; regional comprehensive centers In the case of— (A) a national comprehensive center described in paragraph (2)(A), the Nation shall be considered to be the region served by the comprehensive center; and (B) a regional comprehensive center described in paragraph (2)(B), the geographic region shall be considered to be the region served by the comprehensive center. (b) Eligible entities (1) In General Grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section may be made with research organizations, public agencies, private entities, educational service agencies, institutions of higher education, or partnerships among such entities, with the demonstrated ability or capacity to carry out the activities described in subsection (f) (referred to in this section as eligible entities ). (2) Outreach In conducting competitions for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall— (A) actively encourage eligible entities to apply for such awards by making widely available information and technical assistance relating to the awards described under this section; and (B) seek input from chief executive officers of States, chief State school officers, teachers, principals, other school leaders, parents, administrators, paraprofessionals, and other individuals with knowledge of the needs of the regions to be served by the awards, regarding— (i) the needs in the regions for technical assistance authorized under this title