational activities; individual or group services specifically designed to enhance the students’ entry into postbaccalaureate education; its plan to inform the institutional community of the goals and objectives of the project; its plan to ensure proper and efficient administration of the project in all manners including management of financial records, student record, personnel, organizational matters, and the coordination of the McNair project with other programs for disadvantaged students on the applicant’s campus, both federal and non-federal. Finally, the applicant must present its follow-up plan to track the participants after their tenure with the McNair project proposed is completed.

4. Quality of Key Personnel: Applicants must address all of the sub-criteria under this criterion. Applicants must provide the minimum qualifications for all project personnel positions. The minimum educational qualifications must include the type of degree required and the acceptable field(s) of study. The type and minimum amount of work-related experience should also be described for each position. In addressing this criterion, you must not provide the qualifications of current staff: you must detail the qualifications required for each position. Applicants are not required to submit resumes or job descriptions in the application—this information can be described or summarized. The “plan to employ personnel who have succeeded in overcoming barriers similar to the target population to be served” must be specific. The inclusion of an equal employment opportunity statement and/or a non-discriminatory employment practices policy alone is not an adequate response to this criterion.

5. Adequacy of the Resources and Budget: Applicants must address all three sub-criteria. In addressing this criterion, the applicant must provide information on its financial plan for carrying out the project, including the applicant’s proposed commitment of institutional resources to the McNair participants.

For the first year (12-month budget period) only, applicants must submit (1) a budget summary form to categorize requested funds (ED 524), AND (2) a detailed itemized budget, as part of the Part III Program Narrative, for the first 12-month budget period, AND (3) a budget narrative, as part of the Part III Program Narrative, to explain or justify costs. Provide the first-year (12-month budget period) summary on the Part II - Budget Information Non-Construction Programs form (ED 524). The instructions for completing the form are located on page 62 of the application booklet

Both the detailed, itemized budget and budget narrative for the first 12-month budget period, only, are to be included as part of the Part III-Program Narrative.

For this competition, applicants may receive funding for up to five years. The Department is requesting that you complete the Budget Summary form (ED 524) for the 2007-2008 year and provide both an itemized budget and a detailed budget narrative only for the first 12-month budget period. It is not necessary to provide a budget summary for the total grant period requested, up to five years. The funding level for the first year is stipulated in the “Maximum Award” section of the Notice: Currently-funded projects will receive a maximum which is the greater of (a) $220,000 or (b) an amount equal to $9,000 times the number of participants, not to exceed 105 percent of the applicant’s grant award amount for FY 2006 for the first year. “New” projects will receive a maximum of $220,000 for the first year to serve a minimum of 25 participants. The Department will determine the funding levels for each additional year of the grant award. The budget period dates should begin on October 1 and end on September 30. All currently funded applicants’ budget period dates should remain the same as the current grant budget period dates.

The McNair Program selection criteria provide for an applicant to receive up to 15 points for its proposed resources and budget. The budget must include all costs that are allowable, reasonable, and necessary for carrying out the objectives of the McNair Program. Among the costs that may be supported with grant funds are:

1. Personnel: On line 1 (ED 524), enter only the total cost for project personnel salaries and wages. [Fees and expenses for consultants should be included on line 8.] The itemized budget should include the total commitment of time and the total salary to be charged to the project for each staff member. You should provide a breakdown of project personnel that includes: the position titles, the percent of time and number of months committed to the project for each staff member, the salary for each staff member, and the total salary costs to be charged to the grant. Note: The total federal time commitment for project administration (e.g., project director, principal investigator, assistant director, coordinator, etc.) cannot exceed 100%.

2. Fringe Benefits: On line 2 (ED 524), enter the total amount of fringe benefits. The institution/agency’s normal fringe benefit contribution may be charged to the grant. Leave this blank if fringe benefits applicable to direct salaries and wages are treated as part of the indirect costs. In the narrative, include an explanation and appropriate justification if the institution/agency’s normal fringe benefit contribution exceeds 20 percent of salaries.

