Contact the headquarters or regional offices for application deadlines. From 90 to 120 days. Project periods can be up to five years. Previous project periods have been limited to 36 months. Projects may be continued based on annual review of accomplishments, submittal of a continuation application, and the availability of funds.
Renewals are available only through the new application process.
Selection criteria for this program are extent of need for the project, plan of operation, quality of key personnel, budget and cost-effectiveness, evaluation plan, adequacy of resources, service comprehensiveness, and likelihood of sustaining program. Criteria for selecting projects are published in program regulation at 34 CFR 367. Projects have extended services to subgroups of the older blind population that are vulnerable to premature or unnecessary institutionalization as well as to older deaf-blind persons. These projects provide services in both rural and urban areas and about half of the grantees make subgrants to community nonprofit agencies to deliver services. All projects provide comprehensive independent living services.