OSERS NIDRR Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Centers Program Minority Serving Institution Field Initiated Projects Program CFDA Number 84.133G 5 (Development) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition run 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). The specific competition described here is the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Field Initiated (FI) Projects program for a development grant, listed as CFDA 84.133G-5.

2) What is the purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program?

The FI Projects program is designed to support work that improves the lives of people with disabilities by developing and advancing practical methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that promote full inclusion in society. The outcomes described include employment, independent living, family support, and increased economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities.

3) What is a secondary aim of this program?

A related aim is to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

4) What makes this MSI FI Projects competition different from the broader FI Projects program?

This competition has an explicit capacity-building focus for minority-serving applicants. Eligibility is intentionally limited to minority entities and Indian tribes in order to expand the ability of these institutions to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development.

5) Is this competition open to all organizations?

No. Based on the notice summary provided, the competition is targeted and not open to all organizations. Applicants must qualify as a minority entity or an eligible Indian tribe under the program rules.

6) What legal authority is cited for limiting eligibility to minority entities and Indian tribes?

The notice cites Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act as the authority allowing NIDRR to make awards to minority entities and Indian tribes for activities authorized under Title II of the Act.

7) Who is eligible to apply (applicant categories)?

The eligible applicant categories described include:

• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Other eligible entities as clarified in the official notice

However, the key eligibility screen is whether the applicant is a minority entity or an Indian tribe under the program rules.

8) How does the notice define "minority entity"?

The notice defines minority entities to include:

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Hispanic-serving institutions
• American Indian tribal colleges or universities
• Other institutions of higher education where at least 50 percent of enrolled students are minorities

9) Are there different award types under the MSI FI Projects umbrella?

Yes. NIDRR offers two related award types under the MSI FI Projects umbrella:

• Research grants (CFDA 84.133G-4)
• Development grants (CFDA 84.133G-5, the opportunity summarized here)

10) Why does it matter whether an application is submitted as a research or development proposal?

The notice explains that different selection criteria apply depending on whether an application is submitted as a research or development proposal. Applicants must respond to the selection criteria that match their chosen category.

11) How should applicants label their application?

Applicants are required to clearly label their application as either a research grant (84.133G-4) or a development grant (84.133G-5) and respond to the appropriate selection criteria for that category.

12) What happens if an application does not clearly indicate whether it is research or development?

The notice is explicit that NIDRR will review the application only under the designation chosen by the applicant. An application can be ruled ineligible and not reviewed if it does not clearly indicate whether it is a research or development submission.

13) How were applications required to be submitted?

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

14) Were applications accepted by email?

No. The agency does not accept applications by email.

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

The application package was located by searching for CFDA number 84.133 (without the alpha suffix) in Grants.gov.

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The funding opportunity number is ED-GRANTS-111913-002.

17) What activity category is associated with this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Education.

18) When was the opportunity posted?

The posting date was November 19, 2013, and applications were made available the same day.

19) Was there a pre-application technical assistance opportunity?

Yes. The notice scheduled a pre-application technical assistance opportunity on December 10, 2013, offered by conference call. The notice also described a window for individual telephone consultations with NIDRR staff later that afternoon to help prospective applicants understand requirements and prepare a compliant submission.

20) How much funding was available for this competition?

The estimated total funding was $200,000.

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

The award ceiling was $200,000.

22) How many awards were anticipated?

The notice anticipated making one award.

23) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The listing indicates there is a cost sharing or matching requirement.

24) What was the application deadline, and was it corrected?

The public record reflects a correction to the deadline. The Federal Register notice originally referenced February 18, 2014, but a subsequent correction changed the closing date to January 21, 2014.

25) What is the current status of the opportunity?

The opportunity was archived in February 2014.

26) Where are the official requirements, priorities, performance measures, and application instructions?

Applicants were directed to the Federal Register notice (including the corrected deadline language) and the full application package in Grants.gov for official requirements, priorities, performance measures, and complete application instructions.

27) Who should applicants contact for technical problems with Grants.gov?

The notice provided points of contact for Grants.gov technical issues. (Specific names or contact details are not included in the summary provided here.)

28) Who should applicants contact for programmatic or substantive questions?

The notice provided points of contact for programmatic questions, including a designated program manager at the Department of Education for substantive guidance about the competition. (Specific names or contact details are not included in the summary provided here.)