1855-0011_MSAP application_OMBedits (003)OESEresponse-clean 12422

Magnet Schools Assistance Program Application for Grants (1894-0001)

1855-0011_MSAP application_OMBedits (003)OESEresponse-clean 12422

OMB: 1855-0011

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U.S. Department of Education

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

School Choice and Improvement Programs

Washington, D.C. 20202-5970



Fiscal Year 2022

Application for New Grants Under

the Magnet Schools Assistance Program

ALN 84.165A

FORM APPROVED

Approved OMB Number: 1855-0011

Expiration Date: 7/31/2022























Dated Material - Open Immediately

CLOSING DATE: April 21, 2022


TABLE OF CONTENTS











  1. LETTER TO THE APPLICANT


Dear Applicant:


Thank you for your interest in the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), administered by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, School Choice & Improvement Programs of the U.S. Department of Education (Department). MSAP, authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, provides funding to local educational agencies to assist with desegregation of schools through the implementation of magnet schools designed to reduce, eliminate, or prevent minority group isolation, assist in the achievement of systemic reforms, and allow all students to meet challenging academic content and student achievement standards.


I invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to design and develop new magnet schools, or to revise and further implement existing magnet schools, that assist your district in achieving the goals of your desegregation plans and which provide more students with access to diverse learning environments; address minority group isolation; provide equitable access to innovative practice; and provide families in your communities with more choices of educational environments that build the knowledge and skills their children need to be successful. Please visit our program website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice-improvement-programs for more information about the MSAP program.


The Department expects to award up to $135,000,000 in FY 2022 for new grants based on the Administration’s request of $149,000,000 for the MSAP program. We will award discretionary grants on a competitive basis for a project period of up to 60 months. Before submitting your application, please thoroughly review the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for FY 2022 published in the Federal Register, especially the selection criteria, competitive preference priorities, and all of the application instructions. An application will not be evaluated for funding if the applicant does not comply with all of the procedural rules that govern the submission of the application, or the application does not contain the information required under the program (EDGAR §75.216 (b) and (c)).


Finally, the Department will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if it has a better understanding of the number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, we encourage potential applicants to notify us of their intent to submit an application by emailing [email protected] with the subject line, “[LEA Name(s)] Intent to Apply” by [NIA date +30 days].


If you have any questions about the program after reviewing the application package, please contact Gillian Cohen-Boyer by telephone at (202) 401-1259 or via e-mail at [email protected].


Sincerely,


Elson Nash, Director

School Choice & Improvement Programs

  1. NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS


Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) Number: 84.165A.



Magnet Schools Assistance Program


Applications Available: February XX, 2022


Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: +30 days


Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 21, 2022



The full text of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program FY 2022 Notice Inviting Applications can be found on the Federal Register Website.






























  1. THE APPLICATION PROCESS


The following is a brief overview of the application process for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP):


Getting Started

All interested applicants should first thoroughly review the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for FY 2022 published in the Federal Register. The NIA provides the following helpful information:

  • Background information and purpose of the program;

  • Eligibility requirements;

  • Competitive Preference and Invitational Priorities;

  • Selection Criteria and assigned points;

  • Instructions on how to electronically submit the application.


Applicants should pay close attention to the Selection Criteria as applications will be evaluated and scored against these criteria.


Pre-Application Webinar Information

The Department intends to provide technical assistance to interested applicants. Detailed information regarding technical assistance webinars will be provided on the program website and a recording of each webinar will be available on the website following the session(s).


These technical assistance webinars will cover, at a minimum:

  • The NIA and Application Process

  • Desegregation Plans and MSAP programming

  • Logic Models

  • Evidence-based Programming and Evaluation Studies


Completing and Submitting Your Application

A complete application consists of the following components:

  • Abstract Narrative;

  • Project Narrative;

  • Budget Narrative;

  • Appendices and Required Forms, including

    • MSAP Specific Desegregation Plan Forms and Assurances and

    • Federally Required Certifications and Attestations.

Each component is discussed in detail in the subsequent pages of this application package. Once the application is complete, it must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov application system. A detailed discussion of Grants.gov may also be found in the subsequent pages of this application package. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this system and to submit their applications early.


All MSAP applications must be received on or before April 21, 2022.


It is mandatory for applicants to use Grants.gov. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with and register for the for the Grants.gov system and submit early. Only applications submitted in a timely manner using Grants.gov will be considered for funding.


Please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2021 (86 FR 73264) and available at www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-27979. Please note that these Common Instructions supersede the version published on February 13, 2019, and, in part, describe the transition from the requirement to register in SAM.gov a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the implementation of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). More information on the phase-out of DUNS numbers is available at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ofo/docs/unique-entity-identifier-transition-fact-sheet.pdf


We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Late applications will not be accepted. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applications. The time it takes to upload the narratives for your application will vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the files and the speed of your Internet connection. If you try to submit your application after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date, the Grants.gov system will not accept it.


Please note that U.S. Department of Education grant application deadlines are 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline date and time.




Application Checklist


Use the checklist that follows as a guide to ensure that your application is complete and includes all of the necessary forms and information.


Application Overview

A project abstract (no more than one page in length)

Application for Federal Assistance Form (SF-424)

ED Supplement to the SF-424

A table of contents for the program narrative

Program narrative

Narrative Responses to Competitive Preference Priorities 1-6 and Invitational Priorities 1-2, as applicable.

Narrative Responses to MSAP Selection Criteria

Competitive Preference Tables -

  • Table 5 - New or Revised Magnet Schools Projects-Competitive Preference 2

  • Table 6 - Selection of Students-Competitive Preference 3

Budget forms (ED Form 524)

Budget Narrative - itemized budget, with line-item descriptions and explanations


Required Documents for Eligibility

Desegregation Plan

  • Cover Form and Attachments

  • Summary Information Form

  • Magnet Schools Assistance Program Assurances

Enrollment Data Tables

  • Table 1—Magnet Schools included in the Project

  • Table 2—LEA-Level Enrollment Data

  • Table 3—Magnet School Enrollment Data

  • Table 4—Feeder School Enrollment Data


Additional Assurances and Certifications

Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Required response to Section 427 of GEPA

SF LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activity


Attachments

Resumes of key personnel

Letters of support (optional)

Written agreement between parties to a joint application for Competitive Priority 5 (if applicable)

Supporting Evidence for Competitive Priority 2 (if applicable)

Logic Model

Instructions for ED Abstract Narrative


The abstract is to be attached to the “ED Abstract Attachment Form” in the application package in Grants.gov.


The abstract narrative must not exceed one page and should use language that will be understood by a range of audiences.


For all projects, include the project title, major project goals and objectives, and the names of the magnet schools that will participate in the project, whether the magnets are new or revised, a brief description of the special curricular program(s) (e.g., Math and Science, Montessori, Performing Arts, etc.) that each magnet school will implement, including if the program is school wide or a school within a school, and the number of students expected to participate in each magnet school program.


Instructions for Application/Project Narrative


Project Narrative Attachment Form (found in the Grants.gov application package) – This is where applicants will attach their narrative responses to the Competitive Preference and Invitational Priorities as well as a response to the Selection Criteria laid out in the notice inviting applications (NIA).


This part of the application constitutes the portion of the application that is subject to the suggested page limit described in the Federal Register NIA for this competition.


To facilitate the review of your MSAP application, we recommend that you address the Priorities to which you are responding and then the selection criteria in the order in which they appear in the Federal Register NIA for this competition.


Competitive Priority Attachments

If you choose to apply for the following Competitive Preference Priorities, please note the following required documents –


  • For Competitive Preference Priority 2 - “Evidence Supporting New and Revised Projects” you should complete and attach Table 5 and up to two studies as described below.

  • For Competitive Preference Priority 3 – “Selection of Students,” you should also complete and attach Table 6.

  • For Competitive Preference Priority 5 – Applicants must also submit a Joint Letter of Application as described in EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.128.


The information needed to respond to these priorities is not subject to the suggested page limit that applies to the application/project narrative part of the application.


Additional Information regarding Competitive Preference Priority 2 - Evidence Supporting New and Revised Projects

  1. Overview

Title IV, Part D, Section 4406(B) of ESEA directs the Secretary to prioritize programs that propose to (1) carry out a new evidence-based (as defined in the notice) magnet school program; (2) significantly revise an existing magnet school program using evidence-based methods and practices, as available; or (3) replicate an existing magnet school program that has a demonstrated record of success in increasing student academic achievement and reducing isolation of minority groups.


