Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access Program CFDA 84.337A | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - TICFIA Program (CFDA 84.337A)

What is the TICFIA Program (CFDA 84.337A)?

The Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access (TICFIA) Program, CFDA 84.337A, is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education. It is intended to strengthen U.S. capacity in international education and foreign language studies by improving access to foreign-sourced information.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The core purpose is to fund projects that use electronic technologies in new or more effective ways to collect information from sources outside the United States and make that information more usable for teaching, learning, and research. The program emphasizes systems and workflows that support access, collection, organization, preservation, and wide dissemination of foreign information resources.

What types of projects does TICFIA support?

Based on the synopsis, TICFIA supports efforts that: (1) gather or collect foreign materials and information resources, and (2) build or improve electronic systems, tools, and workflows to access, collect, organize, preserve, and widely disseminate those resources so they are broadly useful for international education and foreign language instruction.

Does TICFIA focus only on collecting foreign materials?

No. The synopsis indicates TICFIA supports not only collection of foreign-sourced information, but also the development of systems and processes that make the information more usable and broadly accessible for teaching, learning, and research.

Who is eligible to apply for TICFIA?

Eligible applicants include: institutions of higher education (public or private) and public or nonprofit private libraries.

Are partnerships allowed, and if so, what kinds?

Yes. A partnership is eligible if it is led by an institution of higher education in cooperation with one or more of the following: another institution of higher education, a library, or a nonprofit educational organization. The synopsis highlights cooperation and serving wider academic communities rather than only a single campus or unit.

How many awards were anticipated for this opportunity?

The Department anticipated making about 10 awards.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount listed in the synopsis is $1,700,000.

What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) listed is $190,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies. Applicants should be prepared to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the official notice requirements.

Where are the official and controlling program requirements found?

The synopsis states that official requirements and selection details are contained in the Federal Register notice referenced in the announcement. That notice is the authoritative source for pre-application and application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and other compliance or reporting expectations.

Are the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations considered authoritative for this program?

Yes. The announcement points to the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations via GPO Access as authoritative sources for complete program details.

When was this grant opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on March 17, 2009.

When were applications made available?

Applications were made available on March 17, 2009.

What was the submission deadline?

The submission deadline was April 16, 2009.

What is the archive date listed for this opportunity?

The archive date listed is May 16, 2009.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

Could applications be submitted by email?

No. The notice explicitly states that applications could not be submitted by email.

How do applicants locate the application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to search Grants.gov using the CFDA number without the letter suffix. In other words, search for 84.337 (not 84.337A) to locate the package.

What should an applicant do if they need Grants.gov technical support?

Grants.gov support was available through the Helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov.

Who was listed as a contact for access issues with the full announcement?

The synopsis lists Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov FIND System Admin) as the contact for access issues with the full announcement. Phone: (202) 245-6140. Email: julius.cotton@ed.gov.

Who was listed for programmatic questions about TICFIA?

For programmatic questions, the synopsis identifies Susanna Easton, International Education Programs Service, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW, Room 6069, Washington, DC 20006-8521. Phone: (202) 502-7628.

What kinds of benefits or outcomes does TICFIA aim to achieve?

Based on the synopsis, the intended outcomes include improved U.S. access to foreign-sourced information and increased usefulness of that information for national needs in international education and foreign language instruction, particularly through improved electronic access, organization, preservation, and dissemination.

Does the synopsis include the full set of selection criteria, priorities, and reporting requirements?

No. The synopsis notes that those details (including priorities, performance measures, and compliance or reporting expectations) are contained in the Federal Register notice and related authoritative sources, not in the synopsis itself.