Opportunity Information: Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006
Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006
- The Department of Education in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Information and Communication Technologies Access CFDA Number 84.133E 3" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.133 National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 18, 2015 and posted on Feb 18, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2015 Applications Available February 18, 2015. Date of Pre Application Meeting March 10, 2015. 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 NIDILRR staff. The pre application meeting will be held on March 10, 2015. Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call with NIDILRR staff between 100 p.m. and 300 p.m., Washington, DC time. NIDILRR staff also will be available from 330 p.m. to 430 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 to arrange for an individual consultation, contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice. Deadline for Notice of Intent To Apply March 24, 2015. Notice of Intent to Apply Due to the open nature of the priorities in these competitions, and to assist with the selection of reviewers for these competitions, NIDILRR is requesting all potential applicants submit a letter of intent (LOI). The submission is not mandatory and the content of the LOI will not be peer reviewed or otherwise used to rate an applicants application. Each LOI should be limited to a maximum of four pages and include the following information (1) The priority to which the potential applicant is responding (2) the title of the proposed project, the name of the applicant, the name of the Project Director or Principal Investigator (PI), and the names of partner institutions and entities (3) a brief statement of the vision, goals, and objectives of the proposed project and a description of its proposed activities at a sufficient level of detail to allow NIDILRR to select potential peer reviewers (4) a list of proposed project staff including the Project Director or PI and key personnel (5) a list of individuals whose selection as a peer reviewer might constitute a conflict of interest due to involvement in proposal development, selection as an advisory board member, co PI relationships, etc. and (6) contact information for the Project Director or PI. Submission of a LOI is not a prerequisite for eligibility to submit an application. NIDILRR will accept the optional LOI via mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or commercial carrier) or email, by March 24, 2015. The LOI must be sent to Carolyn Baron, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 550 12th Street SW., Room 5134, PCP, Washington, DC 20202 or by email to Carolyn.Baron@ed.gov. For further information regarding the LOI submission process, contact Carolyn Baron at (202) 245 6211. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications April 20, 2015.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $925,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $925,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Independent school districts Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) City or township governments.
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity comes from the U.S. Department of Education in coordination with the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). It falls under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and, more narrowly, the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) program. The specific competition referenced here is CFDA 84.133E-3, focused on research and development related to information and communication technologies (ICT) access for people with disabilities. The overall intent is to fund a specialized center that can drive engineering-oriented research, development, evaluation, and related activities that make ICT more accessible and usable, while also improving how disability and rehabilitation services work in practice under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
At a program level, the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related efforts (including international activities) that develop new methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies. The big-picture goal is practical impact: maximizing full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities in society, employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular emphasis on people with the most significant disabilities. In addition to outcomes for individuals, the program is also aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of services authorized by the Rehabilitation Act, meaning that funded work is expected to connect to real-world service systems and measurable improvements rather than remaining purely theoretical.
Within that umbrella, the RERC program is designed to function like an innovation engine focused on rehabilitation engineering. RERCs are expected to conduct advanced engineering research, develop and test innovative technologies, and evaluate whether those technologies actually work for end users in realistic settings. They are also expected to support improvements in service delivery systems, encourage private-sector production and distribution of new technologies and equipment, and provide training opportunities that build capacity in the field. In practical terms, an RERC should not only invent or refine accessible technology, but also help remove environmental barriers that limit employment, community living and participation, and health and functional outcomes for people with disabilities. The general regulatory framework for what RERCs are and what they must do is laid out in 34 CFR part 350, subpart D.
This announcement notes that there were three separate competitions under CFDA numbers 84.133E-1, 84.133E-3, and 84.133E-5, and applicants had to select the appropriate one. For the ICT Access competition (84.133E-3), the opportunity anticipated making a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $925,000 and an award ceiling of $925,000. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant, categorized under health-related activity, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed, which means applicants were not required to provide a formal match as a condition of the award.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities. Examples explicitly listed include state governments and agencies, local governments (county and city/township), special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, federally recognized tribal governments, other Native American tribal organizations, nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), and for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses). The notice also summarizes eligibility more generally as: states; public or private agencies (including for-profit agencies); public or private organizations (including for-profit organizations); institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
The application process was electronic-only through Grants.gov for these RERC competitions. Applicants were expected to locate the correct application package by searching the CFDA number without the alpha suffix (for example, searching "84.133" rather than "84.133E"). The notice emphasizes that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the agency; submission had to occur through Grants.gov. The notice also points readers to the Federal Register as the official, controlling source for full requirements, including priorities, performance measures, and detailed submission instructions.
Several key dates structured the competition timeline. Applications became available on February 18, 2015, and the deadline for transmittal of applications was April 20, 2015, with the archive date listed as May 20, 2015. NIDILRR also offered a pre-application meeting on March 10, 2015, held by conference call from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Washington, DC time, followed by a window for one-on-one technical assistance by telephone from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. the same day. This was intended to help prospective applicants understand requirements and strengthen their submissions, especially given that these competitions can involve complex expectations around research design, technology development plans, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination.