Applicants applying for Competitive Preference Priority 2 should specify the intervention(s) in the study or studies that you plan to implement and the findings within the citations that you are requesting to be considered as evidence-based, including page number(s) of specific applicable tables in those citations. The Department will not consider a study citation or citations that you fail to clearly identify for review. No more than two studies may be submitted under this part.


In addition to referencing the study citation(s) in the application narrative, you must include a copy of the full study or studies in the Appendix. References to the citation(s) or the provision of publicly accessible links that lead to the study or studies are not, in and of themselves, sufficient. If the Department determines that an applicant has provided insufficient information, the applicant will not have an opportunity to provide additional information at a later time.


  1. Instructions for Submitting Evidence

As a guide, we offer the following example for submitting evidence. We suggest that you address the three following pieces (citation, citation outcome(s), and relevance to proposed project) in your response to satisfy Competitive Preference Priority 2.


    1. Citation. Provide the full citation for each study you are putting forth for consideration. If the study has been reviewed by the What Works Clearinghouse, please include the rating it received.


Example:


Bettinger, E.P., & Baker, R. (2011). The effects of student coaching in college: An evaluation of a randomized experiment in student mentoring. Stanford, CA: Stanford University School of Education.


Meets What Works Clearinghouse Group Design Standards without Reservations.


    1. Citation Outcome(s). Describe: 1) the outcomes in the study presented and how those outcomes are statistically significant; and 2) how the outcomes in the evidence relate to the outcomes in your project.


Example:


This study found that students assigned to receive coaching and mentoring were significantly more likely than students in the comparison group to remain enrolled at their institutions.


The proposed project will create an institutional mentoring and support structure that trains the professional staff and faculty coaches on how and when to effectively communicate with students who are at risk for withdrawing from or failing out of school.


    1. Relevance to Proposed Project. Briefly describe the intervention used in the study. What link is there between the study presented and proposed MSAP project? How does the evidence the study provides support your project or elements of your project? Will your proposed project measure the same outcomes? To what degree is the population your project intends to serve similar to the population described in the study?


Example:


The intervention in the study is a form of college mentoring called student coaching. Students were randomly assigned an individual coach who helped students throughout the first year of college. Coaches helped with a number of issues, including prioritizing studies and identifying barriers and ways to overcome them. Coaches were encouraged to contact their assignees by either phone, email, text messaging, or social networking sites.


Our project will train professional staff and faculty coaches on the most effective way(s) to communicate with their mentees, suggest topics for mentors to talk to their mentees, and be aware of signals to prevent withdrawal or academic failure.


The full study sample consisted of 13,555 students. The number of students examined for purposes of retention was 2,694. Sample characteristics for just these students are not presented; thus, the following characteristics are for the full sample of students in the study: control had a mean of 49% females, intervention group had a mean of 50% females and the average age for control students was 30.5, for intervention students it was 30.6.


Alpha Beta Community College has 7,000 new students every year with a retention/completion rate of 55%. Our student body has 48% males and 52% females. ABCC student body has an average age of 28.5 years.


The What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook (Version 3.0), as well as the What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks released in October 2017 (Version 4.0) and January 2020 (Version 4.1), are available at: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Handbooks.


  1. Related Information Regarding Evidence and Evaluation

Section IV (4) and (5) of the NIA outlines reporting requirements, should the applicant be successful in obtaining an award. In your response to the selection criteria under evaluation you will want to take these requirements into consideration. 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 expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 34 CFR 75.118. For specific requirements on grantee reporting, please refer to the ED Grant Performance Report (ED 524-B Form) at: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html and see below for further details:


Evidence of Promise Study:

If awarded a grant, applicants must also submit a final evaluation report addressing the study to produce promising evidence which is referred to under selection criterion factor (e)(3). It is not required that the final evaluation report addressing the study to produce promising evidence be related to the study or intervention described above for Competitive Preference Priority 2, however it may be.


The Evidence of Promise Study should be seen as a tool to assist a potential grantee in meeting one of the purposes of the MSAP grant which is to improve the LEA’s capacity to continue operating magnet schools at high performance levels beyond the period of funding. On an annual basis, grantees will be asked to submit information on the progress of the Study in preparation for the Final Report due at the end of the grant, which will address the following five core elements:


  1. Study intervention What is being evaluated (schools, component of program)?

  2. Study goals What are the research questions?

  3. Study contrast – How is the study sample comprised? What is the comparison condition? Is the study sample of sufficient size (e.g., number of students, teachers, or schools) that there is adequate statistical power to detect relationships or effects?

  4. Measurement – What are the key outcome measures? What data will be collected, and when will they be collected?

  5. Analysis approach – What model(s) will be used? How will missing data be handled? Are there relevant subgroup analyses? Which sensitivity tests are necessary?


Performance Reporting

The MSAP program has established six program-wide performance measures on which grantees will report annually, in addition to project-specific measures, to assess progress toward meeting the purpose of the MSAP. Three are annual measures and three are long-term measures.


  1. The number and percentage of magnet schools receiving assistance whose student enrollment reduces, eliminates, or prevents minority group isolation.

  2. The percentage increase of students from major racial and ethnic groups in magnet schools receiving assistance who score proficient or above on State assessments in reading/language arts as compared to previous year’s data.

  3. The percentage increase of students from major racial and ethnic groups in magnet schools receiving assistance who score proficient or above on State assessments in mathematics as compared to previous year’s data.

  4. The percentage of MSAP-funded magnet schools still operating magnet school programs three years after Federal funding ends.

  5. The percentage increase of students from major racial and ethnic groups in MSAP-funded magnet schools who score proficient or above on State assessments in reading/language arts three years after Federal funding ends.

  6. The percentage increase of students from major racial and ethnic groups in MSAP-funded magnet schools who score proficient or above on State assessments in mathematics three years after Federal funding ends.



Instructions for Budget Narrative


The Budget Narrative Attachment Form in the Grants.gov application package is where applicants attach budget information.


Provide an itemized budget breakdown, and justification by project year, for each budget category listed in Sections A and B. For grant projects that will be divided into two or more separately budgeted major activities or sub-projects, show the breakdown of the specific expenses attributable to each sub-project or activity for each budget category of a project year. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on which fringe benefits are calculated.


Additionally, in providing explanations and comments, applicants should identify planning costs, which are subject to limitations under Section 4408 of the MSAP Statute. Specifically, planning costs are limited to 50% of the amount awarded for the first year of the project; 15% for the second year of the project; and 15% for the third year of the project, and are not permissible in years 4 and 5. Planning costs would include, for example, any cost incurred in the first year of a project for a magnet school that would not begin to implement its program until the second year of the project. Applicants are reminded that evaluation costs and professional development costs are not considered to be planning costs.


NOTE: To ensure that students can access the magnet school and the school can draw a diverse student body despite segregated housing patterns, transportation is an allowable cost under MSAP. However, section 4407(A)(9) stipulates that the costs of such transportation must not represent a significant portion of the grant funds received by an local education agency (LEA) and must be sustainable beyond the grant period. If your budget includes funds for students’ transportation to and from the magnet school, please stipulate this clearly in your budget narrative and detail how your LEA will be able to meet the requirements of section 4407(A)(9).


Finally, if you are requesting reimbursement for indirect costs on line 10, specify the estimated amount of the base to which the indirect cost rate is applied and the total indirect expense. Depending on your approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, some direct cost budget categories in your grant application budget may not be included in the base and multiplied by your indirect cost rate. Please indicate which costs are included and which costs are excluded from the base to which the indirect cost rate is applied and include a copy of LEA’s approved indirect cost rates. Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary.


Instructions for Other Documents & Attachments


All applicants are required to submit the following documents and attachments:


Desegregation Plan Information Form, Summary and Assurances


A copy of the Desegregation Plan Form is available for download on the MSAP website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice-improvement-programs/magnet-school-assistance-program-msap/applicant-info-and-eligibility/ and an example is provides below.


To complete this form you will:

    • Indicate in the first section whether you are implementing a required plan or a voluntary plan and attach copies of the appropriate documents as described in further detail in this section based on the type of desegregation plan being implemented.

    • Provide summary information for the desegregation plan as outlined in the second Section of the form

    • Have the third section, the Magnet School Assurances signed by the appropriate party and attach to the application with the components above.


Tables 1 – 4—Enrollment Data


These tables provide current and projected enrollment data for the LEA, the magnet schools included in the project, and the schools from which students would be drawn (feeder schools), which is required pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §280.20(f).


