[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7732-7735]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3615]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Overview 
Information; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research (NIDRR)--Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects Program--
Research Infrastructure Capacity Building Project; Notice Inviting 
Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133A-5.

DATES: Applications Available: February 19, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 6, 2004.
    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.
    Estimated Available Funds: $600,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000--$600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $600,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $600,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.

    Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    (1) Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability 
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) program is to plan and conduct 
research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities that 
help to maximize the full inclusion and integration of individuals with 
disabilities into society and to improve the effectiveness of services 
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (Act) as amended.
    For FY 2004, 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.
    Priority: This priority is from the notice of final priorities for 
this program, published in the Federal Register on July 25, 2003 (68 FR 
44055) under CFDA Number 84.133A-4.
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2004 this priority is an absolute 
priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we consider only applications that 
meet this priority.
    This priority is:
    The Assistant Secretary will fund one DRRP that will focus on a 
research, development, and dissemination project on Research 
Infrastructure Capacity Building. The reference for this topic can be 
found in NIDRR's Long-Range Plan (Plan), chapter 9, Capacity Building: 
Priorities in Capacity Building. In carrying out this priority the DRRP 
must:
    (1) Develop and evaluate an innovative method(s) for establishing 
long-term collaborative research partnerships, with an emphasis on 
relationships among minority entities, Indian tribes, and nonminority 
entities;
    (2) Research, develop, and evaluate strategies to assess the 
efficacy of existing research theories, methodologies, and measures for 
studying and describing underrepresented individuals with disabilities 
from minority racial and ethnic populations and their needs;
    (3) Research, identify and modify or develop, and evaluate 
scientifically valid measurement strategies and methodologies for 
research involving the study of underrepresented minority racial and 
ethnic populations; determine their efficacy; and examine the 
implications of introducing newly developed approaches designed 
specifically for the study of this population;
    (4) Develop and evaluate research principles or standards for 
culturally appropriate and linguistically competent disability and 
rehabilitation research, and disseminate guidelines; and
    (5) Develop, implement, and evaluate approaches for disseminating 
research findings, information about best practices for research 
involving underrepresented minority racial and

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ethnic populations, and information about research collaboration.
    In carrying out the purposes of the priority, the DRRP must:
    [sbull] In the first three months of the grant, develop and 
implement a research partnership plan ensuring that all activities are 
predominantly focused on research infrastructure capacity building and 
provide for mutual benefit for each member of the partnership, 
including persons with disabilities or their representatives;
    [sbull] In the first year of the grant, implement a plan to 
disseminate research results;
    [sbull] In the third year of the grant, conduct a state-of-the-
science conference focused on the funded area of research and related 
topics;
    [sbull] In the fourth year of the grant, publish and disseminate a 
comprehensive report on the outcomes and proceedings of the conference;
    [sbull] Demonstrate how the research project can transfer research 
findings to practical applications in planning, policy-making, program 
administration, and delivery of services to individuals with 
disabilities; and
    [sbull] Conduct ongoing program evaluation and produce a closing 
report describing research outcomes, as they relate to the research 
goals and objectives, and future directions for research infrastructure 
development and capacity building.
    The Plan can be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/index.html.
    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(g) and 764(a).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 
82, 84, 85, 86 and 97, and (b) The regulations for this program in 34 
CFR part 350.

    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $600,000.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $500,000-$600,000.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $600,000.
    Maximum Award: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $600,000 for a single budget period of 12 months. The 
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 
may change the maximum amount through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.

    Note: The maximum amount includes direct and indirect costs.

    Estimated Number of Awards: 1.

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

    Project Period: Up to 60 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. 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.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not involve cost 
sharing or matching.
    3. Other: An applicant for assistance under this program must 
demonstrate in its application how it will address, in whole or in 
part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority 
backgrounds (34 CFR 350.40(a)). The approaches an applicant may take to 
meet this requirement may include one or more of the following (34 CFR 
350.40(b)):
    (1) Proposing project objectives addressing the needs of 
individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
    (2) Demonstrating that the project will address a problem that is 
of particular significance to individuals with disabilities from 
minority backgrounds.
    (3) Demonstrating that individuals from minority backgrounds will 
be included in study samples in sufficient numbers to generate 
information pertinent to individuals with disabilities from minority 
backgrounds.
    (4) Drawing study samples and program participant rosters from 
populations or areas that include individuals from minority 
backgrounds.
    (5) Providing outreach to individuals with disabilities from 
minority backgrounds to ensure that they are aware of rehabilitation 
services, clinical care, or training offered by the project.
    (6) Disseminating materials to or otherwise increasing the access 
to disability information among minority populations.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs), P.O. Box 1398, Jessup, MD 20794-1398. Telephone (toll 
free): 1-877-433-7827. FAX: (301) 470-1244. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call (toll free): 
1-877-576-7734.
    You may also contact ED Pubs at its Web site: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html or you may contact ED Pubs at its e-mail address: 
[email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this competition as follows: CFDA Number 84.133A-5.

    Note: A listing of available FY 2004 discretionary grant 
applications including the application for this competition is 
available on the following Web site: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html.

    Individuals with disabilities may obtain a copy of the application 
package in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the program contact 
person listed in this section.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application, together with the forms you 
must submit, are in the application package for this competition. Page 
Limit: The application narrative (Part III of the application) is where 
you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use 
to evaluate your application. We recommend that you limit Part III to 
the equivalent of no more than 75 pages, using the following standards:
    [sbull] A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
    [sbull] Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) 
all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, 
footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in 
charts, tables, figures, and graphs.
    [sbull] Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    The page limit does not apply to Part I, the cover sheet; Part II, 
the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; Part 
IV, the assurances and certifications; or the one-page abstract, the 
resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, you must 
include all of the application narrative in Part III.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: February 19, 2004.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 6, 2004. The dates 
and times for the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand 
(including a courier service or commercial carrier) are in the 
application package for this competition. The application package also 
specifies the hours of operation of the e-Application Web site.

