[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26172-26192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11981]



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Part IV





Department of Education





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Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation; Research--Disability 
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program; Inviting Applications 
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 93 / Wednesday, May 14, 2003 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No.: 84.133A-6]


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Disability 
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program; Notice Inviting 
Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003

    Note to Applicants: This notice is a complete application 
package. Together with the statute authorizing the program and the 
Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 
this notice contains all of the information, application forms, and 
instructions you need to apply for a grant under this competition.

    Purpose of the Program: The purpose of the DRRP program is to 
improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Act), as amended. For FY 2003 the 
competition for new awards focuses on projects designed to meet the 
priority we describe in the PRIORITY section of this application 
notice. We intend this priority to improve rehabilitation services and 
outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
    In order to provide applicants with a 60-day application period and 
to ensure that this grant is awarded before the end of FY 2003, NIDRR 
is inviting applications based on the proposed priority. NIDRR will 
publish the final priority as soon as possible after the comment period 
closes on May 16, 2003.
    Depending upon the comments that NIDRR receives, the final priority 
may include revisions to the proposed priority. It is generally the 
policy of the Department of Education not to solicit applications 
before the publication of a final priority. However, in this case, it 
is essential to solicit applications on the basis of the proposed 
priority in order to allow applicants sufficient time to prepare 
applications of appropriate quality to be funded. Applicants are 
advised to begin to develop their applications based on the proposed 
priority. If changes are made in the final priority, applicants will be 
given an opportunity to revise or resubmit their applications.
    The notice of proposed priority for collaborative research for 
Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) requires the applicants to 
collaborate with the current TBIMS grantees. The National 
Rehabilitation Information Center has the contact information for the 
TBIMS grantees at http://www.naric.com/search/pd/notice. NIDRR's 
current TBIMS grantees are: University of Alabama at Birmingham TBIMS; 
Northern California TBIMS of Care at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center 
(SCVMC); Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System (RMRBIS) at Craig 
Hospital; Spaulding/Partners TBIMS at Harvard Medical School; 
Southeastern Michigan TBI System (SEMTBIS) at Wayne State University; 
Mayo Clinic TBIMS; TBIMS of Mississippi (TBIMSM) at Methodist 
Rehabilitation Center; JFK-Johnson Rehabilitation Institute TBIMS; New 
York TBIMS (NYTBIMS) at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Carolinas TBI 
Rehabilitation and Research System (CTBIRRS) at Charlotte Mecklenburg 
Hospital Authority; Ohio Regional TBIMS at Ohio State University; Moss 
TBIMS at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network; University of Pittsburgh 
Brain Injury Model System (UPBI); North Texas TBIMS (NT-TBIMS) at 
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; TBIMS at Virginia 
Commonwealth University; and University of Washington TBIMS.
    Eligible Applicants: Parties eligible to apply for grants under 
this program are States; public or private agencies, including for-
profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit 
organizations; institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes and 
tribal organizations.
    Applications Available: May 14, 2003.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: July 14, 2003.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 2-3.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Maximum Award Amount: $600,000.

    Note: We will reject without consideration or evaluation any 
application that proposes a budget exceeding the stated maximum 
award amount in any year (See 34 CFR 75.104(b)).

    Page Limit: The Secretary strongly recommends the following:
    (1) A one-page abstract;
    (2) An Application Narrative (i.e., Part III that addresses 
selection criteria that will be used by reviewers in evaluating 
individual proposals) of no more 75 numbered, double-spaced (no more 
than 3 lines per vertical inch) 8.5'' x 11'' pages (on one side only) 
with one inch margins (top, bottom, and sides). The application 
narrative page limit recommendation does not apply to: Part I--the 
electronically scanable form; Part II--the budget section (including 
the narrative budget justification); and Part IV--the assurances and 
certifications; and
    (3) A font no smaller than a 12-point font and an average character 
density no greater than 14 characters per inch.
    Project Period: Up to 60 months.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 85, 86 and 97, and (b) the program regulations 34 CFR part 350.

Priority

Collaborative Research Projects in Traumatic Brain Injury

    This competition focuses on a project designed to meet the priority 
in the notice of proposed priority for this program, published in the 
Federal Register on April 16, 2003 (68 FR 18601).
    For FY 2003, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 
75.105 (c)(3) we consider only applications that meet this priority.

