This email and attachment are being sent to you on behalf of David W. Gardner, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Planning and Policy/Chief Operating Officer

Dear Colleagues,

I realize colleges are focused on closing out a school year right now, and want to be sure that, in the midst of getting in grades and coordinating graduations, no one overlooks this announcement of an important grant opportunity from DOE. THECB hopes many institutions will submit compelling applications for this competition.

Time is short (a 45-day turn-around, applications due June 30), and THECB will be pleased to support your efforts in any way that we can. Only institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, but the agency can partner with you if you believe we can be helpful in your efforts (in data analysis, technical assistance, or some other function).

The total amount allocated for this competition is $75 million, with up to $20 million set aside for Minority Serving Institutions.

The DOE is hosting a stakeholder conference call about this opportunity with Secretary Arne Duncan on May 21 at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time). To register, RSVP to Belen.Verdugo@ed.gov with "RSVP for FITW" in the subject line, before COB Tuesday, May 19 (first-come, first-serve registration). They will then follow up with call-in information.

A PDF of the announcement is attached, and link to the full RFP is provided here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-16/html/2014-11463.htm

The DOE encourages institutions of higher education to put forward their most innovative and creative thinking to significantly expand postsecondary opportunity. Let us know if we can assist your efforts in any way, by contacting Mary Smith, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, at mary.smith@thecb.state.tx.us. Please see below for a summary of important information.

David Gardner

Summary of important information

Due date: June 30, 2014

Maximum award: $1 million per year for four years

Estimated Average Award: $3 million for total of four years

All five Absolute Priorities focus on serving underrepresented, underprepared, or low income students:

        I.            Increasing Access and Completion for Underrepresented, Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

      II.            Increasing Community College Transfer Rates to Four-year Colleges for Underrepresented Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

    III.            Increasing Enrollment and Completion of Underrepresented Underprepared, or Low-Income Students in STEM Degree and Certificate Programs

    IV.            Reducing Time to Completion, Especially for Underrepresented Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

      V.            Improving College Affordability, Especially for Underrepresented Underprepared, or Low-Income Students

A Competitive Preference Priority adds 2 points for using Evidence of Promise as the application evidence standard.

Successful FITW projects will include the following characteristics:

1)      a project design supported by Strong Theory (as defined in this notice);

2)      a data collection plan;

3)      a design and implementation plan for evaluation that will demonstrate whether the strategies implemented are showing Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness (as defined in this notice);

4)      replicable and scalable reform strategies;

5)      a strong focus on improved postsecondary access, affordability, and completion, with an emphasis on low-income students; and

6)      a strategy for improvement of postsecondary productivity and effectiveness that holds steady or decreases costs for students.