[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 111 (Thursday, June 9, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33740-33744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14350]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA Numbers: 84.133N-1 and 84.133A-15]


Final Priorities and Selection Criterion; National Institute on 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)--Spinal Cord Injury 
Model Systems (SCIMS) Centers and SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative 
Research Projects

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of final priorities and selection criterion.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and 
Rehabilitative Services announces (1) a priority under the Special 
Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program for SCIMS 
Centers (priority 1), and (2) a priority and selection criterion for 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) that will serve 
as the SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative Research Projects (priority 2). 
The Assistant Secretary may use one or more of these priorities and 
selection criterion for competitions in fiscal year (FY) 2011 and later 
years. We take this action to focus attention on areas of national 
need.

DATES: Effective Date: These priorities and selection criterion are 
effective July 11, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5140, Potomac Center Plaza 
(PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by e-
mail: [email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the 
Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice of final priorities and 
selection criterion (NFP) is in concert with NIDRR's currently approved 
Long-Range Plan (Plan). The Plan, which was published in the Federal 
Register on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165), can be accessed on the 
Internet at the following site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/policy.html.
    Through the implementation of the Plan, NIDRR seeks to: (1) Improve 
the quality and utility of disability and rehabilitation research; (2) 
foster an exchange of expertise, information, and training to 
facilitate the advancement of knowledge and understanding of the unique 
needs of traditionally underserved populations; (3) determine the best 
strategies and programs to improve rehabilitation outcomes for 
underserved populations; (4) identify research gaps; (5) identify 
mechanisms of integrating research and practice; and (6) disseminate 
findings.
    This notice proposes priorities and a selection criterion that 
NIDRR intends to use for competitions in FY 2011 and possibly later 
years. However, nothing precludes NIDRR from publishing additional 
priorities if needed. Furthermore, NIDRR is under no obligation to make 
an award using either of the priorities or the selection criterion. The 
decision to make an award will be based on the quality of applications 
received and available funding.
    Purpose of Programs: The SCIMS centers are funded through the 
Special Projects and Demonstrations for SCI Program and the SCIMS 
Multi-Site Collaborative Research Projects are funded as DRRPs.

Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program

    The SCIMS centers program is funded through the Special Projects 
and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program. This program 
provides assistance for projects that provide comprehensive 
rehabilitation services to individuals with spinal cord injuries, and 
conducts spinal cord research, as specified in 34 CFR 359.10 and 
359.11.

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) Program

    The SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative Research Projects are funded as 
DRRPs. DRRPs are designed to improve the effectiveness of services 
authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by developing methods, 
procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that advance a wide range 
of independent living and employment outcomes for individuals with 
disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. 
DRRPs carry out one or more of the following types of activities, as 
specified and defined in 34 CFR 350.13 through 350.19: research, 
training, demonstration, development, dissemination, utilization, and 
technical assistance.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 760 and 764(a) and 764(b)(4).

    Applicable Program Regulations: 34 CFR parts 350 and 359.
    We published a notice of proposed priorities and selection 
criterion (NPP) for NIDRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research 
Projects and Centers Program in the Federal Register on March 22, 2011 
(76 FR 15961). That notice contained background information and our 
reasons for proposing the SCIMS Center priority and the SCIMS Multi-
Site Collaborative Research Projects priority and selection criterion.
    Public Comment: In response to our invitation in the NPP, nine 
parties submitted comments on the proposed priorities and selection 
criterion.
    Generally, we do not address technical and other minor changes. In 
addition, we do not address general comments that raised concerns not

[[Page 33741]]

directly related to the proposed priorities and selection criterion.
    Analysis of Comments and Changes: An analysis of the comments and 
of any changes in the priorities and selection criterion since 
publication of the notice NPP follows. We discuss substantive issues 
under the priorities or selection criterion to which they pertain.

