94-16906. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 13, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
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    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-16906]
    
    
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    [Federal Register: July 13, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    
    [CFDA No.: 84.133D]
    
     
    
    Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National 
    Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
    
    Notice Inviting Applications for a New Award Under the Knowledge 
    Dissemination and Utilization Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 1994
    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 competition. The final priority for the 
    Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization program is 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.
    
        Note: The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 require that 
    each applicant for a project under this competition must demonstrate 
    in its application how it will address the needs of individuals from 
    minority backgrounds who have disabilities. Before your application 
    can be reviewed, it must include this description. Applications for 
    which this information is not received will not be reviewed.
    
        Successful applicants that provide services to individuals with 
    disabilities will be required to advise these individuals, or as 
    appropriate, the parents, family guardians, advocates, or authorized 
    representatives of these individuals, of the availability and purposes 
    of the State Client Assistance Program (CAP), including information on 
    means of seeking assistance under such programs. A list of State CAPs 
    will be provided to successful applicants when they are notified of 
    their award.
        This notice 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 of 
    citizenship.
        If you need further information about these requirements, please 
    contact Betty Jo Berland at (202) 205-9739. Individuals who use a 
    telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at 
    (202) 205-5516.
    
    DEADLINE FOR TRANSMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS: August 26, 1994.
    APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: July 13, 1994.
    AVAILABLE FUNDS: $400,000.
    ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: 1.
    PROJECT PERIOD: Up to 60 months.
    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 and 355; and (c) the notice of final priority as published 
    elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.
    PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization program 
    is designed to support activities that ensure that rehabilitation 
    knowledge generated from projects and centers funded by NIDRR and 
    others is utilized fully to improve the lives of individuals with 
    disabilities and their families. This notice invites applications for a 
    project to support the international exchange of information and 
    experts. The final priority for this award is published in this issue 
    of the Federal Register. Potential applicants should consult the 
    statement of the final priority published in this issue to ascertain 
    the substantive requirements for their applications.
    
