Higher Education Challenge Grants Program for Fiscal Year 1999; Request for Proposals and Request for Input

SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension

Service (CSREES) is announcing the Higher Education Challenge Grants

Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 1999. Proposals are hereby requested from

eligible institutions as identified herein for competitive

consideration of Challenge Grant awards. CSREES also is soliciting

comments regarding this request for proposals from any interested

party. These comments will be considered in the development of the next

request for proposals for this program. Such comments will be forwarded

to the Secretary or his designee for use in meeting the requirements of

section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Education Reform Act of 1998, 7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2).

DATES: Proposals must be received by close of business on March 9,

1999. Proposals received after the closing date will not be considered

for funding. Forms indicating intent to submit a proposal are due on

February 9, 1999. User comments are requested within six months from

the issuance of the request for proposals. Comments received after that

date will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written user input comments should be submitted by first-

class mail to: Office of Extramural Programs; Competitive Research

Grants and Awards Management; USDA-CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-2299, or via e-mail to: RFP-

[email protected] In your comments, please include the name of the

program and the fiscal year of the request for proposals to which you

are responding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey L. Gilmore, Ph.D., Higher

Education Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2251; 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2251; telephone:

(202) 720-2211; e-mail: [email protected].

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: CSREES also is soliciting comments regarding this

request for proposals from any interested party. These comments will be

considered in the development of the next request for proposals for

this program. Such comments will be forwarded to the Secretary or his

designee for use in meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of

the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998,

7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2). Written user input comments should be submitted by

first-class mail to: Office of Extramural Programs; Competitive

Research Grants and Awards Management; USDA-CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-2299, or via e-mail

to: [email protected] In your comments, please include the name of

the program and the fiscal year of the request for proposals to which

you are responding. Comments are requested within six months from the

issuance of the request for proposals. User comments received after

that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Administrative Provisions

B. Legislative Authority

C. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

D. Purpose of the Program

E. Eligibility

F. Available Funds

G. Targeted Need Areas Supported

H. Degree Levels Supported

I. Proposal Submission Limitations

J. Project Duration

K. Matching Requirements

L. Maximum Grant Amount

M. Limitation on Indirect Costs

N. Funding Limitations Per Institution

O. Maximum Number of Grants Per Institution

P. Other Limitations

Q. Evaluation Criteria

R. How to Obtain Applications Materials

S. What to Submit

T. Where and When to Submit

U. Acknowledgment of Proposals

V. Intent to Submit a Proposal

A. Administrative Provisions

This Program is subject to the provisions found at 7 CFR Part 3405.

These provisions set forth procedures to be followed when submitting

grant proposals, rules governing the evaluation of proposals and the

awarding of grants, and regulations relating to the post-award

administration of grant projects.

B. Legislative Authority

The authority for this program is contained in section 1417(b)(1)

of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy

Act of 1977, as amended (NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)). In accordance

with the statutory authority, subject to the availability of funds, the

Secretary of Agriculture, who has delegated the authority to the

Administrator of CSREES, may make competitive grants, for a period not

to exceed 5 years, to land-grant colleges and universities, to colleges

and universities having significant minority enrollments and a

demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and

agricultural sciences, and to other colleges and universities having a

demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and

agricultural sciences, to administer and conduct programs to respond to

identified State, regional, national or international educational needs

in the food and agricultural sciences. For this program, the term

``food and agricultural sciences'' means basic, applied, and

developmental teaching activities in food and fiber, agricultural,

renewable natural resources, forestry, and physical and social

sciences, and including related disciplines as defined in section

1404(8) of NARETPA, 7 U.S.C. 3103(8).

C. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance under No. 10.217, Higher Education Challenge Grants Program.

D. Purpose of the Program

Grants will be made to U.S. colleges and universities to strengthen

their teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences in the

targeted need areas as described herein. The Higher Education Challenge

Grants Program is designed to stimulate and enable colleges and

universities to provide the quality of education necessary to produce

baccalaureate or higher degree level graduates capable of strengthening

the Nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional work

force. It is intended that projects supported by the program will: (1)

Address a State, regional, national, or international educational need;

(2) involve a creative or nontraditional approach toward addressing

that need which can serve as a model to others; (3) encourage and

facilitate better working relationships in the university science and

education community, as well as between universities and the private

sector, to enhance program quality and supplement available resources;

and (4) result in benefits which will likely transcend the project

duration and USDA support.