Tables 1-4 are located on the MSAP website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice-improvement-programs/magnet-school-assistance-program-msap/applicant-info-and-eligibility/. Please download the forms, complete the forms, “save as” the table number, and upload the completed forms as an attachment to the rest of the application in Grants.gov. Note: A separate copy of Table 3 will be needed for each magnet school included in the project.


Specific instructions for each Table are included on the form itself and further descriptions of these and examples of each are included in Section IV of this document.


Table 5— Evidence for New or Revised Magnet Schools Projects-Competitive Preference Priority 2


This item is optional and should be included in the applicant’s submission only if they have chosen to seek competitive priority points under Competitive Preference Priority 2.


Specific instructions are included in the form. The questions are designed to help applicants identify if the schools included in the proposed project are considered new or revised programs, and if revised, the significance of the revision. An example of this form follows:


Table 5: Evidence Supporting New or Revised Projects-Competitive Preference Priority 2

Instructions:

  • If all of the schools participating in the project are new magnet schools, indicate “No Revised Magnet Schools Participating in the Project” in the first box below: “Nature of Revision or Change to the Magnet School.”

  • For each existing magnet school the applicant proposes to revise, briefly describe the nature of the change that is being made to the magnet school program at that school (for example, expansion of program from PWS serving 50 students to whole-school program serving 400 students; adding medical sciences within school to complement other PWS and serve greater total number of students; upgrade thematic curriculum to maintain program attractiveness; replace existing magnet program, etc.); and

  • Explain the significance of the revision to the magnet school. Relevant information might include, for example, discussion of diminishing effectiveness of the existing program; what would be accomplished or achieved as a result of the revision to the magnet program; changes in the number of students participating in the existing program; the expected benefits or effects that would result from implementation of the revision; the need, if appropriate, to expand from a within-school program to a whole-school program; etc.

  • Provide evidence as described in the Application Package to demonstrate that the school(s) are evidence based.

  • Use additional sheets, if necessary.

LEA Name:

Magnet School:

Nature of Revision or Change to the Magnet School:


Explanation of How or Why the Revision is Significant:





Table 6— Selection of Students-Competitive Preference Priority 3


This item is optional and should be included in the applicant’s submission only if they have chosen to seek competitive priority points under Competitive Preference Priority 3.

Specific instructions for the form included within and you should complete a separate Table 6 for each school in the proposed project.


An example of this form follows:


Table 6: Selection of Students-Competitive Preference 3

Instructions:

For each magnet school included in the project:

  • Indicate whether academic examination is used as a factor in the selection of students for the magnet school and, if so, how it is used.

  • Briefly describe how students are selected (e.g., weighted lottery, first come/first served, etc.). In the description, identify the criteria that are used, if any, in selecting students and indicate how each of those criteria is used in the process.

  • If the process and use of academic examinations apply to more than one of the magnet schools include the name of each school in the “Magnet School(s)” field.

  • Use additional sheets or space, if necessary.

  • Information on the student selection processes used by other magnet schools (i.e., magnet schools that are not included in the project) is not needed.

LEA Name:

Magnet School(s):

Check the appropriate box:

¨ Academic examination is a criterion in the magnet school student selection process.

¨ Academic examination is not a criterion in the magnet school student selection process.

Describe the student selection process.


Magnet School(s):

Check the appropriate box:

¨Academic examination is a criterion in the magnet school student selection process.

¨Academic examination is not a criterion in the magnet school student selection process.

Describe the student selection process.


Joint Application Information - Competitive Preference Priority 5


If the application is a joint application between two or more local educational agencies to implement an inter-district magnet schools plan, the application must provide the information described in 34 CFR 75.128 concerning the agency that will be designated as the applicant and the agreement between members of the group.


Please note that per 34 CFR 74.129, all LEAs must provide legally required data, such as signed MSAP Assurance forms and LEA Enrollment Tables.


Resumes


Provide individual resumes for the proposed project directors and other key personnel described in project narrative. Provide brief resumes or, for positions that would be filled after a grant is awarded, job descriptions that include relevant qualifications for the individual(s) that the district would seek to recruit for those positions. Each resume should be limited to no more than three pages in length.


Logic Model


As described in the NIA, in the context of addressing the Selection Criteria for this program, particularly the first section addressing Desegregation, it is recommended that applicants include a logic model depicting the connection between the proposed project activities and the Desegregation Plan goals summarized in the Desegregation Plan Summary Form described above.


Letters of Support (Optional)


Applicants may choose to include letters from key stakeholders or partners, such as parent or educator organizations, community organizations, or other civic bodies, among others, to support their narrative response to the competition Selection Criteria or other specific aspects of their proposed projects.


  1. DEMONSTRATION OF MSAP ELIGIBILITY

Desegregation Plan and Assurances

To facilitate the review of the LEA’s Desegregation Plan for the purposes of determining eligibility for an MSAP award, please provide the following information:


  1. Plan Type – Please check the appropriate box and attach required documentation

A Required Plan: A plan that is undertaken pursuant to a final order issued by a court of the United States, or a court of any State, or any other state agency or official of competent jurisdiction that requires the desegregation of minority group segregated children or faculty in the elementary and secondary schools of that agency or those agencies.


Attach the Following Documents:

  • A copy of the court or agency order that demonstrated that the magnet school(s) for which assistance is sought under the grant are a part of the approved plan.

  • All subsequent related court orders.

  • If a State Agency-Required Plan, include documentation showing state agency approval of the plan.

  • If an OCR-Required Plan: the original OCR-required desegregation plan.


Modifications to Plans: If the applicant is implementing a previously approved plan that does not include the magnet school(s) for which assistance is requested, the plan must be modified to include the new magnet school(s). The applicant must obtain approval of the new magnet schools, or any other modification to its desegregation plan, from the court, agency or official that originally approved the plan. The date by which proof of approval of any desegregation plan modification must be submitted to the US Department of Education is identified in the closing date notice. Any required desegregation plan modification should be received by [30 days following the application submission date] and should be scanned and emailed to Gillian Cohen-Boyer at [email protected] or mailed to her at U.S. Department of Education; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; 400 Maryland Avenue SW; Washington, DC 20202-5970

A Voluntary Plan: A plan to reduce, eliminate, or prevent minority group isolation that is being implemented (or would be implemented if assistance under the Magnet Schools Assistance Program is made available) on either a voluntary basis or as required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Attach the Following Documents

  • A copy of the plan

  • A copy of the school board resolution adopting and implementing the plan or agreeing to adopt and implement the plan upon the award of assistance.

  • If the applicant is not a traditional LEA, but rather an entity considered an LEA for the purposes of grants (such as some charter school LEA or regional service providers), include appropriate documentation indicating the entity is an eligible LEA under MSAP in the State where the entity proposes to create, implement, or expand magnet schools to support the appropriate approvals described above.

  1. Desegregation Plan Summary

Please submit a summary of your desegregation plan demonstrating that the plan will reduce, eliminate, or prevent minority group isolation (MGI) in a magnet school or feeder school with substantial proportions of minority students


Please note that in the context of MSAP, MGI describes situations in which the enrollment of a particular group of minority students is so high within a school that exposure to students of other races is limited. Also, the term “feeder schools,” is not used in the traditional sense, but rather refers to the schools that students attending magnet schools would otherwise have attended had the magnet school not been available.


Finally, the definition of minority groups can be found in MSAP’s regulations at 20. U.S.C. 280.


The summary should be no more than two pages and identify or describe:

  • The overarching goals of the desegregation plan.

  • The definition or description of minority group isolation in the LEA(s).

  • Each elementary or secondary school (either proposed magnet schools or their feeders) in which the project is intended to reduce, prevent, or eliminate minority group isolation.


  • The racial/ethnic group(s) targeted for reducing, eliminating, or preventing minority group isolation at each MSAP school or (if the minority group isolation being addressed is occurring at one or more feeders) feeder.


  • How each school being targeted for the reduction, prevention, or elimination of minority group isolation fits into the LEAs’ school configuration and enrollment patterns.


  • How the development or revision of magnet schools proposed in the desegregation plan is designed—by strategic placement of programming, selection of special curricula, targeted recruitment or otherwise—to effectively prevent, reduce, or eliminate minority group isolation in elementary or secondary schools with substantial proportions of minority students.