Selection Criteria

    We use the following selection criteria to evaluate applications 
under this program.
    The maximum score for all of these criteria is 100 points. The 
maximum score for each criterion is indicated in parentheses.
    (a) Responsiveness to an absolute or competitive priority (5 
points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the responsiveness of the application 
to an absolute or competitive priority published in the Federal 
Register.
    (2) In determining the application's responsiveness to the absolute 
or competitive priority, the Secretary considers one or more of the 
following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed activities are 
likely to achieve the purposes of the absolute or competitive priority. 
(5 points)
    (b) Design of research activities (40 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
research activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the 
objectives of the project.
    (2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be 
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the research activities constitute a 
coherent, sustained approach to research in the field, including a 
substantial addition to the state-of-the art. (10 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the methodology of each proposed research 
activity is meritorious, including consideration of the extent to 
which--
    (A) The proposed design includes a comprehensive and informed 
review of

[[Page 26173]]

the current literature, demonstrating knowledge of the state-of-the 
art; (5 points)
    (B) Each research hypothesis is theoretically sound and based on 
current knowledge; (6 points)
    (C) Each sample population is appropriate and of sufficient size; 
(7 points)
    (D) The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate 
and likely to be effective; (7 points) and
    (E) The data analysis methods are appropriate. (5 points)
    (c) Design of dissemination activities (6 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of 
dissemination activities is likely to be effective in accomplishing the 
objectives of the project.
    (2) In determining the extent to which the design is likely to be 
effective in accomplishing the objectives of the project, the Secretary 
considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the materials to be disseminated are likely 
to be effective and usable, including consideration of their quality, 
clarity, variety, and format. (2 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the materials and information to be 
disseminated and the methods for dissemination are appropriate to the 
target population. (2 points)
    (iii) The extent to which the information to be disseminated will 
be accessible to individuals with disabilities. (2 points)
    (d) Plan of operation (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of operation.
    (2) In determining the quality of the plan of operation, the 
Secretary considers the adequacy of the plan of operation to achieve 
the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, 
including clearly defined responsibilities, and timelines for 
accomplishing project tasks. (4 points)
    (3) In addition, the Secretary also considers whether there is a 
clearly delineated plan for research management, with focus on quality 
controls for data collection, management of research protocols, and 
provisions for oversight at collaborating sites. (6 points)
    (e) Collaboration (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of collaboration.
    (2) In determining the quality of collaboration, the Secretary 
considers the following factors:
    (i) The extent to which the applicant's proposed collaboration with 
one or more agencies, organizations, or institutions is likely to be 
effective in achieving the relevant proposed activities of the project. 
(5 points)
    (ii) The extent to which agencies, organizations, or institutions 
demonstrate a commitment to collaborate with the applicant. (5 points)
    (f) Adequacy and reasonableness of the budget (5 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and the reasonableness of 
the budget.
    (2) In determining the adequacy and the reasonableness of the 
proposed budget, the Secretary considers one or more of the following 
factors:
    (i) The extent to which the costs are reasonable in relation to the 
proposed project activities. (3 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the applicant is of sufficient size, 
scope, and quality to effectively carry out the activities in an 
efficient manner. (2 points)
    (g) Plan of Evaluation (8 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the plan of evaluation.
    (2) In determining the quality of the plan of evaluation, the 
Secretary considers the extent to which the plan of evaluation provides 
for periodic assessment of a project's progress that is based on 
identified performance measures that--
    (i) Are clearly related to the intended outcomes of the project and 
expected impacts on the target population; (4 points) and
    (ii) Are objective, and quantifiable or qualitative, as 
appropriate. (4 points)
    (h) Project Staff (6 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the quality of the project staff.
    (2) In determining the quality of the project staff, the Secretary 
considers the extent to which the applicant encourages applications for 
employment from persons who are members of groups that have 
traditionally been underrepresented based on race, color, national 
origin, gender, age, or disability. (2 points)
    (3) In addition, the Secretary considers one or more of the 
following:
    (i) The extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have 
appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct 
all proposed activities. (2 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the commitment of staff time is adequate 
to accomplish all the proposed activities of the project. (2 points)
    (a) Adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points).
    (1) The Secretary considers the adequacy and accessibility of the 
applicant's resources to implement the proposed project.
    (2) In determining the adequacy and accessibility of resources, the 
Secretary considers one or more of the following factors:
    (i) The quality of an applicant's past performance in carrying out 
a grant. (2 points)
    (ii) The extent to which the applicant has appropriate access to 
clinical populations and organizations representing individuals with 
disabilities to support advanced clinical rehabilitation research. (6 
points)
    (iii) The extent to which the facilities, equipment, and other 
resources are appropriately accessible to individuals with disabilities 
who may use the facilities, equipment, and other resources of the 
project. (2 points)
    Pre-Application Meeting: Interested parties are invited to 
participate in a pre-application meeting to discuss the funding 
priorities and to receive technical assistance through individual 
consultation and information about the funding priorities. The pre-
application meeting will be held on May 28, 2003 either in person or by 
conference call at the Department of Education, Office of Special 
Education and Rehabilitative Services, Switzer Building, room 3065, 330 
C Street, SW., Washington, DC between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. NIDRR staff 
will also be available from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on that same day to 
provide technical assistance through individual consultation and 
information about the funding priority. For further information or to 
make arrangements to attend contact Donna Nangle, Switzer Building, 
room 3412, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone (202) 
205-5880 or via Internet: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call (202) 205-4475.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities at the Public Meetings

