[Federal Register: May 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 93)]
[Notices]
[Page 26171-26192]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my03-101]
Download: 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Part IV
Department of Education
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation; Research--Disability
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program; Inviting Applications
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003; Notice
[[Page 26172]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA No.: 84.133A-6]
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Disability
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program; Notice Inviting
Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and
instructions you need to apply for a grant under this competition.
Purpose of the Program: The purpose of the DRRP program is to
improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act), as amended. For FY 2003 the
competition for new awards focuses on projects designed to meet the
priority we describe in the PRIORITY section of this application
notice. We intend this priority to improve rehabilitation services and
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
In order to provide applicants with a 60-day application period and
to ensure that this grant is awarded before the end of FY 2003, NIDRR
is inviting applications based on the proposed priority. NIDRR will
publish the final priority as soon as possible after the comment period
closes on May 16, 2003.
Depending upon the comments that NIDRR receives, the final priority
may include revisions to the proposed priority. It is generally the
policy of the Department of Education not to solicit applications
before the publication of a final priority. However, in this case, it
is essential to solicit applications on the basis of the proposed
priority in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare
applications of appropriate quality to be funded. Applicants are
advised to begin to develop their applications based on the proposed
priority. If changes are made in the final priority, applicants will be
given an opportunity to revise or resubmit their applications.
The notice of proposed priority for collaborative research for
Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) requires the applicants to
collaborate with the current TBIMS grantees. The National
Rehabilitation Information Center has the contact information for the
TBIMS grantees at http://www.naric.com/search/pd/.
NIDRR's current TBIMS grantees are: University of Alabama at Birmingham TBIMS;
Northern California TBIMS of Care at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
(SCVMC); Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System (RMRBIS) at Craig
Hospital; Spaulding/Partners TBIMS at Harvard Medical School;
Southeastern Michigan TBI System (SEMTBIS) at Wayne State University;
Mayo Clinic TBIMS; TBIMS of Mississippi (TBIMSM) at Methodist
Rehabilitation Center; JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute TBIMS; New
York TBIMS (NYTBIMS) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Carolinas TBI
Rehabilitation and Research System (CTBIRRS) at Charlotte Mecklenburg
Hospital Authority; Ohio Regional TBIMS at Ohio State University; Moss
TBIMS at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network; University of Pittsburgh
Brain Injury Model System (UPBI); North Texas TBIMS (NT-TBIMS) at
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; TBIMS at Virginia
Commonwealth University; and University of Washington TBIMS.
Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under
this program are States; public or private agencies, including for-
profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit
organizations; institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
Applications Available: May 14, 2003.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2003.
Estimated Number of Awards: 2-3.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Maximum Award Amount: $600,000.
Note: We will reject without consideration or evaluation any
application that proposes a budget exceeding the stated maximum
award amount in any year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Page Limit: The Secretary strongly recommends the following:
(1) A one-page abstract;
(2) An Application Narrative (i.e., Part III that addresses
selection criteria that will be used by reviewers in evaluating
individual proposals) of no more 75 numbered, double-spaced (no more
than 3 lines per vertical inch) 8.5'' x 11'' pages (on one side only)
with one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). The application
narrative page limit recommendation does not apply to: Part I--the
electronically scanable form; Part II--the budget section (including
the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the assurances and
certifications; and
(3) A font no smaller than a 12-point font and an average character
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 85, 86 and 97, and (b) the program regulations 34 CFR part 350.
Priority
Collaborative Research Projects in Traumatic Brain Injury
This competition focuses on a project designed to meet the priority
in the notice of proposed priority for this program, published in the
Federal Register on April 16, 2003 (68 FR 18601).
For FY 2003, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR
75.105 (c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.
Selection Criteria
We use the following selection criteria to evaluate applications
under this program.
The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points. The
maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
(a) Responsiveness to an absolute or competitive priority (5
points).
(1) The Secretary considers the responsiveness of the application
to an absolute or competitive priority published in the Federal
Register.
(2) In determining the application's responsiveness to the absolute
or competitive priority, the Secretary considers one or more of the
following factors:
(i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed activities are
likely to achieve the purposes of the absolute or competitive priority.
(5 points)
(b) Design of research activities (40 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of
research activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the
objectives of the project.
(2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary
considers one or more of the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the research activities constitute a
coherent, sustained approach to research in the field, including a
substantial addition to the state-of-the art. (10 points)
(ii) The extent to which the methodology of each proposed research
activity is meritorious, including consideration of the extent to
which--
(A) The proposed design includes a comprehensive and informed
review of
[[Page 26173]]
the current literature, demonstrating knowledge of the state-of-the
art; (5 points)
(B) Each research hypothesis is theoretically sound and based on
current knowledge; (6 points)
(C) Each sample population is appropriate and of sufficient size;
(7 points)
(D) The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate
and likely to be effective; (7 points) and
(E) The data analysis methods are appropriate. (5 points)
(c) Design of dissemination activities (6 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of
dissemination activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the
objectives of the project.
