New Developments and Competitive Components in Federal Higher Education Programs: A working perspective on framing the need and finding the funds. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2009 Vice Presidents, Deans, Chairs and Directors workshop August 5, 2009 Andy Clark, Director of Legislative Affairs University System of Maryland

FEDERAL FUNDING The determination to pursue federal funds revolves around 5 basic institutional needs –Sustaining existing university programs –Enhancing faculty and student competitiveness –Creating incentives for collaborative or interdisciplinary research –Building research capacity (Bricks-and Mortar, scientific journals, equipment and instrumentation) –Increased diversification of funding sources

Formula (or Block Grant Funding) Awarded to State and local governments based on a predetermined formula, which may be based on a jurisdiction's crime rate, population, or other factors. Awarded to agencies in each State designated by the governor. Generally requires States to pass awards to local agencies and organizations via sub-grants.

Discretionary Awarded on a competitive basis to public and private nonprofit organizations. Funding ranges from single awards for research, evaluation, and technical assistance to multisite awards for program development.

Congressional Earmarks Hard Earmarks: Congress directs the Federal agency to provide certain funds to specific programs it has identified. Soft Earmarks: Congress identifies a program and directs the Federal agency to: Evaluate the program. Fund the program, if warranted.

PROCESS CAPABILITY ANALYSIS – COLD STARTING THE PURSUIT OF FEDERAL FUNDS What Constitutes Capability (4 key ingredients) –Understanding the actual agency or legislative award process (Competitive award or Congressional earmark) –Performance and productivity of the institution program (funding history, human capital, student success, library holdings, publications, research relevance, or service to community) –University action on the process (need analysis, grant writing proficiency) –University action on the output (Internal checks and balances to insure the project or program remains within the mission of the university)

The Process Capability Study: Five Steps For University Deans, Directors, and VPs Determine that the process is in your control Establish a clear line of communication with the faculty member or principal investigator Construct a timeline for actions based on the agency’s grant submission deadline or Congressional calendar Determine possible deviations that may delay or impeded the process Do political calculations based on known facts about a legislator’s or agency’s interest in the university program or research

NARROWING THE FOCUS Areas of Growing Government Investment in Postsecondary Education: –Student Financial Aid (Pell Grants/Direct lending) –Teacher Training and Development –Areas of national need (school counselors, radiology, nursing) –Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics –Basic and Applied research (instrumentation, facilities, graduate and doctoral degree support) –Food Supply (innovation, safety, security)

9 NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING LANDSCAPE

10 The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 The last comprehensive reauthorization was in In addition to an expanded GI Bill signed into law in June, the Higher Education Opportunity Act is the 4 th major higher education bill to be passed by Congress in the past 14 months. In July 2007, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (P.L ), a student aid law that increased Federal aid to college students by more than $20 billion. In May 2008, Congress approved the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (P.L ), emergency legislation to ensure the availability of Federal student loans in the face of the current troubles in the credit market. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (H.R. 4137) passed the House on July 31, 2008 by a vote of and was signed into law on August 14, 2008.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK INSTITUTIONS In Title III, the bill adds Bowie State University to the Professional Graduate or Institutions Program making the institution eligible for $1 million in funding that may be used for a broad range of activities supporting science, technology and engineering education. In Title VII, Coppin State University was added to the list of institutions eligible under Section 723; Masters Degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominately Black Institutions. Grants up to $1 million are made to institutions making a substantial contribution at the master’s level in mathematics, engineering, the physical or natural sciences, computer science, information technology, nursing, allied health, or other scientific disciplines for African Americans.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 Part J – Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority-Serving Institutions “(b)” New Investment of Funds.— –“(1) In General.—There shall be available to the Secretary to carry out this section, from funds not otherwise appropriated, $255,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 and The authority to award grants under this section shall expire at the end of fiscal year 2009.”

13 THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 The “Stimulus” Bill

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Funding new Principal Investigators and high ‐ risk, high ‐ return research are top priorities. With the exception of the Academic Research Infrastructure Program, the Science Masters Program, and the Major Research Instrumentation Program, the majority of proposals eligible for Recovery Act funding include those that are already in ‐ house and will be reviewed and/or awarded prior to September 30, 2009.” Recovery Act funding is a one ‐ time occurrence. NSF already has many highly rated research proposals in hand to consider for funding with ARRA funds. Some research proposals have already been reviewed and others are in the review process. NSF is planning to use the majority of the $2 billion available in Research and Related Activities for proposals that are already in house and will be reviewed and/or awarded prior to Sept. 30, “Grants funded under ARRA will be awarded quickly in order to contribute to new job creation and reinvestment. “All grants issued with Recovery Act funds will be standard grants with durations of up to 5 years.

NSF Opportunities and UMES Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) Full Proposal Deadline Date: August 25, Innovation through Institutional Integration Full Proposal Deadline Date: October 9, LSAMP Educational Research Projects The Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) solicitation includes the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, Bridge to the Doctorate (LSAMP ‐ BD) Activity, and the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program. This portfolio of programs seek to increase the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Particular emphasis is placed on transforming STEM education through innovative academic strategies and experiences in support of groups that historically have been underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

NSF – Historically Black Colleges Undergraduate Programs Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU ‐ UP) Full Proposal Deadline Date: August 25, 2009 This program provides awards to enhance the quality of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Proposed activities and strategies should: be the result of an institutional STEM self ‐ analysis; address institutional and NSF goals; and have the potential to result in significant and sustainable improvements in STEM program offerings. Typical project implementation strategies include: curriculum enhancement, faculty professional development, undergraduate research, academic enrichment, student support services, infusion of technology to enhance STEM instruction, collaborations with research institutions and industry, and other activities that enhance the quality of the undergraduate STEM education and STEM teacher preparation programs. Proposers are encouraged to analyze the strengths of the institution and design innovative educational strategies, based on proven best practices, to place the institution at the forefront of undergraduate STEM education.

National Park Service; HBCU National Register of Historic Places HBCU matching grant assistance is available to repair historic structures on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places or considered eligible to be listed by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). Projects must meet major program selection criteria and all work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Grants are awarded through a competitive process to eligible applicants. Each grant must be matched at a ratio of 70 percent Federal funds to 30 percent non-Federal

Key Resources for Federal Funding Pursuits