    The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities, 
and a sign language interpreter will be available. If you will need an 
auxiliary aid or service other than a sign language interpreter in 
order to participate in the meeting (e.g., other interpreting service 
such as oral, cued speech, or tactile interpreter; assistive listening 
device; or materials in alternate format), notify the contact person 
listed in this notice at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting 
date. Although we will attempt to meet a request we receive after this 
date, we may not be able to make available the requested auxiliary aid 
or service because of insufficient time to arrange it.

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Application Procedures

    Note: Some of the procedures in these instructions for 
transmitting applications differ from those in the Education 
Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) (34 CFR 
75.102). Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, these amendments make 
procedural changes only and do not establish new substantive policy. 
Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), the Secretary has determined 
that proposed rulemaking is not required.

Pilot Project for Electronic Submission of Applications

    In FY 2003, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to 
expand its pilot project for electronic submission of applications to 
include additional formula grant programs and additional discretionary 
grant competitions. The Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects 
(DRRP) Program--CFDA 84.133A is one of the programs included 
in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under the DRRP, you may 
submit your application to us in either electronic or paper format.
    The pilot project involves the use of the Electronic Grant 
Application System (e-Application) portion of the Grant Administration 
and Payment System (GAPS). Users of e-Application will be entering data 
on-line while completing their applications. You may not e-mail a soft 
copy of a grant application to us. If you participate in this voluntary 
pilot project by submitting an application electronically, the data you 
enter on-line will be saved into a database. We request your 
participation in e-Application. We shall continue to evaluate its 
success and solicit suggestions for improvement.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
    [sbull] Your participation is voluntary.
    [sbull] You will not receive any additional point value because you 
submit a grant application in electronic format, nor will we penalize 
you if you submit an application in paper format. When you enter the e-
Application system, you will find information about its hours of 
operation.
    [sbull] You may submit all documents electronically, including the 
Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424), Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary assurances and 
certifications.
    [sbull] After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive an automatic acknowledgement, which will include a PR/Award 
number (an identifying number unique to your application).
    [sbull] Within three working days after submitting your electronic 
application, fax a signed copy of the Application for Federal 
Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after following 
these steps:
    (1) Print ED 424 from the e-Application system.
    (2) The institution's Authorizing Representative must sign this 
form.
    (3) Place the PR/Award number in the upper right hand corner of the 
hard copy signature page of the ED 424.
    (4) Fax the signed ED 424 to the Application Control Center at 
(202) 260-1349.
    [sbull] We may request that you give us original signatures on all 
other forms at a later date.
    [sbull] Closing Date Extension in Case of System Unavailability: If 
you elect to participate in the e-Application pilot for the DRRP and 
you are prevented from submitting your application on the closing date 
because the e-Application system is unavailable, we will grant you an 
extension of one business day in order to transmit your application 
electronically, by mail, or by hand delivery. For us to grant this 
extension--
    (1) You must be a registered user of e-Application, and have 
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
    (2)(a) The e-Application system must be unavailable for 60 minutes 
or more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC 
time, on the deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system must be unavailable for any period of 
time during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the deadline date. 
The Department must acknowledge and confirm these periods of 
unavailability before granting you an extension. To request this 
extension you must contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in 
this notice under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or (2) the e-GRANTS 
help desk at 1-888-336-8930.
    You may access the electronic grant application for the DRRP at: 
http://e-grants.ed.gov.
    Parity Guidelines Between Paper and Electronic Applications: In FY 
2003, the U.S. Department of Education is continuing to expand the 
pilot project that allows applicants to use an Internet-based 
electronic system for submitting applications. This competition is 
among those that have an electronic submission option available to all 
applicants. The system, called e-Application, allows an applicant to 
submit a grant application to us electronically, using a current 
version of the applicant's Internet browser. To see e-Application visit 
the following address: http://e-grants.ed.gov.