        Selection Criteria: The Secretary uses the following selection 
    criteria to evaluate applications under this program.
        (a) Potential Impact of Outcomes: Importance of Program (Weight 
    3.0). The Secretary reviews each application to determine to what 
    degree--
        (1) The proposed activity relates to the announced priority;
        (2) The research is likely to produce new and useful information 
    (research activities only);
        (3) The need and target population are adequately defined;
        (4) The outcomes are likely to benefit the defined target 
    populations;
        (5) The training needs are clearly defined (training activities 
    only);
        (6) The training methods and developed subject matter are likely to 
    meet the defined need (training activities only); and
        (7) The need for information exists (utilization activities only).
        (b) Potential Impact of Outcomes: Dissemination/Utilization (Weight 
    3.0). The Secretary reviews each application to determine to what 
    degree--
        (1) The research results are likely to become available to others 
    working in the field (research activities only);
        (2) The means to disseminate and promote utilization by others are 
    defined;
        (3) The training methods and content are to be packaged for 
    dissemination and use by others (training activities only); and
        (4) The utilization approach is likely to address the defined need 
    (utilization activities only).
        (c) Probability of Achieving Proposed Outcomes; Program/Project 
    Design (Weight 5.0). The Secretary reviews each application to 
    determine to what degree--
        (1) The objectives of the project(s) are clearly stated;
        (2) The hypothesis is sound and based on evidence (research 
    activities only);
        (3) The project design/methodology is likely to achieve the 
    objectives;
        (4) The measurement methodology and analysis is sound;
        (5) The conceptual model (if used) is sound (development/
    demonstration activities only);
        (6) The sample populations are correct and significant (research 
    and development/demonstration activities only);
        (7) The human subjects are sufficiently protected (research and 
    development/demonstration activities only);
        (8) The device(s) or model system is to be developed in an 
    appropriate environment;
        (9) The training content is comprehensive and at an appropriate 
    level (training activities only);
        (10) The training methods are likely to be effective (training 
    activities only);
        (11) The new materials (if developed) are likely to be of high 
    quality and uniqueness (training activities only);
        (12) The target populations are linked to the project (utilization 
    activities only); and
        (13) The format of the dissemination medium is the best to achieve 
    the desired result (utilization activities only).
        (d) Probability of Achieving Proposed Outcomes: Key Personnel 
    (Weight 4.0). The Secretary reviews each application to determine to 
    what degree--
        (1) The principal investigator and other key staff have adequate 
    training and/or experience and demonstrate appropriate potential to 
    conduct the proposed research, demonstration, training, development, or 
    dissemination activity;
        (2) The principal investigator and other key staff are familiar 
    with pertinent literature and/or methods;
        (3) All required disciplines are effectively covered;
        (4) Commitments of staff time are adequate for the project; and
        (5) The applicant is likely, as part of its non-discriminatory 
    employment practices, to encourage applications for employment from 
    persons who are members of groups that traditionally have been 
    underrepresented, such as--
        (i) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
        (ii) Women;
        (iii) Handicapped persons; and
        (iv) The elderly.
        (e) Probability of Achieving Proposed Outcomes: Evaluation Plan 
    (Weight 1.0). The Secretary reviews each application to determine to 
    what degree--
        (1) There is a mechanism to evaluate plans, progress and results;
        (2) The evaluation methods and objectives are likely to produce 
    data that are quantifiable; and
        (3) The evaluation results, where relevant, are likely to be 
    assessed in a service setting.
        (f) Program/Project Management: Plan of Operation (Weight 2.0). The 
    Secretary reviews each application to determine to what degree--
        (1) There is an effective plan of operation that insures proper and 
    efficient administration of the project(s);
        (2) The applicant's planned use of its resources and personnel is 
    likely to achieve each objective;
        (3) Collaboration between institutions, if proposed, is likely to 
    be effective; and
        (4) There is a clear description of how the applicant will include 
    eligible project participants who have been traditionally 
    underrepresented, such as--
        (i) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;
        (ii) Women;
        (iii) Handicapped persons; and
        (iv) The elderly.
        (g) Program/Project Management: Adequacy of Resources (Weight 1.0). 
    The Secretary reviews each application to determine to what degree--
        (1) The facilities planned for use are adequate;
        (2) The equipment and supplies planned for use are adequate; and
        (3) The commitment of the applicant to provide administrative 
    support and adequate facilities is evident.
        (h) Program/Project Management: (Budget and Cost Effectiveness 
    (Weight 1.0). The Secretary reviews each application to determine to 
    what degree--
        (1) The budget for the project(s) is adequate to support the 
    activities;
        (2) The costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the 
    projects(s); and
        (3) The budget for subcontracts (if required) is detailed and 
    appropriate.
        Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under 
    this program are public and private nonprofit and for-profit 
    organizations, including institutions of higher education and Indian 
    tribes and tribal organizations.
        Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 761a and 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, DC 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, 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 
    424A) and instructions.
        PART III: Application Narrative.
    
    Additional Materials
    
        Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
        Assurances--Non--Non Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
        Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
    Responsibility Matters: and Drug-Free WorkPlace 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.
        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.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianne Villines, U.S. Department of 
    Education, Room 3417 Switzer Building, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., 
    Washington, D.C. 20202-2704. Telephone: (202) 205-9141. Individuals who 
    use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD 
    number at (202) 205-8887.
    
        Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760-762.
    
        Dated: June 7, 1994.
    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?
        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.
    
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
    
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    BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
        Public reporting burden for these collections of information is 
    estimated to average 30 hours per response, including the time for 
    reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
    maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
    collection of information.
        Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of 
    these collections of information, including suggestions for reducing 
    this burden, to: the U.S. Department of Education, Information 
    Management and Compliance Division, Washington, D.C. 20202-4651; and to 
    the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1820-
    0027, Washington, D.C. 20503.
    
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    [FR Doc. 94-16906 Filed 7-12-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4000-01-C
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/13/1994
Department:
Education Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Document Number:
94-16906
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: July 13, 1994, CFDA No.: 84.133D