Opportunity Information: Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 042015 001
Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 042015 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.133B 1" 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 Apr 20, 2015 and posted on Apr 20, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 19, 2015 Applications Available April 20, 2015. Note On July 22, 2014, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA was effective immediately. One provision of WIOA transferred the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) from the Department of Education to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, NIDRRs name was changed to the Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). For FY 2015, all NIDILRR priority notices will be published as ACL notices, and ACL will make all NIDILRR awards. During this transition period, however, NIDILRR will continue to review grant applications using Department of Education tools. NIDILRR will post previously approved application kits to grants.gov, and NIDILRR applications submitted to grants.gov will be forwarded to the Department of Educations G 5 system for peer review. We are using Department of Education application kits and peer review systems during this transition year in order to provide for a smooth and orderly process for our applicants. Date of Pre Application Meeting May 11, 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 May 11, 2015. Interested parties may participate in this meeting by conference call with NIDILRR staff from the Administration for Community Living 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 May 26, 2015. Notice of Intent to Apply Due to the open nature of the RRTC priority announced here, and to assist with the selection of reviewers for this competition, 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 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 (2) 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 (3) a list of proposed project staff including the Project Director or PI and key personnel (4) 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 (5) 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 May 26, 2015. The LOI must be sent to Patricia Barrett, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 550 12th Street SW., Room 5142, PCP, Washington, DC 20202 or by email to Patricia.Barrett@acl.hhs.gov. For further information regarding the LOI submission process, contact Patricia Barrett at (202) 245 6211. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications June 19, 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 $875,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $875,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments Special district governments For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts County governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 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 funding opportunity is a discretionary federal grant competition for a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focused on "Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities" under CFDA 84.133 (listed as 84.133B-1 in the notice). It sits within the broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, whose overall mission is to plan and conduct research, demonstrations, training, and related activities that develop improved methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology. The larger program is framed around advancing full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular attention to people with the most significant disabilities. It also explicitly aims to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, meaning the work is expected to produce practical knowledge and tools that strengthen rehabilitation systems, policy, and practice.
As an RRTC competition, the grant is intended to support a center that combines several core functions rather than only producing academic research. The notice emphasizes well-designed research along with training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in a priority topic area set by NIDILRR (the Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). In practical terms, an applicant would be proposing a multi-activity center designed to generate evidence about which employer practices actually contribute to better employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, and then translate that evidence into usable training and guidance for stakeholders such as rehabilitation service providers, employers, individuals with disabilities and their families, policymakers, and other research and practice communities.
The opportunity reflects an administrative transition created by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed in 2014. Under WIOA, the former National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) moved from the U.S. Department of Education to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and was renamed NIDILRR. Even though ACL/HHS would publish the priority notices and make awards for FY 2015, the notice explains that application intake and peer review would still rely on Department of Education systems during the transition year. Applicants were therefore expected to use the Grants.gov submission pathway, with applications forwarded into the Department of Education G5 system for peer review, keeping the process stable for applicants despite the agency move.
From a funding and scale standpoint, the announcement projected a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an estimated total funding amount of $875,000 and an award ceiling of $875,000, indicating one center funded at up to that amount. The posting date was April 20, 2015, with applications made available the same day, and the application deadline (deadline for transmittal) set for June 19, 2015. There was no stated cost sharing or matching requirement, which generally lowers barriers to participation and allows applicants to focus resources on the proposed research, training, and dissemination plan.
The notice also built in optional pre-application support. A pre-application meeting was scheduled for May 11, 2015, offered by conference call with NIDILRR staff, along with an additional window later that same day for individual technical assistance consultations by phone. In addition, NIDILRR requested, but did not require, a Notice of Intent to Apply (often called a letter of intent or LOI) due May 26, 2015. The LOI was not scored and was not required for eligibility, but it was used to help the agency recruit appropriate peer reviewers and manage conflicts of interest. The LOI was limited to four pages and was expected to include basic project identification (title, applicant, Project Director/Principal Investigator, and partner entities), a high-level description of the vision, goals, objectives, and planned activities, a list of key staff, identification of individuals who might pose conflicts as reviewers, and contact information for the PI/Project Director. Submission methods for the LOI included mail or email, directed to the program contact Patricia Barrett at ACL/HHS.
