Notice2024-30488
Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs
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Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 23, 2024
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
On December 7, 2022, the Department of Education (Department) published a revised set of common instructions for applicants seeking funds under a Department discretionary grant competition. In this notice, the Department is publishing a revised version of the common instructions that supersedes the version published on December 7, 2022.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 246 (Monday, December 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 104528-104530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30488]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education
Discretionary Grant Programs
AGENCY: Office for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice; revised common instructions.
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SUMMARY: On December 7, 2022, the Department of Education (Department)
published a revised set of common instructions for applicants seeking
funds under a Department discretionary grant competition. In this
notice, the Department is publishing a revised version of the common
instructions that supersedes the version published on December 7, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Terpak, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, room 4C212, Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 280-8472. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81cae4ededf8afd5e4f3f1e0eac1e4e5afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="347f5158584d1a60514644555f7451501a535b42">[email protected]</span></a>.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: This document is a centralized and up-to-date set of
instructions for applying to the Department's discretionary grant
programs. Notices inviting applications (NIAs) will reference this
document instead of providing this series of instructions within each
NIA. If in the rare circumstance exceptions to these instructions are
necessary, they will be noted in an individual competition NIA.
Revised Common Instructions:
The Department is making changes to the revised common instructions
for applicants that were published in the Federal Register on December
7, 2022 (87 FR 75045), to make them clearer and more direct. The
Department has also added guidance on the usage of Artificial
Intelligence when applying to grant competitions.
The revised common instructions are:
Common Set of Instructions for Applicants:
Application and Submission Information
1. Where to Find the Application Package: You can obtain an
application package from the Department's website or <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
2. Content and Formatting Requirements: Requirements concerning the
content and formatting of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for the program located on
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
3. Unique Entity Identifier, Taxpayer Identification Number, and
System for Award Management: To do business with the Department, and to
submit your application electronically using <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, you must--
a. Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN);
b. Be registered in the System for Award Management (<a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>), the
Government's primary registrant database. Information about SAM is
available at <a href="http://www.SAM.gov">www.SAM.gov</a>. To further assist you with registering in
<a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> and getting a UEI or updating your existing SAM registration,
see the Quick Start Guide for Grant Registrations and the Entity
Registration Video at <a href="https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>;
c. Provide your UEI number and TIN on your application; and
d. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information
while your application is under review by the Department and, if you
are awarded a grant, during the project period.
If you are a corporate entity, agency, institution, or
organization, you can obtain a TIN from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). If you are an individual, you can obtain a TIN from the IRS or
the Social Security Administration. If you need a new TIN, please allow
two to five weeks for your TIN to become active.
The SAM registration process usually takes approximately 7 to 10
business days, but may take longer, depending on the completeness and
accuracy of the data you enter into the <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> database. The
Department recommends that you register early, at least 10 to 14
business days before the application deadline. If you are unable to
submit an application on <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> by the application deadline because
you do not have an active SAM registration, you will not be considered
for funding.
Note: Once your <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> registration is active, it may be 24 to 48
hours before you can access the information in, and submit an
application through, <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
If you are currently registered with <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>, you may not need to
make any changes. However, please make certain that the TIN associated
with your UEI is correct.
Note: You must update your SAM registration annually. This may take
three or more business days.
e. (1) Register as an applicant using your UEI number and (2) be
designated by your organization's E-Biz Point of Contact as an
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Details on these steps
are outlined at the following <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> web page: <a href="https://grants.gov/register">https://grants.gov/register</a>.
4. Submission Instructions:
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
The Department is participating as a partner in the Government-wide
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> site. Submit applications electronically using <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
Do not email them unless explicitly allowed in a competition NIA.
You may access the electronic grant applications at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>.
You may search for the downloadable application package for the
competition that you are interested in applying to by the Assistance
Listing Number (ALN). Do not include the ALN's alpha suffix in your
search (e.g., search for 84.184, not 84.184D).
A <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> applicant must apply online using Workspace, a shared
environment in <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> where members of a grant team may
simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an
application. An applicant can create an individual Workspace for each
application and establish, for that application, a collaborative
application package that allows more than one person in the applicant's
organization to work concurrently on an application. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
system also enables the applicant to reuse forms from previous
submissions, check forms in and out to complete them, and submit the
application package. For further instructions on how to apply using
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, refer to: <a href="https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants">https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants</a>.
