34 C.F.R. § 656.6

Current through September 30, 2024

Section 656.6 - [Effective 8/15/2025] What definitions apply to this program?

The following definitions apply to this part:

(a) The definitions in 34 CFR part 655.

(b) The following definitions, unless otherwise specified:

Critical mass of scholars means a concentration of modern foreign language and area studies faculty, researchers, and other similar personnel associated with a Center who collectively make significant contributions in a field of area studies because of their expertise and are distinguished by their training in many different academic disciplines in addition to their active engagement in interdisciplinary initiatives related to the Center's area of focus. The following are examples of other factors that may be considered in determining whether there is a critical mass of scholars:

(i) Whether instruction in many foreign languages is offered.

(ii) Whether specialized area studies or language instruction is regularly offered.

(iii) The number of graduate student research projects (dissertations, theses, or equivalents) supervised.

(iv) The degree of collaboration with international partners.

(v) Participation in professional activities or consultations with partners outside academia.

(vi) Professional awards and honors.

(vii) Roles in professional associations.

(viii) Activities funded by external grants.

(ix) The number of scholars relative to all similarly qualified individuals in the United States.

Institution means an institution of higher education, as defined in 34 CFR part 655 . References to an institution include all institutions of higher education that operate as a consortium under this part.

National Resource Center (Center) means an administrative unit within an institution of higher education that is a grantee under this part that coordinates educational initiatives related to an area of focus as described in § 656.3(a) at that institution or for a consortium of institutions through direct access to faculty, staff, administrators, students, library collections and other research collections, and other educational resources that support research, training, and instruction in various academic disciplines, professional fields, and languages.

34 C.F.R. §656.6

89 FR 68758, 8/15/2025