[Federal Register: May 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 85)] [Notices] [Page 24731-24733] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr04my98-150] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1998 SUMMARY: This notice provides closing dates and other information regarding the transmittal of applications for fiscal year 1998 competitions under two programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended. This notice supports the National Education Goals by improving understanding of how to enable children and youth with disabilities to reach higher levels of academic achievement. Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Special Education--Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities [CFDA No. 84.326] Purpose of Program The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance and information through such mechanisms as institutes, regional resource centers, clearinghouses, and programs that support States and local entities in building capacity, to improve early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities and their families, and to address systemic-change goals and priorities. Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies; institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) the selection criteria included in regulations for these programs in 34 CFR 320.30. [[Page 24732]] Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Absolute Priority 1--Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (84.326S) The priority for the Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in the notice of final priority for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, applies to this competition. Applications Available: May 12, 1998. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 2, 1998. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 31, 1998. Estimated Number of Awards: 1. Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $650,000 for any single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Page Limits: Part III of the application, the application narrative, is where an applicant addresses the selection criteria that are used by reviewers in evaluating an application. An applicant must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 70 double-spaced pages using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\'' x 11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides); and (2) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs, must be double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per vertical inch). If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II-- the budget section (including the narrative budget justification); Part IV--the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, resumes, bibliography, and letters of support. However, all of the application narrative must be included in Part III. If an application narrative uses a smaller print size, spacing, or margin that would make the narrative exceed the equivalent of the page limit, the application will not be considered for funding. Project Period: Up to 60 months. Absolute Priority 2--National Center on Dispute Resolution (84.326D) The priority for the National Center on Dispute Resolution in the notice of final priority for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, applies to this competition. Applications Available: May 12, 1998. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 2, 1998. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 31, 1998. Estimated Number of Awards: 1. Maximum Award: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $500,000 for any single budget period of 12 months. The Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Page Limits: Part III of the application, the application narrative, is where an applicant addresses the selection criteria that are used by reviewers in evaluating an application. An applicant must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 70 double-spaced pages using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8\1/2\'' x 11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides); and (2) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs, must be double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per vertical inch). If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II-- the budget section (including the narrative budget justification); Part IV--the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, resumes, bibliography, and letters of support. However, all of the application narrative must be included in Part III. If an application narrative uses a smaller print size, spacing, or margin that would make the narrative exceed the equivalent of the page limit, the application will not be considered for funding. Project Period: Up to 60 months. Program Authority: Section 685 of IDEA. Special Education--Research and Innovation To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities [CFDA No. 84.324] Purpose of Program: To produce, and advance the use of, knowledge to: (1) improve services provided under IDEA, including the practices of professionals and others involved in providing those services to children with disabilities; and (2) improve educational and early intervention results for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Eligible Applicants: State and local educational agencies; institutions of higher education; other public agencies; private nonprofit organizations; outlying areas; freely associated States; Indian tribes or tribal organizations; and for-profit organizations. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR Part 324. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Absolute Priority: Directed Research Projects (84.324D). The priority for Directed Research Projects in the notice of final priority for this program, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, applies to this competition. Under this Directed Research Projects priority, a research project must address one of the eight focus areas. Following is the pertinent information for each focus area: Applications Available: May 12, 1998. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 19, 1998. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August 20, 1998. Focus 1--Beacons of Excellence Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Following the second year of the project, the Secretary may fund an optional six-month period for additional dissemination activities. Focus 2--The Sustainability of Promising Innovations Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 48 months. Focus 3--Research on Improving Reading Comprehension Results for Children with Learning Disabilities Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Focus 4--Studying Models That Bridge the Gap Between Research and Practice Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 48 months. Focus 5--Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Large-Scale Assessment Programs Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 36 months. [[Page 24733]] Focus 6--Synthesize and Communicate a Professional Knowledge Base: Contributions to Research to Practice. Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 24 months. During the second year of the project, the Secretary may fund an optional six-month period for additional dissemination activities. Focus 7--Improving the Delivery of Special Education and Related Services or Early Intervention Services to Children Who Are English Language Learners Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Focus 8--Educating Children with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings Estimated Number of Awards: 3. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Maximum Award for All Focus Areas: The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $200,000 for any single budget period of 12 months. This maximum award applies to any application for any Focus area. The Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. Page Limits for All Focus Areas: Part III of the application, the application narrative, is where an applicant addresses the selection criteria that are used by reviewers in evaluating an application. An applicant must limit Part III to the equivalent of no more than 50 double-spaced pages using the following standards: (1) A ``page'' is 8'' x 11'' (on one side only) with one-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides); and (2) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs, must be double-spaced (no more than 3 lines per vertical inch). If using a proportional computer font, use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character density no greater than 18 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. The page limit does not apply to Part I--the cover sheet; Part II-- the budget section (including the narrative budget justification); Part IV--the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, resumes, bibliography, and letters of support. However, all of the application narrative must be included in Part III. If an application narrative uses a smaller print size, spacing, or margin that would make the narrative exceed the equivalent of the page limit, the application will not be considered for funding. Program Authority: Section 672 of IDEA. For Application Information Contact: For the priorities under the Special Education--Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities and the Special Education--Research and Innovation to Improve Results for Children with Disabilities, contact the U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3527, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2734. Telephone: (202) 205-8038. FAX: (202) 205-8105. Internet: Debra__Sturdivant@ed.gov Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number: (202) 205-8953. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of this notice in an alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by calling (202) 205-8113. Electronic Access to This Document Anyone may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm http://www.ed.gov/news.html To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with Search, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498. Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G--Files/Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases. Note: The official version of a document is the document published in the Federal Register. Dated: April 28, 1998. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers: Special Education-- Research and Innovation to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities, 84.324; and Special Education--Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities, 84.326) Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 98-11721 Filed 5-1-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P