General

    Comment: One commenter noted that the proposed priorities focus on 
acquired spinal cord injuries, and not on developmental disabilities or 
other conditions that affect the spinal cord. This commenter 
recommended that the priorities be expanded to include any conditions 
that affect the spinal cord and subsequent human physical activity and 
movement.
    Discussion: We are establishing the SCIMS Centers priority under 
section 204(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act, the statutory authority 
for the Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries 
program. Section 204(b)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 CFR part 
359, the implementing regulations for this program, clearly specify a 
focus on spinal cord injury, and on services provided to individuals 
following a spinal cord injury. We are funding the SCIMS Centers 
priority under this statutory authority to build upon the specialized 
research capacity that NIDRR has established under the SCIMS program. 
NIDRR developed the SCIMS Collaborative Research Projects priority to 
capitalize on this specialized research capacity. Therefore, both of 
the priorities announced in this notice focus on spinal cord injuries, 
and not other conditions that affect the spinal cord and subsequent 
physical activity and movement, as suggested by the commenter.
    Changes: None.

Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Centers Funded Under the 
Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries

    Comment: Six commenters asked whether applicants under the SCIMS 
Centers priority would be required to propose a module project in their 
proposals. Four of these commenters asked for clarification on the 
mechanism that will be used to develop and decide upon module projects.
    Discussion: Applicants are not required to propose a specific 
collaborative module project that they will implement in their 
proposals. Collaborative research projects cannot be developed in a 
thoughtful manner without knowledge of the capacity, interests, and 
expertise of the participating collaborators. For this reason, the 
priority does not require the SCIMS Centers to develop a collaborative 
module project. Rather, each SCIMS Center is required to participate in 
at least one collaborative module. Accordingly, applicants must 
demonstrate their capacity to successfully engage in multi-site 
collaborative research. This capacity includes access to research 
participants, the ability to maintain data quality, and the ability to 
adhere to research protocols.
    Following the announcement of new awards under this priority, SCIMS 
Centers that are interested in developing module projects may identify 
module topics, identify potential collaborators from among the other 
new SCIMS Centers, and develop research protocols for the potential 
modules. At the first SCIMS Project Directors' meeting, Project 
Directors will review, discuss, and decide upon specific module 
projects to implement. NIDRR staff will facilitate this post-award 
discussion and selection of module topics for implementation among new 
SCIMS Center grantees. Once these module projects are agreed upon by 
the Project Directors, each SCIMS Center will be required to 
participate in at least one of the module projects.
    Changes: NIDRR has modified the note under paragraph (d) of this 
priority to clearly indicate that applicants should not propose a 
specific module project in their application, and to clarify the 
mechanism that will be used to develop and decide upon the module 
projects in which the SCIMS Center grantees will participate.
    Comment: Two commenters asked how NIDRR would assess applicants' 
capacity to participate in multi-site collaborative research.
    Discussion: Because the SCIMS Centers will be funded under the 
Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries program, 
the regulations in 34 CFR 359 apply. Under those regulations, peer 
reviewers will use selection criteria in 34 CFR 359.31 to evaluate the 
quality of applications under this program, including applicants' 
descriptions of their capacity to engage in collaborative research. 
Specifically, the peer review criteria under CFR 359.31(c) and (e) are 
directly applicable to the evaluation of applicants' capacity to engage 
in multi-site collaborative research.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter asked how NIDRR would assess applicants' 
capacity to enroll at least 30 participants per year in the database.
    Discussion: Under the applicable program regulations for the 
Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries program in 
34 CFR part 359, peer reviewers will use selection criteria under 34 
CFR 359.31 to evaluate the quality of applications under this program, 
including proposed plans to recruit at least 30 participants per year 
into the SCIMS database. We expect applicants to describe their 
capacity to meet this minimum requirement in their applications so that 
peer reviews can assess this capacity under 34 CFR 359.31. In addition, 
we note NIDRR will continue to closely monitor the capacity of its 
funded SCIMS Centers to enroll the minimum number of participants into 
the SCIMS database each year of the project period.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter asked whether NIDRR intended to require 
applicants to budget ``at least 15 percent'' of its budget to 
participate in module projects, or if NIDRR intended to require 
applicants to budget ``no more than 15 percent'' for this activity.
    Discussion: NIDRR intends paragraph (d)(2) of this priority to 
require that SCIMS Centers propose to spend at least 15 percent of 
their annual budget on module participation.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter asked how applicants should describe their 
module participation in their proposed budgets.
    Discussion: In order to meet paragraph (d) of the priority, a 
grantee must participate as a research collaborator in at least one 
module project. As discussed earlier in this Analysis of Comments and 
Changes section, we do not expect applicants to propose or describe a 
module project. Rather, we require applicants to propose to spend at 
least 15 percent of their annual budget on participating in a module 
project. Accordingly, the only information regarding participation in 
the module project that is needed in the application is a single line 
item for module participation that is at least 15 percent of the 
overall budget. No additional information is required.
    Changes: None.
    Comment: One commenter noted that the requirements under paragraph 
(c) of the priority are overly restrictive, in that they require 
projects to test both innovative approaches to treating SCI and 
innovative approaches to assessing outcomes. This commenter stated that 
it would be more reasonable to require projects to test either 
innovative approaches to treating SCI or innovative approaches to 
assessing outcomes. This commenter also suggested that NIDRR broaden 
the types of possible research