Parity Instructions

    Users of e-application, a data driven system, will be entering data 
on-line while completing their applications. This will be more 
interactive than just e-mailing a soft copy of a grant application to 
us. If you participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter on-line will go into a 
database and ultimately will be accessible in electronic form to our 
reviewers.
    This pilot project continues the Department's transition to an 
electronic grant award process. In addition to e-Application, the 
Department plans to expand the number of discretionary programs using 
the electronic peer review (e-Reader) system and to increase the 
participation of discretionary programs offering grantees the use of 
the electronic annual performance reporting (e-Reports) system.
    To help ensure parity and a similar look between electronic and 
paper copies of grant applications, we are asking each applicant that 
submits a paper application to adhere to the following guidelines:
    [sbull] Submit your application on 8.5'' by 11'' paper.
    [sbull] Leave a 1-inch margin on all sides.
    [sbull] Use consistent font throughout your document. You may also 
use boldface type, underlining, and italics. However, please do not use 
colored text.
    [sbull] Please use black and white, also, for illustrations, 
including charts, tables, graphs and pictures.
    [sbull] For the narrative component, your application should 
consist of the number and text of each selection criterion followed by 
the narrative. The text of the selection criterion, if included, does 
not count against any page limitation.
    [sbull] Place a page number at the bottom right of each page 
beginning with 1; and number your pages consecutively throughout your 
document.

Additional Application Procedures

    Appendices: Do not attach any appendices if all of your appendices 
are not in electronic format. Type in the appendices section: 
``Appendices are being sent separately.'' and note the date that they 
are hand delivered or mailed. Put the PR/award number and the word 
``Appendices'' in the upper right hand corner of each page of the 
appendices.

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Send the entire package of appendices to: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA  84.133A-6)--
Appendices, 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building 
3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.

You must clearly label the outside of the envelope with the PR/Award 
Number and the word ``Appendices.'' You must submit all hard copy 
appendices according to the Instructions for Transmitting Applications 
found elsewhere in this notice.

Instructions for Transmitting Applications

    If you want to apply for a grant in paper and be considered for 
funding, you must meet the following deadline requirements:
    (a) If You Send Your Application by Mail
    You must mail the original and two copies of the application on or 
before the deadline date. To help expedite our review of your 
application, applicants are encouraged to submit an original and seven 
copies. Mail your application to: U.S. Department of Education, 
Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA  84.133A-6), 7th 
& D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building 3, Washington, DC 
20202-4725.
    You must show one of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service postmark.
    (2) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
U.S. Postal Service.
    (3) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    (4) Any other proof of mailing acceptable to the Secretary.
    If you mail an application through the U.S. Postal Service, we do 
not accept either of the following as proof of mailing:
    (1) A private metered postmark.
    (2) A mail receipt that is not dated by the U.S. Postal Service.
    (b) If You Deliver Your Application by Hand
    You or your courier must hand deliver the original and two copies 
of the application by 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time) on or before the 
deadline date. To help expedite our review of your application, we 
would appreciate your voluntarily including an additional seven copies 
of your application. Deliver your application to: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA  
84.133A-6), 7th & D Streets, SW., Room 3671, Regional Office Building 
3, Washington, DC 20202-4725.
    The Application Control Center accepts application deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Washington, DC time), except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays. The Center accepts application 
deliveries through the D Street entrance only. A person delivering an 
application must show identification to enter the building.
    (c) If You Submit Your Application Electronically: You must submit 
your grant application through the Internet using the software provided 
on the e-Grants Website (http://www.e-grants.ed.gov) by 4:30 p.m. 
(Washington, DC time) on the deadline date.
    The regular hours of operation of the e-Grants Web site are 6 a.m. 
until 12 midnight (Washington, DC time) Monday-Friday and 6 a.m. until 
7 p.m. Saturdays. The system is unavailable on the second Saturday of 
every month, Sundays, and Federal holidays. Please note that on 
Wednesdays the Web site is closed for maintenance at 7 p.m. 
(Washington, DC time).

