Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems CFDA Number 84.133A 6 | 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 (DRRP).

2) What is the overarching purpose of the DRRP program described in the notice?

The broader DRRP program goal is to support research, demonstrations, training, and related efforts that improve the lives of people with disabilities, with an emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities. The program aims to produce better methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that strengthen full inclusion and integration in society, improve employment and independent living outcomes, bolster family support, and increase economic and social self-sufficiency. It is also intended to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).

3) What is this specific competition funding?

This competition focuses on establishing a single National Data and Statistical Center for the Burn Model Systems (BMS). The center is intended to serve as the national home for data collected by NIDRR-funded Burn Model System grantees.

4) Is the funded center just a data repository?

No. The center is expected to do more than store data. It must actively work with Burn Model System (BMS) grantees to establish consistent data-collection protocols and implement strong quality-control mechanisms so data from multiple sites can be combined and analyzed reliably.

5) Why does the notice emphasize common standards and quality control?

The notice indicates that shared standards and strong quality-control procedures are essential so that data gathered across multiple sites can be combined, compared, and analyzed reliably. This supports credible national-level findings about burn rehabilitation outcomes and services.

6) How many awards were expected to be made under this competition?

The opportunity anticipated making one award total.

7) What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary grant.

8) What was the estimated funding level for the competition?

The estimated total funding for the competition was $350,000.

9) What was the award ceiling?

The award ceiling listed in the announcement was $350,000.

10) Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The announcement indicates there is a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources in a form consistent with the rules described in the official Federal Register notice.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad. Eligible applicants include:

• State governments and public or private agencies
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Local governments (including city or township governments and county governments)
• Independent school districts
• Special district governments
• Federally recognized tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits)
• For-profit organizations
• Small businesses

The notice also summarizes eligibility as including states, public or private agencies, public or private organizations (including for-profit), institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

12) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

13) Can an application be submitted by emailing it to the Department of Education?

No. The agency specifically noted that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the Department.

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

Applicants were required to locate the application package by searching the CFDA number without the alpha suffix. The instruction given was to search for "84.133" rather than "84.133A".

15) What were the key dates listed in the original posting?

Key dates included:

• Applications available: November 5, 2012
• Application deadline (deadline for transmittal): January 22, 2013
• Opportunity archived: February 21, 2013

16) Was any technical assistance offered to potential applicants?

Yes. The Department offered a pre-application meeting and optional individual consultation as technical assistance.

17) When was the pre-application meeting, and how was it held?

The pre-application meeting was scheduled for November 26, 2012. It was held by conference call with NIDRR staff from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Washington, DC time.

18) What were the optional individual consultations and when were they available?

Optional individual consultations were available by phone from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time on November 26, 2012.

19) Who were the program contacts for participation and general questions?

The program contacts listed for arranging participation and for questions were Lynn Medley and Marlene Spencer at the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services).

20) Who was the contact for technical issues accessing the announcement through ED Grants/Grants.gov systems?

A separate contact was provided for technical issues: Julius Cotton.

21) What is the Burn Model Systems (BMS) connection to this grant?

This opportunity is tied to the Burn Model Systems program because the funded center is intended to serve as the central home for data collected by NIDRR-funded Burn Model System grantees and to coordinate consistent, high-quality data practices across those grantees.

22) How should applicants interpret the competition overall?

The opportunity is best understood as an infrastructure and coordination grant for the Burn Model Systems program. It funds one national center to standardize, safeguard, and improve the quality and usefulness of BMS data across grantees to enable stronger national research and better evidence to guide burn rehabilitation services and outcomes.

23) What source controls if there is a discrepancy about requirements or submission rules?

Applicants were directed to rely on the official Federal Register notice as the controlling source for exact requirements, performance measures, priorities, and submission rules.