AUTHORIZATION:

Higher Education Act, as amended, Title VI, Part A, Section 603.

OBJECTIVES:

To improve the Nation's capacity to teach and learn foreign languages effectively by supporting the establishment, strengthening, and operation of language resource centers at institutions of higher education.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds may be used to carry out activities to improve the teaching and learning of foreign languages. These activities may include: (a) The conduct and dissemination of research on new and improved methods for teaching foreign languages, including the use of advanced educational technology; (b) the development and dissemination of new materials for teaching foreign languages to reflect the results of research on effective teaching strategies; (c) the development, application and dissemination of performance testing that is appropriate for use in an educational setting to be used as a standard measurement of skill levels in foreign language; (d) the training of teachers in the administration and interpretation of foreign language performance tests, the use of effective teaching strategies and the use of new technologies; (e) the publication of instructional materials in the less commonly taught foreign languages; (f) the widespread dissemination of research results, teaching materials, and improved pedagogical strategies to the postsecondary education community; and the operation of intensive summer language institutes to train advanced foreign language students, to provide professional development, and to improve language instruction through preservice and inservice language training for teachers. Equipment costs may not exceed 15 percent of the grant total.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Accredited American institutions of higher education or combinations of such institutions may apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Institutions of higher education or combinations of such institutions and individuals will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:   No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Eligible institutions may submit applications for funding when the announcement of a new competition is issued in the Federal Register. Application forms and guidelines for the submission of applications are available from the Advanced Training and Research Team of the International Education Programs Service

Award Procedure:   Final recommendations are made to the Secretary following advice from a panel of consultants.

Deadlines:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Approximately 90 days.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

Higher education institutions selected to receive funds for the four year phased program may submit annual performance reports for the continuation of support. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Grants are awarded for up to a 48-month period. Continuation awards are subject to the submission of satisfactory progress reports and are subject to the availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Funded centers must provide final reports upon completion of the 48 month program. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. All fiscal records will be subject to audit by the Department of Education at any time within three years after expiration of the grants.

Records:   All records supporting claims under grants or relating to the accountability for awarded funds must be available upon request: (1) For 3 years after close of the fiscal year in which the grant expired or (2) until the grantee is notified of the completion of the Federal financial audit, whichever is later.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0201-0-1-502.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 08 $4,949,670; FY 09 est $5,025,000; FY 10 est $5,025,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

to be determined.

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