[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 127 (Monday, July 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34326-34330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X96-30701]
[[Page 34325]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VIII
Department of Education
_______________________________________________________________________
Applications Invitation for New Awards Under Certain Programs for
Fiscal Year 1997; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 127 / Monday, July 1, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 34326]]
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[CFDA Nos.: 84.133F, 84.133G, and 84.133P]
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 1997
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.
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.
Field Initiated Research--34 CFR Parts 357.
Research Training and Career Development Program--34 CFR Part 360.
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.
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 1997 Research Fellowships, CFDA No. 84.133F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated Project
Funding priority transmittal of number of Maximum award amount (per period
applications awards year)* (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Fellowships...................... 8/30/96 10 Merit: $30,000 12
Distinguished: $40,000.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
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.
Note: The ``Design of the project'' section of the selection
criteria for the Field-Initiated Research (FIR) program (Section
357.32(b)) includes different sets of selection criteria relating to
three types of projects: research and demonstration projects,
knowledge dissemination projects, and development projects. An
applicant for an FIR grant should clearly identify on the cover page
of the application which one of the three types of projects is being
proposed. The ``Design of project'' selection criteria that will be
used to review an application will be based on the applicant's
identification of the type of project that is being proposed.
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;
(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; and
(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; and
(v) There are adequate means of documenting and evaluating the
effectiveness of the dissemination activity.
[[Page 34327]]
(3) The Secretary reviews each application for a development
project to determine the extent to which--
(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 1997 Field-Initiated Research, CFDA No. 84.133G
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated Project
Funding Priority transmittal of number of Maximum award amount (per period
applications awards year)* (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field-Initiated Research.................. 9/30/96 25 $125,000 36
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Program Title: Research Training and Career Development Program
CFDA Number: 84.133P.
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to expand capability in the
field of rehabilitation research by supporting projects that provide
advanced training in rehabilitation research. These projects provide
research training and experience at an advanced level to individuals
with doctorates or similar advanced degrees who have clinical or other
relevant experience, including experience in management or basic
science research, in fields pertinent to rehabilitation, in order to
qualify those individuals to conduct independent research on problems
related to disability and rehabilitation.
Invitational Priorities: The Secretary is particularly interested
in applications that address one of the following invitational
priorities. However, under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) an application that
meets an invitational priority does not receive competitive or absolute
preference over other applications. The invitational priorities are:
1. Training individuals with disabilities in advanced research in
disability and rehabilitation-related fields.
2. Training individuals from minority backgrounds, particularly
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds, in advanced
disability and rehabilitation research.
Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following criteria in 34
CFR 360.31 to evaluate applications under this program.
(a) Importance and potential contribution. (20 points) The
Secretary reviews each application to determine to what degree--
(1) The applicant is responsive to any priority established under
Sec. 360.32;
(2) The applicant proposes to provide training in a rehabilitation
discipline or area of study in which there is a shortage of qualified
researchers, or to provide training to a trainee population in which
there is a need for more qualified researchers, such as clinicians in
rural areas, or clinicians who are directly experienced with
underserved populations; and
(3) The applicant is likely to make a significant increase in the
number of trained rehabilitation researchers.
(b) Quality of proposed training program. (40 points) The Secretary
reviews each application to determine to what degree--
(1) The applicant's proposed recruitment program is likely to be
effective in recruiting highly qualified trainees;
(2) The proposed didactic and classroom training programs emphasize
scientific methodology are multidisciplinary, comprehensive, and
appropriate to the level of the trainees, and are likely to produce
qualified independent researchers;
(3) The quality and extent of the academic mentorship, guidance,
and supervision to be provided to each individual trainee are of a high
level and are likely to produce highly qualified researchers;
(4) The type, extent, and quality of the proposed clinical and
laboratory research experience, including the opportunity to
participate in research on meaningful topics at an advanced level, are
likely to develop individuals with the capacity to perform independent
research; and
(5) The opportunities for collegial and collaborative activities,
exposure to outstanding scientists in the field, and opportunities to
participate in the preparation of scholarly or scientific publications
and presentations are extensive and appropriate.
(c) Personnel and resources committed to the project. (30 points)
The Secretary evaluates each application to determine to what degree--
(1) The activities of the project will be implemented by sufficient
and qualified staff who are outstanding scientists in the field;
[[Page 34328]]
(2) The project director and other key staff are experienced in the
delivery of advanced research training as well as knowledgeable about
the methodology and literature of pertinent subject areas;
(3) All required disciplines are effectively included; and
(4) The applicant possesses the appropriate facilities,
laboratories, and access to clinical populations and organizations
representing persons with disabilities to support the conduct of
advanced clinical rehabilitation research.
(d) Management and operating plans. (l0 points) The Secretary
evaluates each application to determine to what degree--
(1) There is an effective plan of operation that ensures proper and
efficient administration of the project;
(2) There is an effective plan for collaboration with other
institutions of higher education and organizations whose participation
is necessary to ensure effective classroom and clinical research
training;
(3) The applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment
practices, will ensure that its personnel are selected without regard
to race, color, national origin, gender, age or handicapping condition;
(4) The applicant has provided an adequate plan for the use of
facilities, resources, supplies and equipment;
(5) The budget for the project is reasonable and adequate to
support the proposed activities; and
(6) The applicant provides an appropriate plan for the evaluation
of all phases of the project.
Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education are eligible
to receive awards under this program.
Program Authority: 29. U.S.C. 761a(k).
Application Notice for Fiscal Year 1997 Research Training and Career Development Program, CFDA No. 84.133P
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadline for Estimated Project
Funding priority transmittal of number of Maximum award amount (per period
applications awards year)* (months)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Training and Career Development
Program.................................. 8/30/96 3 $150,000 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The Secretary will reject without consideration or evaluation any application that proposes a project
funding level that exceeds the stated maximum award amount (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).
Instructions for Application Narrative
The Secretary strongly recommends that the narrative for Field-
Initiated Research and Research Training and Career Development
applications be limited to no more than 40 double-spaced, typed pages
(on one side only), not including appendices. This recommended page
limit applies only to the narrative and not to the application forms,
assurances, certifications and attachments to those forms, assurances,
and certifications.
The research proposal for a Fellowship application must be limited
to no more than 12 pages (34 CFR 356.30(b)).
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 instruction. This document has been marked to reflect
statutory changes. See the notice published by the Office of Management
and Budget at 61 FR 1413 (January 19, 1996).
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
[[Page 34329]]
original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a completed
application form has been received.
For Applications Contact: In order to obtain an application
package, contact William H. Whalen, U.S. Department of Education, 600
Independence Avenue SW., Switzer Building, Room 3411, Washington, DC
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; on the Internet Gopher Server at
GOPHER.ED.GOV (under Announcements, Bulletins, and Press Releases); or
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ed.gov/.money.html.
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: June 19, 1996.
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 Research Training and Career
Development program should limit indirect charges to 8 percent.
Applicants in the Field-Initiated Research program 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. Fellowship awards are made to
individuals, therefore indirect cost rates do not apply.
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 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
[[Page 34330]]
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