    Notes 
    (1) The U.S. Postal Service does not uniformly provide a dated 
postmark. Before relying on this method, you should check with your 
local post office.
    (2) If you send your application by mail or if you or your 
courier deliver it by hand, the Application Control Center will mail 
a Grant Application Receipt Acknowledgment to you. If you do not 
receive the notification of application receipt within 15 days from 
the date of mailing the application, you should call the U.S. 
Department of Education Application Control Center at (202) 708-
9493.
    (3) If your application is late, we will notify you that we will 
not consider the application.
    (4) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 4 of the Application for Federal Education 
Assistance (ED 424 (exp. 11/30/2004)) the CFDA number--and suffix 
letter, if any--of the competition under which you are submitting 
your application.
    (5) If you submit your application through the Internet via the 
e-Grants Web site, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment when 
we receive your application.

Application Forms and Instructions

    The Appendix to this notice contains forms and instructions, a 
statement regarding estimated public reporting burden, and various 
assurances and certifications. Please organize the parts and additional 
materials in the following order:
    [sbull] PART I: Application for Federal Assistance (ED 424 (Exp. 
11/30/2004)) and instructions.
    [sbull] PART II: Budget Form--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524) 
and instructions and definitions.
    [sbull] PART III: Application Narrative.
    [sbull] PART IV: Additional Materials.
    [sbull] Estimated Public Reporting Burden.
    [sbull] Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B).
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters: and Drug-Free Work-Place Requirements 
(ED Form 80-0013).
    [sbull] Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion: Lower Tier Covered Transactions 
(ED Form 80-0014) and instructions.

    (Note: ED Form GCS-014 is intended for the use of primary 
participants and should not be transmitted to the Department.)

    [sbull] Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL, if 
applicable) and instructions; and Disclosure Lobbying Activities 
Continuation Sheet (Standard Form LLL-A).
    [sbull] Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants
    An applicant may submit information on a photostatic copy of the 
application and budget forms, the assurances, and the certifications. 
However, the application form, the assurances, and the certifications 
must each have an original signature. No grant may be awarded unless a 
completed application form has been received.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Nangle, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, Switzer Building, 
Washington, DC 20202-2645. Telephone: (202) 205-5880 or via Internet: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may 
call the TDD number at (202) 205-4475.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the contact person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may review this document, as well as all other Department of 
Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe 
Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: 
http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister.
    To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available 
free at this site. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. 
Government Printing Office (GPO), toll free, at

[[Page 26176]]

1-888-293-6498; or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.

    Note: The official version of this document is the document 
published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the 
official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal 
Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.


    Program authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).

    Dated: May 9, 2003.
Loretta Petty Chittum,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.

Appendix--Instructions for Estimated Public Reporting Burden

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number 
for this collection of information is 1820-0027. Expiration date: 
11/20/2003. We estimate the time required to complete this 
collection of information to average 30 hours per response, 
including the time to review instructions, search existing data 
sources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the 
collection of information. If you have any comments concerning the 
accuracy of the time estimate or suggestions for improving this 
form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 
20202-4651. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of 
your submission of this form, write directly to: Donna Nangle, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 3412, 
Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2645.

Application Forms and Instructions

    Applicants are advised to reproduce and complete the application 
forms in this section. Applicants applying in paper copy format are 
required to submit an original and two copies of each application as 
provided in this section. However, applicants are encouraged to 
submit an original and seven copies of each application in order to 
facilitate the peer review process and minimize copying errors.

