Notice2025-10537
Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants)
Primary source
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
June 11, 2025
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
On November 20, 2024, the Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) State Grants competition. The NIA established a deadline date of February 3, 2025, for the transmittal of applications. The Department is correcting the NIA by removing some of the competitive preference priorities. This notice also reopens the competition and extends the deadline dates for transmittal of applications and intergovernmental review. All other information in the NIA remains the same.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 111 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24598-24601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10537]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and
Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (State Grants)
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice; corrections and reopening.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On November 20, 2024, the Department of Education (Department)
published in the Federal Register a notice inviting applications (NIA)
for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness
for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) State Grants competition. The NIA
established a deadline date of February 3, 2025, for the transmittal of
applications. The Department is
[[Page 24599]]
correcting the NIA by removing some of the competitive preference
priorities. This notice also reopens the competition and extends the
deadline dates for transmittal of applications and intergovernmental
review. All other information in the NIA remains the same.
DATES:
These corrections are applicable on: June 11, 2025.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 25, 2025.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 25, 2025.
Given the changes to the competitive priorities, the Department
will not consider applications submitted prior to June 11, 2025.
Applicants that have already timely submitted an application under the
2025 GEAR UP State competition must resubmit an updated application on
or before the reopened application deadline of June 25, 2025 for the
application to be reviewed. Program staff will endeavor to notify
applicants that have already submitted an application of the
requirement to submit an updated application. The Department will
consider the application that is last submitted and timely received by
11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 25, 2025.
ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at
<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Witthoefft, U.S. Department of
Education, office 5B132, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-
6450. Telephone: (202) 453-7576. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d391b6bdfd84baa7a7bbbcb6b5b5a793b6b7fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e7a58289c9b08e93938f8882818193a78283c9808891">[email protected]</span></a> or
ReShone Moore, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20202-6450. Telephone: (202) 453-7624. Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#772512241f181912593a1818051237121359101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="530136003b3c3d367d1e3c3c21361336377d343c25">[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: On November 20, 2024, the Department
published an NIA for the FY 2025 GEAR UP State grants competition in
the Federal Register (89 FR 91715). The Department is correcting the
NIA by removing some of the competitive preference priorities,
reopening the competition and extending the deadline for transmittal of
applications, and extending the deadline for intergovernmental review
for the FY 2025 GEAR UP competition. The Department is correcting this
NIA as part of a comprehensive review of recently published FY 2025
NIAs. This reevaluation seeks to ensure that all priorities and
requirements for the Department's FY 2025 competitions align with the
objectives and priorities established by the current administration
while fostering consistency across all grant programs as well as
ensuring our ability to make timely awards. The Department is dedicated
to optimizing the impact of our grant competitions on students and
families, as well as enhancing the economic effectiveness of federal
education funding. All other information in the NIA remains the same.
Corrections
In FR Doc. 2024-27055, published in the Federal Register on
November 20, 2024 (89 FR 91715), we made the following corrections:
1. On page 91715, in the second column, DATES is corrected to read
as follows:
``DATES:
Applications Available: November 20, 2024.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 25, 2025.
Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 25, 2025.''
2. On page 91715, in the second column, ADDRESSES is corrected to
read as follows:
``ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the
Federal Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528) and available at
<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs</a>.''
3. On page 91715, in the third column, ``Priorities:'' is corrected
to read as follows:
``Priorities: This notice contains four competitive preference
priorities'' to ``This notice contains one competitive preference
priority.'' Then, delete ``Competitive Preference Priorities 2 and 3
are from the Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions
for Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 10,
2021 (86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities). Competitive Preference
Priority 4 is from 34 CFR 75.226(b).''
4. On page 91716, in the first column, the first paragraph from the
top and the first sentence after it are corrected to read as follows:
``Competitive Preference Priority: For FY 2025 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
two points to an application, depending on how well the application
meets the competitive preference priority.
This priority is:''
5. On page 91716, in the first and second columns, remove the
following:
``Competitive Preference Priority 2--Increasing Postsecondary
Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post-Enrollment
Success (up to 5 points). Projects that are designed to increase
postsecondary access, affordability, completion, and success for
underserved students by establishing a system of high-quality data
collection and analysis, such as data on persistence, retention,
completion, and post-college outcomes, for transparency,
accountability, and institutional improvement. Competitive Preference
Priority 3--Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs (up
to 5 points). Projects that are designed to improve students' social,
emotional, academic, and career development, with a focus on
underserved students, through fostering partnerships, including across
government agencies (e.g., housing, human services, employment
agencies), local educational agencies, community- based organizations,
adult learning providers, and postsecondary education intuitions, to
provide comprehensive services to students and families that support
students' social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs, and
that are inclusive with regard to race, ethnicity, culture, language,
and disability status. Competitive Preference Priority 4--Moderate
Evidence (0 or 3 points).
Applications supported by evidence that meets the conditions in the
definition of ``moderate evidence'' (as defined in this notice).