Please note the following:
<bullet> Assistance: Applicants needing assistance with <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
may contact the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Center either by calling 1-800-518-
4726 or by sending an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3c0c6c3c3dcc1c7f3d4c1d2ddc7c09dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a494f4a4a55484e7a5d485b544e49145d554c">[email protected]</span></a>. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
Support Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except
for Federal holidays. Applicants needing assistance from Principal
Office staff with their applications should
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contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section in the competition NIA prior to the application deadline date
during normal business hours, and no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Time, on the application deadline date.
Further information about applying for discretionary grants can
also be found on the <a href="http://ED.gov">ED.gov</a> website: <a href="https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/apply-grant/getting-started-discretionary-grant-applications">https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/apply-grant/getting-started-discretionary-grant-applications</a>.
<bullet> Time to Submit an Application: The amount of time it can
take to upload an application will vary depending on a variety of
factors, including the size of the application and the speed of your
internet connection. Therefore, the Department recommends that you
leave yourself plenty of time to complete your submission.
<bullet> Application Deadline, Date- and Time-Stamps: Applications
received by <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> are date- and time-stamped upon submission. Your
application must be fully uploaded and submitted, received, and date-
and time-stamped by the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system no later than 11:59:59 p.m.,
Eastern Time, on the application deadline date. Except as otherwise
noted in this section, the Department will not accept your application
if it is submitted, received, and date- and time-stamped by the
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system after 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the application
deadline date. The Department will not consider an application that
does not comply with the deadline requirements. When the Department
retrieves your application from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, the Department will notify
you if the Department is rejecting your application because it was
late. Receipt of a date- and time-stamp from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> does not mean
that your application meets program eligibility requirements described
in the NIA.
<bullet> Submission Procedures: You should review and follow the
Education Submission Procedures for submitting an application through
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> that are included in the application package for the program
to ensure that you submit your application on time. In addition, for
specific guidance and procedures for submitting an application through
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, please refer to the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website at: <a href="https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants">https://grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants</a>.
<bullet> Artificial Intelligence: The Department recognizes the
potential of artificial intelligence (AI) systems and generated content
to support the mission of promoting student achievement and ensuring
equal access. The use of AI in the development of grant application
materials is allowable. However, it should be noted that the use of AI
may introduce significant risks (such as, but not limited to, bias,
inaccuracy, falsification, and plagiarism), and applicants and grantees
are responsible for ensuring the integrity of application materials.
Applicants are fully responsible for the content of grant applications
and will be held accountable if their project design, even if it was
developed with the assistance of AI, has discriminatory or other
adverse outcomes when implemented.
We encourage applicants and grantees to become familiar and align
with the principles of responsible use discussed in Executive Order
14110, the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, and the National
Institute of Standards and Technology AI Risk Management Framework.
These resources can be found at: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/</a>,
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/</a>, and <a href="https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework">https://www.nist.gov/itl/ai-risk-management-framework</a>. For those applicants who
are proposing AI in their grant applications to develop or implement
new AI systems for use in educational settings, the Department highly
encourages applicants to review the recent resources produced by the
Department. These resources provide valuable insights that can guide
the responsible development and implementation of AI-based tools and
services intended to improve education outcomes. For more information
on the use of AI in Education, please visit: The Department of
Education, Office of Educational Technology at: <a href="http://tech.ed.gov">tech.ed.gov</a>.
Any questions related to an open grant competition may be directed
to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section in the competition NIA.
<bullet> Forms: When you submit your application electronically,
all documents must be submitted electronically, including all
information you typically provide on the following forms: the
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all Department-specific assurances
and certifications.
<bullet> File Type: 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, the Department recommends
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. If you choose to submit your application in Microsoft Word, you
may do so using any version of Microsoft Word (i.e., a document ending
in a .doc or .docx extension). If you upload a file type other than PDF
or Microsoft Word or if you submit a password-protected file, the
Department will be unable to review that material. Please note that
this will likely result in your application not being considered for
funding. The Department will not convert material from other formats to
PDF or Microsoft Word.