Eligibility was intentionally broad and included states and public or private agencies and organizations, including for-profit entities, institutions of higher education (public or private), and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. The eligibility list in the synopsis also referenced a wide range of governmental and nonprofit categories (for example, state and local governments, special districts, independent school districts, 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations), reflecting the program’s interest in drawing applicants with strong research capacity and real-world ties to employers, workforce systems, and disability service networks.
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and applicants were instructed to search for the application package by the CFDA number without the alpha suffix (search "84.133" rather than "84.133B"). The notice repeatedly cautions that applications cannot be emailed to the agency, reinforcing that Grants.gov was the required submission channel. For help with accessing the announcement, applicants were referred to a Grants.gov systems administrator contact, while programmatic questions and LOI coordination were directed to the program manager, Patricia Barrett, at ACL/HHS.
Overall, the opportunity funded one RRTC designed to identify and advance employer practices that measurably improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities, while also packaging and spreading that knowledge through training, technical assistance, and dissemination aimed at the rehabilitation and workforce ecosystem. The competition was published and awarded under ACL during the NIDILRR transition period, but it maintained familiar Education Department application and peer review infrastructure to minimize disruption for applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal grant competition to fund a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focused on "Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities" under CFDA 84.133 (listed in the notice as 84.133B-1).
What program is this competition part of?
The competition sits within the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program. That broader program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related activities to develop improved methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology.
What is the overarching purpose or mission behind this funding?
The broader program is framed around advancing full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular attention to people with the most significant disabilities. It also aims to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
What is the specific topic focus of the funded center?
The funded RRTC is expected to generate evidence about which employer practices contribute to better employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, and to translate that evidence into training, technical assistance, and dissemination products for key stakeholders.
What makes this an RRTC (and not just a research grant)?
The notice emphasizes that the award is intended to support a center combining multiple core functions. In addition to well-designed research, the RRTC is expected to include training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in the priority topic area set by NIDILRR.
Who is the federal office associated with this opportunity?
The priority area and award are associated with NIDILRR (the Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research), which is located within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
How does WIOA relate to this competition?
The opportunity reflects the administrative transition created by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed in 2014. Under WIOA, the former National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) moved from the U.S. Department of Education to ACL within HHS and was renamed NIDILRR.
Which systems were used for application intake and peer review during the transition?
Even though ACL/HHS would publish the priority notices and make awards for FY 2015, application intake and peer review were described as relying on U.S. Department of Education systems during the transition year. Applications were submitted via Grants.gov and then forwarded into the Department of Education G5 system for peer review.
How many awards were expected?
The announcement projected a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).
What is the estimated funding amount and maximum award size?
The estimated total funding amount was $875,000, and the award ceiling was also $875,000, indicating one center funded at up to that amount.
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
No cost sharing or matching requirement was stated in the information provided.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date was April 20, 2015, and applications were made available the same day.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline (deadline for transmittal) was June 19, 2015.
Was a pre-application meeting offered?
Yes. A pre-application meeting was scheduled for May 11, 2015, offered by conference call with NIDILRR staff.
Was technical assistance available before applying?
Yes. The same day as the pre-application meeting (May 11, 2015), there was an additional window for individual technical assistance consultations by phone.
Was a Notice of Intent to Apply (LOI) required?
No. NIDILRR requested, but did not require, a Notice of Intent to Apply (LOI). It was not required for eligibility and was not scored.
What was the due date for the Notice of Intent to Apply (LOI)?
The requested LOI due date was May 26, 2015.
Why did NIDILRR request an LOI if it was not required?
The LOI was used to help the agency recruit appropriate peer reviewers and manage conflicts of interest.
How long could the LOI be?
The LOI was limited to four pages.
What information was the LOI expected to include?
The LOI was expected to include: basic project identification (title, applicant, Project Director/Principal Investigator, and partner entities); a high-level description of the vision, goals, objectives, and planned activities; a list of key staff; identification of individuals who might pose conflicts as reviewers; and contact information for the PI/Project Director.
