[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28284-28299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3064]
[[Page 28283]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
_______________________________________________________________________
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards Under Certain Programs for Fiscal
Year 1996
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 30, 1995 /
Notices
[[Page 28284]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
[CFDA Nos.: 84.133F and 84.133G]
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research;
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards Under Certain Programs for
Fiscal Year (FY) 1996
Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application
package. Together with the statute authorizing the programs and
applicable regulations governing the programs, including the
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR),
this notice contains information, application forms, and
instructions needed to apply for a grant under these competitions.
These programs support 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.
Note: The estimated funding levels in this notice do not bind
the Department of Education 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 regulations:
Research Fellowships--34 CFR part 356 (amended September 22, 1993
(58 FR 49419) and April 5, 1995 (60 FR 17431)).
Field Initiated Research--34 CFR parts 350 (amended April 5, 1995
(60 FR 17426)) and 357 (amended September 22, 1993 (58 FR 49419)).
Program Title: Rehabilitation Research Fellowships
CFDA Number: 84.133F
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to build research capacity
by providing support to highly qualified individuals to perform
research on the rehabilitation of disabled persons.
Note: The Secretary requires all research fellows to work full
time on authorized fellowship activities (see 34 CFR 356.41).
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 12 pages
containing the following information:
(1) The importance of the problem to be investigated to the purpose
of the Act and the mission of 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.
Eligible Applicants: Individuals only are eligible to apply for
research fellowships under this program.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 761a(d).
Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1996
[Research Fellowships, CFDA No. 84.133F]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Deadline for Estimated size of Project
Funding priority transmittal No. of awards period
of awards (per (months)
applications year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research fellowships..... 10/20/95 10 40,000 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications Available: May 30, 1995.
Program Title: Field-Initiated Research (CFDA Number: 84.133G).
Purpose: This program is designed to encourage eligible parties to
originate valuable ideas for research and demonstration, development,
or knowledge dissemination projects to improve the lives of individuals
with disabilities, and to support research and demonstration,
development, or knowledge dissemination projects as described in
program regulations that address important activities not supported by
Institute-funded research or that complement that research in a
promising way.
Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following criteria to
evaluate an application under this program.
(a) Importance of the problem. (20 points) The Secretary reviews
each application to determine the extent to which--
(1) The proposed project addresses a problem that is significant to
persons with disabilities or to those who provide services to them; and
(2) The proposed project is likely to produce new and useful
knowledge, techniques, or devices that will develop or disseminate
solutions to problems confronting persons with disabilities.
(3) The application addresses the needs of individuals with
disabilities from minority backgrounds.
(b) Design of the project. (45 points)
(1) The Secretary reviews each application for a research and
demonstration project to determine the extent to which--
(i) The review of the literature is appropriate and indicates
familiarity with the relevant current research;
(ii) The research hypotheses are theoretically sound and based on
current knowledge;
(iii) The sample populations are adequate and appropriately
selected;
(iv) The data collection instruments and methods are appropriate
and likely to be successful;
(v) The data analysis measures are appropriate; and
(vi) The application discusses the anticipated research results and
demonstrates how those results would satisfy the original hypotheses.
(2) The Secretary reviews each application for a knowledge
dissemination project to determine the extent to which--
(i) The need for the information has been demonstrated;
(ii) The target populations are appropriately specified;
(iii) The dissemination methods are appropriate to the target
population;
(iv) The materials for dissemination are prepared in media
accessible to the target population;
(v) There are adequate means of documenting and evaluating the
effectiveness of the dissemination activity.
(3) The Secretary reviews each application for a development
project to determine the extent to which-- [[Page 28285]]
(i) The proposed project will use the most effective and
appropriate technology available in developing the new device or
technique;
(ii) The proposed development is based on a sound conceptual model
that demonstrates an awareness of the state-of-the-art in technology;
(iii) Devices or techniques will be developed and tested in an
appropriate environment;
(iv) The applicant considers the cost-effectiveness and usefulness
of the device or technique to be developed for persons with
disabilities; and
(v) The applicant discusses the potential for commercial or private
manufacture, marketing, and distribution of the product.
(c) Personnel. (20 points) The Secretary reviews each application
to determine the extent to which--
(1) The key personnel have adequate training and experience in the
required discipline to conduct the proposed activities;
(2) The allotment of staff time is adequate to accomplish the
proposed activities; and
(3) The applicant ensures that personnel are selected for
employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age,
or handicapping conditions.
(d) Management and Evaluation. (15 points) The Secretary reviews
each application to determine the extent to which--
(1) The resources of the applicant are adequate, appropriate, and
accessible to individuals with disabilities;
(2) The proposed budget is adequate and appropriate for the
activities to be carried out;
(3) There is a plan, appropriate to the type of field-initiated
project, to evaluate the effectiveness of the project in accomplishing
its goals and objectives;
(4) The applicant provides a plan of operations, appropriate to the
type of field-initiated project, indicating that it will achieve the
project objectives in a timely and effective manner; and
(5) Appropriate collaboration with other agencies is assured.
Eligible Applicants: Public and private organizations, including
institutions of higher education and Indian tribes and tribal
organizations, are eligible to apply for awards under this program.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762.
Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1996
[Field-Initiated Research, CFDA No. 84.133G]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Deadline for Estimated size of Project
Funding Priority transmittal No. of awards period
of awards (per (months)
applications year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field-initiated research. 9/29/95 15-20 125,000 36
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications Available: May 30, 1995.
Instructions For Transmittal of Applications
(a) If an applicant wants to apply for a grant, the applicant
shall--
(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 # [Applicant must insert number and
letter]), Washington, DC 20202-4725, or
(2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by
4:30 p.m. [Washington, DC time] on the deadline date to: U.S.
Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
________(CFDA # [Applicant must insert number and letter]), Room #3633,
Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, SW., Washington, DC.
(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,
if any--of the competition under which the application is being
submitted.
Application Forms and Instructions
The appendix to this application is divided into four parts. These
parts are organized in the same manner that the submitted application
should be organized. These parts are as follows:
PART I: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 (Rev.
4-88)) and instructions.
PART II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form
524A) and instructions.
PART III: Application Narrative.
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 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.)
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL (if
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
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: In order to obtain an application
package, [[Page 28286]] contact William H. Whalen, U.S. Department of
Education, 600 Independence Avenue S.W., Switzer Building, Room 3411,
Washington, D.C. 20202. Telephone: (202) 205-9141. Individuals who use
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number
at (202) 205-8887.
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; or on the Internet Gopher Server at
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases).
However, the official application notice for a discretionary grant
competition is the notice published in the Federal Register.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.
Dated: May 23, 1995.
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 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.
Applicants in the FIR and SCI grants programs should limit
indirect charges to the organization's approved rate. If the
organization does not have an approved rate, the application should
include an estimated actual rate. Applicants for projects in the
Research Training and Career Development program are limited to an
indirect rate of 8 percent. There are no indirect charges permitted
in the Fellowship program.
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 the 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 APPLCIATION IS SUCCESSFUL, CAN I ASSUME I WILL GET THE
REQUESTED BUDGET AMOUNT IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS?
No. Those budget projections are necessary and helpful for
planning purposes. However, a complete budget and budget
justificaiton must be submitted for each year of the project and
there will be negotiations on the budget each year.
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.
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[FR Doc. 95-3064 Filed 5-26-95; 8:45 am]
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