(a) Eligible applicants In order to receive a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under this part, an applicant shall be a consortium that includes the following:
(1) At least one institution of higher education that awards baccalaureate degrees and prepares teachers for their initial entry into teaching.
(2) At least one State educational agency or local educational agency.
(3) One or more of the following entities:
(A) An institution of higher education (other than the institution described in paragraph (1)).
(B) A
school or department of education at an institution of higher education.
(C) A
school or college of arts and sciences (as defined in section
1021 (b) of this title) at an institution of higher education.
(D) A professional association, foundation, museum, library, for-profit business, public or private
nonprofit">
nonprofit organization, community-based organization, or other entity, with the capacity to contribute to the technology-related reform of teacher preparation programs.
(b) Application requirements In order to receive a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under this part, an eligible applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include the following:
(1) A description of the proposed project, including how the project would
(A) ensure that individuals participating in the project would be prepared to use advanced technology to prepare all students, including groups of students who are underrepresented in technology-related fields and groups of students who are economically disadvantaged, to meet challenging State and local academic content and
student academic achievement standards; and
(B) improve the ability of at least one participating institution of higher education described in subsection (a)(1) of this section to ensure such preparation.
(2) A demonstration of
(A) the commitment, including the financial commitment, of each of the members of the consortium for the proposed project; and
(B) the active support of the leadership of each organization that is a member of the consortium for the proposed project.
(3) A description of how each member of the consortium will participate in project activities.
(4) A description of how the proposed project will be continued after Federal funds are no longer awarded under this part for the project.
(5) A plan for the evaluation of the project, which shall include benchmarks to monitor progress toward specific project objectives.
(c) Matching requirements
(1) In general
The Federal share of the cost of any project funded under this part shall not exceed 50 percent. Except as provided in paragraph (2), the non-Federal share of the cost of such project may be provided in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services.
(2) Acquisition of equipment
Not more than 10 percent of the funds awarded for a project under this part may be used to acquire equipment, networking capabilities, or infrastructure, and the non-Federal share of the cost of any such acquisition shall be provided in cash.
