FR Doc E5-6910
[Federal Register: December 6, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 233)]
[Notices]
[Page 72630-72633]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06de05-33]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Overview
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project and
Centers Program--Field Initiated (FI) Projects; Notice Inviting
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133G-1
(Research) and 84.133G-2 (Development)
Dates:
Applications Available: December 6, 2005.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 6, 2006.
Eligible Applicants: 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.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$3,750,000 for the FI program for FY 2006. The actual level of funding,
if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Estimated Range of Awards: $145,000-$150,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $147,500.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $150,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs.
Estimated Number of Awards: 25.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) program
is to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that
maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment,
independent living, family support, and economic and social self-
sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals
with the most severe disabilities; and to improve the effectiveness of
services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
FI projects carry out either research activities or development
activities. NIDRR makes two types of grants under the FI program:
Research grants (CFDA 84.133G-1) and development grants (CFDA 84.133G-
2). Applicants must indicate in their applications whether they are
applying for a research grant (84.133G-1) or a development grant
(84.133G-2).
In carrying out a research activity under an FI research
grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses and, based on the
hypotheses identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed
toward (1) new scientific knowledge, or (2) better understanding of the
subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge.
In carrying out a development activity under an FI
development grant, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding
gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods
beneficial to the target population, including design and development
of prototypes and processes. Target population means the group of
individuals, organizations, or other entities expected to be affected
by the project. More than one group may be involved since a project may
affect those who receive services, provide services, or administer
services.
Note: Different selection criteria are used for research
projects (84.133G-1) and development projects (84.133G-2). In their
applications, applicants must clearly indicate whether they are
applying for a research grant (84.133G-1) or a development grant
(84.133G-2) and must address the selection criteria relevant for
their project type. Without exception, NIDRR will review each
application based on the designation (i.e., research (84.133G-1) or
development (84.133G-2)) made by the applicant. Applications will be
determined ineligible and will not be reviewed if they do not
include a clear designation of research or development.
Note: NIDRR supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative (NFI). The NFI can be accessed on the Internet at the
following site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/.
The FI projects are in concert with NIDRR's proposed Long-Range
Plan for Fiscal Years 2005-2009 (Plan) published in the Federal
Register on July 27, 2005 (70 FR 43521). The Plan is comprehensive and
integrates many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation
research topics. While applicants will find many sections throughout
the Plan that support potential research and related activities to be
conducted under the FI program, the specific reference to the FI
program is on page 43533 of the Plan. The Plan can be accessed on the
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2005-3/072705d.html
.
Through the implementation of the NFI and the Plan, NIDRR seeks to:
(1) Improve the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation
research; (2) Foster an exchange of expertise, information, and
training to facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding
of the unique needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3)
Determine best strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation
outcomes for underserved populations; (4) Identify research gaps; (5)
Identify mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6)
Disseminate findings.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 764.
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 85, 86, and 97. (b) The regulations in 34 CFR part 350.
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of
higher education only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested
$3,750,000 for the FI program for FY 2006. The actual level of funding,
if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting
applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if
Congress appropriates funds for this program.
Estimated Range of Awards: $145,000-$150,000.
Estimated Average Size of Awards: $147,500.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $150,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the
[[Page 72631]]
maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register.
Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs.
Estimated Number of Awards: 25.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 36 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: 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.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost
sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: You may obtain an
application package via Internet or from the Education Publications
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via Internet use the following
address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.
To obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write or call the following:
Education Publications Center, P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398.
Telephone (toll free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll
free): 1-877-576-7734.
You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html
or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: edpubs@inet.ed.gov
If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify
this competition as follows: CFDA Number: 84.133G.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of
this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for this competition.
Page Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application)
is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that
reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit
Part III to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages, using the
following standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative. Single space may be used for
titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as
well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
The recommended 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, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of
support. However, you must include all of the application narrative in
Part III.
The application package will provide instructions for completing
all components to be included in the application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (ED Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED
Form 524) and narrative justification; other required forms; an
abstract, Human Subjects narrative, Part III narrative; resumes of
staff; and other related materials, if applicable.
3. Submission Dates and Times: Applications Available: December 6,
2005.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 6, 2006.
Applications for grants under this competition may be submitted
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov), or in
paper format by mail or hand delivery. For information (including dates
and times) about how to submit your application electronically, or by
mail or hand delivery, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission
Requirements in this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition may be submitted electronically or in paper format by
mail or hand delivery.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
We have been accepting applications electronically through the
Department's e-Application system since FY 2000. In order to expand on
those efforts and comply with the President's Management Agenda, we are
continuing to participate as a partner in the new government wide
Grants.gov Apply site in FY 2006. Field Initiated Projects-CFDA Numbers
84.133G-1 (Research) and 84.133G-2 (Development) are included in this
project. We request your participation in Grants.gov.
If you choose to submit your application electronically, you must
use the Grants.gov Apply site at http://www.Grants.gov. Through this
site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package,
complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You
may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
You may access the electronic grant application for Field Initiated
Projects, 84.133G-1 (Research) and 84.133G-2 (Development) at: http://www.grants.gov.
You must search for the downloadable application
package for this program by the CFDA number. Do not include the CFDA
number's alpha suffix in your search.
Please note the following:
Your participation in Grants.gov is voluntary.
When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
Applications received by Grants.gov are time and date
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted, and
must be date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as
otherwise noted in this section, we will not consider your application
if it is date/time stamped by the Grants.gov system later than 4:30
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. When we
retrieve your application from Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are
rejecting your application because it was date/time stamped by the
Grants.gov system after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date.
The amount of time it can take to upload an application
will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of the
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application
[[Page 72632]]
deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.
You should review and follow the Education Submission
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are
included in the application package for this competition to ensure that
you submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov
system. You can also find the Education Submission Procedures
pertaining to Grants.gov at http://e-Grants.ed.gov/help/GrantsgovSubmissionProcedures.pdf
.
To submit your application via Grants.gov, you must
complete the steps in the Grants.gov registration process (see http://www.Grants.gov/GetStarted
) and provide on your application the same D-
U-N-S Number used with this registration. Please note that the
registration process may take five or more business days to complete.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you submit your application in paper format.
You may submit all documents electronically, including all
information typically included on the Application for Federal Education
Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED
524), and all necessary assurances and certifications. If you choose to
submit your application electronically, you must attach any narrative
sections of your application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich
text), or .PDF (Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type
other than the three file types specified above or submit a password
protected file, we will not review that material.
Your electronic application must comply with any page
limit requirements described in this notice.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment from Grants.gov that contains a
Grants.gov tracking number. The Department will retrieve your
application from Grants.gov and send you a second confirmation by e-
mail that will include a PR/Award number (an ED-specified identifying
number unique to your application).
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability
If you are prevented from electronically submitting your
application on the application deadline date because of technical
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension
until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically, or by hand
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing
instructions as described elsewhere in this notice. If you submit an
application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the deadline date,
please contact the person listed elsewhere in this notice under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, and provide an explanation of the
technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number (if available). We will accept your
application if we can confirm that a technical problem occurred with
the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your ability to
submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date. The Department will contact you after a
determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.
Note: Extensions referred to in this section apply only to the
unavailability of or technical problems with the Grants.gov system.
We will not grant you an extension if you failed to fully register
to submit your application to Grants.gov before the deadline date
and time or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to
the Grants.gov system.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
If you submit your application in paper format by mail (through the
U.S. Postal Service or a commercial carrier), you must mail the
original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the applicable
following address:
By mail through the U.S. Postal Service: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (Applicants must
identify either CFDA Number 84.133G-1 (Research) or 84.133G-2
(Development) depending on the designation of their proposed project),
400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260 or
By mail through a commercial carrier: U.S. Department of Education,
Application Control Center--Stop 4260, Attention: (Applicants must
identify either CFDA Number 84.133G-1 (Research) or 84.133G-2
(Development) depending on the designation of their proposed project.),
7100 Old Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785-1506.
Regardless of which address you use, you must show proof of mailing
consisting of one of the following:
(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, or
(4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
(1) A private metered postmark, or
(2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: 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.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
If you submit your application in paper format by hand delivery,
you (or a courier service) must deliver the original and two copies of
your application by hand, on or before the application deadline date,
to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (Applicants must
identify either CFDA Number 84.133G-1 (Research) or 84.133G-2
(Development) depending on the designation of their proposed project.),
550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC
20202-4260. The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries
daily between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except
Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department:
(1) 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) the CFDA number--and suffix letter, if any--of
the competition under which you are submitting your application.
(2) The Application Control Center will mail a grant application
receipt acknowledgment to you. If you do not receive the grant
application receipt acknowledgment within 15 business days from the
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 75.210 and 34 CFR 350.54 and are in the application
package.
[[Page 72633]]
Note: There are two different sets of selection criteria for FI
projects: one set to evaluate applications proposing to carry out
research activities (84.133G-1), and a second set to evaluate
applications proposing to carry out development activities (84.133G-
2). Each applicant will be evaluated using the selection criteria
for the type of project (i.e., research (84.133G-1) or development
(84.133G-2)) the applicant designates in its application.
2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in
selecting an application for an award are as follows--
The Secretary is interested in outcomes-oriented research or
development projects that use rigorous scientific methodologies. To
address this interest applicants are encouraged to articulate goals,
objectives, and expected outcomes for the proposed research or
development activities. Proposals should describe how results and
planned outputs are expected to contribute to advances in knowledge,
improvements in policy and practice, and eventually to public benefits
for individuals with disabilities. Applicants should propose projects
that are optimally designed to be consistent with these goals. We
encourage applicants to include in their application a description of
how results will measure progress towards achievement of anticipated
outcomes, the mechanisms that will be used to evaluate outcomes
associated with specific problems or issues, and how the proposed
activities will support new intervention approaches and strategies,
including a discussion of measures of effectiveness. Submission of the
information identified in this section V.
2. Review and Selection Process is voluntary, except where required
by the selection criteria listed in the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a
final performance report, including financial information, as directed
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an
annual performance report that provides the most current performance
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in
34 CFR 75.118.
Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on
how and when to submit the report.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR
examines a portion of its grantees to determine the extent to which
grantees are conducting high-quality research and related activities
that lead to high quality products. Performance measures for the FI
studies program include--
The percentage of grantee research and development that
has appropriate study design, meets rigorous standards of scientific or
engineering methods, and builds on and contributes to knowledge in the
field;
The number of publications per award based on NIDRR-funded
research and development activities in refereed journals;
The number of discoveries, analyses, and standards
developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert
panels to advance understanding of key concepts, issues, and emerging
trends and strengthen the evidence-base for disability and
rehabilitation policy, practice, and research;
The number of new or improved tools and methods developed
or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged by expert panels to
improve measurement and data collection procedures and enhance the
design and evaluation of disability and rehabilitation interventions,
products and devices; and
The number of new and improved interventions, programs,
and devices developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been
judged by expert panels to be successful in improving individual
outcomes and increasing access.
NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their
Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for these reviews.
The Department's program performance reports, which include
information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department's Web
site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/sas/index.html.
Updates on the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)
indicators, revisions, and methods appear in the NIDRR Program Review
Web site: http://www.cessi.net/contracts/pm/doe_nidrr_tsam.html.
Grantees should consult these sites, on a regular basis, to obtain
details and explanations on how NIDRR programs contribute to the
advancement of the Department's long-term and annual performance goals.
VII. Agency Contact
For Further Information Contact: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6027, Potomac Center Plaza,
Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by e-mail:
lynn.medley@ed.gov.
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may
call the TDD number at (202) 245-7317 or the Federal Relay Service
(FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this
section.
VIII. Other Information
Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/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 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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html
.
Dated: December 1, 2005.
John H. Hager,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. E5-6910 Filed 12-5-05; 8:45 am]
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