[[Page 33742]]

that can be proposed under this priority to include research that uses 
advanced methods to collect other information of clinical and/or 
scientific value that is of relevance to SCI.
    Discussion: NIDRR agrees that the language in proposed paragraph 
(c) of the priority is overly restrictive and is changing the priority 
to require that applicants propose research to test innovative SCI 
treatments, or research to test innovative approaches to assessing 
outcomes of spinal cord injury.
    In response to the second point raised by the commenter, NIDRR 
would like to maintain focus on the testing of interventions or the 
development of new outcomes measures and assessments. Through sustained 
funding of its SCIMS program, NIDRR has created a mature research 
infrastructure that will support the testing of interventions. NIDRR's 
emphasis on the testing of interventions and the development of 
measures to support that testing is intended to build upon this 
infrastructure to improve the outcomes of individuals with spinal cord 
injury. For this reason, we decline to revise this requirement to 
broaden the types of research that can be supported under this 
priority.
    Changes: NIDRR has made minor modifications to paragraph (c) of the 
priority to clarify that applicants can propose research to test 
innovative SCI treatments, or research to test innovative approaches to 
assessing outcomes of spinal cord injury.
    Comment: None.
    Discussion: Paragraph (c) of this priority states that each SCIMS 
Center must propose and conduct at least one, but no more than two, 
site-specific research projects. We intend this language to prohibit 
applicants from proposing and conducting more than two site-specific 
research projects. To avoid any confusion on this point, we believe it 
would be helpful to applicants to add language clearly stating that 
applicants who propose more than two site-specific research projects 
will be disqualified.
    Changes: NIDRR has revised paragraph (c) of this priority by adding 
a sentence stating that applicants who propose more than two site-
specific research projects will be disqualified.

SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative Research Projects

    Comment: One commenter asked NIDRR to expand the eligibility 
criteria for serving as the lead applicant for one of the SCIMS Multi-
Site Collaborative Research Projects, so that the two NIDRR-funded 
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers on Secondary Conditions in 
Rehabilitation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury would be eligible 
to apply.
    Discussion: NIDRR's SCIMS Centers program has evolved into a multi-
site platform that can serve as a resource for testing promising 
interventions and building the evidence base for spinal cord injury 
rehabilitation. NIDRR has designed this priority to directly utilize 
this platform for collaborative research on interventions. Therefore, 
only SCIMS Centers are eligible to apply. These SCIMS Centers have 
direct access to individuals with SCI who will participate in the 
collaborative research. They also maintain comprehensive systems of 
clinical services for individuals with SCI. Applicants that are not 
SCIMS Centers will not have direct access to these resources, which are 
necessary for leading collaborative research within the SCIMS program. 
While only SCIMS Centers can apply as lead applicants for the SCIMS 
Multi-Site Collaborative Research grants, applicants may include as 
part of their multi-site collaborative research project other SCI 
research sites that are not participating as a SCIMS Center.
    Changes: None.