(2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary
considers one or more of the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the materials to be disseminated are likely
to be effective and usable, including consideration of their quality,
clarity, variety, and format. (2 points)
(ii) The extent to which the materials and information to be
disseminated and the methods for dissemination are appropriate to the
target population. (2 points)
(iii) The extent to which the information to be disseminated will
be accessible to individuals with disabilities. (2 points)
(d) Plan of operation (10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of operation.
(2) In determining the quality of the plan of operation, the
Secretary considers the adequacy of the plan of operation to achieve
the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget,
including clearly defined responsibilities, and timelines for
accomplishing project tasks. (4 points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary also considers whether there is a
clearly delineated plan for research management, with focus on quality
controls for data collection, management of research protocols, and
provisions for oversight at collaborating sites. (6 points)
(e) Collaboration (10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of collaboration.
(2) In determining the quality of collaboration, the Secretary
considers the following factors:
(i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed collaboration with
one or more agencies, organizations, or institutions is likely to be
effective in achieving the relevant proposed activities of the project.
(5 points)
(ii) The extent to which agencies, organizations, or institutions
demonstrate a commitment to collaborate with the applicant. (5 points)
(f) Adequacy and reasonableness of the budget (5 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and the reasonableness of
the budget.
(2) In determining the adequacy and the reasonableness of the
proposed budget, the Secretary considers one or more of the following
factors:
(i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the
proposed project activities. (3 points)
(ii) The extent to which the applicant is of sufficient size,
scope, and quality to effectively carry out the activities in an
efficient manner. (2 points)
(g) Plan of Evaluation (8 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of evaluation.
(2) In determining the quality of the plan of evaluation, the
Secretary considers the extent to which the plan of evaluation provides
for periodic assessment of a project's progress that is based on
identified performance measures that--
(i) Are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and
expected impacts on the target population; (4 points) and
(ii) Are objective, and quantifiable or qualitative, as
appropriate. (4 points)
(h) Project Staff (6 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the project staff.
(2) In determining the quality of the project staff, the Secretary
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for
employment from persons who are members of groups that have
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national
origin, gender, age, or disability. (2 points)
(3) In addition, the Secretary considers one or more of the
following:
(i) The extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have
appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct
all proposed activities. (2 points)
(ii) The extent to which the commitment of staff time is adequate
to accomplish all the proposed activities of the project. (2 points)
(a) Adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points).
(1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and accessibility of the
applicant's resources to implement the proposed project.
(2) In determining the adequacy and accessibility of resources, the
Secretary considers one or more of the following factors:
(i) The quality of an applicant's past performance in carrying out
a grant. (2 points)
(ii) The extent to which the applicant has appropriate access to
clinical populations and organizations representing individuals with
disabilities to support advanced clinical rehabilitation research. (6
points)
(iii) The extent to which the facilities, equipment, and other
resources are appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities
who may use the facilities, equipment, and other resources of the
project. (2 points)
Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the funding
priorities and to receive technical assistance through individual
consultation and information about the funding priorities. The pre-
application meeting will be held on May 28, 2003 either in person or by
conference call at the Department of Education, Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Switzer Building, room 3065, 330
C Street, SW., Washington, DC between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. NIDRR staff
will also be available from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on that same day to
provide technical assistance through individual consultation and
information about the funding priority. For further information or to
make arrangements to attend contact Donna Nangle, Switzer Building,
room 3412, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202)
205-5880 or via Internet: donna.nangle@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call (202) 205-4475.
Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities at the Public Meetings
The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities,
and a sign language interpreter will be available. If you will need an
auxiliary aid or service other than a sign language interpreter in
order to participate in the meeting (e.g., other interpreting service
such as oral, cued speech, or tactile interpreter; assistive listening
device; or materials in alternate format), notify the contact person
listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting
date. Although we will attempt to meet a request we receive after this
date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid
or service because of insufficient time to arrange it.
[[Page 26174]]
Application Procedures
Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for
transmitting applications differ from those in the Education
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy.
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined
that proposed rulemaking is not required.
Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications
In FY 2003, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to
expand its pilot project for electronic submission of applications to
include additional formula grant programs and additional discretionary
grant competitions. The Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects
(DRRP) Program--CFDA 84.133A is one of the programs included
in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under the DRRP, you may
submit your application to us in either electronic or paper format.
