[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77505-77510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31947]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Applications for New Awards; Research Fellowships Program

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Service, 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Overview Information: Research Fellowships Program; Notice inviting 
applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2012.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133F-1.

DATES: Applications Available: December 13, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 13, 2012.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Research Fellowships Program 
is to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified 
individuals, including those who are individuals with disabilities, to 
perform research on the rehabilitation of individuals with 
disabilities.

    Note: This program is in concert with NIDRR's currently approved 
long range plan (the Plan). The Plan is comprehensive and integrates 
many issues relating to disability and rehabilitation research 
topics. The Plan, which was published in the Federal Register on 
February 15, 2006 (71 FR 8166), can be accessed on the Internet at 
the following site: http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2006-1/021506d.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.
    Priorities: This competition contains one absolute priority and two 
invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(ii), 
the absolute priority is from the regulations for this program (34 CFR 
356.10).
    Absolute Priority: For FY 2012, and any subsequent year in which we 
make awards from the list of unfunded applicants from this competition, 
this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3) we 
consider only applications that meet this priority.
    This priority is:

Research Fellowships Program

    Fellows must conduct original research in an area authorized by

[[Page 77506]]

section 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (the Act). 
Section 204 authorizes research, demonstration projects, training, and 
related activities, the purposes of which are to develop methods, 
procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full 
inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, 
family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency, of 
individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most 
significant disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services 
authorized under the Act.
    Within this absolute priority, we are particularly interested in 
applications that address the following invitational priorities.
    Invitational Priority: Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an 
application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or 
absolute preference over other applications.
    These priorities are:
    (1) The Secretary is particularly interested in applications from 
eligible applicants who are individuals with disabilities.
    (2) The Secretary is particularly interested in applications that 
result in practical methods of improving participation and community 
living and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

    Note: The Secretary is interested in outcomes-oriented research 
projects that use rigorous scientific methodologies. To address this 
interest, applicants are encouraged to articulate goals, objectives, 
and expected outcomes for the proposed research activities. 
Proposals should describe how results and planned outputs are 
expected to contribute to advances in knowledge or improvements in 
policy and practice. Applicants should propose projects that are 
optimally designed to be consistent with these goals. Submission of 
the information identified under this paragraph is not required by 
law or regulation, but is desired.

    Program Authority: 29 U.S.C. 762(e).
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR 75.60 and 75.61, and parts 
77, 82, 84, 85, and 97. (b) The regulations for this program in 34 CFR 
part 356. (c) The regulations in 34 CFR 350.51 and 350.52.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Discretionary grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: The Administration has requested 
$110,485,000 for the NIDRR program for FY 2012, of which we intend to 
use an estimated $505,000 for the Research Fellowships Program. The 
actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. 
However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete 
the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.
    Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of 
applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2013 from the list of 
unfunded applicants from this competition.
    Estimated Range of Awards: $60,000 to $65,000 for Merit Fellowships 
and $70,000 to $75,000 for Distinguished Fellowships. (These 
fellowships are described in the Eligible Applicant section of this 
notice.)
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $63,000 for Merit Fellowships and 
$73,000 for Distinguished Fellowships.
    Maximum Awards: We will reject any application that proposes a 
budget exceeding $65,000 for Merit Fellowships and $75,000 for 
Distinguished Fellowships 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.
    Estimated Number of Awards: Seven total, including both Merit 
Fellowships and Distinguished Fellowships.

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

    Project Period: Up to 12 months. We will reject any application 
that proposes a project period exceeding 12 months. The Assistant 
Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services may change 
the maximum project period through a notice published in the Federal 
Register.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: Eligible individuals must: (1) satisfy the 
requirements of 34 CFR 75.60 and 75.61 and (2) have training and 
experience that indicate a potential for engaging in scientific 
research related to the solution of rehabilitation problems of 
individuals with disabilities. The program provides two categories of 
Research Fellowships: Merit Fellowships and Distinguished Fellowships.
    (a) To be eligible for a Merit Fellowship, an individual must have 
either advanced professional training or experience in independent 
study in an area which is directly pertinent to disability and 
rehabilitation.

    Note: In the most recent competitions for this program, Merit 
Fellowship recipients had research experience at the doctoral level.

    (b) To be eligible for a Distinguished Fellowship, an individual 
must have seven or more years of research experience in subject areas, 
methods, or techniques relevant to rehabilitation research and must 
have a doctorate, other terminal degree, or comparable academic 
qualifications.

    Note:  Institutions are not eligible to be recipients of 
Research Fellowships.

    2. Cost Sharing or Matching: This program does not require cost 
sharing or matching.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain an 
application package via the Internet or from the Education Publications 
Center (ED Pubs). To obtain a copy via the Internet, use the following 
address: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html. To 
obtain a copy from ED Pubs, write, fax, or call the following: ED Pubs, 
U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, VA 22304. 
Telephone, toll free: 1-(877) 433-7827. FAX: (703) 605-6794. If you use 
a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call, toll free: 1-
(877) 576-7734.
    You can contact ED Pubs at its Web site, also: http://www.EDPubs.gov or at its e-mail address: [email protected].
    If you request an application from ED Pubs, be sure to identify 
this program as follows: CFDA number 84.133F.
    Individuals with disabilities can obtain a copy of the application 
package in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, 
or compact disc) by contacting the person or team listed under 
Accessible Format in section VIII of this notice.
    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 program.
    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. You must limit the 
application narrative (Part III) to the equivalent of no more than 24 
double-spaced pages, using the following standards:
     A ``page'' is 8.5'' x 11'', on one side only, with 1'' 
margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
     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.

[[Page 77507]]

     Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller 
than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
     Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, 
Courier New, or Arial. An application submitted in any other font 
(including Times Roman or Arial Narrow) will not be accepted.
    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; the one-page abstract; the 
eligibility statement; the curriculum vitae; the bibliography; the 
letters of recommendation; or the information on the protection of 
human subjects. However, the page limit does apply to all of the 
application narrative section (Part III).
    We will reject your application if you exceed the page limit or if 
you apply other standards and exceed the equivalent of the page limit.
    3. Submission Dates and Times:
    Applications Available: December 13, 2011.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: February 13, 2012.
    Applications for grants under this program must be submitted 
electronically using the Grants.gov Apply site (Grants.gov). For 
information (including dates and times) about how to submit your 
application electronically, or in paper format by mail or hand delivery 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, please refer to section IV. 7. Other Submission 
Requirements of this notice.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    Individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid in connection with the application process should contact 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII 
of this notice. If the Department provides an accommodation or 
auxiliary aid to an individual with a disability in connection with the 
application process, the individual's application remains subject to 
all other requirements and limitations in this notice.
    4. Intergovernmental Review: This program is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    5. Funding Restrictions: Applicants are not required to submit a 
budget with their proposal. The Merit Fellowships and Distinguished 
Fellowships awards are one Full Time Equivalent (FTE) awards. The 
Fellow must work principally on the fellowship during the term of the 
fellowship award. We define ``one FTE'' as equal to 40 hours per week. 
No Fellow is allowed to be a direct recipient of Federal government 
grant funds in addition to those provided by the Merit or Distinguished 
Fellowship grant (during the duration of the Fellowship award 
performance period). Fellows may, subject to compliance with their 
institution's policy on additional employment, work on a Federal grant 
that has been awarded to the Fellow's institution.
    We reference regulations outlining funding restrictions in the 
Applicable Regulations section of this notice.
    6. Requirements for Registering for Grants.gov and Submitting Your 
Application:
    All individuals applying for a Research Fellowship must register 
with www.Grants.Gov prior to submitting their application. To register 
with Grants.gov you must know the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) of 
the Grant opportunity you are applying for. This number is available on 
the Research Fellowship Program Notice Inviting Applications for new 
awards for fiscal year (FY) 2012. Once you register with www.Grants.gov 
using the FON, you will be asked to create a profile with your username 
and password, which will be used to identify you within the system and 
create an electronic signature to have your grant application forwarded 
to the appropriate government agency safely and securely. Details on 
registering for www.Grants.gov as an individual are outlined in the 
following Grants.gov tutorial (see http://www.grants.gov/assets/IndividualRegistrationOverview.html).
    To register for Grants.gov you do not have to provide a Data 
Universal Numbering System Number (DUNS), a Taxpayer Identification 
Number (TIN) or your Social Security Number. You also do not have to 
complete a CCR registration in order to access Grants.gov or submit 
your application.
    However, your Social Security Number is required to complete your 
application for a Research Fellowship.
    7. Other Submission Requirements: Applications for grants under 
this program must be submitted electronically unless you qualify for an 
exception to this requirement in accordance with the instructions in 
this section.
    a. Electronic Submission of Applications.
    Applications for grants under the Research Fellowships Program--
CFDA Number 84.133F-1 must be submitted electronically using the 
Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at www.Grants.gov. Through this 
site, you will be able to download a copy of the application package, 
complete it offline, and then upload and submit your application. You 
may not email an electronic copy of a grant application to us.
    We will reject your application if you submit it in paper format 
unless, as described elsewhere in this section, you qualify for one of 
the exceptions to the electronic submission requirement and submit, no 
later than two weeks before the application deadline date, a written 
statement to the Department that you qualify for one of these 
exceptions. Further information regarding calculation of the date that 
is two weeks before the application deadline date is provided later in 
this section under Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement.
    You may access the electronic grant application for Research 
Fellowships Program at www.Grants.gov. You must search for the 
downloadable application package for this program by the CFDA number. 
Do not include the CFDA number's alpha suffix in your search (e.g., 
search for 84.133, not 84.133F).
    Please note the following:
     When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     Applications received by Grants.gov are date and time 
stamped. Your application must be fully uploaded and submitted and must 
be date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system no later than 4:30 
p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date. Except as 
otherwise noted in this section, we will not accept your application if 
it is received--that is, date and time stamped by the Grants.gov 
system--after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application 
deadline date. We do not consider an application that does not comply 
with the deadline requirements. When we retrieve your application from 
Grants.gov, we will notify you if we are rejecting your application 
because it was date and time stamped by the Grants.gov system after 
4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, on the application deadline date.
     The amount of time it can take to upload an application 
will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the size of the 
application and the speed of your Internet connection. Therefore, we 
strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline 
date to begin the submission process through Grants.gov.