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E. Eligibility

Proposals may be submitted by land-grant and other U.S. colleges

and universities offering a baccalaureate degree or any other higher

degree and having a demonstrable capacity for, and a significant

ongoing commitment to, the teaching of food and agricultural sciences

generally and to the specific need and/or subject area(s) for which a

grant is requested. In addition, a grantee institution must meet the

definition of a college or university as defined in 7 CFR 3405.2(f). An

institution eligible to receive an award under this program includes a

research foundation maintained by an eligible college or university.

F. Available Funds

CSREES anticipates that the amount available for project grants

under this program in FY 1999 will be approximately $4,079,000. Awards

will be based on merit evaluation of proposals by peer review panels

and internal staff review.

G. Targeted Need Areas Supported

For FY 1999, proposals must address one or more of the following

targeted need areas: (1) Curricula Design and Materials Development;

(2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; (3) Instruction

Delivery Systems; and (4) Student Experiential Learning. A description

of these targeted need areas can be found in the Scope of Program

section at 7 CFR 3405.6. A proposal may address a single targeted need

area or multiple targeted need areas, and may be focused on a single

subject matter area or multiple subject matter areas, in any

combination (e.g., curriculum development in horticulture; curriculum

development, faculty enhancement, and student experiential learning in

animal science; faculty enhancement in food science and agribusiness

management; or instruction delivery systems and student experiential

learning in plant science, horticulture, and entomology).

H. Degree Levels Supported

For FY 1999, proposals must be directed to undergraduate studies

leading to a baccalaureate degree. For purposes of this program,

proposals directed to the first professional degree in veterinary

medicine also are allowable. Projects directed to the graduate level of

study will not be supported.

I. Proposal Submission Limitations

There is no limit on the number of proposals any one institution

may submit. In addition, there is no limit on the number of proposals

which may be submitted on behalf of the same school, college, or

equivalent administrative unit within an institution.

J. Project Duration

A regular, complementary, or joint project proposal may request

funding for a project period of 18-36 months duration.

K. Matching Requirement

Each grant recipient under the Higher Education Challenge Grants

Program is required to match the grant funds awarded on a dollar-for-

dollar basis from a non-Federal source(s). The cash contributions

towards matching from the institution should be identified in the

column ``Applicant Contributions to Matching Funds'' of the Higher

Education Budget, Form CSREES-713. The cash contributions of the

institution and third parties as well as non-cash contributions should

be identified on Line N., as appropriate, of Form CSREES-713 and

described in the budget justification. Any cost-sharing commitments

specified in the proposal will be referenced and included as a

condition of an award resulting from this announcement.

L. Maximum Grant Amount

For a regular or complementary project proposal, the maximum funds

that may be requested from CSREES under this program to cover allowable

costs during the project period are $100,000. (The total Federal

contribution to the budget for a regular or complementary project

proposal may not exceed $100,000.) For a joint project proposal, the

maximum funds that may be requested from CSREES under this program to

cover allowable costs during the project period are $250,000. (The

total Federal contribution to the budget for a joint project proposal

may not exceed $250,000.) Please refer to the Administrative Provisions

for this program at 7 CFR 3405.2 for the definitions of regular,

complementary, and joint project proposals. Note: These maximums are

for the total duration of the project, not per year.

M. Limitation on Indirect Costs

Pursuant to section 1462 of NARETPA, 7 U.S.C. 3310, indirect costs

charged against a grant may not exceed 19 percent of the total Federal

funds provided under the grant award. An alternative method of

calculation of this limitation is to multiply total direct costs by

23.456 percent.

N. Funding Limitations Per Institution

In FY 1999, there are no limits on the total funds that may be

awarded to any one institution.

O. Maximum Number of Grants Per Institution

For FY 1999, a maximum of two grants may be awarded to any one

institution under the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program. This

ceiling excludes any subcontracts awarded to an institution pursuant to

other grants issued under this program.

P. Other Limitations

For FY 1999, the applicant institution submitting a joint Challenge

Grant proposal must transfer at least one-half of the awarded funds to

the two or more other colleges, universities, community colleges, or

other institutions assuming a major role in the conduct of the project.

