Notice2025-10649
Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants); Correction
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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) Partnership 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 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.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 111 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24601-24603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10649]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Applications for New Awards; Gaining Early Awareness and
Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Partnership Grants); Correction
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice; corrections and reopening.
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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) Partnership 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 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
FY 2025 GEAR UP Partnership 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 only
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#b2f0d7dc9ce5dbc6c6daddd7d4d4c6f2d7d69cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99dbfcf7b7cef0ededf1f6fcffffedd9fcfdb7fef6ef">[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#8cdee9dfe4e3e2e9a2c1e3e3fee9cce9e8a2ebe3fa"><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 Partnership grants competition
in the Federal Register (89 FR 91708). The Department is correcting the
NIA by removing all 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. 2024-27054, published in the Federal Register on
November 20, 2024 (89 FR 91708), we made the following corrections:
1. On page 91708, in the third 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 91708, in the third column, ADDRESSES is corrected to
read as follows:
[[Page 24602]]
``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 91709, remove the following:
``Priorities: This notice contains three competitive preference
priorities. Competitive Preference Priorities 1 and 2 are from the
Secretary's Final Supplemental Priorities and Definitions for
Discretionary Grant Programs published in the Federal Register on
December 10, 2021 (86 FR 70612) (Supplemental Priorities). Competitive
Preference Priority 3 is from 34 CFR 75.226(b).
Competitive Preference Priorities: For FY 2025 and any subsequent
year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications
from this competition, these priorities are competitive preference
priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i), we award up to an additional
13 points to an application depending on how well the application meets
the competitive preference priorities.
These priorities are:
Competitive Preference Priority 1--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 2--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 3--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 the priority, an applicant may submit up to two
study citations that it believes supports the implementation of a GEAR
UP authorized activity proposed in the application and that meet the
moderate evidence standard. For Partnership grantees, 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) of
the HEA (20 U.S.C. 1070a-24(b)).
Applicants can cite What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) intervention
reports, WWC practice guides, or individual studies--both those already
listed in the Department's WWC Database of Individual Studies \1\ and
those that have not yet been reviewed by the WWC.
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\1\ <a href="https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ReviewedStudies#">https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/ReviewedStudies#</a>.
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The proposed studies must be cited in the section of the
application that addresses Competitive Preference Priority 3 as well as
on the Evidence Form. Applicants should 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 if it meets the
requirements for moderate evidence, as well as whether it is
sufficiently aligned with the proposed project.
4. On pages 91709, 91710 and 91711, ``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.
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.
[[Page 24603]]
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.''
5. On page 91711, in the first column, under Applicable
Regulations, remove ``(e) The Supplemental Priorities.''
6. On page 91711, in the first column, under ``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
Partnership 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'' to
``$36,500,000. Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates
in this Notice.''
7. On page 91712, in the second column, ``1. Application Submission
Instructions'' is corrected to read as follows:
``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>.''
8. On page 91712, in the third column, under ``Content And Form of
Application Submission,'' remove ``and the competitive preference
priorities''. In the same column, remove ``We recommend that any
application addressing the competitive preference priorities include no
more than three additional pages for each priority addressed.''
9. On page 91715, 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 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. 2025-10649 Filed 6-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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