Applicant Eligibility: Recipients of funds under this program are regional entities or consortia. Each regional technology consortium shall be composed of State educational agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or a combination thereof. For example, for the purposes of the program, a consortium may include: (a) An already defined regional consortia, the regional educational laboratories, the comprehensive regional assistance centers, or a similar regional entity whether designated and funded by the Department of Education or by another agency; (b) a combination of two or more of these already defined regional entities; (c) a combination of one or more of these regional entities in addition to any State educational agencies, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit organizations; or (d) State educational agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or a combination thereof.

Beneficiary Eligibility: RTEC grantees target products and services to a broad range of constituents, with a significant focus on benefiting underserved communities with little access to technology. Clients of RTEC grantees might include State and local educational agencies, schools and school districts, administrators, staff developers, curriculum coordinators and other K-12 educators and a number of teachers, as well as pre-service and adult literacy providers.

Credentials/Documentation: None.

Pre-application Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs". An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure: Applications forms and instructions are available from the program office. Application deadlines and other information for applicants are published in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure: After the completion of a competitive review of applications by panels of staff and nonfederal reviewers, according to the selection criteria published in the Federal Register's application notice, the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Educational Research and Improvement approves the selection of applications for negotiation.

Deadlines: Application deadlines and other information for applicants are published as a notice in the Federal Register.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Approximately 120 days following the application deadline.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (see 34 CFR 75.253). Generally, for multiple-year awards, continuation awards after the first budget period are made if; sufficient funds have been appropriated; the recipient has either made substantial progress in meeting the goals of the project or obtained approval for changes in the project; the recipient has submitted all required reports; and continuation is in the best interest of the government. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Formula and Matching Requirements: None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Following the initial, competitively selected award for twelve months, four additional one-year non-competing continuation awards may be made, for a total maximum term of five years. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Reports: As required by the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, annual performance and financial reports are required.

Audits: See 34 CFR 74.26. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-133. State and local governments are subject to the requirements in the Single Audit Act and the ED regulations implementing OMB Circular No. A-133 (see 34 CFR 80). In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records: As required by EDGAR for direct grant programs (34 CFR 75). Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance, and performance must be maintained for a period of five years after completion.

Account Identification: 91-0500-0-1-503.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $10,000,000; FY 02 est $10,000,000; and FY 03 est $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Average award in 2001 was $995,000.

Ten regional technology in education consortia were awarded in fiscal year 2001.

Education Department General Administrative Regulations, 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86.

Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED*

Web Site Address:  http://www.rtec.org

Contact the Program Office for information on funded projects.

For detailed criteria, refer to the application notices published in the Federal Register.