(a) The Secretary evaluates an application from an institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions on the basis of the criteria in §§ 658.31 and 658.32. The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register.

(b) The Secretary evaluates an application from an agency or organization or professional or scholarly association on the basis of the criteria in §§ 658.31 and 658.33. The Secretary informs applicants of the maximum possible score for each criterion in the application package or in a notice published in the Federal Register.

The Secretary evaluates an application for a project under this program on the basis of the criteria in this section.

(a) Plan of operation. (See 34 CFR 655. 31(a))

(b) Quality of key personnel. (See 34 CFR 655.31(b))

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (See 34 CFR 655.31(c))

(d) Evaluation plan. (See 34 CFR 655.31(d))

(e) Adequacy of resources. (See 34 CFR 655.31(e))

In addition to the criteria referred to in § 658.31, the Secretary evaluates an application submitted by an institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions on the basis of the criteria in this section.

(a) Commitment to international studies. (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the applicant's commitment to the international studies program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The institution's current strength as measured by the number of international studies courses offered;

(ii) The extent to which planning for the implementation of the proposed program has involved the applicant's faculty, as well as administrators;

(iii) The institutional commitment to the establishment, operation, and continuation of the program as demonstrated by optimal use of available personnel and other resources; and

(iv) The institutional commitment to the program as demonstrated by the use of institutional funds in support of the program's objectives.

(b) Elements of the proposed international studies program. (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the nature of the applicant's proposed international studies program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The extent to which the proposed activities will contribute to the implementation of a program in international studies and foreign languages at the applicant institution;

(ii) The interdisciplinary aspects of the program;

(iii) The number of new and revised courses with an international perspective that will be added to the institution's programs; and

(iv) The applicant's plans to improve or expand language instruction.

(c) Need for and prospective results of the proposed program. (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the need for and the prospective results of the applicant's proposed program.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The extent to which the proposed activities are needed at the applicant institution;

(ii) The extent to which the proposed use of Federal funds will result in the implementation of a program in international studies and foreign languages at the applicant institution;

(iii) The likelihood that the activities initiated with Federal funds will be continued after Federal assistance is terminated; and

(iv) The adequacy of the provisions for sharing the materials and results of the program with other institutions of higher education.

In addition to the criteria referred to in § 658.31, the Secretary evaluates an application submitted by an organization or association on the basis of the criterion in this section.

(a) Need for and potential impact of the proposed project in improving international studies and the study of modern foreign language at the undergraduate level.

(b) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the need for and the potential impact of the applicant's proposed projects in improving international studies and the study of modern foreign language at the undergraduate level.

(1) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed apportionment of Federal funds among the various budget categories for the proposed project will contribute to achieving results;

(ii) The international nature and contemporary relevance of the proposed project;

(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will make an especially significant contribution to the improvement of the teaching of international studies or modern foreign languages at the undergraduate level; and

(iv) The adequacy of the applicant's provisions for sharing the materials and results of the proposed project with the higher education community.

(2) [Reserved]

In addition to applying the selection criteria in, as appropriate §§ 658.31, 658.32, and 658.33, the Secretary, to the extent practicable and consistent with the criterion of excellence, seeks to encourage diversity by ensuring that a variety of types of projects and institutions receive funding.

(a) The Secretary gives priority to applications from institutions of higher education or consortia of these institutions that require entering students to have successfully completed at least two years of secondary school foreign language instruction or that require each graduating student to earn two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language (or have demonstrated equivalent competence in the foreign language) or, in the case of a 2-year degree granting institution, offer two years of postsecondary credit in a foreign language.

(b) The Secretary announces the number of points to be awarded under this priority in the application notice published in the Federal Register.