Grant Community.com

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

84.116:  Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education

Popular Name:  FIPSE

Objectives:  To provide assistance for innovative programs that improve access to and the quality of postsecondary education.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS


84.116 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Eligible applicants include a full range of providers of postsecondary educational services including but not limited to: two and four-year colleges and universities, community organizations, libraries, museums, consortia, student groups, and local government agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Postsecondary educational institutions and their students will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

84.116 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  A preapplication (Form ED 40-514) is required. Consultation and assistance are available from the Fund. Contact the Fund directly at (202) 708-5750. Application forms are furnished by the Fund. Call (202) 205-0104. Application materials and further information is also available on the WEB. 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:  There is a two-stage proposal process. Preliminary proposals are submitted directly to the Fund. These five-page documents state the problem to be addressed, provide a description of the program, indicate an evaluation format and list a budget. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. Successful preliminary applicants are invited to submit final proposals, also using Form ED 40-514.

Award Procedure:  Proposals are reviewed by field readers, by staff, by the Board of the Fund, by the Fund Director, and by appropriate Department officials. State Postsecondary Education Commissions must be given an opportunity to comment on projects funded in their States.

Deadlines:  Deadlines may be obtained by contacting the Fund at (202) 708-5750.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  From four to eight months.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Applications for renewal of multi-year projects are processed and funded before those for new projects. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Grantees are selected based on the project's significance in improving postsecondary education; feasibility; and appropriateness.

Examples of Funded Projects:  1) Improved undergraduate liberal arts curriculum; 2) improved undergraduate teaching; 3) improved graduate education; 4) improved access for Blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities; 5) cooperation between colleges and businesses; 6) teacher education; 7) uses of technology; and 8) improved study abroad programs.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Not available.

84.116 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

84.116 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, the Fund awarded about 226 grants.

84.116 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $50,000,000; FY 00 est $74,249,000; and FY 01 est $31,200,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0201-0-1-502.

Authorization:  Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VII Part B, Public Law 105-277, 20 U.S.C. 1135-1135a-3.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Program regulations are contained in 34 CFR 630. In addition, the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, and 85 also apply. The official Application Notice is published each year in the Federal Register. The Fund also published "Lessons Learned," a compilation of FIPSE projects. Contact the program office for more information.

84.116 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, 7th and D Streets, SW., ROB-3, Room 3100, Washington, DC 20202-5175. Phone: (202) 708-5750.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.116 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  The Fund suggests that some institutional funds be included as part of program support, but this is not required by current legislation or regulation.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  The Fund will support multi-year projects on a declining fund basis; grants are awarded on a one-to three-year basis, with phasing of assistance as required. Funds are released as required.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The Fund provides project grants for activities sponsored by institutions and agencies that develop and demonstrate more effective approaches to the postsecondary teaching and learning. In 1998, priority was given to activities related to improving access, retention and graduation rates; improving college-school cooperation; using and developing new educational technologies; supporting curriculum reform; making campus culture more conducive to academic progress; developing faculty as professionals; experimenting with new ways to maintain quality and accessibility of education despite shrinking resources; and disseminating properly researched and documented solutions to national problems in higher education. Construction costs will not be considered. Requests for equipment and stipends are given low priority.

84.116 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  The Fund require periodic progress evaluation reports from grant recipients, as well as a final report upon termination of funding. Reporting requirements are found in EDGAR.

Audits:  Awardees must comply with standard Education Department audit requirements.

Records:  Grant recipients are required to maintain standard financial records.

About    News     Grant Management Software     Federal Grant Programs    Audits    Studies    Expenditures     Links

Last Updated, November, 2000             Comments or Questions?           ©Grant Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved