[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5299-5303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2184]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR)--Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and
Centers Program--Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs)--
Enhancing the Health and Wellness of Individuals With Arthritis; Notice
Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133B-7.
Dates: Applications Available: February 2, 2010.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: February 24, 2010.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 5, 2010.
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the RRTC program is to improve
the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended, through advanced research, training, technical
assistance, and dissemination activities in general problem areas, as
specified by NIDRR. Such activities are designed to benefit
rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, and
the family members or other authorized representatives of individuals
with disabilities.
Additional information on the RRTC program can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#RRTC.
Priorities: NIDRR has established two absolute priorities and one
invitational priority for this competition. Absolute Priorities: The
General Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC)
Requirements priority is from the notice of final priorities for the
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program,
published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6132). The
Enhancing the Health and Wellness of Individuals With Arthritis
priority is from the notice of final priorities for the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, published in the
Federal Register on July 21, 2009 (74 FR 35858). None of the
applications we received for this priority were successful. NIDRR is
recompeting this priority. NIDRR is seeking applications that address
all elements of the priority and that propose appropriate, quality
research methodologies.
[[Page 5300]]
Accordingly, through this notice, we are inviting applications for
another competition using the General Rehabilitation Research and
Training Centers (RRTC) Requirements and the Enhancing the Health and
Wellness of Individuals With Arthritis priorities.
For FY 2010, these priorities are absolute priorities. Under 34 CFR
75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that meet these priorities.
These priorities are:
General Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC)
Requirements and Enhancing the Health and Wellness of Individuals With
Arthritis.
Note: The full text of each of these priorities is included in
its notice of final priorities in the Federal Register and in the
applicable application package.
Invitational Priority: For FY 2010, this priority is an
invitational priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an
application that meets this invitational priority a competitive or
absolute preference over other applications. Under this competition we
are particularly interested in applications that address the following
priority.
This priority is:
Projects that are designed to contribute to improved rehabilitation
interventions to reduce the symptoms, functional limitations, and
barriers to employment associated with osteoarthritis among working-age
adults with pre-existing disabilities. We are particularly interested
in projects that focus on one or more of the following interventions
recommended by the joint Arthritis-CDC Osteoarthritis Intervention
Working Group: Physical activity, muscle strengthening, self-management
education, weight management and nutrition, and injury prevention.
Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(b)(2).
Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81,
82, 84, 85, 86, and 97. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR
part 350. (c) The notice of final priorities for the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers program, published in the
Federal Register on February 1, 2008 (73 FR 6132). (d) The notice of
final priorities for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Projects and Centers program, published in the Federal Register on July
21, 2009 (74 FR 35858).
Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions
of higher education (IHEs) only.
II. Award Information
Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $800,000.
Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a
budget exceeding $800,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal
Register.
Estimated Number of Awards: 1.
Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this
notice.
Project Period: Up to 60 months.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants: States; public or private agencies,
including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations,
including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal
organizations.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require cost
sharing or matching.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package: ED Pubs, U.S. Department
of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. Telephone, toll
free: 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-877-
576-7734.
You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.EDPubs.gov or at its e-mail address: http://[email protected].
If you request an application package from ED Pubs, be sure to
identify this program or competition as follows: CFDA number 84.133B-7.
Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape,
or computer diskette) by contacting the person or team listed under
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you
must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page
Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where
you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use
to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit Part III to
the equivalent of no more than 125 pages, using the following
standards:
A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1''
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch)
all text in the application narrative. Single spacing may be used for
titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as
well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier,
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
The recommended page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover
sheet; Part II, the budget section, including the narrative budget
justification; Part IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-
page abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of
support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to all of the
application narrative section (Part III).
The application package will provide instructions for completing
all components to be included in the application. Each application must
include a cover sheet (Standard Form 424); budget requirements (ED Form
524) and narrative justification; other required forms; an abstract,
Human Subjects narrative, Part III narrative; resumes of staff; and
other related materials, if applicable.
