Funding-Limited Submission – U.S. Department of Education – Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) – First in the World Program (FITW) – Development CFDA 84.116F (ED-GRANTS-051614-001); May 27, 2014

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s comprehensive education agenda that includes expanding quality and opportunity at all levels of education from early learning programs through higher education, the FITW Program aims to support a wide range of innovations at colleges and universities, and serve as a catalyst for the best ideas that will dramatically enhance student outcomes.  Under this program, applicants must address one of the following five absolute priorities:

Absolute Priority I—Increasing Access and Completion for Underrepresented, Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

Absolute Priority II—Increasing Community College Transfer Rates to Four-Year Colleges for

Underrepresented, Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

Absolute Priority III—Increasing Enrollment and Completion of Underrepresented, Underprepared, or

Low-Income Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degree and

Certificate Programs

Absolute Priority IV—Reducing Time to Completion, Especially for Underrepresented, Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

Absolute Priority V—Improving College Affordability, Especially for Underrepresented, Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

Estimated Available Funds:  The estimated average size of each award under this program is $3,000,000 for a 48-month budget period. 

Limited Submission:  Institutions of higher education may only submit one (1) application.

Link to Solicitation: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-16/pdf/2014-11463.pdf

Internal Notification: Because the U.S. Dept. of Education limits institutions of higher education to the submission of only one application, researchers interested in applying must submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, May 27, 2014: 

• Names and departments of the Project Director and other key personnel or partners;
• Title of program and funding opportunity announcement number;
• The absolute priority (from among the five listed above) that will be addressed in the application;
• Brief overview of the proposed project to include objectives, significance, and activities (1-2 pages).

A committee will be appointed to review the materials and make a recommendation as to the University’s applicant. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

Deadline:  The U.S. Dept. of Education deadline for submitting an application is June 30, 2014.