[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28284-28299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3064]




[[Page 28283]]

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Part IV





Department of Education





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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services



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National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; Notice 
Inviting Applications for New Awards Under Certain Programs for Fiscal 
Year 1996

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 30, 1995 / 
Notices  
[[Page 28284]] 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
[CFDA Nos.: 84.133F and 84.133G]


National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research; 
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards Under Certain Programs for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 1996

    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.
    Note: 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 (amended September 22, 1993 
(58 FR 49419) and April 5, 1995 (60 FR 17431)).
    Field Initiated Research--34 CFR parts 350 (amended April 5, 1995 
(60 FR 17426)) and 357 (amended September 22, 1993 (58 FR 49419)).
    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.

    Note: The Secretary requires all research fellows to work full 
time on authorized fellowship activities (see 34 CFR 356.41).

    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 1996                
                [Research Fellowships, CFDA No. 84.133F]                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Estimated           
                           Deadline for  Estimated   size of    Project 
     Funding priority       transmittal    No. of     awards     period 
                                of         awards      (per     (months)
                           applications               year)             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research fellowships.....     10/20/95          10     40,000         12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications Available: May 30, 1995.                                   

    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.
    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; and
    (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.
    (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;
    (v) There are adequate means of documenting and evaluating the 
effectiveness of the dissemination activity.
    (3) The Secretary reviews each application for a development 
project to determine the extent to which-- [[Page 28285]] 
    (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 1996                
              [Field-Initiated Research, CFDA No. 84.133G]              
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Estimated           
                           Deadline for  Estimated   size of    Project 
     Funding Priority       transmittal    No. of     awards     period 
                                of         awards      (per     (months)
                           applications               year)             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Field-initiated research.      9/29/95       15-20    125,000        36 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications Available: May 30, 1995.                                   

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 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, [[Page 28286]] 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 23, 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 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 FIR and SCI 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. Applicants for projects in the 
Research Training and Career Development program are limited to an 
indirect rate of 8 percent. There are no indirect charges permitted 
in the Fellowship program.

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 APPLCIATION 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 
justificaiton 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.

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[FR Doc. 95-3064 Filed 5-26-95; 8:45 am]
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