Foreign Language Assistance Program Local Educational Agencies CFDA 84.293B | Apply Online

Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) - Local Educational Agencies (CFDA 84.293B) FAQs

1) What is the FLAP - Local Educational Agencies grant?

The Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) - Local Educational Agencies (CFDA 84.293B) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education intended to help local educational agencies (LEAs) launch, strengthen, or broaden foreign language instruction for elementary and secondary students (K-12).

2) What is the main purpose of this grant?

The program is focused on supporting innovative, model foreign language programs. Projects are expected to be effective locally and also designed in a way that other districts can learn from and replicate.

3) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools when they are recognized as LEAs under state law.

4) Which student grades can be served by FLAP-funded projects?

Funded projects are expected to center on foreign language learning for K-12 students (elementary and secondary schools).

5) What kinds of activities can FLAP funds support?

Based on the opportunity description, projects can support efforts to launch new foreign language instruction, strengthen existing programs, or broaden offerings. The grant can also support professional development as part of the overall project design, such as training and capacity-building for teachers and staff to improve language instruction, expand language learning into earlier grades, increase course offerings, or improve program quality and outcomes.

6) What does it mean that FLAP is looking for "innovative, model" language programs?

It means the Department is looking for approaches that can serve as examples for other districts. Applicants are expected to plan for documentation, sharing, and dissemination so that successful strategies and practices can be duplicated in other LEAs.

7) Are projects expected to continue after the grant ends?

Yes. A key expectation is that funded projects show real potential to continue after the grant period ends, rather than relying indefinitely on federal funds.

8) Is there an expectation to share results with other districts?

Yes. The emphasis on dissemination and duplication indicates applicants should plan to document results and practices in a way that makes it easier for other districts to adopt similar models.

9) How much funding was available for FY 2009?

For FY 2009, the opportunity projected an estimated total funding amount of $8,602,733.

10) How many awards were expected for FY 2009?

The competition projected an expected 43 awards for FY 2009.

11) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $300,000.

12) Is there a matching or cost-sharing requirement?

Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. Recipients must contribute a portion of project costs through allowable non-federal resources or other approved matching arrangements, as specified in the official application notice.

13) Where are the official matching details, priorities, and performance measures defined?

Applicants are directed to rely on the Federal Register notice as the authoritative source for requirements and selection criteria. The notice is treated as the controlling document for official instructions, eligibility nuances, required forms, priorities, and evaluation criteria.

14) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through the Department of Education e-Application system via the e-Grants website (http://e-grants.ed.gov). Applications could not be emailed.

15) Why could applications not be submitted by email?

The Department required applicants to complete the online submission process so that application information would be entered and stored directly in the Department's database.

16) When did the application become available for this competition cycle?

For this cycle, applications became available on April 21, 2009.

17) What was the deadline to submit an application?

The deadline for transmittal of applications was May 27, 2009.

18) Was a Notice of Intent to Apply required?

No. The Department requested (but did not require) a Notice of Intent to Apply by May 11, 2009.

19) What information was included in the Notice of Intent to Apply?

The Notice of Intent to Apply needed to include the LEA name, city, state, and intended language(s) of instruction.

20) How was the Notice of Intent to Apply submitted, and what subject line was required?

The notice was sent by email to Patrice Swann at patrice.swann@ed.gov with the subject line: "84.293B FLAP LEA Intent to Apply".

21) If an applicant did not submit the Notice of Intent to Apply, would the application still be considered?

Yes. The Department stated it would still consider applications submitted by the final deadline even if the applicant did not send the notice of intent.

22) Who should be contacted with program questions for non-critical language applications?

For non-critical language applications, the program contact listed is Trini Torres Carrion (trinidad.torres_carrion@ed.gov, 202-401-1445).

23) Who should be contacted with program questions for critical language applications?

For critical language applications, the contact listed is Diana Schneider (diana.schneider@ed.gov, 202-401-1456).

24) Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement or systems support?

For technical issues accessing the announcement or systems support, Julius Cotton is listed as the ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Administrator (julius.cotton@ed.gov, 202-245-6140).

25) Where was the electronic application submitted?

Applications were submitted through the Department of Education e-Application system via the e-Grants website at http://e-grants.ed.gov.

26) What document should applicants treat as the controlling source for application instructions and evaluation criteria?

The Federal Register notice is explicitly identified as the controlling document for official instructions, eligibility nuances, required forms, priorities, and evaluation criteria, and applicants are encouraged to review it closely before preparing and submitting materials.