Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)) Centers for Independent Living CFDA Number 84.400A | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), administered through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). It supports the creation or expansion of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ED-GRANTS-051010-002.

3) What is the main purpose of the grant?

The purpose is to fund the planning, operation, administration, and evaluation of Centers for Independent Living that meet the statutory standards and assurances in Section 725 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).

4) How does this grant fit into broader independent living planning?

The program is intended to strengthen a statewide network of independent living centers in a way that matches the design described in each state or territory State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

5) What kinds of service areas is this competition trying to reach?

The competition targets geographic areas that are currently unserved or underserved, with the goal of expanding access to independent living services for people with disabilities across a broader geographic area.

6) What funding category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized as a discretionary grant in the Education funding activity category.

7) What CFDA numbers are referenced, and which document controls?

The title references CFDA 84.400A, and the notice also points to the broader Centers for Independent Living Program context, including CFDA 84.132A. However, the Federal Register notice is the controlling document for application requirements, submission rules, priorities, performance measures, and official contacts.

8) What is the estimated total funding and number of awards?

The estimated total funding is $10,229,435, with an anticipated 26 awards.

9) Is there an award ceiling?

Yes. The notice lists an award ceiling of $2,330,310.

10) Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No. The notice specifies there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award.

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies, and that meet the additional capacity and authority requirements described in the notice.

12) What does the opportunity mean by the "independent living model" for eligibility?

Based on the eligibility description, applicants must reflect the independent living model by being consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, and organized as a private nonprofit agency.

13) What statutory and regulatory requirements must applicants be able to meet?

Applicants must have the authority and capacity to carry out the purpose of Part C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act and perform the functions listed in Section 725(b) and (c), along with related regulatory requirements in 34 CFR Part 366 (including Subparts F and G).

14) Does an applicant need to show it can manage funding beyond this grant?

Yes. The notice states the applicant must be able to receive and administer these federal funds and also funds from other public and private sources that support the center.

15) Can an organization that already receives Part C Title VII Chapter 1 funds apply?

Generally, no. The applicant generally must not already be receiving funds under Part C of Chapter 1 of Title VII of the Act.

16) Is there any exception allowing an existing funded center to apply?

Yes. An existing center may apply if the proposal is to expand by establishing a separate and complete new center at a different geographic location.

17) If an existing center creates a new center, can it keep the same governing board?

Yes. The notice clarifies that the existing center is allowed to use the same governing board for the new site, but the new operation must be separate and complete.

18) What does "separate and complete new center" imply in this competition?

It implies the intent is to extend coverage by creating a distinct center presence at a different geographic location, rather than simply enlarging the footprint of the same facility without establishing a distinct new center operation.

19) Must the proposed service area be identified as unserved or underserved?

Yes. The applicant must propose to serve one or more geographic areas identified as unserved or underserved by the relevant states and territories referenced in the notice.

20) How must an applicant show consistency with the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)?

The applicant must provide documentation showing that establishing the new center is consistent with the SPIL design for building a statewide network in the state or territory where services will be provided.

21) Why does the opportunity emphasize the Federal Register notice so strongly?

The synopsis emphasizes that the Federal Register notice is the definitive source for details such as application requirements, submission rules, priorities, performance measures, and key contacts. Applicants are expected to follow the Federal Register notice requirements.

22) When were applications made available and when were they due?

Applications were made available on May 10, 2010. The deadline for transmittal of applications was June 9, 2010.

23) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on July 9, 2010.

24) Was there a pre-application meeting?

Yes. RSA offered a pre-application meeting on May 20, 2010, held by conference call from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Washington, DC time.

25) Was there time for one-on-one consultation?

Yes. Individual consultation by phone was available on May 20, 2010, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time.

26) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically using the Department of Education e-Application system through the e-Grants website (http://e-grants.ed.gov).

27) Can applicants submit by email instead of through e-Grants?

No. The notice is explicit that applicants cannot submit the application by emailing an electronic copy. Applicants must enter the application data online, which is saved directly into the official system database.

28) Why is the submission method a critical compliance point?

Because failure to use the required submission method can disqualify an otherwise strong application, based on the notice's emphasis on mandatory electronic submission through the official system.

29) Who should be contacted for e-Grants system access issues?

The systems administrator contact listed is Julius Cotton at 202-245-6140 and julius.cotton@ed.gov.

30) Who is the program contact listed in the notice?

The program manager contact listed is Sean Barrett at 202-245-7604, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC.

31) What types of topics might applicants have needed help with based on the notice?

The notice suggests applicants may have needed guidance on program rules, qualifying unserved/underserved service areas, compliance with Section 725 standards, and how to align proposals with SPIL requirements.

32) Does this grant function like an entitlement program?

No. The notice describes it as a discretionary grant intended to build or expand CIL capacity in alignment with state-level independent living planning, rather than an open-ended entitlement.