For FY 1999, the applicant institution submitting a joint Challenge

Grant proposal must retain at least 30 percent of awarded funds to

demonstrate a substantial involvement with the project.

Q. Evaluation Criteria

Section 223(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Education Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-185, amended section 1417

of NARETPA to require that certain priorities be given in awarding

grants for teaching enhancement projects under section 1417(b) of

NARETPA. This program is authorized under section 1417(b). CSREES

considers all applications received in response to this solicitation as

teaching enhancement project applications. To implement the new

priorities for proposals submitted for the FY 1999 competition, the

evaluation criteria used to evaluate proposals, as provided in the

Administrative Provisions for this program (7 CFR 3405.15), have been

modified to include new criteria or extra points for proposals

demonstrating enhanced coordination among eligible institutions and for

proposals demonstrating enhanced coordination among eligible

institutions and for proposals focusing on innovative,

multidisciplinary education programs, material, or curricula.

Evaluation Criterion and Weight

(a) Potential for addressing a State, regional, national or

international need: 65 points

This criterion assesses the potential of the project to add value

by advancing the quality of food and agricultural sciences higher

education and

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producing graduates capable of strengthening the Nation's food and

agricultural scientific and professional work force. This criterion

includes the following elements: impact, innovation, multidisciplinary,

expected products and results, and continuation plans.

(1) Impact--Does the project address a significant and clearly

documented State, regional, multistate, national, or international

need? Will the benefits to be derived from the project transcend the

applicant institution and/or the grant period?

(2) Innovative and Multidisciplinary Focus--Does the project focus

on innovative, multidisciplinary education programs, material, or

curricula? Is the project based on a non-traditional approach toward

solving a higher education problem? Is the project relevant to multiple

fields in the food and agricultural sciences? Will the project expand

partnership ventures among disciplines at a university?

(3) Products and results--Are the expected products and/or results

of the project clearly explained? Will the project contribute to an

improvement in the quality or diversity of the Nation's food and

agricultural scientific and professional expertise base?

(4) Continuation plans--Are there plans for continuation or

expansion of the project beyond USDA support? Are there indications of

external, non-Federal support? Are there realistic plans for making the

project self-supporting?

(b) Potential of submitting institution(s) to successfully complete

project objectives: 70 points

This criterion assesses the soundness of the proposed approach, the

adequacy of human and physical resources available to carry out the

project, the institution's commitment to the project, partnerships and

collaborative efforts involving all types of institutions, its cost-

effectiveness, and the extent to which the total budget adequately

supports the project.

(1) Proposed approach--Are the objectives achievable, logical, and

based on review of literature? Is the plan of operation managerially,

educationally, and/or scientifically sound? Is the overall plan

integrated with or does it expand upon other major efforts to improve

the quality of food and agricultural sciences higher education? Is the

timetable realistic?

(2) Resources--Are there adequate institutional resources to carry

out the project? Do the project personnel possess requisite expertise

to complete successfully the project? Have personnel committed adequate

effort to achieve stated objectives and anticipated outcomes? Will the

project have adequate administrative support to carry out the proposed

activities? Will the project have access to needed resources such as

instrumentation, facilities, computer services, library, and other

instruction support resources?

(3) Institutional commitment--Is there evidence to substantiate

that the institution has a long term commitment to support the

result(s) and/or product(s) produced by this project, that it will help

satisfy the institution's high-priority objectives, or that the project

is supported by the strategic plans?

(4) Coordination and partnership efforts--Will the project

demonstrate enhanced coordination between the applicant institution(s)

and other colleges and universities with food and agricultural science

programs eligible for grants under this program? Will the project

expand partnership ventures among eligible colleges and universities,

or with the private sector, that are likely to enhance program quality

or supplement resources available to food and agricultural sciences

higher education? Will the arrangements for partner(s) and/or

collaborator(s) enhance dissemination of the result(s) and/or

product(s)?

(5) Budget and cost-effectiveness--Is the budget request

justifiable? Are costs reasonable and necessary? Will the total budget

be adequate to carry out project activities? Are the source(s) and

amount(s) of non-Federal matching support clearly identified and

appropriately documented? For a joint project proposal, is the shared

budget for three or more institutions explained clearly and in

sufficient detail? Is the proposed project cost-effective? Does it

demonstrate a creative use of limited resources, maximize educational

value per dollar of USDA support, achieve economies of scale, leverage

additional funds or have the potential to do so, focus expertise and

activity on a targeted need area, or promote coalition building for

current or future ventures?