How could the LOI be submitted, and to whom?
Submission methods for the LOI included mail or email. It was directed to the program contact Patricia Barrett at ACL/HHS.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included states and public or private agencies and organizations (including for-profit entities), institutions of higher education (public or private), and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. The synopsis also referenced a wide range of governmental and nonprofit categories, including state and local governments and both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The notice cautioned that applications could not be emailed to the agency.
How should applicants search for the application package on Grants.gov?
Applicants were instructed to search by the CFDA number without the alpha suffix, meaning to search "84.133" rather than "84.133B".
Who should applicants contact for technical issues accessing the announcement?
For help accessing the announcement, applicants were referred to a Grants.gov systems administrator contact (as described in the notice).
Who should applicants contact for programmatic questions?
Programmatic questions and LOI coordination were directed to the program manager, Patricia Barrett, at ACL/HHS.
What kinds of stakeholders were envisioned as users of the center's outputs?
The RRTC was expected to translate findings into usable training and guidance for stakeholders such as rehabilitation service providers, employers, individuals with disabilities and their families, policymakers, and other research and practice communities.
How does this opportunity connect to the Rehabilitation Act?
The broader program explicitly aims to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This framing signals that the funded work is expected to produce practical knowledge and tools that strengthen rehabilitation systems, policy, and practice.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Education
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Girl Scouts of the United States of America
Previous opportunity: HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Employment for Individuals with Blindness or other Visual Impairments CFDA Number 84.133B 5
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 042015 001
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED ACL GRANTS 042015 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program CFDA Number 84.133A 7 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 042415 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 042415 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPS) Program Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research CFDA Number 84.133A 5 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 050515 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 050515 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPS) Program Projects for Translating Disability and Rehabilitation Research into Practice CFDA Number 84.133A 6 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 050515 002 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 050515 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Beringia Messenger Network Apply for P13AC00349 Funding Number: P13AC00349 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $212,768 |
| HHS/ACL/NIDILRR Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTC) Outcomes Measurement for Home and Community Based Services CFDA Number 84.133B 6 Apply for ED ACL GRANTS 052115 001 Funding Number: ED ACL GRANTS 052115 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Sea Bird Youth Network Apply for P15AC00306 Funding Number: P15AC00306 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $150,030 |
| Archaeology Culture Camps Apply for P15AC00688 Funding Number: P15AC00688 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Evaluation of nearshore communities and habitats Ecological Processes in Lower Cook Inlet Apply for P15AC00542 Funding Number: P15AC00542 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Investing in Innovation (I3) Fund SCALE UP GRANTS CFDA Number 84.411A Apply for ED GRANTS 060515 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060515 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Investing in Innovation (I3) Fund VALIDATION GRANTS CFDA Number 84.411B Apply for ED GRANTS 060515 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060515 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Marine Debris Education, Outreach and Cleanup in Kotzebue Sound Communities Apply for P15AC00686 Funding Number: P15AC00686 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Denali Susitna Camp Apply for P15AS00997 Funding Number: P15AS00997 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Using GIS and SAR imagery to assess fish and yellow billed loon habitat in the Arctic Network of Alaska Parklands Apply for P15AS01001 Funding Number: P15AS01001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Communicating Marine Science to Alaskan Communities through Discovery Labs Apply for P15AS01000 Funding Number: P15AS01000 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Detection and avoidance of whales by cruise ships in Glacier Bay National Park Apply for P15AS00993 Funding Number: P15AS00993 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Apply for P15AS00994 Funding Number: P15AS00994 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Changing Tides Bivalve Bioassay and Analysis Component Apply for P15AS00797 Funding Number: P15AS00797 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Review of Vegetation Distributions in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park from Historic Aerial Imagery Apply for P15AS00998 Funding Number: P15AS00998 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Sitka Youth Expedition to Glacier Bay (Find your Parks) Apply for P15AS11111 Funding Number: P15AS11111 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Assessing the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Plankton Populations in Glacier Bay Apply for P15AS01037 Funding Number: P15AS01037 Agency: National Park Service Category: Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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 042015 001", 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.