Frequent Questions

1. Can I Get an Extension of the Due Date?

    No. On rare occasions the Department of Education may extend a 
closing date for all applicants. If that occurs, a notice of the 
revised due date is published in the Federal Register. However, 
there are no extensions or exceptions to the due date made for 
individual applicants.

2. What Should Be Included in the Application?

    The application should include a project narrative, vitae of key 
personnel, and a budget, as well as the Assurances forms included in 
this package. Vitae of staff or consultants should include the 
individual's title and role in the proposed project, and other 
information that is specifically pertinent to this proposed project. 
The budgets for both the first year and all subsequent project years 
should be included.
    If collaboration with another organization is involved in the 
proposed activity, the application should include assurances of 
participation by the other parties, including written agreements or 
assurances of cooperation. It is not useful to include general 
letters of support or endorsement in the application.
    If the applicant proposes to use unique tests or other 
measurement instruments that are not widely known in the field, it 
would be helpful to include the instrument in the application.
    Many applications contain voluminous appendices that are not 
helpful and in many cases cannot even be mailed to the reviewers. It 
is generally not helpful to include such things as brochures, 
general capability statements of collaborating organizations, maps, 
copies of publications, or descriptions of other projects completed 
by the applicant.

3. What Format Should Be Used for the Application?

    NIDRR generally advises applicants that they may organize the 
application to follow the selection criteria that will be used. The 
specific review criteria vary according to the specific program, and 
are contained in this Consolidated Application Package.

4. May I Submit Applications to More Than One NIDRR Program 
Competition or More Than One Application to a Program?

    Yes, you may submit applications to any program for which they 
are responsive to the program requirements. You may submit the same 
application to as many competitions as you believe appropriate. You 
may also submit more than one application in any given competition.

5. What Is the Allowable Indirect Cost Rate?

    The limits on indirect costs vary according to the program and 
the type of application. An applicant for an RRTC is limited to an 
indirect rate of 15 percent. An applicant for Advanced 
Rehabilitation Research Training project is limited to a training 
grant indirect rate of 8 percent. An applicant for a RERC, DRRP, or 
Field Initiated project should limit indirect charges to the 
organization's approved indirect cost rate. If the organization does 
not have an approved indirect cost rate, the application should 
include an estimated actual rate.

6. Can Profitmaking Businesses Apply for Grants?

    Yes. However, for-profit organizations will not be able to 
collect a fee or profit on the grant, and in some programs will be 
required to share in the costs of the project.

7. Can Individuals Apply for Grants?

    No. Only organizations are eligible to apply for grants under 
NIDRR programs. However, individuals are the only entities eligible 
to apply for fellowships.

8. Can NIDRR Staff Advise Me Whether My Project Is of Interest to 
NIDRR or Likely To Be Funded?

    No. NIDRR staff can advise you of the requirements of the 
program in which you propose to submit your application. However, 
staff cannot advise you of whether your subject area or proposed 
approach is likely to receive approval.

9. How Do I Assure That My Application Will Be Referred to the Most 
Appropriate Panel for Review?

    Applicants should be sure that their applications are referred 
to the correct competition by clearly including the competition 
title and CFDA number, including alphabetical code, on the Standard 
Form 424, and including a project title that describes the project.

10. How Soon After Submitting My Application Can I Find Out if It 
Will Be Funded?

    The time from closing date to grant award date varies from 
program to program. Generally speaking, NIDRR endeavors to have 
awards made within five to six months of the closing date. 
Unsuccessful applicants generally will be notified within that time 
frame as well. For the purpose of estimating a project start date, 
the applicant should estimate approximately six months from the 
closing date, but no later than following September 30.

11. Can I Call NIDRR to Find Out if My Application Is Being Funded?

    No. When NIDRR is able to release information on the status of 
grant applications, it will notify applicants by letter. The results 
of the peer review cannot be released except through this formal 
notification.

12. If My Application Is Successful, Can I Assume I Will Get the 
Requested Budget Amount in Subsequent Years?

    No. Funding in subsequent years is subject to availability of 
funds and project performance.

13. Will All Approved Applications Be Funded?

    No. It often happens that the peer review panels approve for 
funding more applications than NIDRR can fund within available 
resources. Applicants who are approved but not funded are encouraged 
to consider submitting similar applications in future competitions.

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[FR Doc. 03-11981 Filed 5-13-03; 8:45 am]
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