Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) RERC on Low vision and Blindness CFDA Number 84.133E 1 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What agency is offering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Education through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program.

2) What is the broader purpose of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program?

The broader program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related activities (including international work) intended to improve rehabilitation methods, procedures, and technologies. The aim is to help people with disabilities, especially those with the most significant disabilities, achieve fuller inclusion in society and improve outcomes tied to employment, independent living, family support, and long-term economic and social self-sufficiency, while strengthening services provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).

3) What type of project is this specific competition funding?

This competition is for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC), which focuses on advancing engineering research and developing innovative technologies to address specific rehabilitation challenges or eliminate environmental barriers.

4) What is an RERC expected to do beyond basic research?

Based on the description provided, an RERC is expected to go beyond basic research by developing or improving technology, demonstrating and evaluating the resulting tools, supporting changes in how service systems deliver assistive and rehabilitation technology, encouraging private-sector production and distribution of new equipment, and providing training opportunities that build field capacity. The emphasis includes development, real-world testing, translation, and impact on practice and markets.

5) What does it mean that the Department set “absolute priorities” for this competition?

“Absolute priorities” mean that only applications that meet one of the listed priorities would be considered for funding under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3). If an application does not align with an absolute priority, it would not be reviewed under this competition.

6) Which absolute priority is relevant to this synopsis?

The priority relevant to this synopsis is CFDA 84.133E-1, the RERC on Low Vision and Blindness.

7) Were there any other absolute priorities mentioned for the same notice?

Yes. A second absolute priority mentioned is CFDA 84.133E-3, the RERC on Wireless Technologies. Applicants had to align with one of these specific priority tracks.

8) Where is the official text of the absolute priority and requirements published?

The full priority language was published separately in the Federal Register and included in the official application package. The Federal Register application notice and the associated application package are described as the official, controlling sources for requirements.

9) What is the expected number of awards?

The opportunity lists an expected number of awards as 1.

10) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding is $950,000, and the award ceiling is also $950,000.

11) Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the information provided.

12) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is listed as Education, reflecting the Department of Education sponsorship, even though the work itself focuses on rehabilitation engineering research and technology development.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as broad and includes states and public or private agencies and organizations (including for-profit entities), institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. The listing also includes many eligible applicant types such as state governments, local governments, public and private colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and other nonprofits), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, special district governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and tribal governments or tribal organizations.

14) Does this opportunity allow for-profit organizations to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description explicitly includes for-profit entities (and separately lists small businesses and other for-profit organizations among eligible applicant types).

15) How must applications be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the downloadable application package and uploading the completed materials through the Grants.gov “Apply” workflow.

16) Is submission by email allowed?

No. Email submission was explicitly not allowed.

17) How do applicants find the correct application package in Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to search by CFDA number without the alpha suffix. In other words, search for 84.133 rather than 84.133E to locate the correct package for the RERC competitions.

18) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting date and application availability date were June 24, 2011. The deadline for transmittal of applications was August 15, 2011. The archive date shown is September 14, 2011.

19) Was there any pre-application technical assistance offered?

Yes. The Department offered a pre-application technical assistance opportunity, including a pre-application meeting and individual consultation availability by phone.

20) When was the pre-application meeting, and how was it conducted?

The pre-application meeting was scheduled for July 15, 2011, conducted by conference call with NIDRR staff from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

21) Were one-on-one consultations available?

Yes. Individual consultation availability by phone was offered from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on July 15, 2011.

22) Who were the program contacts for participating in the pre-application meeting or consultations?

The notice lists Lynn Medley and Marlene Spencer at the U.S. Department of Education (Potomac Center Plaza) as program contacts for arranging participation or consultations, with phone numbers and email addresses provided in the notice.

23) Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement electronically?

The technical contact listed for issues related to accessing the announcement electronically is Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov/FIND Systems Admin).

24) What documents control the detailed rules for eligibility, required components, and submission instructions?

The Federal Register application notice and the associated application package are described as the controlling sources for detailed eligibility rules, required application components, performance measures, submission instructions, and the complete text of the absolute priority for CFDA 84.133E-1 (RERC on Low Vision and Blindness).