  1. Magnet Schools Assistance Program Assurances


In accordance with section 4405(b)(2) of the ESSA, the applicant hereby assures and certifies that it will──


(A) use grant funds under this part for the purposes specified in section 4401(b);


(B) employ highly qualified teachers in the courses of instruction assisted under this part;


(C) not engage in discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in the hiring, promotion, or assignment of employees of the applicant or other personnel for whom the applicant has any administrative responsibility;


(D) not engage in discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in the assignment of students to schools, or to courses of instruction within the schools, of such applicant, except to carry out the approved plan;


(E) not engage in discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in designing or operating extracurricular activities for students;


(F) carry out a high-quality education program that will encourage greater parental decision-making and involvement; and


(G) give students residing in the local attendance area of the proposed magnet school program equitable consideration for placement in the program, consistent with desegregation guidelines and the capacity of the applicant to accommodate the students.


* * * * * * * * * * * *


If the applicant has an approved desegregation plan, the applicant hereby assures and certifies that it is implementing that desegregation plan as approved.



__________________________ _________

Signature of Authorized Date

Representative

__________________________________________

Printed Name & Title of Authorized Representative:






Instructions for Enrollment Data


These instructions apply to Tables 1-4. Examples of each of the Tables are provided below these instructions. The tables that are included in this application guide packet are for demonstration only.


The official enrollment data tables are located on the Magnet Schools Assistance Program website at https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/school-choice-improvement-programs/magnet-school-assistance-program-msap/applicant-info-and-eligibility/. The tables are displayed in a suggested format. You will need to download each fillable PDF table, complete the table, “save as” the appropriate table name, and upload each table with your application in Grants.gov.


Please note that while this information is required, applicants that are unable to provide some portion of the data may provide other information to demonstrate that the creation or operation of its proposed magnet school would reduce, eliminate or prevent minority group isolation.


Table 1 - Magnet Schools Included in Project


Table 1 requires applicants to list all of the magnet schools included in the project and indicate: whether they are whole school or programs within school magnets; whether they are proposed as new magnets or are existing magnets; and for existing magnet schools—schools that already implement a magnet program, regardless of whether the magnet program has been previously supported by MSAP funds—the school year in which the school began implementation of a magnet program.


Table 2 - Enrollment Data for the Local Educational Agency (LEA)


Table 2 requires applicants to provide LEA-level enrollment data for the current school year and projected enrollment for five subsequent school years.


First provide actual enrollment data for the current school year as of October 1, 2021 (or the closest date to October 1, 2021, when the LEA’s enrollment data was collected) for the grade levels (e.g., PK-8, as applicable) affected by the project. Enrollment data must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.


Then, provide enrollment data for the grade levels affected by the magnet project that shows the projected number of students as of October 1, 2022 (Project Yr. 1: School Yr. 2022-2023), October 1, 2023 (Project Yr. 2: School Yr. 2023-2024), October 1, 2024 (Project Yr. 3: School Yr. 2024-2025), October 1, 2025 (Project Yr. 4: School Yr. 2025-2026), and October 1, 2026 (Project Yr. 5: School Yr. 2026-2027). This enrollment data also must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.


Note:

  • All current or past enrollment data must be complete, accurate, and disaggregated by race and ethnicity. Applicants may not submit suppressed data.

  • Enrollment projections should assume full implementation of the project consistent with the description, including timelines, outlined in the application.

  • The narrative of the application should explain any enrollment projections that show inconsistent trends or dramatic changes in enrollment data.


Table 3 - Enrollment Data for the Magnet Schools Included in the Project


Table 3 requires applicants to provide, for all magnet schools included in the project, enrollment data for the current school year and projected enrollment for five subsequent school years.


First, provide actual enrollment data as of October 1, 2021 (or the closest date to October 1, 2021, when the LEA’s enrollment data was collected) by grade for each magnet school included in the project. This enrollment data must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.


Then, provide projected enrollment data by grade for each magnet school that shows the projected number of students as of October 1, 2022 (Project Yr. 1: School Yr. 2022-2023), October 1, 2023 (Project Yr. 2: School Yr. 2023-2024), October 1, 2024 (Project Yr. 3: School Yr. 2024-2025), October 1, 2025 (Project Yr. 4: School Yr. 2025-2026), and October 1, 2026 (Project Yr. 5: School Yr. 2026-2027). This enrollment data also must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.

Note:

  • If the proposed magnet school is a new school and therefore there is no enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year, provide an estimate of the enrollment that the school would have had for the 2021-2022 school year if it had operated as a regular school, consistent with the applicant’s policy for assigning students to regular non-magnet schools.

  • If the proposed project is magnet program within a school, rather than a whole school magnet, please provide data for the proposed program here and data for the whole school as a feeder school in Table 4.

  • All actual enrollment data must be complete, accurate, and disaggregated by race and ethnicity. Applicants may not submit suppressed data.

  • Enrollment projections should assume full and successful implementation of the project consistent with the description, including timelines, outlined in the application.

  • The narrative of the application should explain any enrollment projections that show inconsistent trends or dramatic changes in enrollment data. For example, if you project that enrollment of African American students will decline in year one, increase in year two, and decline again in year three, please provide an explanation.

  • Enrollment projections should be consistent with the minority group isolation annual targets reflected in the applicant’s performance measures.


Table 4 - Enrollment Data for Feeder Schools


Table 4 asks applicants to provide, for all feeder schools, enrollment data for the current school year and projected enrollment data for five subsequent school years. It is important to note that the Magnet Schools Assistance Program defines “feeder schools” as the schools from which students are drawn—that is, the schools at the same grade level as the magnet school that students would have attended if they did not attend the magnet school.


First, provide actual enrollment data as of October 1, 2021 (or the closest date to October 1, 2021, when the LEA’s enrollment data was collected) for each feeder school that shows the number of students enrolled in those schools and identifies the magnet school(s) associated with each feeder school. This enrollment data must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.


Provide projected enrollment data for the feeder schools identified above that shows the projected number of students as of October 1, 2022 (Project Yr. 1: School Yr. 2022-2023), October 1, 2023 (Project Yr. 2: School Yr. 2023-2024), October 1, 2024 (Project Yr. 3: School Yr. 2024-2025), October 1, 2025 (Project Yr. 4: School Yr. 2025-2026), and October 1, 2026 (Project Yr. 5: School Yr. 2026-2027). This enrollment data must be disaggregated by race and ethnicity.


Note:

  • All actual enrollment data must be complete, accurate, and disaggregated by race and ethnicity. Applicants may not submit suppressed data.

  • If the proposed magnet is program within a school, please provide data for the proposed magnet program in Table 3 and for the whole school here.

  • If the application is a joint application, you must provide separate data for the feeder schools from each participating LEA.

  • Enrollment projections should assume full and successful implementation of the project consistent with the description, including timelines, outlined in the application.

  • The narrative of the application should explain any enrollment projections that show inconsistent trends or dramatic changes in enrollment data. For example, if you project that enrollment of African American students will decline in year one, increase in year two, and decline again in year three, please provide an explanation.

  • Enrollment projections should be consistent with the minority group isolation annual targets reflected in the applicant’s performance measures.

LEA Name:

Table 1: Magnet Schools Included in the Project OMB-1855-0011- Expiration 07/31/2022

  • Please list each magnet proposed for development, expansion, and/or implementation as part of the application.

  • Indicate if the proposed magnet will be a whole-school magnet or a magnet program within a school.

  • Please indicate whether the magnet will be newly created as part of the MSAP project or is an existing magnet being further developed or revised. If the magnet is existing, indicate the first year it was implemented.

Magnet Name

Whole-School Magnet or Magnet Program Within a School

New or Existing

If Existing, First School Year as a Magnet










































LEA Name:

Table 2: Enrollment Data-LEA Level OMB-1855-0011- Expiration 07/31/2022

  • All LEAs (individually or as part of a consortium) should provide current data as of October 1, 2021, and projected data for Project Years 1-5 (October 1, 2022-2026).

  • Only provide data for the grade spans covered by the magnet schools being implemented as part of the proposed project.

  • For projected data, assume implementation of MSAP and provide realistic and logical data, consistent with data elsewhere in the application, to the extent possible.

Actual Enrollment

(Current School Year—October 1, 2021)

Grade Level

American Indian / Alaskan Native (#)

American Indian / Alaskan Native (%)

Asian (#)

Asian (%)

Black or African American (#)

Black or African American (%)

Hispanic/Latino (#)

Hispanic/Latino (%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (#)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (%)

White (#)

White (%)

Two or more races (#)

Two or more races (%)

Total Students

PK
















K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















Shape1

Example – Forms for the current year and each subsequent project year are available on the MSAP Web Site


LEA Name:

Magnet Name: Whole-school magnet Magnet program within a school

Table 3: Enrollment Data-Magnet Schools OMB-1855-0011- Expiration 07/31/2022

  • Provide data for all students in each grade the school enrolls for each magnet school participating in this project. Copy the forms for each magnet as needed.

