OSERS NIDRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers Vocational Rehabilitation Practices for Youth and Young Adults CFDA Number 84.133B 1 | 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, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

2) What program is this competition under?

It is a discretionary grant competition under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program. The specific project type is a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC).

3) What is the focus/topic area of this RRTC competition?

The competition is for an RRTC focused on vocational rehabilitation (VR) practices for youth and young adults.

4) What is the purpose of the broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program?

The broader program supports research, demonstrations, training, and related activities to improve methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology so that people with disabilities (particularly those with the most significant disabilities) can achieve fuller inclusion in society, better employment outcomes, more independent living, stronger family support, and greater economic and social self-sufficiency. It also aims to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

5) What is an RRTC expected to do in general?

RRTCs are designed to concentrate expertise and resources in a defined topic area and translate evidence into practice. An RRTC typically integrates multiple functions, including research to build or test evidence, training to help stakeholders adopt effective approaches, technical assistance to support real-world implementation, and dissemination so findings and tools reach the audiences that can use them.

6) Who is this competition intended to benefit?

The competition is aimed at generating useful knowledge and applied guidance for rehabilitation service providers, youth and young adults with disabilities and their families, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in employment and transition services.

7) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 84.133 (associated with NIDRR).

8) What is the specific competition identifier in the notice?

The specific competition is identified as 84.133B-1 in the notice.

9) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the downloadable application package.

10) Could applicants email an electronic copy of the application to the Department?

No. The synopsis specifies that applications could not be submitted by emailing an electronic copy to the Department.

11) How do applicants find the correct application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to search by the CFDA number and to search for 84.133 (without including the alpha suffix) to locate the downloadable application package.

12) How many awards were anticipated under this competition?

The competition anticipated making a single award.

13) What was the estimated total funding amount for the competition?

The estimated total funding amount listed was $875,000.

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

The maximum (ceiling) amount for the award was listed as $875,000.

15) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement was indicated.

16) What is the funding activity category and funding instrument?

The funding activity category is Education, and the funding instrument is a Grant.

17) 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), federally recognized Indian tribes, and tribal organizations.

18) What types of applicant organizations were explicitly listed as eligible?

The opportunity listed a wide range of eligible applicant types, including various levels of government, school districts, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), special district governments, and public or state-controlled institutions of higher education.

19) When was the opportunity posted and when were applications made available?

The posted date was July 28, 2014, and applications were made available the same day (July 28, 2014).

20) What was the deadline for transmittal of applications?

The deadline for transmittal of applications was September 2, 2014.

21) Was a Letter of Intent (LOI) required?

No. NIDRR encouraged an optional Letter of Intent, but it was explicitly not required.

22) What was the optional LOI due date?

The optional Letter of Intent was encouraged to be submitted by August 25, 2014.

23) How was the LOI used by NIDRR?

The LOI was not peer reviewed and was not used to score the application. It was requested mainly to help NIDRR plan for peer review by identifying appropriate reviewers and potential conflicts of interest.

24) What was the LOI page limit?

LOIs were limited to four pages.

25) What information was the LOI expected to include?

The LOI was expected to include the proposed project title; applicant and project leadership; partners; a brief statement of the project vision, goals, objectives, and planned activities; a staffing list; and a list of individuals who might pose a conflict of interest as peer reviewers.

26) How could the LOI be submitted?

The LOI could be submitted by mail or email to the program contact.

27) Was there a pre-application meeting?

Yes. NIDRR scheduled a pre-application meeting on August 18, 2014.

28) How was the pre-application meeting delivered?

The pre-application meeting was offered via conference call.

29) Was individual technical assistance available before applying?

Yes. In addition to the group pre-application session, staff set aside time on August 18, 2014 for individual technical assistance consultations by phone.

30) Where are the authoritative requirements and detailed instructions?

The synopsis emphasizes that the authoritative requirements and details are in the official Federal Register notice, including specifics on eligibility nuances, application and pre-application requirements, performance measures, priorities, and other submission instructions.

31) Who was the primary program contact for questions about the competition?

The primary program contact listed was the program manager, Patricia Barrett, with telephone and email information provided in the synopsis for questions about the competition, LOI submission, and participation in the pre-application meeting.

32) Who should be contacted for technical problems accessing the announcement electronically?

For technical problems accessing the full announcement electronically, the notice provided a Grants.gov/ED systems contact (Julius Cotton) and an email address for education grant inquiries.