[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