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- 0027 Program Descriptions

The following program descriptions are for the a pplication p ackage s used for g rant competitions under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program is used specifically for : 84. 133A, Disability Reh abilitation Research Projects; 84. 133B, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers; 1 84. 33E, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers; 84. 133F, Research Fellowship; 84. 133G, Field Initiated Project; 84. 133N, Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spi nal Cord Injuries Program; 84. 133P, Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Project 84. 133A, Disability

Rehabilitation Research Projects The purpose of the DRRP Program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related acti vities that help to maximize the full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities into society and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act). An applicant for assistance under this program must demonstrate in its application how it will address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds (34 CFR 350.40(a)). The approaches an applicant may take to meet this requirement are found in 34 CFR 350.40(b). Eligible : States; public or private agencies, including for

- profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for

- profit organizations; I HEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 84. 133B, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of research targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery

s ys tems, alleviate or stabilize disability conditions, or p romote maximum social and economic independence for persons with disabilities. General Requirements of RRTCs RRTCs must

--  Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation research;
 Provide training, including graduate, pre

- service, and in

- serv ice training, to help rehabilitation personnel more effectivel y provide rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities;
 Provide technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties;
 Demonstrate in their applications how they will address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds;
 Disseminate informational materials to individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties; and Serve as centers of national excellence in rehabilitation research for

individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties. Eligible : States; public or private agencies, including for

- profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for

- profit organizations; I HEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 84. 133E, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers RERCs carry

out research or demonstration activities in suppo rt of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, b y --  Developing and disseminating innovative methods of apply ing advanced technology , scientific achievement, and ps ychological and social knowledge to (a) solve rehabilitation problems and remove environm ental barriers and (b) stud y and evaluate new or emerging technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and benefits; or
 Demonstrating and disseminating (a) innovative models for the delivery of cost

- effective rehabilitation technology se rvices to rural and urban areas and (b) other scientific research to assist in meeting the emplo yment and independent living needs of individuals with severe disabilities; or
 Facilitating service delivery s ys tems change through (a) the development, evaluat ion, and dissemination of consumer

- responsive and individual and family

centered innovative models for the delivery to both rural and urban areas of innovative cost

- effective rehabilitation technology services and (b) other scientific research to assist in meeting the employ

ment and independence needs of individuals with severe disabilities. Each RERC must provide training opportunities, in conjunction with institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, to assist individuals, including indi viduals with disabilities, to become rehabilitation technology researchers and practitioners. Eligible : States; public or private agencies, including for

- profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for

- profit organizations; I HEs; and In dian tribes and tribal organizations. 84. 133F, Research Fellowship Fellows must conduct original research in an area authorized by section 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Section 204 authorizes research designed to maximize the full i nclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family , support, and economic and social self

- sufficiency

of individuals with disabilities, especiall y individuals with the most severe disabilities. Eligible : Individuals only84. 133G, Field Initiated Project

The purpose of this program is to further one or both of the following: (a) develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society , employ ment, independent li ving, family support, and economic and social self

- sufficiency

of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities; or (b) improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amen ded (Act). FI projects carry out either research activities or development activities. In carrying out a research activity , a grantee must identify one or more h ypotheses and, based on the h ypotheses identified, perform an intensive, systematic study dire cted toward new scientific knowledge or better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge. In carrying out a development activity , a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, sy stems, or methods beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototy pes and processes. Target population means the group of individuals, organizations, or other entities expected to be affected b y the project. More than on e group may be involved since a project may

affect those who receive services, provide services, or administer services. Eligible : States; public or private agencies, including for

- profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for

- profit or ganizations; I HEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 84. 133N, Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program The Spinal Cord Injury

Model Sy stems (SCI MS) program is designed to study the course of recovery

and outcomes fo llowing the delivery of a coordinated s ystem of care for individuals with SCI . Under this program, SCIMS centers provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with SCIand conduct spinal cord research, including clinical research and the an al ys is of standardized data in collaboration with other related projects. Each SCI MS center funded under this program establishes a multidisciplinary sy stem for providing rehabilitation services specifically designed to meet the special needs of individual s with SCI . These services include acute care as well as periodic inpatient or outpatient follow

- up and vocational services. Centers demonstrate and evaluate the benefits and cost effectiveness of their sy stems for providing rehabilitation services to in dividuals with SCIand demonstrate and evaluate existing, new, and improved methods and equipment essential to the care, management, and rehabilitation of individuals with SCI . Centers also demonstrate and evaluate methods of community outreach and educat ion for individuals with SCIin connection with the problems these individuals experience in such areas as housing, transportation, recreation, employ ment, and community

activities. SCI MS centers engage in initiatives and new approaches and maintain close working relationships with other governmental and voluntary institutions and organizations to unify and coordinate scientific efforts, encourage joint planning, andpromote the interchange of data and reports among SCI researchers. Additional

information on the SCI MS program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res

- program.html#model Eligible : States; public or private agencies, including for

- profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for

- profit organizations; I HEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. 84. 133P, Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Project ARRT projects must

-- (1) Recruit and select candidates for advanced research training; (2) Provide a training program that includes didactic and clas sroom instruction, is multidisciplinary , emphasizes scientific methodology , and may involve collaboration among institutions; (3) Provide research experience, laboratory experience, or its equivalent in a community

- based research setting, and a practicum that involve each individual in clinical research and in practical activities with organizations representing individuals with disabilities; (4) Provide academic mentorship or guidance, and opportunities for scientific collaboration with qualified researche rs at the host university and other appropriate institutions; and (5) Provide opportunities for participation in the development of professional presentations and publications, and for attendance at professional conferences and meetings, as appropriate for the individual’s field of study and level of experience. Eligible : States Universities; public or private IHEs.