[[Page 7734]]

    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Other Submission Requirements: Instructions and requirements for 
the transmittal of applications by mail or by hand (including a courier 
service or commercial carrier) are in the application package for this 
competition.
    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: We are 
continuing to expand our pilot project for electronic submission of 
applications to include additional formula grant programs and 
additional discretionary grant competitions. The Disability 
Rehabilitation Research Projects Program--Research Infrastructure 
Capacity Building Project--CFDA Number 84.133A-5 is one of the programs 
included in the pilot project. If you are an applicant under the 
Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects Program--Research 
Infrastructure Capacity Building Project, 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). If you use e-Application, you will 
be entering data online while completing your application. You may not 
e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to us. If you 
participate in this voluntary pilot project by submitting an 
application electronically, the data you enter online will be saved 
into a database. We request your participation in e-Application. We 
shall continue to evaluate its success and solicit suggestions for its 
improvement.
    If you participate in e-Application, please note the following:
    [sbull] Your participation is voluntary.
    [sbull] When you enter the e-Application system, you will find 
information about its hours of operation. We strongly recommend that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to initiate an e-
Application package.
    [sbull] You will not receive 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.
    [sbull] You may submit all documents electronically, including the 
Application for Federal Education Assistance (ED 424), Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs (ED 524), and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
    [sbull] Your e-Application must comply with any page limit 
requirements described in this notice.
    [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 Education 
Assistance (ED 424) to the Application Control Center after following 
these steps:
    1. Print ED 424 from e-Application.
    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 
other forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of System 
Unavailability: If you elect to participate in the e-Application pilot 
for the Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects Program--Research 
Infrastructure Capacity Building Project and you are prevented from 
submitting your application on the application deadline 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. We will grant this 
extension if--
    1. You are a registered user of e-Application, and you have 
initiated an e-Application for this competition; and
    2. (a) The e-Application system is unavailable for 60 minutes or 
more between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date; or
    (b) The e-Application system is unavailable for any period of time 
during the last hour of operation (that is, for any period of time 
between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time) on the 
application deadline date.
    We must acknowledge and confirm these periods of unavailability 
before granting you an extension. To request this extension or to 
confirm our acknowledgement of any system unavailability, you may 
contact either (1) the person listed elsewhere in this notice under For 
Further Information Contact (see VII. Agency 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.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this competition are 
in the application package.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN). We may also notify you informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Reporting: At the end of your project period, you must submit a 
final performance report, including financial information, as directed 
by the Secretary. If you receive a multi-year award, you must submit an 
annual performance report that provides the most current performance 
and financial expenditure information as specified by the Secretary in 
34 CFR 75.118. NIDRR will provide information in a letter format on how 
and when to submit the report.
    4. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its 
research program, NIDRR assesses the quality of its funded projects 
through review of grantee performance and products. Each year, NIDRR 
examines, through expert

[[Page 7735]]

peer review, a portion of its grantees to determine:
    [sbull] The degree to which the grantees are conducting high-
quality research, as reflected in the appropriateness of study designs, 
the rigor with which accepted standards of scientific and engineering 
methods are applied, and the degree to which it builds on and 
contributes to the level of knowledge in the field;
    [sbull] The number of new or improved tools, instruments, 
protocols, and technologies developed and published by grantees that 
are deemed to improve the measurement of disability and rehabilitation-
related concepts and contribute to changes/improvements in policy, 
practice, and outcomes for individuals with disabilities and their 
families;
    [sbull] The percentage of grantees deemed to be implementing a 
systematic outcomes-oriented dissemination plan, with measurable 
performance goals and targets, that clearly identifies the types of 
products and services to be produced and the target audiences to be 
reached, and describes how dissemination products and strategies will 
be used to meet the needs of end-users, including individuals with 
disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds, and promote the 
awareness and use of information and findings from NIDRR-funded 
projects;
    [sbull] The percentage of consumer-oriented dissemination products 
and services (based on a subset of products and services nominated by 
grantees to be their ``best'' outputs) that are deemed to be of high-
quality and contributing to advances in knowledge and to changes/
improvements in policy, practices, services, and supports by 
individuals with disabilities and other end-users, including 
practitioners, service providers, and policy makers; and
    [sbull] The percentage of new studies funded each year that assess 
the effectiveness of interventions or demonstration programs using 
rigorous and appropriate methods.
    NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their 
Annual Performance Reports (APRs) for these reviews. NIDRR also 
determines, using information submitted as part of the APR, the number 
of publications in refereed journals that are based on NIDRR-funded 
research and development activities.
    Department of Education program performance reports, which include 
information on NIDRR programs, are available on the Department of 
Education Web site: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/planning.html. 
Updates on the GPRA indicators, revisions and methods appear in the 
NIDRR Program Review Web site: http://www.cessi.net/pr/RERC/Summative/Supplemental.html. Grantees should consult these sites, on a regular 
basis, to get details and explanations on how NIDRR programs contribute 
to the advancement of the Department's long-term and annual performance 
goals.

VII. Agency Contact

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 or the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed in this 
section.

VIII. Other Information

Electronic Access to This Document

    You may view this document, as well as all other documents of this 
Department published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable 
Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/news/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 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.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html.


    Dated: February 12, 2004.
Troy R. Justesen,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 04-3615 Filed 2-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P