Final Priorities

Priority 1--Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers

    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services establishes a priority for the funding of Spinal Cord Injury 
Model Systems (SCIMS) centers of care (SCIMS Centers). The SCIMS 
Centers must provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary services to 
individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) as a basis for conducting 
research that contributes to evidence-based rehabilitation 
interventions and clinical and practice guidelines. The SCIMS program 
is designed to generate new knowledge that can be used to improve 
outcomes of individuals with SCI in one or more domains identified in 
NIDRR's currently approved Long Range Plan, published in the Federal 
Register on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165): health and function, 
participation and community living, technology, and employment. Each 
SCIMS Center must contribute to this outcome by--
    (a) Providing a multidisciplinary system of rehabilitation care 
specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with SCI. The 
system must encompass a continuum of care, including emergency medical 
services, acute care services, acute medical rehabilitation services, 
and post-acute services;
    (b) Continuing the assessment of long-term outcomes of individuals 
with SCI by enrolling at least 30 subjects per year into the SCIMS 
database, following established protocols for the collection of 
enrollment and follow-up data on subjects;
    (c) Proposing and conducting at least one, but no more than two, 
site-specific research projects to test innovative approaches to 
treating SCI or to assessing outcomes of individuals with SCI in one or 
more domains identified in the Plan: health and function, participation 
and community living, technology, and employment.

    Note: Applicants who propose more than two site-specific 
research projects will be disqualified.

    (d) Participating as research collaborators in at least one module 
project. Module projects are research collaborations with one or more 
other SCIMS Centers on topics of mutual interest and expertise. These 
module projects are carried out as part of the SCIMS Centers' 
activities. They are not part of the SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative 
Projects, which are funded under a separate priority.

    Note:  Applicants should not propose a specific module project 
in their application. While all SCIMS Center grantees are required 
to participate as research collaborators in at least one module 
project, they are not required to develop any module project on 
their own. Immediately following the announcement of new awards 
under this priority, those SCIMS Centers that are interested in 
developing module projects may identify module topics, identify 
potential collaborators from among the other new SCIMS Centers, and 
develop research protocols for the potential modules. At the first 
SCIMS Project Directors' meeting, Project Directors will review, 
discuss, and decide upon specific module projects to implement. 
NIDRR staff will facilitate this post-award discussion and 
negotiation among new SCIMS grantees. Once these module projects are 
agreed upon by the Project Directors, each SCIMS Center will be 
required to participate in at least one of them.

    Each applicant under this priority must--
    (1) Demonstrate, in its application, its capacity to successfully 
engage in multi-site collaborative research. This capacity includes 
access to research participants, the ability to maintain data quality, 
and the ability to adhere to research protocols; and
    (2) Propose to spend at least 15 percent of its annual budget on 
participating in a module project, as described in paragraph (d) of 
this priority;
    (e) Addressing the needs of persons with disabilities including 
individuals

[[Page 33743]]

from traditionally underserved populations;
    (f) Coordinating with the NIDRR-funded Model Systems Knowledge 
Translation Center (MSKTC) to provide scientific results and 
information for dissemination to clinical and consumer audiences; and
    (g) Ensuring participation of persons with disabilities in 
conducting SCIMS research.

Priority 2--Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Multi-Site 
Collaborative Research Projects