(c) Effectiveness of evaluation plan and potential for dissemination of

the result(s) and/or products to other institutions and for utilization

by other institutions: 65 points

This criterion assesses the adequacy of the evaluation strategy,

the quality of outcome measures, the expertise and availability of

human resources to conduct the evaluation, the record of the key

personnel is disseminating advancements in education, e.g., publishing

educational articles in peer reviewed journals, the adequacy of the

plan for dissemination, and the potential for utilization by other

institutions.

(1) Evaluation--Does the proposal contain a well-designed plan to

evaluate results of the project? Will this plan provide conclusions

suitable for convincing a peer review audience of the accomplishment?

Does it allow for continuous and/or frequent feedback during the life

of the project? Does the evaluation plan contain outcome measures? Are

the outcome measures capable of assessing the quality and usefulness of

project results and products? Are the individuals involved in project

evaluation skilled in evaluation strategies and procedures? Can the

outcome measures provide an objective evaluation? Is the outcome

assessment designed in such a way that it can assist faculty at other

institutions in deciding whether to use project results or products?

(2) Dissemination--Is there a commitment to submit the results of

the project evaluation to peer review by the academic community in the

food and agricultural sciences? Does the proposed project include

clearly outlined and realistic mechanisms that will lead to widespread

dissemination of project results, including national electronic

communication systems, publications, presentations at professional

conferences, and/or use by faculty development or research/teaching

skills workshops?

(3) Utilization--Is it probable that other institutions will adapt

the result(s) and/or product(s) of this project for their own use? Can

the project serve as a model for others? If successful, is the project

likely to lead to education reform? Is the product(s) and/or result(s)

likely to provide a significant contribution to the advancement of

higher education in the food and agricultural sciences? Are partner(s)

and/or collaborator(s) committed to utilize the product(s) and/or

result(s)?

R. How to Obtain Application Materials

An Application Kit containing program application materials will be

made available to eligible institutions upon request. These materials

include the Administrative Provisions, forms, instructions, and other

relevant information needed to prepare and submit grant applications.

Copies of the Application Kit may be requested from the Proposal

Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of

Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington,

D.C. 20250-2245. The telephone number is (202) 401-5048. When

contacting the

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Proposal Services Unit, please indicate that you are requesting forms

for the FY 1999 Challenge Grants Program.

Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending

a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone

number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy

of the application materials for the FY 1999 Challenge Grants Program.

The materials will then be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly as

possible.

S. What to Submit

An original and seven (7) copies of a proposal must be submitted.

Proposals should contain all requested information when submitted. Each

proposal should be typed on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' white paper, single-spaced,

and on one side of the page only. Please note that the text of the

proposal should be prepared using no type smaller than 12 point font

size and one-inch margins. All copies of the proposal must be submitted

in one package. Each copy of the proposal must be stapled securely in

the upper left-hand corner (DO NOT BIND).

T. Where and When to Submit

Hand-delivered proposals (brought in person by the applicant or

through a courier service) must be received on or before March 9, 1999,

at the following address: Challenge Grants Program; c/o Proposal

Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of

Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, S.W.;

Washington, D.C. 20024. Proposals transmitted via a facsimile (fax)

machine will not be accepted.

Proposals submitted through the U.S. mail must be received on or

before March 9, 1999. Proposals submitted through the U.S. mail should

be sent to the following address: Challenge Grants Program; c/o

Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative

State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of

Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington,

D.C. 20250-2245. The telephone number is (202) 401-5048.

U. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and

this acknowledgment will contain a proposal identification number. Once

your proposal has been assigned a proposal number, please cite that

number in future correspondence.

V. Intent To Submit a Proposal

For the FY 1999 competition, Form CSREES-711, ``Intent to Submit a

Proposal,'' is requested for the Higher Education Challenge Grants

Program and is due February 9, 1999. Applicants may either mail Form

CSREES-711 to Higher Education Programs; Mail Stop 2251; CSREES-USDA;

1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2251; or fax Form

CSREES-711 to the Higher Education Programs office at (202) 720-2030.

Done at Washington, D.C., this 30th day of December 1998.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 99-361 Filed 1-7-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P