  • Data for Project Years 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 should be based on the anticipated enrollment of the magnet school if the project is successfully implemented. Projected data should be realistic, logical, and consistent with other data found in the application.


Magnet Actual Enrollment

(Current School Year—October 1, 2021)

















Grade Level

American Indian / Alaskan Native (#)

American Indian / Alaskan Native (%)

Asian (#)

Asian (%)

Black or African American (#)

Black or African American (%)

Hispanic/Latino (#)

Hispanic/Latino (%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (#)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (%)

White (#)

White (%)

Two or more races (#)

Two or more races (%)

Total Students

















PK
































K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shape2

Example – Forms for the current year and each subsequent project year are available on the MSAP Web Site


LEA Name:

Table 4: Enrollment Data-Feeder School(s) OMB-1855-0011- Expiration 07/31/2022

  • For MSAP, feeders are the school(s) students would have attended had the magnet not existed. For each magnet, identify the feeder school(s) that are expected to send students. If a feeder school would send students in a particular grade span to all participating schools, indicate “All” in the magnet column.

  • Include whole-school data for any magnets reported as PWS in Table 3.

  • Data projections for Project Years 1 through 5 should show the expected enrollment of feeder school(s) if the school(s) in the project are successfully implemented.

Schools

Actual Enrollment as of October 1, 2021

(Current School Year)

FEEDER

FEEDER GRADE SPAN

MAGNET(S)

American Indian / Alaskan Native (#)

American Indian / Alaskan Native (%)

Asian (#)

Asian (%)

Black or African American (#)

Black or African American (%)

Hispanic/Latino (#)

Hispanic/Latino (%)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (#)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (%)

White (#)

White (%)

Two or more races (#)

Two or more races (%)

Total Students

























































































































































































































Shape3
  1. Example – Forms for the current year and each subsequent project year are available on the MSAP Web Site


  1. STANDARD FORMS AND CERTIFICATIONS


The standard forms used for the Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant competition are:


  • Application Form for Federal Assistance (SF 424 and Supporting Documents)

  • ED Supplemental Form for SF 424

  • Budget Information, Non-Construction Programs (ED 524, Sections A, B, and C)

  • Certification Regarding Lobby (Grants.gov)

  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

  • General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Requirements – Section 427


These forms are located at http://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.


Please Note:

  • The Standard Assurance form, Non-Construction Programs, must be completed in Sam.Gov.

  • Applicants are required to submit one of the lobbying forms. However, to avoid submission errors, we have made them both optional in Grants.Gov.


The following forms are provided as examples.


























Application for Federal Assistance SF-424


Instructions for U.S. Department of Education
Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance


  1. Project Director. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail and alternate email addresses of the Project Director to be contacted on matters involving this application. Enter Project Director’s level of effort (the percentage of time devoted to the grant). Items marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.


  1. New Potential Grantee or Novice Applicant. If applicable, for (a), check “Yes” if you meet the definition for new potential grantees or novice applicants specified in the program competition’s notice inviting applications (NIA) and included on the attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424”. By checking “Yes” the applicant certifies that it meets the new potential grantee or novice applicant requirements. Check “No” if you do not meet the definition for new potential grantees or novice applicants. For (b), if the program competition NIA is giving competitive preference points for new potential grantees or novice applicants, indicate how many points you are claiming for your application. The NIA will indicate how many are available depending on the design of the competition. Some competitions may provide more than one category of new potential grantees with differing levels of points.


  1. Qualified Opportunity Zones. If applicable, provide the Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) census tract number(s) if the NIA includes a QOZ Priority in which you propose to either provide services in QOZ(s) or are located in a QOZ.


  1. Human Subjects Research. (See I. A. “Definitions” in attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form.”)


    1. If Not Human Subjects Research. Check “No” if research activities involving human subjects are not planned at any time during the proposed project period. The remaining parts of Item 3 are then not applicable.


    1. If Human Subjects Research. Check “Yes” if research activities involving human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed project period, either at the applicant organization or at any other performance site or collaborating institution. Check “Yes” even if the research is exempt from the regulations for the protection of human subjects. (See I. B. “Exemptions” in attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.”)


    1. If Human Subjects Research is Exempt from the Human Subjects Regulations. Check “Yes” if all the research activities proposed are designated to be exempt from the regulations. Check the exemption number(s) corresponding to one or more of the eight exemption categories (Regulation revised in 2018 and became effective in 2019) listed in I. B. “Exemptions.” In addition, follow the instructions in II. A. “Exempt Research Narrative” in the attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.”


    1. If Human Subjects Research is Not Exempt from Human Subjects Regulations. Check “No” if some or all of the planned research activities are covered (not exempt). In addition, follow the instructions in II. B. “Nonexempt Research Narrative” in the attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.”


    1. Human Subjects Assurance Number. If the applicant has an approved Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) on file with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that covers the specific activity, insert the number in the space provided. (A list of current FWAs is available at: http://ohrp.cit.nih.gov/search/search.aspx?styp=bsc.) If the applicant does not have an approved assurance on file with OHRP, enter “None.” In this case, the applicant, by signature on the SF-424, is declaring that it will comply with 34 CFR part 97 and proceed to obtain the human subjects assurance upon request by the designated ED official. If the application is recommended/selected for funding, the designated ED official will request that the applicant obtain the assurance within 30 days after the specific formal request.


    1. If applicable, please attach your “Exempt Research” or “Nonexempt Research” narrative to your submission of the U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form as instructed in item II, “Instructions for Exempt and Nonexempt Human Subjects Research Narratives” in the attached page entitled “Definitions for U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.”


Note about Institutional Review Board Approval. ED does not require certification of Institutional Review Board approval with the application. However, if an application that involves non-exempt human subjects research is recommended/selected for funding, the designated ED official will request that the applicant obtain and send the certification to ED within 30 days after the formal request.

No covered human subjects research can be conducted until the study has ED clearance for protection of human subjects in research.


Public Burden Statement:

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (20 USC 3474 General Education Provisions Act). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email [email protected] and reference the OMB Control Number 1894-0007. Note: Please do not return the completed ED SF 424 Supplemental Form to this address.

  1. Definitions for U.S. Department of Education
    Supplemental Information for the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance


Definitions:


NEW POTENTIAL GRANTEE OR NOVICE APPLICANT


New Potential Grantee: The definition of New Potential Grantee is set in the program competition’s Notice Inviting Applications (NIA). The New Potential Grantee priority is from the Department’s Administrative Priorities for Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal Register March 9, 2020 (85 FR 13640).

Novice Applicant: For discretionary grant programs, novice applicant means any applicant for a grant from ED that—


  • Has never received a grant or subgrant under the program from which it seeks funding;


  • Has never been a member of a group application, submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, that received a grant under the program from which it seeks funding; and


  • Has not had an active discretionary grant from the Federal government in the five years before the deadline date for applications under the program. For the purposes of this requirement, a grant is active until the end of the grant’s project or funding period, including any extensions of those periods that extend the grantee’s authority to obligate funds.


In the case of a group application submitted in accordance with 34 CFR 75.127-75.129, a group includes only parties that meet the requirements listed above. The Novice Applicant priority is from 34 CFR 75.225, and it must be included in the program competition NIA to be claimed on the form.


QUALIFIED OPPORTUNITY ZONES


Definition: From 26 USC section 1400Z–1 of the Internal Revenue Code, which, in relevant part, defines “qualified opportunity zone” as “a population census tract that is a low-income community that is designated as a qualified opportunity zone.”


The Qualified Opportunity Zones priority is from the Department’s Final Priority for Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal Register November 27, 2019 (84 FR 65300).


Note: The Treasury Department has created a website of Opportunity Zones Resources that includes a searchable map: https://www.cdfifund.gov/​Pages/​Opportunity-Zones.aspx.


PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH


I. Definitions and Exemptions


A. Definitions.


A research activity involves human subjects if the activity is research, as defined in the Department’s regulations, and the research activity will involve use of human subjects, as defined in the regulations.

Research


The ED Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects, Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 97, define research as “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition constitute research whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program that is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.”