The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant
Application System (e-Application) portion of the Grant Administration
and Payment System (GAPS). Users of e-Application will be entering data
on-line while completing their applications. You may not e-mail a soft
copy of a grant application to us. If you participate in this voluntary
pilot project by submitting an application electronically, the data you
enter on-line will be saved into a database. We request your
participation in e-Application. We shall continue to evaluate its
success and solicit suggestions for improvement.
If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
[sbull] Your participation is voluntary.
[sbull] You will not receive any additional point value because you
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize
you if you submit an application in paper format. When you enter the e-
Application system, you will find information about its hours of
operation.
[sbull] You may submit all documents electronically, including the
Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications.
[sbull] After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will include a PR/Award
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
[sbull] Within three working days after submitting your electronic
application, fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal
Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after following
these steps:
(1) Print ED 424 from the e-Application system.
(2) The institution's Authorizing Representative must sign this
form.
(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the
hard copy signature page of the ED 424.
(4) Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at
(202) 260-1349.
[sbull] We may request that you give us original signatures on all
other forms at a later date.
[sbull] Closing Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If
you elect to participate in the e-Application pilot for the DRRP and
you are prevented from submitting your application on the closing date
because the e-Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an
extension of one business day in order to transmit your application
electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. For us to grant this
extension--
(1) You must be a registered user of e-Application, and have
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
(2)(a) The e-Application system must be unavailable for 60 minutes
or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC
time, on the deadline date; or
(b) The e-Application system must be unavailable for any period of
time during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time
between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the deadline date.
The Department must acknowledge and confirm these periods of
unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this
extension you must contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in
this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or (2) the e-GRANTS
help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
You may access the electronic grant application for the DRRP at:
http://e-grants.ed.gov.
Parity Guidelines Between Paper and Electronic Applications: In FY
2003, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to expand the
pilot project that allows applicants to use an Internet-based
electronic system for submitting applications. This competition is
among those that have an electronic submission option available to all
applicants. The system, called e-Application, allows an applicant to
submit a grant application to us electronically, using a current
version of the applicant's Internet browser. To see e-Application visit
the following address: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
Parity Instructions
Users of e-application, a data driven system, will be entering data
on-line while completing their applications. This will be more
interactive than just e-mailing a soft copy of a grant application to
us. If you participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an
application electronically, the data you enter on-line will go into a
database and ultimately will be accessible in electronic form to our
reviewers.
This pilot project continues the Department's transition to an
electronic grant award process. In addition to e-Application, the
Department plans to expand the number of discretionary programs using
the electronic peer review (e-Reader) system and to increase the
participation of discretionary programs offering grantees the use of
the electronic annual performance reporting (e-Reports) system.
To help ensure parity and a similar look between electronic and
paper copies of grant applications, we are asking each applicant that
submits a paper application to adhere to the following guidelines:
[sbull] Submit your application on 8.5'' by 11'' paper.
[sbull] Leave a 1-inch margin on all sides.
[sbull] Use consistent font throughout your document. You may also
use boldface type, underlining, and italics. However, please do not use
colored text.
[sbull] Please use black and white, also, for illustrations,
including charts, tables, graphs and pictures.
[sbull] For the narrative component, your application should
consist of the number and text of each selection criterion followed by
the narrative. The text of the selection criterion, if included, does
not count against any page limitation.
[sbull] Place a page number at the bottom right of each page
beginning with 1; and number your pages consecutively throughout your
document.
Additional Application Procedures
Appendices: Do not attach any appendices if all of your appendices
are not in electronic format. Type in the appendices section:
``Appendices are being sent separately.'' and note the date that they
are hand delivered or mailed. Put the PR/award number and the word
``Appendices'' in the upper right hand corner of each page of the
appendices.
[[Page 26175]]
Send the entire package of appendices to: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 84.133A-6)--
Appendices, 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building
3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
You must clearly label the outside of the envelope with the PR/Award
Number and the word ``Appendices.'' You must submit all hard copy
appendices according to the Instructions for Transmitting Applications
found elsewhere in this notice.
Instructions for Transmitting Applications
If you want to apply for a grant in paper and be considered for
funding, you must meet the following deadline requirements:
(a) If You Send Your Application by Mail
You must mail the original and two copies of the application on or
before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your
application, applicants are encouraged to submit an original and seven
copies. Mail your application to: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA 84.133A-6), 7th
& D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC
20202-4725.
You 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.
If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
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.
(b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand
You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies
of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the
deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we
would appreciate your voluntarily including an additional seven copies
of your application. Deliver your application to: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA
84.133A-6), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building
3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except Saturdays,
Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts application
deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person delivering an
application must show identification to enter the building.
(c) If You Submit Your Application Electronically: You must submit
your grant application through the Internet using the software provided
on the e-Grants Website (http://www.e-grants.ed.gov) by 4:30 p.m.
(Washington, DC time) on the deadline date.
The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6 a.m.
until 12 midnight (Washington, DC time) Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. until
7 p.m. Saturdays. The system is unavailable on the second Saturday of
every month, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Please note that on
Wednesdays the Web site is closed for maintenance at 7 p.m.
(Washington, DC time).
Notes
(1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
(2) If you send your application by mail or if you or your
courier deliver it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail
a Grant Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from
the date of mailing the application, you should call the U.S.
Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-
9493.
(3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will
not consider the application.
(4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by
the Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting
your application.
(5) If you submit your application through the Internet via the
e-Grants Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when
we receive your application.
Application Forms and Instructions
The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, and various
assurances and certifications. Please organize the parts and additional
materials in the following order:
[sbull] PART I: Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424 (Exp.
11/30/2004)) and instructions.
[sbull] PART II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524)
and instructions and definitions.
[sbull] PART III: Application Narrative.
[sbull] PART IV: Additional Materials.
[sbull] Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
[sbull] Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
[sbull] Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters: and Drug-Free Work-Place Requirements
(ED Form 80-0013).
[sbull] Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions
(ED Form 80-0014) and instructions.
(Note: ED Form GCS-014 is intended for the use of primary
participants and should not be transmitted to the Department.)
[sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL, if
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
[sbull] Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the
application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications.
However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications
must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a
completed application form has been received.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building,
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880 or via Internet:
Donna.Nangle@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
Electronic Access to This Document
You may review 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 the following site:
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at
[[Page 26176]]
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(g) and 764(a).
Dated: May 9, 2003.
Loretta Petty Chittum,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative
Services.
Appendix--Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number
for this collection of information is 1820-0027. Expiration date:
11/20/2003. We estimate the time required to complete this
collection of information to average 30 hours per response,
including the time to review instructions, search existing data
sources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the
collection of information. If you have any comments concerning the
accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this
form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC
20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of
your submission of this form, write directly to: Donna Nangle, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412,
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645.
Application Forms and Instructions
Applicants are advised to reproduce and complete the application
forms in this section. Applicants applying in paper copy format are
required to submit an original and two copies of each application as
provided in this section. However, applicants are encouraged to
submit an original and seven copies of each application in order to
facilitate the peer review process and minimize copying errors.
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 Should Be Included in the Application?
The application should include a project narrative, vitae of key
personnel, and a budget, as well as the Assurances forms included in
this package. Vitae of staff or consultants should include the
individual's title and role in the proposed project, and other
information that is specifically pertinent to this proposed project.
The budgets for both the first year and all subsequent project years
should be included.
If collaboration with another organization is involved in the
proposed activity, the application should include assurances of
participation by the other parties, including written agreements or
assurances of cooperation. It is not useful to include general
letters of support or endorsement in the application.
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.
3. 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. The
specific review criteria vary according to the specific program, and
are contained in this Consolidated Application Package.
4. May I Submit Applications to More Than One NIDRR Program
Competition or More Than One Application to a Program?
Yes, you may submit applications to any program for which they
are responsive to the program requirements. You may submit the same
application to as many competitions as you believe appropriate. You
may also submit more than one application in any given competition.
5. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?
The limits on indirect costs vary according to the program and
the type of application. An applicant for an RRTC is limited to an
indirect rate of 15 percent. An applicant for Advanced
Rehabilitation Research Training project is limited to a training
grant indirect rate of 8 percent. An applicant for a RERC, DRRP, or
Field Initiated project should limit indirect charges to the
organization's approved indirect cost rate. If the organization does
not have an approved indirect cost rate, the application should
include an estimated actual rate.
6. Can Profitmaking Businesses Apply for Grants?
Yes. However, for-profit organizations will not be able to
collect a fee or profit on the grant, and in some programs will be
required to share in the costs of the project.
7. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?
No. Only organizations are eligible to apply for grants under
NIDRR programs. However, individuals are the only entities eligible
to apply for fellowships.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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
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 following September 30.
11. 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.
12. If My Application Is Successful, Can I Assume I Will Get the
Requested Budget Amount in Subsequent Years?
No. Funding in subsequent years is subject to availability of
funds and project performance.
13. 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.
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
[[Page 26177]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.141
[[Page 26178]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.142
[[Page 26179]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.143
[[Page 26180]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.144
[[Page 26181]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.145
[[Page 26182]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.146
[[Page 26183]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.147
[[Page 26184]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.148
[[Page 26185]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.149
[[Page 26186]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.150
[[Page 26187]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.151
[[Page 26188]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.152
[[Page 26189]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.153
[[Page 26190]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.154
[[Page 26191]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.155
[[Page 26192]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY03.156
[FR Doc. 03-11981 Filed 5-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-C