3. Submission Dates and Times:
Applications Available: February 2, 2010.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to
participate in a pre-application meeting and to receive information and
technical assistance through individual consultation with NIDRR staff.
The pre-application meeting will be held on February 24, 2010.
Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call
with NIDRR staff from the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Washington, DC
time. NIDRR staff also will be available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Washington, DC time, on the same day, by telephone, to provide
information and technical assistance through individual consultation.
For further information or to make arrangements to participate in the
meeting via conference call or for an individual consultation, contact
Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of Education, Potomac Center Plaza (PCP),
room 6029, 550 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202)
245-7462 or by e-mail: [email protected].
[[Page 5301]]
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 5, 2010.
Applications for grants under this competition must be submitted
electronically using the Electronic Grant Application System (e-
Application) accessible through the Department's e-Grants site. For
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, please refer to section IV. 6. Other Submission
Requirements of this notice.
We do not consider an application that does not comply with the
deadline requirements.
Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact
the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the
application process, the individual's application remains subject to
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section in this notice.
6. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under
this competition must be submitted electronically unless you qualify
for an exception to this requirement in accordance with the
instructions in this section.
a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
Applications for grants under the Rehabilitation Research and
Training Centers (RRTCs)--CFDA Number 84.133B-7 must be submitted
electronically using e-Application, accessible through the Department's
e-Grants Web site at: http://e-grants.ed.gov.
We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
While completing your electronic application, you will be entering
data online that will be saved into a database. You may not e-mail an
electronic copy of a grant application to us.
Please note the following:
You must complete the electronic submission of your grant
application by 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. E-Application will not accept an application for this
competition after 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you do not wait
until the application deadline date to begin the application process.
The hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6:00
a.m. Monday until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday; and 6:00 a.m. Thursday until
8:00 p.m. Sunday, Washington, DC time. Please note that, because of
maintenance, the system is unavailable between 8:00 p.m. on Sundays and
6:00 a.m. on Mondays, and between 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 6:00 a.m.
on Thursdays, Washington, DC time. Any modifications to these hours are
posted on the e-Grants Web site.
You will not receive additional point value because you
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your
application in paper format.
You must submit all documents electronically, including
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and
certifications. You must attach any narrative sections of your
application as files in a .DOC (document), .RTF (rich text), or .PDF
(Portable Document) format. If you upload a file type other than the
three file types specified in this paragraph or submit a password
protected file, we will not review that material.
Your electronic application must comply with any page
limit requirements described in this notice.
Prior to submitting your electronic application, you may
wish to print a copy of it for your records.
After you electronically submit your application, you will
receive an automatic acknowledgment that will include a PR/Award number
(an identifying number unique to your application).
Within three working days after submitting your electronic
application, fax a signed copy of the SF 424 to the Application Control
Center after following these steps:
(1) Print SF 424 from e-Application.
(2) The applicant's Authorizing Representative must sign this form.
(3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the
hard-copy signature page of the SF 424.
(4) Fax the signed SF 424 to the Application Control Center at
(202) 245-6272.
We may request that you provide us original signatures on
other forms at a later date.
Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of e-Application
Unavailability: If you are prevented from electronically submitting
your application on the application deadline date because e-Application
is unavailable, we will grant you an extension of one business day to
enable you to transmit your application electronically, by mail, or by
hand delivery. We will grant this extension if--
(1) You are a registered user of e-Application and you have
initiated an electronic application for this competition; and
(2) (a) E-Application is unavailable for 60 minutes or more between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the
application deadline date; or
(b) E-Application is unavailable for any period of time between
3:30 p.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application
deadline date.
We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to
confirm our acknowledgment of any system unavailability, you may
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under For
Further Information Contact (see VII. Agency Contact) or (2) the e-
Grants help desk at 1-888-336-8930. If e-Application is unavailable due
to technical problems with the system and, therefore, the application
deadline is extended, an e-mail will be sent to all registered users
who have initiated an e-Application. Extensions referred to in this
section apply only to the unavailability of e-Application.
Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application
through e-Application because--
[[Page 5302]]
You do not have access to the Internet; or
You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to
e-Application; and
No later than two weeks before the application deadline
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception
prevents you from using the Internet to submit your application. If you
mail your written statement to the Department, it must be postmarked no
later than two weeks before the application deadline date. If you fax
your written statement to the Department, we must receive the faxed
statement no later than two weeks before the application deadline date.
Address and mail or fax your statement to: Donna Nangle, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6030, PCP,
Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7323.
Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133B-7) LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20202-4260.
You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
(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 of the
U.S. Department of Education.
If you mail your application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do
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.
If your application is postmarked after the application deadline
date, we will not consider your application.
Note: The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your
local post office.
c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original
and two copies of your application, by hand, on or before the
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address:
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention:
(CFDA Number 84.133B-7) 550 12th Street, SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center
Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-4260.
The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30:00 p.m., Washington, DC time, except
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.
Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
(1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are
submitting your application; and
(2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not
receive this grant notification within 15 business days from the
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.
V. Application Review Information
1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition
are from 34 CFR 350.54 and are listed in the application package.
2. Review and Selection Process: Additional factors we consider in
determining the merits of an application are as follows--
The Secretary is interested in outcomes-oriented research or
development projects that use rigorous scientific methodologies. To
address this interest, applicants are encouraged to articulate goals,
objectives, and expected outcomes for the proposed research or
development activities. Proposals should describe how results and
planned outputs are expected to contribute to advances in knowledge,
improvements in policy and practice, and public benefits for
individuals with disabilities. Applicants should propose projects that
are designed to be consistent with these goals. We encourage applicants
to include in their application a description of how results will
measure progress towards achievement of anticipated outcomes (including
a discussion of the proposed measures of effectiveness), the mechanisms
that will be used to evaluate outcomes associated with specific
problems or issues, and how the proposed activities will support new
intervention approaches and strategies. Submission of the information
identified in this section V. 2. Review and Selection Process is
voluntary, except where required by the selection criteria listed in
the application package.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award
Notification (GAN). We may notify you informally, also.
If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding,
we notify you.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify
administrative and national policy requirements in the application
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable
Regulations section of this notice.
We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding
commitments under the grant.
3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a
final performance report, including financial information, as directed
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an
annual performance report that provides the most current performance
and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary
under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent
performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements
on reporting, please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
Note: NIDRR will provide information by letter to grantees on
how and when to submit the final performance report.
4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects
through a review of
[[Page 5303]]
grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR examines a portion
of its grantees to determine:
The percentage of NIDRR-supported fellows, post-doctoral
trainees, and doctoral students who publish results of NIDRR-sponsored
research in refereed journals.
The number of accomplishments (e.g., new or improved
tools, methods, discoveries, standards, interventions, programs, or
devices) developed or tested with NIDRR funding that have been judged
by expert panels to be of high quality and to advance the field.
The average number of publications per award based on
NIDRR-funded research and development activities in refereed journals.
The percentage of new NIDRR grants that assess the
effectiveness of interventions, programs, and devices using rigorous
methods.
The number of new or improved NIDRR-funded assistive and
universally designed technologies, products, and devices transferred to
industry for potential commercialization.
Each grantee must annually report on its performance through
NIDRR's Annual Performance Report (APR) form. NIDRR uses APR
information submitted by grantees to assess progress on these measures.
VII. Agency Contact
For Further Information Contact: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6029, PCP, Washington, DC
20202. Telephone: (202) 245-7462 or by e-mail: [email protected].
If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free,
at 1-800-877-8339.
VIII. Other Information
Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) by
contacting the Grants and Contracts Services Team, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC
20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. If you use a TDD, call the FRS,
toll-free, at 1-800-877-8339.
Electronic Access to This Document: You can view this document, as
well as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister.
To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available
free at this site.
Note: The official version of this document is the document
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.
Dated: January 28, 2010.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-2184 Filed 2-1-10; 8:45 am]
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