3. Travel: On line 3 (ED 524), provide the total cost of travel expenses for project personnel and student participants. [Consultants’ travel should be included on line 8.] In the itemized budget, you should detail the proposed travel costs, i.e., for each trip, explain the purpose and objective of the travel and provide the number of persons traveling. Transportation costs should not exceed tourist class airfare. For automobile mileage, the established institution/agency rate should be used. Reimbursement is allowed for taxicab, bus, train, or limousine transportation. Per diem at the established institution/agency rate is permitted when an individual is away from home overnight on official project business (see OMB Circular A-21, J.48.c - Commercial Air Travel). No foreign travel will be authorized under the grant.

The Federal TRIO Programs has developed the following guidelines for recommending approval of travel. All travel must be related to the project’s overall purpose and proposed activities.

• Project Director’s Travel – Per Year

1. One National Conference;

One Regional Meeting;

One State Meeting; and

2. Travel for participation in one staff development training opportunity under the Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs.

• Full-time Professional Staff Travel – Per Year

1. One National, Regional, or State Meeting; and

2. Travel for participation in one staff development training opportunity under the Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs.

4. Equipment: On line 4 (ED 524), indicate the total cost of equipment – which is defined as non-expendable personal property, which has a usefulness of greater than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.

[Consistent with an applicant’s policy, a lower dollar amount may be used to define equipment.] In the detailed budget, include a list of all equipment in the following format: item, quantity, cost per unit, and total cost. In the narrative, explain why the requested equipment is necessary to carry out project activities.

5. Supplies: On line 5 (ED 524), include the total cost of all other tangible personal property that was not included as “equipment” on line 4. In the detailed budget, provide an itemized list of the supplies.

6. Contractual: Not applicable. Leave line 6 (ED 524) blank.

7. Construction: Not applicable. Leave line 7 (ED 524) blank.

8. Other: On line 8 (ED 524), indicate all total direct costs not covered on lines 1 through 5. The costs/fees for consultants and consultants’ travel should be included here. Examples of “other” costs are: equipment rental, required fees, communication costs, and printing costs. In the detailed budget, provide a breakdown of all direct costs not clearly covered by other budget categories.

Consultants: If the project proposes to use consultants, identify the consultants who will work on the project, the scope of work to be performed by each consultant, and justify why project personnel cannot perform this work in the narrative. Also, provide a detailed breakdown of the costs (daily fees to be paid, estimated number of days of services, and all travel expenses, including per diem). Cost allowances for consultant fees, honoraria, per diem, and travel should not exceed amounts permitted by comparable institutional/agency policies.

9. Total Direct Costs: On line 9 (ED 524), provide the total direct costs requested – the sum of lines 1 through 8.

10. Indirect Costs: On line 10 (ED 524), provide the total amount of indirect costs that you propose to charge against the grant.

All grants awarded under the McNair Program (84.217A) are designated training grants. The Education Department Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) limit reimbursement to grantees for indirect costs they incur under training grants to the grantee’s actual indirect costs as determined by the grantee’s negotiated indirect costs agreement or a maximum of 8% of a modified total direct costs base, whichever is less. (Note: This limitation does not apply to State agencies, local governments, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments. [§75.562(c)(2)])

Grantees charging indirect costs to a Department of Education grant are required to have a negotiated rate with their cognizant agency (i.e., either the Federal agency from which it has received the most direct funding that is subject to indirect costs support, or a particular agency specifically assigned cognizance by the Office of Management and Budget). Although applicants are not required to submit with their application a copy of their indirect costs agreement to claim the 8% rate for funding received in this program, they are required to have documentation available for audit that shows that their negotiated indirect costs rate is at least 8% [34 CFR 75.563(d)]. In the event that they receive an award under this program, applicants without a negotiated indirect costs rate with its cognizant agency should seek to identify that agency and contact it to obtain an approved rate as soon as possible after award notification.

