[Federal Register: August 8, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 153)]
[Notices]
[Page 48577-48590]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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Part IV
Department of Education
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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
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OMB Circular A-21, Cost Principles for Educational Institutions; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.133F]
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Research Fellowships for
Fiscal Year 2001
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and
applicable regulations governing the program, including the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains information, application forms, and
instructions needed to apply for a grant under this competition.
This program supports the National Education Goal that calls for
all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete
in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of
citizenship.
The estimated funding levels in this notice do not bind the
Department of Education (ED) to make awards in any of these categories,
or to any specific number of awards or funding levels, unless otherwise
specified in statute.
Applicable Regulations
The Education Department General Administrative Regulations
(EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and the
following program regulation: Research Fellowships--34 CFR Part 356.
Note: Applicants answering ``Yes'' to item 12 on form ED 424
whose research activities are nonexempt must complete the six point
narrative on protection of human subjects described in the
Attachment to form ED 424. If your project does include research
activities that are subject to ED's Protection of Human Subjects
Regulations, ED cannot make the award until the human subjects
requirements for your grant have been met. Helene Deramond, ED Human
Subjects Protection Coordinator for ``human subjects'' clearance can
tell you about the requirements and she is available to help you
through the process. She can be reached on (202) 260-5353 or at
Helene__Deramond@ed.gov Additional information can be found at
http://ocfo.ed.gov/humansub.htm. Note: Applicants need to put their
Social Security Number in Block #2 on the 424 form in place of the
DUNS Number.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: October 10, 2000.
Estimated Number of Awards: 10.
Award Amount: Merit: $45,000; Distinguished: $55,000.
Note: The Secretary will reject without consideration or
evaluation any application that proposes a project funding level
that exceeds the stated maximum award amount (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Project Period: 12 months.
Eligible Applicants: Only individuals are eligible to be recipients
of Fellowships. Institutions are not eligible to be recipients of
Fellowships.
Program Title: Research Fellowships.
CFDA Number: 84.133F.
Purpose: The purpose of the Research Fellowship program is to build
research capacity by providing support to highly qualified individuals,
including those who are individuals with disabilities, to perform
research on the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.
Fellows may conduct original research in any area authorized by section
204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Fellows may address
problems encountered by individuals with disabilities in their daily
lives that are due to the presence of a disabling condition, problems
associated with the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals
with disabilities, and problems connected with the conduct of
disability research.
The program provides two categories of Fellowships: Merit
Fellowships and Distinguished Fellowships. (1) To be eligible for a
Distinguished Fellowship, an individual must have seven or more years
of research experience in subject areas, methods, or techniques
relevant to rehabilitation research and must have a doctorate, other
terminal degree, or comparable academic qualifications. (2) To be
eligible for a Merit Fellowship, an individual must have either
advanced professional training or experience in independent study in an
area which is directly pertinent to disability and rehabilitation.
The Fellowship awards are for a period of twelve months. Applicants
are not required to submit budget proposals. These are one full FTE;
the applicant must work principally on the fellowship during the year.
The applicant cannot be on any other government grants. We define one
full FTE as equal to 40 hours per week.
Selection Criteria: The Secretary evaluates applications for
Fellowships according to the following criteria in 34 CFR 356.30.
(a) Quality and level of formal education, previous work
experience, and recommendations of present or former supervisors or
colleagues that include an indication of the applicant's ability to
work creatively in scientific research; and
(b) The quality of a research proposal of no more than 24 double
spaced pages containing the following information:
(1) The importance of the problem to be investigated to the purpose
of the Act and the mission of the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
(2) The research hypotheses or related objectives and the
methodology and design to be followed.
(3) Assurance of the availability of any necessary data resources,
equipment, or institutional support, including technical consultation
and support where appropriate, required to carry out the proposed
activity.
The application should include an abstract, a project narrative,
vitae of the applicant, and letters of support or recommendation. Any
letters of recommendation received separately from the application will
not be forwarded to the reviewers. If the applicant proposes to use
unique tests or other measurement instruments that are not widely known
in the field, it would be helpful to include the instrument in the
application. Many applications contain voluminous appendices that are
not helpful and in many cases cannot even be mailed to the reviewers.
It is generally not helpful to include such things as brochures,
general capability statements of collaborating organizations, maps,
copies of publications, or descriptions of other projects completed by
the applicant.
Instructions for Application Narrative
You must include a one-page abstract of the application narrative.
Strict Page Limits
The application narrative of a research proposal for a Fellowship
must be limited to the equivalent of no more than 24 pages using the
following standards:
(1) Use 8.5 x 11" pages (on one side only) with one-inch margins
(top, bottom, and sides);
(2) Double-space (no more than 3 lines per vertical inch) all
sections of text; and
(3) Use no smaller than a 12-point font, and an average character
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.
The application narrative page limit does not apply to: the forms--
Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Assurances--Non-
Construction Programs(SF (SF 424B and the Certifications (ED 80-0013);
the one-page abstract; resumes; bibliography or letters of support; or
the information on the Protection of Human Subjects.