    The Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services establishes a priority for the funding of Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) to serve as Spinal Cord Injury 
Model Systems (SCIMS) multi-site collaborative research projects. To be 
eligible under this priority, an applicant must have received a grant 
under the SCIMS Centers priority (Proposed Priority 1 in this notice). 
Following completion of a competition using the SCIMS Centers priority, 
the Department will invite successful applicants under that competition 
to apply for funding under this SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative Research 
Projects priority.
    Each SCIMS multi-site collaborative research project must be 
designed to contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation interventions 
and clinical practice guidelines that improve the lives of individuals 
with spinal cord injury (SCI) through research, including the testing 
of approaches to treating SCI or the assessment of the outcomes of 
individuals with SCI. Each SCIMS multi-site collaborative research 
project must contribute to this outcome by--
    (a) Collaborating with three or more of the NIDRR-funded SCIMS 
centers (for a minimum of four SCIMS sites). Applicants may also 
propose to include as part of their multi-site collaborative research 
project other SCI research sites that are not participating in a NIDRR-
funded program;
    (b) Conducting multi-site research on questions of significance to 
SCI rehabilitation, using clearly identified research designs. The 
research must focus on outcomes in one or more domains identified in 
NIDRR's currently approved Long Range Plan, published in the Federal 
Register on February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8165): Health and function, 
participation and community living, technology, and employment;
    (c) Demonstrating the capacity to carry out multi-site 
collaborative research projects, including administrative capabilities, 
experience with management of multi-site research protocols, and 
demonstrated ability to maintain standards for quality and 
confidentiality of data gathered from multiple sites;
    (d) Addressing the needs of people with disabilities, including 
individuals from traditionally underserved populations;
    (e) Coordinating with the NIDRR-funded Model Systems Knowledge 
Translation Center (MSKTC) to provide scientific results and 
information for dissemination to clinical and consumer audiences; and
    (f) Ensuring participation of individuals with disabilities in 
conducting SCIMS research.

Types of Priorities

    When inviting applications for a competition using one or more 
priorities, we designate the type of each priority as absolute, 
competitive preference, or invitational through a notice in the Federal 
Register. The effect of each type of priority follows:
    Absolute priority: Under an absolute priority, we consider only 
applications that meet the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(3)).
    Competitive preference priority: Under a competitive preference 
priority, we give competitive preference to an application by (1) 
awarding additional points, depending on the extent to which the 
application meets the priority (34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i)); or (2) 
selecting an application that meets the priority over an application of 
comparable merit that does not meet the priority (34 CFR 
75.105(c)(2)(ii)).
    Invitational priority: Under an invitational priority, we are 
particularly interested in applications that meet the priority. 
However, we do not give an application that meets the priority a 
preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).

Selection Criterion

    In accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR 350.53 and 350.54 and 
in addition to the selection criteria specified in those sections, the 
Secretary will consider the following factor in evaluating applications 
submitted under the SCIMS Multi-Site Collaborative Research Projects 
priority:
    The extent to which the applicant clearly documents its capacity to 
carry out a multi-site research project, including demonstrated 
administrative capabilities, experience with managing and following 
multi-site research protocols, and ability to maintain and meet 
standards for quality and confidentiality of data gathered from 
multiple sites.
    This notice does not preclude us from proposing additional 
priorities, requirements, definitions, or selection criteria, subject 
to meeting applicable rulemaking requirements.

    Note:  This notice does not solicit applications. In any year in 
which we choose to use these priorities, we invite applications 
through a notice in the Federal Register.

    Executive Order 12866: This notice has been reviewed in accordance 
with Executive Order 12866. Under the terms of the order, we have 
assessed the potential costs and benefits of this final regulatory 
action.
    The potential costs associated with this final regulatory action 
are those resulting from statutory requirements and those we have 
determined as necessary for administering this program effectively and 
efficiently.
    In assessing the potential costs and benefits--both quantitative 
and qualitative--of this final regulatory action, we have determined 
that the benefits of the final priorities justify the costs.

Summary of Potential Costs and Benefits

    The benefits of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects 
and Centers and the Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord 
Injuries Programs have been well established over the years in that 
similar projects have been completed successfully. These final 
priorities and selection criterion will generate new knowledge through 
research and development. Another benefit of these final priorities and 
selection criterion is that the establishment of new SCIMS Centers and 
the DRRPs conducting SCIMS multi-site research projects will generate 
new knowledge to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. 
The new SCIMS Centers and the SCIMS multi-site research projects will 
generate, disseminate, and promote the use of new information that will 
improve the options for individuals with spinal cord injury to perform 
activities of their choice in the community.
    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or computer diskette) by contacting the Grants and Contracts 
Services Team, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., 
room 5075, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2550. Telephone: (202) 245-7363. 
If you use a TDD, call the FRS, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal

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Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal 
Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the 
Federal Digital System at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you 
can 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). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, 
which is available free at the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: http://www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

    Dated: June 6, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-14350 Filed 6-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P