In addition, the agency requested (but did not require) a Notice of Intent to Apply in the form of a Letter of Intent (LOI), due March 24, 2015. The LOI was capped at four pages and was meant to help NIDILRR select appropriate peer reviewers because the competition priorities were described as open in nature. Importantly, the LOI was not peer reviewed and was not used to score the eventual application, and submitting it was not a prerequisite to applying. The LOI needed to specify which priority the applicant was responding to, provide the proposed project title and key organizational and leadership details (including the Project Director/Principal Investigator and partner entities), summarize the project vision, goals, objectives, and planned activities in enough detail to inform reviewer selection, list key staff, identify potential reviewer conflicts of interest, and provide contact information for the Project Director/PI. LOIs could be submitted by mail or email to the listed contact, Carolyn Baron, with a phone number provided for questions.
For support and contacts, the notice distinguishes between technical issues accessing the announcement and programmatic questions. For difficulties with accessing the full announcement electronically, the contact listed is Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Admin) at 202-245-6288 and EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov. For program-related questions, the Program Manager listed is Patricia Barrett, with an address at Potomac Center Plaza in Washington, DC, phone number 202-245-6211, and email patricia.barrett@ed.gov. The notice repeatedly encourages applicants to rely on the Federal Register publication as the authoritative source for the complete set of requirements, including the specific priorities and performance expectations that would govern what an RERC focused on ICT access must deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIDILRR RERC on ICT Access (CFDA 84.133E-3)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education in coordination with the Administration for Community Living (ACL), through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). It sits within the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and specifically funds a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) focused on information and communication technologies (ICT) access for people with disabilities (CFDA 84.133E-3).
2) What is the purpose of the ICT Access RERC competition (84.133E-3)?
The purpose is to fund a specialized center that conducts engineering-oriented research, development, evaluation, and related activities to make ICT more accessible and usable for people with disabilities, while also improving how disability and rehabilitation services operate in practice under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
3) What program does this competition fall under?
It falls under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and, more narrowly, the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) program within that umbrella.
4) What does the broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program support?
At a high level, the program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related efforts (including international activities) to develop new methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies. The program emphasizes practical impact: maximizing inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities in society, employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular focus on individuals with the most significant disabilities. It also aims to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized by the Rehabilitation Act, meaning the funded work is expected to connect to real-world service systems and measurable improvements.
5) What is an RERC, and what is it expected to do?
An RERC is designed to function as an innovation engine for rehabilitation engineering. RERCs are expected to conduct advanced engineering research, develop and test innovative technologies, and evaluate whether those technologies work for end users in realistic settings. They are also expected to support improvements in service delivery systems, encourage private-sector production and distribution of new technologies and equipment, and provide training opportunities that build capacity in the field.
6) What kinds of outcomes is an RERC supposed to influence?
In practical terms, an RERC is expected to help remove environmental barriers that limit employment, community living and participation, and health and functional outcomes for people with disabilities. The emphasis is not only on invention or refinement of technology, but also on real-world usability and impact.
7) What is the regulatory framework for RERCs?
The general regulatory framework is described in 34 CFR part 350, subpart D.
8) What is the CFDA number for this specific ICT Access competition?
The specific competition is CFDA 84.133E-3, focused on ICT access for people with disabilities.
9) Were there other related competitions mentioned?
Yes. The notice references three separate competitions under CFDA numbers 84.133E-1, 84.133E-3, and 84.133E-5, and applicants were expected to select the appropriate competition for their project.
10) How many awards were anticipated for the ICT Access competition?
The opportunity anticipated making a single award under CFDA 84.133E-3.
11) What was the estimated funding amount and the maximum award size?
The estimated total funding amount was $925,000, and the award ceiling was also $925,000.
12) What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument is a discretionary grant.
13) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed. Based on the notice, applicants were not required to provide a formal match as a condition of the award.
14) What activity category is this grant listed under?
It is categorized under health-related activity.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities. Examples explicitly listed include:
- State governments and agencies
- Local governments (county and city/township)
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities)
- For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses)
The notice also summarizes eligibility as: states; public or private agencies (including for-profit agencies); public or private organizations (including for-profit organizations); institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
16) How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were electronic-only through Grants.gov for these RERC competitions. The notice states that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the agency; submission had to occur through Grants.gov.
17) How do applicants find the correct application package on Grants.gov?
Applicants were expected to search by the CFDA number without the alpha suffix. For example, the notice instructs searching for "84.133" rather than "84.133E" to locate the correct application package.
18) What is the official source for complete requirements and instructions?
The Federal Register publication is identified as the official and controlling source for full requirements, including priorities, performance measures, and detailed submission instructions.
19) What were the key dates for this competition?