The standards for double-spacing and font do not apply within
charts, tables, figures, and graphs, but the information presented in
those formats should be easily readable.
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We will reject without consideration or evaluation any application
if--
* You apply these standards and exceed the page limit; or
* You apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the
page limit.
Instructions for Transmittal of Applications
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant
must--
(1) Mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date to: U.S. Department of Education, Application
Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 84.133F), Washington, D.C. 20202-4725,
or
(2) Hand deliver express mail the original and two copies of the
application by 4:30 p.m. [Washington, D.C. time] on the deadline date
to: U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center,
Attention: (CFDA 84.133F), Room #3633, Regional Office Building #3, 7th
and D Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202.
(b) An applicant must show one of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
(2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
U.S. Postal Service.
(3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
(c) If an application is mailed through the U.S. Postal Service,
the Secretary does not accept either of the following as proof of
mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark.
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
Notes: (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a
dated postmark. Before relying on this method, an applicant should
check with its local post office.
(2) An applicant wishing to know that its application has been
received by the Department must include with the application a
stamped self-addressed postcard containing the CFDA number and title
of this program.
(3) The applicant must indicate on the envelope and--if not
provided by the Department--in Item 10 of the Application for
Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) the CFDA number--and letter
(84.133F).
Application Forms and Instructions
The appendix to this application is divided into three parts. These
parts are organized in the same manner that the submitted application
should be organized as follows:
Part I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev. 1/
12/99)) and instructions.
Part II: Application Narrative.
Part III: Additional Materials
Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters: and Drug-Free Work-Place Requirements (ED Form
80-0013).
Certification of Eligibility for Federal Assistance in Certain Programs
(ED Form 80-0016).
An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the
application, the assurances, and the certifications. However, the
application form, the assurances, and the certifications must each have
an original signature. The applicant fellow is the certifying official.
For Applications Contact: The Grants and Contracts Service
completed application form has been received. Team, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., room 3317, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202, or call (202) 205-8207. Individuals who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at
(202) 205-9860. The preferred method for requesting information is to
FAX your request to (202) 205-8717.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kym Butler, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., room 3414, Switzer Building,
Washington, D.C. 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-9250. Individuals who
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD
number at (202) 205-4475. Internet: Kym__Butler@ed.gov or Donna Nangle,
either by telephone: (202) 205-5880 or Internet at
Donna__Nangle@ed.gov.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, or computer diskette)
on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph.
Electronic Access To this Document
You may view this document, as well as all other Department of
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet 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, which is
available free at either of the preceding sites. If you have questions
about using the PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO),
toll free, at 1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC., area at (202)
512-1530.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO access at: http://
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762.
Dated: August 2, 2000.
Judith E. Heumann,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Appendix
Application Forms and Instructions
Applicants are advised to reproduce and complete the application
forms in this Section. Applicants are required to submit an original
and two copies of each application as provided in this Section.
Frequent Questions
1. Can I Get An Extension of the Due Date?
No. On rare occasions the Department of Education may extend a
closing date for all applicants. If that occurs, a notice of the
revised due date is published in the Federal Register. However,
there are no extensions or exceptions to the due date made for
individual applicants.
2. What Format Should Be Used for the Application?
NIDRR generally advises applicants that they may organize the
application to follow the selection criteria that will be used.
3. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?
Fellowship awards are made to individuals, therefore indirect
cost rates do not apply.
4. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?
Individuals are the only entities eligible to apply for
fellowships.
5. Can NIDRR Staff Advise Me Whether My Project Is of Interest to NIDRR
or Likely To Be Funded?
No. NIDRR staff can advise you of the requirements of the
program in which you propose to submit your application. However,
staff cannot advise you of whether your subject area or proposed
approach is likely to receive approval.
6. How Do I Assure That My Application Will Be Referred to the Most
Appropriate Panel for Review?
Applicants should be sure that their applications are referred
to the correct competition by clearly including the competition
title and CFDA number, including alphabetical code, on the Standard
Form 424, and including a project title that describes the project.
7. How Soon After Submitting My Application Can I Find Out if It Will
Be Funded?
The time from closing date to grant award date varies from
program to program. Generally speaking, NIDRR endeavors to have
awards made within five to six months of the closing date.
Unsuccessful applicants generally will be notified within that time
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frame as well. For the purpose of estimating a project start date,
the applicant should estimate approximately six months from the
closing date, but no later than the following September 30.
8. Can I Call NIDRR To Find Out if My Application Is Being Funded?
No. When NIDRR is able to release information on the status of
grant applications, it will notify applicants by letter. The results
of the peer review cannot be released except through this formal
notification.
9. Will All Approved Applications Be Funded?
No. It often happens that the peer review panels approve for
funding more applications than NIDRR can fund within available
resources. Applicants who are approved but not funded are encouraged
to consider submitting similar applications in future competitions.
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[FR Doc. 00-19959 Filed 8-7-00; 8:45 am]
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