<bullet> Notification of Receipt: After you electronically submit
your application, you will receive from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> an automatic
notification of receipt that contains a <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> tracking number.
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will also notify you automatically by email if your
application met all of the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> validation requirements or if
there were any errors (such as submission of your application by
someone other than a registered Authorized Organization Representative
(AOR), issues with your UEI number, or inclusion of an attachment with
a file name that contains special characters). If you discover that
your submitted application was incomplete or included errors, you will
be given an opportunity to correct any errors and resubmit, but you
must still meet the deadline date and time (11:59:59) for submission.
Email confirmations and receipts from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> do not indicate
receipt by the Department, nor do they mean that your application is
complete or has met all application requirements. While your
application may have been successfully validated by <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, it also
must be reviewed in accordance with the Department's application
requirements as specified in the competition NIA and in these
application instructions. It is your responsibility to ensure that your
submitted application has met all of the Department's requirements.
Additionally, the Department may request that you provide us with
original signatures on forms at a later date.
Once your application is successfully validated by <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, the
Department will retrieve your application from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> and send you
an email with
[[Page 104530]]
a unique PR/Award number for your application.
<bullet> Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical
Issues with the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> System: If you experience problems with
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> while submitting your application, please contact the
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Desk immediately, toll-free, at 1-800-518-4726. The
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Center will provide you with a Support Desk Case
Number documenting your communication. You must retain your Support
Desk Case Number for future reference as proof of your communication
with the Support Center. Please subsequently contact the person listed
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section in the competition NIA
and provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced
with <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, along with the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Desk Case Number.
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems within the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system, the Department will grant you an
extension until 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time, the following business day
to enable you to transmit your application electronically, provided the
Department can verify the technical issues that affected your ability
to submit your application on time via your <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Desk
Case Number.
Note: The extensions to which the Department refers in this section
apply only to technical problems with the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system. The
Department will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully
register in order to submit your application to <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> (including
with the required UEI number and TIN currently registered in SAM)
before the application deadline date and time or if the technical
problem you experienced is unrelated to the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications.
The Department discourages paper applications, but if electronic
submission is not possible (e.g., you do not have access to the
internet), (1) you must provide a prior written notification that you
intend to submit a paper application and (2) your paper application
must be postmarked by the application deadline date.
The prior written notification may be submitted by email or by mail
to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
the competition NIA. If you submit your notification by email, it must
be received by the Department no later than 14 calendar days before the
application deadline date. If you mail your notification to the
Department, it must be postmarked no later than 14 calendar days before
the application deadline date.
If you submit a paper application, you must have, and include on
your application, a UEI number and mail the original and two copies of
your application, on or before the application deadline date, to the
Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, OFO/G5 Functional Application Team, Mail
Stop 2C124, Attention: (Assistance Listing Number + Suffix Letter), 400
Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, the
Department does not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
The Department will not consider applications postmarked after the
application deadline date.
Note for Mail Delivery of Paper Applications: If you mail your
application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and in Item 11 of the SF 424
the ALN, including suffix letter, if any, of the competition under
which you are submitting your application; and
(2) The G5 Functional Application Team will notify you of the
Department's receipt of your grant application. If you do not receive
this notification within 15 business days from the application deadline
date, you should contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of the competition NIA.
Accommodations; Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities
who need an accommodation or auxiliary aid in connection with the
application process should contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section in the competition NIA. If the Department
provides an accommodation or auxiliary aid to an individual with a
disability in connection with the application process, the individual's
application remains subject to all other requirements and limitations
in the competition NIA.
On request to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a
copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department
will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include
Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, compact disc, or other
accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of
Federal Regulations at <a href="http://www.govinfo.gov">www.govinfo.gov</a>. At this site you can view this
document, as well as all other Department documents published in the
Federal Register, in text or PDF. To use PDF, you must have Adobe
Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.
You may also access Department documents published in the Federal
Register by using the article search feature at
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov">www.federalregister.gov</a>. Specifically, through the advanced search
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published
by the Department.
Roberto Rodriguez,
Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-30488 Filed 12-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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