Note: To address this priority, an applicant may submit up to two
study citations that it believes support the implementation of a GEAR
UP authorized activity proposed in the application and that meet the
moderate evidence standard. For State grantees,
[[Page 24600]]
required GEAR UP services are specified in section 404D(a) of the HEA
(20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(a)), and permissible services are specified in
section 404D(b) and (c) of the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(b) and (c)).
Applicants can cite What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) intervention
reports, WWC practice guides, or individual studies, including those
already listed in the Department's WWC Database of Individual Studies
and those that have not yet been reviewed by the WWC. The proposed
studies must be cited in the application section for Competitive
Preference Priority 4 as well as on the Evidence Form. Applicants must
also describe: (1) the project component(s) from the cited research
they intend to implement in their GEAR UP project, (2) the relevant
outcome(s) that are included in both the study (or WWC practice guide
or intervention report) and in the proposed project, (3) the research
findings suggesting a favorable relationship between the project
component and the relevant outcome, and (4) how the population and/or
settings in the cited research overlap with that of the proposed
project. The Department will review the research cited by the applicant
to determine whether it meets the requirements for moderate evidence
and whether it is sufficiently aligned with the proposed project.''
6. On page 91716, in the third column, ``Definitions:'' is
corrected to read as follows:
``Definitions: The definitions of ``experimental study,'' ``logic
model,'' ``quasi-experimental design study,'' and ``relevant outcome,''
are from 34 CFR 77.1(c).
Experimental study means a study that is designed to compare
outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are
otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment
group receiving a project component or a control group that does not.
Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies,
and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental
studies that, depending on their design and implementation (e.g.,
sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression
discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC)
standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbooks:
(i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for
example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the
project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to
receive the project component (the control group).
(ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project
component being evaluated using a measured variable (e.g., assigning
students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental
education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of
outcomes.
(iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case
(e.g., a student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in
the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to
determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the
treatment.
Logic model (also referred to as a theory of action) means a
framework that identifies key project components of the proposed
project (i.e., the active ``ingredients'' that are hypothesized to be
critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the
theoretical and operational relationships among the key project
components and relevant outcomes.
Note: In developing logic models, applicants may want to use
resources such as the Regional Educational Laboratory Program's (REL
Pacific) Education Logic Model Application, available at <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp">https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/elm.asp</a>, to help design their
logic models. Other sources include: <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf">https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014025.pdf</a>, <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf">https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/pacific/pdf/REL_2014007.pdf</a>, and <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf">https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/pdf/REL_2015057.pdf</a>.
Quasi-experimental design study means a study using a design that
attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a
comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important
respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation
(e.g., establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being
compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet
WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbooks.
Relevant outcome means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s)
the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the
specific goals of the program.
7. On page 91718, in the first column, under ``Applicable
Regulations'', remove ``(e) The Supplemental Priorities.''
8. On page 91718, in the first column, ``Estimated Available
Funds:'', ``The Administration has requested $398,000,000 for GEAR UP
for FY 2025, of which we intend to use an estimated $35,000,000 for the
State competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on
final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to
allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress
appropriates funds for this program'' is corrected to read
``$36,500,000. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimate in
this Notice.''
9. On page 91719, in the second and third columns, ``1. Application
Submission Instructions'' is corrected to read as follows:
``1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required
to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal
Register on December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528), and available at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/23/2024-30488/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs</a>.''
10. On page 91720, in the first column, in the fifth line in ``1.
Selection Criteria'', ``(1) The Secretary considers the the need for
the proposed project'' is corrected to read ``(1) The Secretary
considers the need for the proposed project.''
11. On page 91720, in the first column, the fourth paragraph from
the top is corrected to read as follows: ``We recommend that any
application addressing the competitive preference priority and/or
invitational priority include no more than three additional pages for
each priority addressed.''
12. On page 91722, in the first column, ``Continuation Awards'' is
corrected to read as follows:
``6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34
CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: whether a
grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and
objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a
manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; if
the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements,
whether the grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the
performance targets in the grantee's approved application, or whether
the continuation of the project is in the best interest of the Federal
Government.
In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers
whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in
its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil
rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities
receiving Federal financial assistance
[[Page 24601]]
from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).''
Other Information
Accessible Format: On request to the program contact persons 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 Portable Document Format (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.
Signing Authority
This document of the U.S. Department of Education was signed on May
28, 2025, by Christopher J. McCaghren, ED.D, Acting Assistant Secretary
Office of Postsecondary Education. That document with the original
signature and date is maintained by the U.S. Department of Education.
For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements
of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned has been
authorized to sign the document in electronic format for publication,
as an official document of the U.S. Department of Education. This
administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this
document upon publication in the Federal Register.
Tracey St. Pierre,
Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat, Office of the Secretary,
U.S. Department of Education.
[FR Doc. 2025-10537 Filed 6-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 11, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.