agencies, and local elected officials may participate in the eligible partnership as optional partners. (3) Lead applicant Any required partner in an eligible partnership described in paragraph (1) may be designated by the eligible partnership to serve as the lead applicant and submit a competitive application on behalf of the eligible partnership of which that partner entity is a member. (4) Limitation No more than 1 partner may submit a grant application under this section on behalf of an eligible partnership. (d) Grants authorized (1) In general From amounts made available under subsection (j), the Secretary may award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to carry out the activities described in subsection (f). (2) Duration A grant awarded under this section shall be awarded for a period of not less than 5 years and not more than 9 years. (3) Minimum grants A grant awarded under this section shall be in an amount not less than $1,000,000. (e) Applications (1) In General Each eligible partnership desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (2) Special considerations In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications that demonstrate the most potential and propose the most promising and innovative approaches for— (A) increasing the number and percentage of graduates from rural secondary schools who enroll in and graduate from institutions of higher education