Human Subject


The regulations define human subject as “a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research obtains (i) information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual and uses, studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens, or (ii ) obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generate identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.”


If an activity involves obtaining information about a living person by manipulating that person or that person’s environment, as might occur when a new instructional technique is tested, or by communicating or interacting with the individual, as occurs with surveys and interviews, the definition of human subject is met. If an activity involves obtaining private information about a living person in such a way that the information can be directly or indirectly linked to that individual, the definition of human subject is met.


Private information includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or recording is taking place, and information which has been provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably expect will not be made public (for example, a school health record).


B. Exemptions.


Research activities in which the only involvement of human subjects will be in one or more of the following eight categories of exemptions are not covered by the regulations:


  1. Research conducted in established or commonly accepted educational settings, that specifically involves normal educational practices that are not likely to adversely impact students’ opportunity to learn required educational content or the assessment of educators who provide instruction. This includes most research on regular and special education instructional strategies, and research on the effectiveness of or the comparison among instructional techniques, curricula, or classroom management methods. If an educational practice is being introduced to the site and is not widely used for similar populations, it is not covered by this exemption.


  1. Research that only includes interactions involving educational tests (cognitive, diagnostic, aptitude, achievement), survey procedures, interview procedures or observation of public behavior (including visual or auditory recordings) if at least one of the following criteria is met: (i) the information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; (ii) Any disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects’ financial standing, employability, educational advancement or reputation; or (iii) the information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an Institutional Review Board (IRB) conducts a “limited IRB review” to make the determinations required by 34 CFR 97.111(a)(7).


If the subjects are children, exemption 2 applies only to research involving educational tests and observations of public behavior when the investigator(s) do not participate in the activities being observed.


Exemption 2 does not apply if children are surveyed or interviewed or if the research involves observation of public behavior and the investigator(s) participate in the activities being observed. Children are defined as persons who have not attained the legal age for consent to treatments or procedures involved in the research, under the applicable law or jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted.


  1. Research involving benign behavioral interventions in conjunction with the collection of information from an adult subject through verbal or written responses (including data entry) or audiovisual recording if the subject prospectively agrees to the intervention and information collection and at least one of the following criteria is met: (A) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects; (B) Any disclosure of the human subjects’ responses outside the research would not reasonably place the subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subject’ financial standing, employability, educational advancement or reputation; or (C) The information obtained is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects can readily be ascertained, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, and an IRB conducts a limited IRB review to make the determination required by 34 CFR 97.111(a)(7).


For the purpose of this provision, benign behavioral interventions are brief in duration, harmless, painless, not physically invasive, not likely to have a significant adverse lasting impact on the subjects, and the investigator has no reason to think the subjects will find the interventions offensive or embarrassing. Provided all such criteria are met, examples of such benign behavioral interventions would include having the subject play an online game, having them solve puzzles under various noise conditions, or having them decide how to allocate a nominal amount of received cash between themselves and someone else.


If the research involves deceiving the subjects regarding the nature or purposes of the research, this exemption is not applicable unless the subject authorizes the deception through a prospective agreement to participate in research in circumstances in which the subject is informed that he or she will be unaware of or misled regarding the nature or purposes of the research.


  1. Secondary Research for which Consent is not required. Secondary research uses of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens, if at least one of the following criteria is men: (i) The identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens are publicly available; (ii) Information, which may include information about biospecimens, is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that the identity of the human subjects cannot readily be ascertained directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects, the investigator does not contact the subjects, and the investigator will not re-identify subjects; (iii) the research involves only information collection and analysis involving the investigators’ use of identifiable health information when that use is regulated under 45 CFR parts 160 and 164, subparts A and E, for the purposes of “health care operations” or “research” as those terms are defined at 45 CFR 164.501 or for “public health activities and purposes” as described under 45 CFR 164.512 (b); or (iv) The research is conducted by, or on behalf of, a Federal department or agency using government-generated or government-collected information obtained for nonresearch activities, if the research generates identifiable private information that is or will be maintained on information technology that is subject to and in compliance with section 208(b) of the E-Government Act of 2002, 44 USC 3501 note, if all of the identifiable private information collected, used or generated as part of the activity will be maintained in systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 USC 552a, and, if applicable, the information used in the research was collected subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 USC 3501 et seq.


  1. Research and demonstration projects that are conducted or supported by a Federal department or agency, or otherwise subject to the approval of department or agency heads (or the approval of the heads of bureaus or other subordinate agencies that have been delegated authority to conduct the research and demonstration projects), and that are designed to study, evaluate, improve, or otherwise examine public benefit or service programs, including procedures for obtaining benefits or services under those programs, possible changes in or alternative to those programs or procedures, or possible changes in methods or levels of payment for benefits or services under those programs. Such projects include, but are not limited to, internal studies by Federal employees, and studies under contracts or consulting arrangements, cooperative agreements, or grants. Exempt projects also include waivers of otherwise mandatory requirements using authorities such as sections 1115 and 1115A of the Social Security Act as amended.

Each Federal department or agency conducting or supporting the research and demonstration projects must establish, on a publicly accessible Federal website or in such other manner as the department or agency head may determine, a list of the research and demonstration projects that the Federal department or agency conducts or supports under this provision. The research or demonstration project must be published on this list prior to commencing the research involving human subjects.


  1. Taste and food quality evaluation and consumer acceptance studies, (a) if wholesome foods without additives are consumed or (b) if a food is consumed that contains a food ingredient at or below the level and for a use found to be safe, or agricultural chemical or environmental contaminant at or below the level found to be safe, by the Food and Drug Administration or approved by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.


  1. Storage or Maintenance for Secondary Research for which Broad Consent is required. Storage or maintenance of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens for potential secondary research use if an IRB conducts a limited IRB review and makes the determinations requires by 34 CFR 97.111(a)(8).


  1. Secondary Research for which Broad Consent is Required. Research involving the use of identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens for secondary research use if the following criteria are met: (i) Broad Consent for the storage, maintenance and secondary research use of the identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens was obtained in accordance with 34 CFR 97.116(a) (1)-(4), (a) (6) and (d); (ii) Documentation of informed consent or waiver of documentation of consent was obtained in accordance with 34 CFR 97.117. (iii) an IRB conducts a limited IRB review and makes the determination that the research to be conducted is within the scope of the broad consent referenced in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section; and (iv) The investigator does not prevent an investigator from abiding by any legal requirements to return individual research results.


II. Instructions for Exempt and Nonexempt Human Subjects Research Narratives


If the applicant marked “Yes” for Item 3.b. of the U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form, the applicant must attach a human subjects “exempt research” or “nonexempt research” narrative to the U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form. If you have multiple projects, include information about each, labeling the responses as to the project they address. For applications that include multiple research projects this can be done in a single narrative or in more than one narrative as appropriate.


A. Exempt Research Narrative.

If you marked “Yes” for item 3.b. and designated exemption numbers(s), attach the “exempt research” narrative to the U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form. The narrative must contain sufficient information about the involvement of human subjects in the proposed research to allow a determination by ED that the designated exemption(s) are appropriate. The narrative must be succinct.


B. Nonexempt Research Narrative.

If you marked “No” for item 3.b. you must attach the “nonexempt research” narrative to the U.S. Department of Education Supplemental Information for the SF-424 form. The narrative must address the following seven points. Although no specific page limitation applies to this section of the application, be succinct.


  1. Human Subjects Involvement and Characteristics: Provide a detailed description of the proposed involvement of human subjects. Describe the characteristics of the subject population, including their anticipated number, age range, and health status. Identify the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of any subpopulation. Explain the rationale for the involvement of special classes of subjects, such as children, children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, persons with mental disabilities, pregnant women, prisoners, institutionalized individuals, or others who are likely to be vulnerable


  1. Sources of Materials: Identify the sources of research material obtained from individually identifiable living human subjects in the form of specimens, records, or data. Indicate whether the material or data will be obtained specifically for research purposes or whether use will be made of existing specimens, records, or data.


  1. Recruitment and Informed Consent: Describe plans for the recruitment of subjects and the consent procedures to be followed. Include the circumstances under which consent will be sought and obtained, who will seek it, the nature of the information to be provided to prospective subjects, and the method of documenting consent. State if the IRB has authorized a modification or waiver of the elements of consent or the requirement for documentation of consent.


  1. Potential Risks: Describe potential risks (physical, psychological, social, legal, or other) and assess their likelihood and seriousness. Where appropriate, describe alternative treatments and procedures that might be advantageous to the subjects.