Applicants should be aware that amounts representing the difference between the 8% rate and a greater indirect costs rate negotiated with a cognizant agency may not be charged to direct costs categories, used to satisfy matching or cost-sharing requirements, or charged to another Federal award [34 CFR 75.563(c)(3)].

10. Training Stipends: On line 11 (ED 524) provide the total amount of student stipends. The McNair Program regulations, 34CFR 647.30(b), establish the maximum federal stipend amount of $2,800 per year per student.

10. Total Costs: On line 12 (ED 524), provide the total amount that you are requesting – the sum of lines 9, 10 and 11. Note: This amount should also be the same as that shown as item 18a on the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424).

6. Evaluation Plan: The applicant must address all three sub-criteria. A strong evaluation plan should be included and should be used, as appropriate, to shape the development of the project from the beginning of the grant period. The evaluation plan should include benchmarks to monitor progress toward meeting specific project objectives and should include program measures to assess the impact on teaching and learning or other important outcomes for project participants. The plan should describe the evaluation design, indicating: (1) what types of data will be collected; (2) when various types of data will be collected; (3) what methods will be used; (4) what instruments will be developed and when; (5) how the data will be analyzed; (6) when reports and outcomes will be available; and (7) how the applicant will use the information collected through evaluation to monitor progress of the funded project and to provide accountability information. Applicants are encouraged to devote an appropriate level of resources to project evaluation. The use of an outside evaluator is not required.

Part III-A

McNair Program Profile

INSTRUCTIONS: ALL applicants must complete this page. The completed page must be attached to the Other Attachments Form in the application package in Grants.gov {as either a .doc, .rtf or. pdf document} in the application. DO NOT MODIFY OR AMEND THE CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE.

1. Institution (Legal Name): ______________________________________________

2. Applicants must indicate the address where the project will be located:

Project Address: _________________________________________

City: __________________________________________________

State: ___________________ Zip: ___________

3. Applicants currently funded under the McNair Program must provide their current award number located in Item 5 of the current Grant Award Notification document. (New applicants should leave this item blank). P217A0 ________

4. Proposed total number of McNair Program participants to be served each year: ______

5. Program Objectives: (Please fill in the proposed percent (%) for each of the four objectives).

Research:

_____% of McNair participants will complete research * and scholarly activities that will directly impact their educational progression each McNair Program academic year**.

(*A structured research activity must be definitive in its start and end dates and contain appropriate benchmarks for completion of the various components. In addition, the activity should be conducted under the guidance of an appropriate faculty member with experience in the discipline selected by the McNair participant.)

(** The McNair Program academic year is the period that most closely aligns with the first 12-month budget period for which this new award will be made. The 2007-08 McNair Program academic year is roughly August/September 2007 through August 2008.)

Degree Attainment:

_____% of new participants served in each McNair Program academic year** will attain a baccalaureate degree within three (3) years***.

_____% of bachelor's degree recipients will enroll in a post baccalaureate program by the fall term of the academic year immediately following completion of that degree.**

(***Dual Degree Programs: Students enrolled in dual degree programs may be classified as graduate enrollees after completing four (4) years of undergraduate study at institutions of higher education.)

_____% of McNair Program participants will attain a doctoral degree within ten (10) years of the attainment of the bachelor’s degree.

Application Checklist

Use This Checklist While Preparing Your Application. All items listed on this checklist are required.

 Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)

 Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424

 Department of Education Budget Information Non-Construction Programs form (ED 524) Sections A & B

 Program Narrative (Narrative addressing the selection criteria limited to 50 pages.)

Attach this document to the Project Narrative Attachment Form in the Grants.gov application package

 McNair Program Profile form. Attach this document to the Other Attachments Form in the Grants.gov application package

 Assurances and Certifications (These documents are included as “Mandatory Documents” in the “Application Package” in Grants.gov.)

 GEPA Section 427 Requirement. Attach the response to the GEPA Form in the Grants.gov application package

 Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (ED 424B)

 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL)

 Grants.gov Lobbying Form (Formerly ED Form 80-0013)

 Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicant