[Federal Register: June 30, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 125)] [Notices] [Page 35326-35327] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30jn97-119] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year 1997 SUMMARY: This notice provides a closing date and other information regarding the transmittal of applications for a fiscal year 1997 competition under programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This notice supports the National Education Goals by helping to improve results for children with disabilities. Note: The Department of Education is not bound by any estimates in this notice. Priorities Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) the Secretary gives an absolute preference to applications that meet the following priority. The Secretary will fund under this competition only those applications that meet this absolute priority: Absolute Priority--Directed Research Projects (84.023D). The priority Directed Research Projects in the notice of final priority under programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, applies to this competition. Applications Available: July 3, 1997. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: August 15, 1997. Under this Directed Research Projects priority, a research project must address one of five focus areas. A separate application must be submitted for each focus area. Following is the pertinent information for each focus area: Focus 1--Beacons of Excellence Eligible applicants: State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR Part 324. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Estimated Number of Awards: 4. Project Period: The majority of projects will be funded for up to 36 months. Only in exceptional circumstances--such as research questions that require repeated measurement, longitudinal design--will projects be funded for more than 36 months or up to a maximum of 54 months. Focus 2--Prevention and Early Intervention Services for Children With Emotional and Behavioral Problems Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other appropriate public and nonprofit private institutions or agencies. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General [[Page 35327]] Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR Part 328. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 15, 1997. Estimated Number of Awards: 1. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Focus 3--Students Approaching Graduation and the Supplemental Security Income Program Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education, State education agencies, local education agencies, and other public and nonprofit private institutions or agencies (including the State job training coordinating councils and service delivery area administrative entities established under the Job Training Partnership Act). 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 in 34 CFR Part 326. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 15, 1997. Estimated Number of Awards: 4. Project Period: Up to 48 months. Focus 4--The sustainability of Promising Innovations Eligible applicants: State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public agencies and nonprofit private organizations. Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; and (b) The regulations in 34 CFR Part 324. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Estimated Number of Awards: 4. Project period: Up to 48. Focus 5--Educating Children With Severe Disabilities in Inclusive Settings Eligible applicants: Any public or private, profit or nonprofit, organization or institution. 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 in 34 CFR Part 315. Note: The regulations in 34 CFR Part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: September 15, 1997. Estimated Number of Awards: 6. Project Period: Up to 36 months. Maximum Award for All Focus Areas If an applicant wishes to address more than one Focus area, a separate application must be submitted for each focus area. The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that proposes a budget exceeding $250,000 for any single budget period of 12 months. However, because of budgetary considerations contingent upon congressional action, the Secretary may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal Register. This maximum award applies to any application for any Focus area. Page Limits for All Focus Areas Part III of the application, the Application Narrative, requires applicants to address the selection criteria that will be used by reviewers in evaluating individual proposals. The applicant must limit the Part III--Application Narrative to no more than 60 double-spaced 8\1/2\ x 11'' pages (on one side only) with one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). This page limitation applies to all applications to any focus area and to all material presented in the application narrative--including, for example, any charts, tables, figures, and graphs. The application narrative page limit does not apply to: Part I--the cover sheet; Part II--the budget section (including the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the assurances and certifications. Also, the one-page abstract, resumes, bibliography, or letters of support, while considered part of the application, are not subject to the page limitation. Applicants should note that reviewers are not required to review any information provided in addition to the application information listed above. All sections of text in the application narrative 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 14 characters per inch. If using a nonproportional font or a typewriter, do not use more than 12 characters to the inch. Double- spacing and font requirements do not apply within charts, tables, figures, and graphs, but the information presented in those formats should be easily readable. The Secretary rejects and does not consider an application that does not adhere to these requirements. Program authority: 20 U.S.C. 1441, 1424, 1425, and 1426. For Applications and General Information Contact Requests for applications and general information should be addressed to the Grants and Contracts Services Team, 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., room 3317, Switzer Building, Washington, D.C. 20202-2641. The preferred method for requesting information is to FAX your request to: (202) 205-8717. Telephone: (202) 260-9182. 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 and an application package in an alternate format (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Department as listed above. Information about the Department's funding opportunities, including copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server (at Gopher:// gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition is the notice published in the Federal Register. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers: Research in Education of Individuals with Disabilities Program, 84.023; Program for Children with Severe Disabilities, 84.086; Secondary Education and Transitional Services for Youth with Disabilities Program, 84.158, and Program for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance, 84.238) Dated: June 24, 1997. Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 97-17060 Filed 6-27-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M