95-12768. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting Applications for Certain New Awards Under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) for ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 27639-27655]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-12768]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    [CFDA No.: 84.133B]
    
    
    Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National 
    Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice Inviting 
    Applications for Certain New Awards Under the Rehabilitation Research 
    and Training Centers (RRTC) for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995
    
    NOTE TO APPLICANTS: This notice is a complete application package. The 
    notice contains information, application forms, and instructions needed 
    to apply for a grant under this competitions. The final priorities for 
    the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) program are 
    published in this issue of the Federal Register. This consolidated 
    application package includes the closing date, estimated funding, and 
    application forms necessary to apply for an award under this program's 
    competition. Potential applicants should consult the statement of the 
    final priority published in this issue to ascertain the substantive 
    requirements for their applications.
        The estimated funding level in this notice does not bind the 
    Department of Education to make awards or to any specific number of 
    awards or funding levels.
        This notice of final priorities supports the National Education 
    Goal that calls for all Americans to possess the knowledge and skills 
    necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and 
    responsibilities and citizenship.
    
         Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1995, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers CFDA No. 84.133B     
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Estimated           
                                                                    Deadline for     Estimated   size of    Project 
                          Funding priority                         transmittal of    number of    awards     period 
                                                                    applications       awards      (per     (months)
                                                                                                  year)             
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Independent living and disability policy...................  July 21, 1995.....          1   $400,000         60
    Independent living center management and services..........  July 21, 1995.....          1    650,000         60
    Peer support in rehabilitation of long-term mental illness.  July 21, 1995.....          1    545,000         60
    Improved outcomes for low-functioning deaf individuals.....  July 21, 1995.....          1    400,000         60
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Applications available: May 25, 1995.                                                                           
    
    APPLICABLE REGULATIONS: (a) The Education Department General 
    Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 
    81, 82, 85, 86; (b) the regulations for this program in 34 CFR Parts 
    350 (amended April 5, 1995, (60 FR 17426)) and 352 (amended April 5, 
    1995, (60 FR 17429)); and (c) the notice of final priorities published 
    elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
    
    PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers 
    conduct coordinated and advanced programs of rehabilitation research, 
    provide training--including undergraduate, graduate, and in-service 
    training--to research and other rehabilitation personnel, and assist 
    individuals to more effectively provide rehabilitation services.
        Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection 
    criteria to evaluate applications under this program.
        (a) Relevance and importance of the research program (20 points). 
    The Secretary reviews each application to determine to what degree--
        (1) The proposed activities are responsive to a priority 
    established by the Secretary and address a significant need of a 
    disabled target population and rehabilitation service providers;
        (2) The overall research program of the Center includes appropriate 
    interdisciplinary and collaborative research activities, is likely to 
    lead to [[Page 27640]] new and useful knowledge in the priority area, 
    and is likely to become a nationally recognized source of scientific 
    knowledge; and
        (3) The applicant demonstrates that all component activities of the 
    Center are related to the overall objective of the Center, and will 
    build upon and complement each other to enhance the likelihood of 
    solving significant rehabilitation problems.
        (b) Quality of the research design (35 points). The Secretary 
    reviews each application to determine to what degree--
        (1) The applicant proposes a comprehensive research program for the 
    entire project period, including at least three interrelated research 
    projects;
        (2) The research design and methodology of each proposed activity 
    are meritorious in that--
        (i) The literature review is appropriate and indicates familiarity 
    with current research in the field;
        (ii) The research hypotheses are important and scientifically 
    relevant;
        (iii) The sample populations are appropriate and significant;
        (iv) The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate 
    and likely to be effective;
        (v) The data analysis methods are appropriate; and
        (vi) The applicant assures that human subjects, animals, and the 
    environment are adequately protected; and
        (3) The application discusses the anticipated research results and 
    demonstrates how those results would satisfy the original hypotheses 
    and could be used for planning future research, including generation of 
    new hypotheses where applicable.
        (c) Quality of the training and dissemination program (25 points). 
    The Secretary reviews each application to determine the degree to 
    which--
        (1) The proposed plan for training and dissemination provides 
    evidence that research results will be effectively disseminated and 
    utilized based on the identification of appropriate and accessible 
    target groups; the proposed training materials and methods are 
    appropriate; the proposed activities are relevant to the regional and 
    national needs of the rehabilitation field; and the training materials 
    and dissemination packages will be developed in alternate media that 
    are usable by people with various types of disabilities.
        (2) The proposed plan for training and dissemination provides for--
        (i) Advanced training in rehabilitation research;
        (ii) Training rehabilitation service personnel and other 
    appropriate individuals to improve practitioner skills based on new 
    knowledge derived from research;
        (iii) Training packages that make research results available to 
    service providers, researchers, educators, individuals with 
    disabilities, parents, and others;
        (iv) Technical assistance or consultation that is responsive to the 
    concerns of service providers and consumers; and
        (v) Dissemination of research findings through publication in 
    professional journals, textbooks, and consumer and other publications, 
    and through other appropriate media such as audiovisual materials and 
    telecommunications.
        (vi) Dissemination of research findings and other materials in 
    appropriate formats and accessible media for use by individuals with 
    various disabilities.
        (d) Quality of the organization and management (20 points). The 
    Secretary reviews each application to determine the degree to which--
        (1) The staffing plan for the Center provides evidence that the 
    project director, research director, training director, principal 
    investigators, and other personnel have appropriate training and 
    experience in disciplines required to conduct the proposed activities; 
    the commitment of staff time is adequate to conduct all proposed 
    activities; and the Center, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment 
    practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected for employment 
    without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or 
    handicapping conditions;
        (2) The budgets for the Center and for each component project are 
    reasonable, adequate, and cost-effective for the proposed activities;
        (3) The facilities, equipment, and other resources are adequate and 
    are appropriately accessible to persons with disabilities;
        (4) The plan of operations is adequate to accomplish the Center's 
    objectives and to ensure proper and efficient management of the Center;
        (5) The proposed relationships with Federal, State, and local 
    rehabilitation service providers and consumer organizations are likely 
    to ensure that the Center program is relevant and applicable to the 
    needs of consumers and service providers;
        (6) The past performance and accomplishments of the applicant 
    indicate an ability to complete successfully the proposed scope of 
    work;
        (7) The application demonstrates appropriate commitment and support 
    by the host institution and opportunities for interdisciplinary 
    activities and collaboration with other institutions; and
        (8) The plan for evaluation of the Center provides for an annual 
    assessment of the outcomes of the research, the impact of the training 
    and dissemination activities on the target populations, and the extent 
    to which the overall objectives have been accomplished.
    
    ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Institutions of higher education and public or 
    private agencies and organizations collaborating with institutions of 
    higher education, including Indian tribes and tribal organizations, are 
    eligible to apply for awards under this program.
    
        Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762.
    
    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, D.C. 20202-4725, or
        (2) Hand deliver the original and two copies of the application by 
    4:30 p.m. [Washington, D.C. time] on the deadline date to: U.S. 
    Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
    (CFDA #  [Applicant must insert number and letter]), Room #3633, 
    Regional Office Building #3, 7th and D Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C.
        (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 [[Page 27641]] 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 ED-80-
    0014) and instructions. (NOTE: ED Form ED-80-0014 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, 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 18, 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 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 Innovation 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.
        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.
        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 the title of the priority to which they are 
    responding.
        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 application 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 
    justification 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? [[Page 27642]] 
        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. 95-12768 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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Document Information

Published:
05/24/1995
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
95-12768
Pages:
27639-27655 (17 pages)
Docket Numbers:
CFDA No.: 84.133B
PDF File:
95-12768.pdf