- Applications available: February 18, 2015
- Deadline for transmittal of applications: April 20, 2015
- Archive date: May 20, 2015
20) Was there a pre-application meeting?
Yes. NIDILRR offered a pre-application meeting on March 10, 2015, held by conference call from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Washington, DC time.
21) Was technical assistance offered to prospective applicants?
Yes. A one-on-one technical assistance window by telephone was offered on March 10, 2015, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time.
22) Was a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?
No. The agency requested (but did not require) a Notice of Intent to Apply in the form of a Letter of Intent (LOI).
23) When was the LOI due, and how long could it be?
The LOI was due March 24, 2015, and it was capped at four pages.
24) What was the purpose of the LOI if it was not required?
The LOI was intended to help NIDILRR select appropriate peer reviewers because the competition priorities were described as open in nature.
25) Was the LOI scored or peer reviewed?
No. The LOI was not peer reviewed, was not used to score the eventual application, and submitting it was not a prerequisite to applying.
26) What information was the LOI supposed to include?
The LOI needed to:
- Specify which priority the applicant was responding to
- Provide the proposed project title
- Provide key organizational and leadership details (including the Project Director/Principal Investigator and partner entities)
- Summarize the project vision, goals, objectives, and planned activities in enough detail to inform reviewer selection
- List key staff
- Identify potential reviewer conflicts of interest
- Provide contact information for the Project Director/PI
27) How could the LOI be submitted, and who was the LOI contact?
LOIs could be submitted by mail or email to the listed contact, Carolyn Baron. A phone number was provided in the notice for questions.
28) Who should be contacted for technical problems accessing the announcement electronically?
For difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically, the contact listed is Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov FIND Systems Admin) at 202-245-6288 or EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov.
29) Who should be contacted for program-related questions?
For program-related questions, the Program Manager listed is Patricia Barrett at Potomac Center Plaza in Washington, DC, phone 202-245-6211, email patricia.barrett@ed.gov.
30) Does the notice say anything about what reviewers will look for?
The notice points readers to the Federal Register as the authoritative source for priorities, performance measures, and detailed requirements. It also notes that these competitions can involve complex expectations around research design, technology development plans, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination.
31) What is the main technology focus area for this competition?
The specific focus is research and development related to ICT access for people with disabilities, with an emphasis on accessibility and usability in real-world contexts.
32) Does the notice require email submission of the full application?
No. The notice explicitly emphasizes that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the agency; they had to be submitted through Grants.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Education
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Physical Access and Transportation CFDA Number 84.133E 5
Previous opportunity: ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Individual Mobility and Manipulation CFDA Number 84.133E 1
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| ED HHS Administration for Community Living NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program RERCs Physical Access and Transportation CFDA Number 84.133E 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 021715 007 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 021715 007 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Field Initiated Program (Research) CFDA Number 84.133G 4 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031015 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031015 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Community Living and Participation CFDA Number 84.133P 1 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Employment CFDA Number 84.133P 3 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Health and Function CFDA Number 84.133P 4 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031115 003 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031115 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I CFDA Number 84.133S 1 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031315 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031315 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Program CFDA Number 84.133P 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031615 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031615 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Research Fellowships Program CFDA Number 84.133F 2 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 031715 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 031715 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| FY15 State Partnership Initiative to Address Health Disparities Apply for MP STT 15 001 Funding Number: MP STT 15 001 Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Surveillance of Congenital Heart Defects Across the Lifespan Apply for CDC RFA DD15 1506 Funding Number: CDC RFA DD15 1506 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program Apply for HRSA 15 144 Funding Number: HRSA 15 144 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program Auxiliary Prevention Projects Apply for CDC RFA PS16 1602 Funding Number: CDC RFA PS16 1602 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Advanced Rehabilitation Research Policy Fellowship CFDA Number 84.133P 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 060915 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 060915 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Developing and Disseminating Programs to Build Sustainable Lupus Awareness, Knowledge, Skills and Partnerships Apply for CDC RFA DP15 1511 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP15 1511 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Regional AIDS Education and Training Centers Apply for HRSA 15 154 Funding Number: HRSA 15 154 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research and Methods in Health Statistics Apply for RFA SH 16 001 Funding Number: RFA SH 16 001 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| TRANSFORM/PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UNIT (PHCU) Apply for RFA 663 15 000016 Funding Number: RFA 663 15 000016 Agency: Ethiopia USAID Addis Ababa Category: Health Funding Amount: $120,000,000 |
| Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program Apply for HRSA 16 021 Funding Number: HRSA 16 021 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIAMS Building Interdisciplinary Research Team (BIRT) Revision Awards (U01, U54, P01, P50, and P60) Apply for RFA AR 09 002 Funding Number: RFA AR 09 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| AHRQ Grant Program for Large Conference Support (R13) and (U13) Apply for PA 06 378 Funding Number: PA 06 378 Agency: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Category: Health Funding Amount: $100,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ED ACL GRANTS 021715 006", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.