OSERS NIDRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program Community Living and Participation CFDA Number 84.133P 1 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): OSERS/NIDRR ARRT Program - Community Living and Participation (CFDA 84.133P-1)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the OSERS NIDRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program grant focused on the theme of Community Living and Participation (CFDA 84.133P-1). It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

2) What larger program does this competition fall under?

This ARRT competition sits under the broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program. That larger program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related activities intended to improve the lives of people with disabilities by developing and testing methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that support inclusion and integration in society.

3) What is the primary purpose of the ARRT program?

The ARRT program is designed to build the next generation of rehabilitation researchers by providing advanced research training and hands-on research experience. The expectation is that ARRT projects will train rehabilitation researchers (including researchers with disabilities) and strengthen the evidence base for disability and rehabilitation services in ways that support the Rehabilitation Act.

4) What does the “Community Living and Participation” focus mean for applicants?

For this specific competition, the training program is expected to prepare researchers to study and improve real-world conditions, supports, and systems that help people with disabilities live in the community and participate fully in everyday life.

5) What kinds of outcomes does the broader program aim to improve?

The broader program emphasizes outcomes related to inclusion and integration, including employment, independent living, family support, and greater economic and social self-sufficiency. It places a clear emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities and on improving the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

6) Is this a discretionary or formula grant?

This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant.

7) What is the CFDA number, and why does it matter for finding the opportunity?

The competition is identified as CFDA 84.133P-1. However, applicants were instructed to search for the opportunity in Grants.gov using the numeric CFDA prefix “84.133” rather than the alpha suffix (for example, search “84.133” instead of “84.133P”).

8) What was the funding opportunity number for this posting?

The funding opportunity number listed was ED-GRANTS-021314-002.

9) How many awards were expected, and what was the projected funding amount?

This listing projected one expected award with an estimated total funding amount of $150,000.

10) What was the maximum award amount (ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $150,000.

11) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was indicated in the provided synopsis.

12) Who was eligible to apply based on the synopsis?

Eligibility was centered on institutions of higher education (IHEs), including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The listing also noted “others,” which suggests that additional eligibility details may be clarified in the full official notice.

13) What kind of trainees is the ARRT program intended to support?

The program is aimed at individuals who already have doctorates or comparable advanced degrees and who also bring clinical or other relevant professional experience. The goal is to provide them with advanced research training and hands-on research experience to develop their capacity as rehabilitation researchers.

14) Does the program explicitly include researchers with disabilities?

Yes. ARRT projects are expected to train rehabilitation researchers, including researchers with disabilities.

15) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Emailing applications directly to the agency was not permitted.

16) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The application package became available on February 14, 2014. The deadline for transmittal of applications was April 14, 2014.

17) Was there any correction to the deadline?

Yes. A correction was published to fix an earlier error that had incorrectly listed February 13, 2014 as the deadline in parts of the table. The corrected deadline for transmittal was April 14, 2014.

18) Was there a pre-application meeting, and when did it occur?

Yes. NIDRR offered a pre-application meeting on March 6, 2014, held by conference call from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Washington, DC time.

19) Were there opportunities for one-on-one technical assistance?

Yes. On March 6, 2014, there was a window for individual telephone consultations with NIDRR staff from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time to provide information and technical assistance.

20) Who were the points of contact mentioned for questions?

The synopsis noted that contact points were provided for two categories: (1) technical Grants.gov submission issues (including a systems administrator contact), and (2) program-specific questions. The program manager listed for program questions was Marlene Spencer at the U.S. Department of Education.

21) Were there multiple related ARRT competitions in the same Federal Register notice?

Yes. The Federal Register notice covered three related ARRT competitions: CFDA 84.133P-1, 84.133P-3, and 84.133P-4. Applicants were instructed to apply to the appropriate competition.

22) Which document should applicants rely on for official requirements and instructions?

The synopsis emphasizes that the Federal Register publication is the controlling document. Applicants were directed to rely on the official notice for the full set of requirements, priorities, performance measures, and submission instructions.

23) What is the overall “big picture” goal of this funding opportunity?

This is a targeted federal training grant intended to help universities and similar institutions develop advanced, research-focused training pipelines for doctoral-level professionals who can produce rigorous rehabilitation and disability research. The training emphasis is tied to strengthening service effectiveness under the Rehabilitation Act and advancing practical knowledge and technology that supports community living, participation, and full inclusion for people with disabilities.