OSERS/RSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities CFDA Number 84.250K | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the OSERS/RSA Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities program (CFDA 84.250K)?

This is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The program is focused on expanding and strengthening vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for American Indians with disabilities who live on or near Federal or State reservations.

2. What is the main goal of this grant?

The central goal is to support VR services that lead to real employment outcomes. The program is intended to help participants prepare for, enter into, and retain high-quality employment, with the broader aim of improving economic self-sufficiency for American Indians with disabilities in reservation and tribal community settings.

3. What kinds of services or outcomes does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes vocational rehabilitation services that are aligned with each participant's individual strengths, needs, priorities, abilities, interests, and informed choice, with the practical end result being preparation for, entry into, and retention in employment.

4. Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants include the governing bodies of Indian tribes and consortia of those governing bodies located on Federal and State reservations. Eligibility was also updated to reflect Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) changes that amended the definition of "Indian tribe" to include a tribal organization as defined in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

5. What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is ED-GRANTS-040715-001.

6. What was the estimated total amount of funding available and the expected number of awards?

The estimated total funding amount was $12,607,000, and the opportunity expected about 25 awards.

7. When was this opportunity posted and when were applications available?

The posting date was April 7, 2015, and applications were made available on the same day.

8. What was the application deadline?

The deadline for transmittal of applications was June 8, 2015.

9. Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on July 8, 2015.

10. Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants were expected to provide required non-federal contributions as described in the official Federal Register notice.

11. Where are the official requirements for this program found?

The controlling requirements are those published in the Federal Register. The description provided outside the Federal Register was identified as a synopsis only, and applicants were directed to rely on the Federal Register notice for official details such as application requirements, submission instructions, performance measures, priorities, and compliance expectations.

12. How did applicants have to submit their applications?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Email submissions were not allowed.

13. How should applicants find the application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were instructed to search the CFDA number without the letter suffix. That means searching for "84.250" rather than "84.250K" to locate the correct application package.

14. How does this opportunity define "reservation" for purposes of service areas and project settings?

The Department referenced final regulations published February 5, 2015 (80 FR 6452) that updated the definition of "reservation" in federal regulations (34 CFR 369.4 and 371.4). Under the updated definition, "reservation" is broader than traditional reservations and includes Federal or State Indian reservations, public domain Indian allotments, former Indian reservations in Oklahoma, land held by incorporated Native groups and Alaska Native regional and village corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and other defined land areas recognized by a State or the Federal Government where there is a concentration of tribal members and where the tribal government provides structured activities and services.

15. Why does the updated definition of "reservation" matter for this program?

It clarifies the geographic and community contexts where services and projects can be located, including a broader set of land areas beyond only traditional reservations.

16. What law is referenced as shaping eligibility and definitions for this program?

The notice references the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), enacted July 22, 2014, which amended the definition of "Indian tribe" to include a tribal organization as defined in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

17. Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing ED Grants.gov/FIND systems?

For technical access issues, the listed contact was Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov/FIND systems administrator) at 202-245-6288 or EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov.

18. Who should be contacted for program-related questions?

For program questions, the listed contact was August Martin (Program Manager, U.S. Department of Education) at 202-245-7410 or august.martin@ed.gov.

19. What mailing address was provided for the program contact?

The mailing address provided was 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-2800.

20. What is the practical focus of participant services under this program?

Services are intended to reflect each participant's individual profile (strengths, needs, priorities, abilities, interests, and informed choice) and to translate that planning into employment outcomes, including job preparation, job entry, and job retention.