  1. Protection Against Risk: Describe the procedures for protecting against or minimizing potential risks, including risks to confidentiality, and assess their likely effectiveness. Where appropriate, discuss provisions for ensuring necessary medical or professional intervention in the event of adverse effects to the subjects. Also, where appropriate, describe the provisions for monitoring the data collected to ensure the safety of the subjects.


  1. Importance of the Knowledge to be Gained: Discuss the importance of the knowledge gained or to be gained as a result of the proposed research. Discuss why the risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits to subjects and in relation to the importance of the knowledge that may reasonably be expected to result.


  1. Collaborating Site(s): If research involving human subjects will take place at collaborating site(s) or other performance site(s), name the sites and briefly describe their involvement or role in the research.


Copies of the Department of Education’s Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects, 34 CFR part 97 and other pertinent materials on the protection of human subjects in research are available from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4331, telephone: (202) 245-8090, and on the U.S. Department of Education’s Protection of Human Subjects in Research Web Site: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/humansub.html


NOTE: The State Applicant Identifier on the SF-424 form is for State Use only. Please complete it on the SF-424 form in the upper right corner of the form (if applicable).


Instructions for Completion of SF-LLL

DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES


This disclosure form shall be completed by the reporting entity, whether subawardee or prime Federal recipient, at the initiation or receipt of a covered Federal action, or a material change to a previous filing, pursuant to title 31 U.S.C. section 1352. The filing of a form is required for each payment or agreement to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action. Complete all items that apply for both the initial filing and material change report. Refer to the implementing guidance published by the Office of Management and Budget for additional information.


1. Identify the type of covered Federal action for which lobbying activity is and/or has been secured to influence the outcome of a covered Federal action.

2. Identify the status of the covered Federal action.

3. Identify the appropriate classification of this report. If this is a follow-up report caused by a material change to the information previously reported, enter the year and quarter in which the change occurred. Enter the date of the last previously submitted report by this reporting entity for this covered Federal action.

4. Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the reporting entity. Include Congressional District, if known. Check the appropriate classification of the reporting entity that designates if it is, or expects to be, a prime or subaward recipient. Identify the tier of the subawardee, e.g., the first subawardee of the prime is the 1st tier. Subawards include but are not limited to subcontracts, subgrants and contract awards under grants.

5. If the organization filing the report in item 4 checks “Subawardee,” then enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the prime Federal recipient. Include Congressional District, if known.

6. Enter the name of the federal agency making the award or loan commitment. Include at least one organizational level below agency name, if known. For example, Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard.

7. Enter the Federal program name or description for the covered Federal action (item 1). If known, enter the full Assistance Listing Number (ALN) number for grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and loan commitments.

8. Enter the most appropriate Federal identifying number available for the Federal action identified in item 1 (e.g., Request for Proposal (RFP) number; Invitations for Bid (IFB) number; grant announcement number; the contract, grant, or loan award number; the application/proposal control number assigned by the Federal agency). Included prefixes, e.g., “RFP-DE-90-001.”

9. For a covered Federal action where there has been an award or loan commitment by the Federal agency, enter the Federal amount of the award/loan commitment for the prime entity identified in item 4 or 5.

10. (a) Enter the full name, address, city, State and zip code of the lobbying registrant under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 engaged by the reporting entity identified in item 4 to influence the covered Federal action.

(b) Enter the full names of the individual(s) performing services, and include full address if different from

11. The certifying official shall sign and date the form, print his/her name, title, and telephone number.

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According to the Paperwork Reduction Act, as amended, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control Number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB No. 0348-0046. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0046), Washington, DC 2050



OMB Control No. 1894-0005 (Exp 06/30/2023)

NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS


The purpose of this enclosure is to inform you about the following provision in the Department of Education's General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) that applies to applicants for new grant awards under Department programs. This provision is Section 427 of GEPA, enacted as part of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Public Law (P.L.) 103-382).


To Whom Does This Provision Apply?


Section 427 of GEPA affects applicants for new grant awards under this program. ALL APPLICANTS FOR NEW AWARDS MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PROVISION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FUNDING UNDER THIS PROGRAM.


(If this program is a State-formula grant program, a State needs to provide this description only for projects or activities that it carries out with funds reserved for State-level uses. In addition, local school districts or other eligible applicants that apply to the State for funding need to provide this description in their applications to the State for funding. The State would be responsible for ensuring that the school district or other local entity has submitted a sufficient section 427 statement as described below.)


What Does This Provision Require?


Section 427 requires each applicant for funds (other than an individual person) 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 provision allows applicants discretion in developing the required description. The statute highlights six types of barriers that can impede equitable access or participation: gender, race, national origin, color, disability, or age. Based on local circumstances, you should determine whether these or other barriers may prevent your students, teachers, etc. from such access or participation in, the Federally-funded project or activity. The description in your application of steps to be taken to overcome these barriers need not be lengthy; you may provide a clear and succinct description of how you plan to address those barriers that are applicable to your circumstances. In addition, the information may be provided in a single narrative, or, if appropriate, may be discussed in connection with related topics in the application.


Section 427 is not intended to duplicate the requirements of civil rights statutes, but rather to ensure that, in designing their projects, applicants for Federal funds address equity concerns that may affect the ability of certain potential beneficiaries to fully participate in the project and to achieve to high standards. Consistent with program requirements and its approved application, an applicant may use the Federal funds awarded to it to eliminate barriers it identifies.


What are Examples of How an Applicant Might Satisfy the Requirement of This Provision?


The following examples may help illustrate how an applicant may comply with Section 427.


(1) An applicant that proposes to carry out an adult literacy project serving, among others, adults with limited English proficiency, might describe in its application how it intends to distribute a brochure about the proposed project to such potential participants in their native language.


(2) An applicant that proposes to develop instructional materials for classroom use might describe how it will make the materials available on audio tape or in braille for students who are blind.


(3) An applicant that proposes to carry out a model science program for secondary students and is concerned that girls may be less likely than boys to enroll in the course, might indicate how it intends to conduct "outreach" efforts to girls, to encourage their enrollment.


(4) An applicant that proposes a project to increase school safety might describe the special efforts it will take to address concern of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, and efforts to reach out to and involve the families of LGBT students


We recognize that many applicants may already be implementing effective steps to ensure equity of access and participation in their grant programs, and we appreciate your cooperation in responding to the requirements of this provision.


Estimated Burden Statement for GEPA Requirements

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefit (Public Law 103-382. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email [email protected] and reference the OMB Control Number 1894-0005.


OMB Approval No. 0348-0040


ASSURANCES - NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS


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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0348-0040), Washington, DC 20503


PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SEND IT TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE SPONSORING AGENCY.


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Note: Certain of these assurances may not be applicable to your project or program. If you have questions, please contact the awarding agency. Further, certain Federal awarding agencies may require applicants to certify to additional assurances. If such is the case, you will be notified.


As the duly authorized representative of the applicant I certify that the applicant:


1. Has the legal authority to apply for Federal assistance, and the institutional, managerial and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project cost) to ensure proper planning, management, and completion of the project described in this application.


2. Will give the awarding agency, the Comptroller General of the United States, and if appropriate, the State, through any authorized representative, access to and the right to examine all records, books, papers, or documents related to the award; and will establish a proper accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or agency directives.


3. Will establish safeguards to prohibit employees from using their positions for a purpose that constitutes or presents the appearance of personal or organizational conflict of interest, or personal gain.


4. Will initiate and complete the work within the applicable time frame after receipt of approval of the awarding agency.


5. Will comply with the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4728-4763) relating to prescribed standards for merit systems for programs funded under one of the 19 statutes or regulations specified in Appendix A of OPM's Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (5 C.F.R. 900, Subpart F).


6. Will comply with all Federal statutes relating to nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin; (b) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, and 1685-1686), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; (c) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicaps; (d) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C.  6101-6107), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age; (e) the Drug Abuse Office and Treatment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-255), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of drug abuse; (f) the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism; (g)  523 and 527 of the Public Health Service Act of 1912 (42 U.S.C.  290 dd-3 and 290 ee 3), as amended, relating to confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse patient records; (h) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), as amended, relating to nondiscrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing; (i) any other nondiscrimination provisions in the specific statute(s) under which application for Federal assistance is being made; and (j) the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the application.


7. Will comply, or has already complied, with the requirements of Titles II and III of the uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-646) which provide for fair and equitable treatment of persons displaced or whose property is acquired as a result of Federal or federally assisted programs. These requirements apply to all interests in real property acquired for project purposes regardless of Federal participation in purchases.


8. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 1501-1508 and 7324-7328) which limit the political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole or in part with Federal funds.

9. Will comply, as applicable, with the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 276a to 276a-7), the Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276c and 18 U.S.C. 874) and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C.  327-333), regarding labor standards for federally assisted construction subagreements.


10. Will comply, if applicable, with flood insurance purchase requirements of Section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-234) which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more.

11. Will comply with environmental standards which may be prescribed pursuant to the following: (a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and Executive Order (EO) 11514; (b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to EO 11738; (c) protection of wetlands pursuant to EO 11990; (d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with EO 11988; (e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.); (f) conformity of Federal actions to State (Clear Air) Implementation Plans under Section 176(c) of the Clear Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); (g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, (P.L. 93-523); and (h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (P.L. 93-205).

12 Will comply with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.) related to protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.


13. Will assist the awarding agency in assuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470), EO 11593 (identification and protection of historic properties), and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 469a-1 et seq.).


14. Will comply with P.L. 93-348 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development, and related activities supported by this award of assistance.


15. Will comply with the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of warm blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other activities supported by this award of assistance.


16. Will comply with the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.) which prohibits the use of lead- based paint in construction or rehabilitation of residence structures.


17. Will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 and OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.


18. Will comply with all applicable requirements of all other Federal laws, executive orders, regulations and policies governing this program.













SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING OFFICIAL




TITLE


APPLICANT ORGANIZATION





DATE SUBMITTED


Standard Form 424B (Rev. 7-97) Back

  1. Submitting Your Completed Application

The deadline for submission of Magnet Schools Assistance Program applications through Grants.gov is April 21, 2022.

01/2022



IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ FIRST


U.S. Department of Education

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants


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 of Education.


Browser Support


The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are supported for use with Grants.gov. However, these web browsers undergo frequent changes and updates, so we recommend you have the latest version when using Grants.gov. Legacy versions of these web browsers may be functional, but you may experience issues. Grants.gov no longer provides support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or below.

For additional information or updates, please see the Grants.gov Browser information in the Applicant FAQs: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser


ATTENTION – Workspace, Adobe Forms and PDF Files


Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html


  1. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.


2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.


a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out web forms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html


b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.


c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and UEI Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.


  1. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.


  1. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.


For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html


Helpful Reminders


  1. REGISTER EARLY – Grants.gov registration involves many steps including registration on SAM (www.sam.gov), which usually takes approximately 7 to 10 business days, but can take longer, depending on the completeness and accuracy of the data entered into the SAM database by an applicant. You may begin working on your application while completing the registration process, but you cannot submit an application until all of the Registration steps are complete. Please note that once your SAM registration is active, it will take 24-48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov, and before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. For detailed information on the Registration Steps, please go to: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html [Note: Your organization will need to update its SAM registration annually.]


Until April 3, 2022, entities that are not already registered in SAM.gov and who wish to do business with the Federal Government must obtain and/or use a valid Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS) to register their entity in SAM.gov. On and after April 4, 2022, entities that are not registered in SAM.gov will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) when they register and will not need to use a DUNS for entity registration or reporting. If registering before April 4, 2022, you can obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet at the following website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A DUNS number can be created within one to two business days.

Information about SAM is available at www.SAM.gov. To further assist you with registering in SAM or updating your existing SAM registration, see the Quick Start Guide for Grant Registrations and the Entity Registration Video at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.


  1. 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 to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.


Note: If you registered in SAM prior to April 4, 2022, and submit your application before April 4, 2022, you must provide the DUNS number on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This DUNS number is typically the same number used when your organization registered in SAM. If you do not include the same DUNS number assigned by SAM on your application as the DUNS you registered with, Grants.gov will reject your application.


To submit successfully beginning on April 4, 2022, you must provide the UEI on your application that was used when you registered as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) on Grants.gov. This UEI is assigned to your organization in SAM at the time your organization registers in SAM, when that registration occurs after April 4, 2022. If you do not enter the UEI assigned by SAM on your application, Grants.gov will reject your application.


  1. VERIFY SUBMISSION IS OK – You will want to verify that Grants.gov received your application submission on time and that it was validated successfully. To see the date/time your application was received, login to Grants.gov and click on the Track My Application link. For a successful submission, the date/time received should be earlier than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline date, AND the application status should be: Validated, Received by Agency, or Agency Tracking Number Assigned. Once the Department of Education receives your application from Grants.gov, an Agency Tracking Number (PR/award number) will be assigned to your application and will be available for viewing on Grants.gov’s Track My Application link.


If the date/time received is later than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the deadline 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/web/grants/applicants/encountering-error-messages.html. For more detailed information on troubleshooting Adobe errors, you can review the Adobe Reader Software Tip Sheet at: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html. 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 email at: mailto:[email protected] or access the Grants.gov Self-Service Knowledge Base web portal at: https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants


If electronic submission is required, you must submit an electronic application before 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 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. 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. (See the Federal Register notice for detailed instructions.)


Helpful Hints When Working with Grants.gov

Please go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html for help with Grants.gov. For additional tips related to submitting grant applications, please refer to the Grants.gov Applicant FAQs found at this Grants.gov link: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html as well as additional information on Workspace at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#workspace.


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.)


Attaching Files – Additional Tips

Please note the following tips related to attaching files to your application:


  • When you submit your application electronically, you must upload any narrative sections and all other attachments to your application as files in either Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word. Although applicants have the option of uploading any narrative sections and all other attachments to their application in either PDF or Microsoft Word, we recommend applicants submit all documents as read-only flattened PDFs, meaning any fillable PDF files must be saved and submitted as non-fillable PDF files and not as interactive or fillable PDF files, to better ensure applications are processed in a more timely, accurate, and efficient manner.

  • Grants.gov cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the same name within a grant submission. Therefore, each file uploaded to your application package should have a unique file name.

  • When attaching files, applicants should follow the guidelines established by Grants.gov on the size and content of file names. Uploaded file names must be fewer than 50 characters, and, in general, applicants should not use any special characters. However, Grants.gov does allow for the following UTF-8 characters when naming your attachments: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore, hyphen, space, period, parenthesis, curly braces, square brackets, ampersand, tilde, exclamation point, comma, semi colon, apostrophe, at sign, number sign, dollar sign, percent sign, plus sign, and equal sign. Applications submitted that do not comply with the Grants.gov guidelines will be rejected at Grants.gov and not forwarded to the Department.

  • Applicants should limit the size of their file attachments. Documents submitted that contain graphics and/or scanned material often greatly increase the size of the file attachments and can result in difficulties opening the files. For reference, the average discretionary grant application package with all attachments is less than 5 MB. Therefore, you may want to check the total size of your package before submission.


D-U-N-S Number Instructions



All applicants must have a D-U-N-S number in order to apply for federal funds.


NOTE: Check with your fiscal office to see if your institution has an assigned D-U-N-S before contacting Dun & Bradstreet.


Please provide the applicant's D‑U‑N‑S Number. You can obtain your D‑U‑N‑S Number at no charge by calling 1‑800‑333‑0505 or by completing a D‑U‑N‑S Number Request Form. The form can be obtained via the Internet at the following URL:


http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/index.html



The D‑U‑N‑S Number is a unique nine digit number that does not convey any information about the recipient. A built-in check digit helps assure the accuracy of the D‑U‑N‑S Number. The ninth digit of each number is the check digit, which is mathematically related to the other digits. It lets computer systems determine if a D‑U‑N‑S Number has been entered correctly.


Dun & Bradstreet, a global information services provider, has assigned D‑U‑N‑S numbers to over 43 million companies worldwide. Live help Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (EST) Dial 1-888-814-1435.


Note: Electronic submission via Grants.gov must use the D-U-N-S number your organization used when it registered in the System for Award Management.





















  1. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Executive Order 12372

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs


This program is subject to the requirement of the 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.



Paperwork Burden Statement

According to the Paperwork reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is: 1855-0011. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to by 40.5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data resources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain benefits under 20 U.S.C. 7231d. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this application, please contact (Magnet Schools Assistance Program, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, 3C134, Washington D.C. 20202-5970) directly. Note: Please do not return the completed application this address.





File Typeapplication/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File TitleArchived: FY2010 Magnet Schools Assistance Program Application Package (MS Word)
AuthorTy Harris;U.S. Department of Education
File Modified0000-00-00
File Created2022-01-31

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