[[Page 77508]]

     You should review and follow the Education Submission 
Procedures for submitting an application through Grants.gov that are 
included in the application package for this program to ensure that you 
submit your application in a timely manner to the Grants.gov system. 
You can also find the Education Submission Procedures pertaining to 
Grants.gov under News and Events on the Department's G5 system home 
page at http://www.G5.gov.
     You will not receive additional point value because you 
submit your application in electronic format, nor will we penalize you 
if you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, as described elsewhere in this section, and submit your 
application in paper format.
     You must submit all documents electronically, including 
all information you typically provide on the following forms: The 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the Department of 
Education Supplemental Information for SF 424, and all necessary 
assurances and certifications.
     You must upload any narrative sections and all other 
attachments to your application as files in a .PDF (Portable Document) 
read-only, non-modifiable format only. Do not upload an interactive or 
fillable .PDF file. If you upload a file type other than a read-only, 
non-modifiable .PDF or submit a password-protected file, we will not 
review that material. Additional, detailed information on how to attach 
files is in the application instructions.
     Your electronic application must comply with any page-
limit requirements described in this notice.
     After you electronically submit your application, you will 
receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates 
receipt by Grants.gov only, not receipt by the Department.) The 
Department then will retrieve your application from Grants.gov and send 
a second notification to you by email. This second notification 
indicates that the Department has received your application and has 
assigned your application a PR/Award number (an ED-specified 
identifying number unique to your application).
     We may request that you provide us original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
    Application Deadline Date Extension in Case of Technical Issues 
with the Grants.gov System: If you are experiencing problems submitting 
your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov 
Support Desk, toll free, at 1 (800) 518-4726. You must obtain a 
Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.
    If you are prevented from electronically submitting your 
application on the application deadline date because of technical 
problems with the Grants.gov system, we will grant you an extension 
until 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, the following business day to 
enable you to transmit your application electronically or by hand 
delivery. You also may mail your application by following the mailing 
instructions described elsewhere in this notice.
    If you submit an application after 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date, please contact the person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in section VII of this notice and 
provide an explanation of the technical problem you experienced with 
Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. We will 
accept your application if we can confirm that a technical problem 
occurred with the Grants.gov system and that that problem affected your 
ability to submit your application by 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, 
on the application deadline date. The Department will contact you after 
a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

    Note: The extensions to which we refer in this section apply 
only to the unavailability of, or technical problems with, the 
Grants.gov system. We will not grant you an extension if you failed 
to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before 
the application deadline date and time or if the technical problem 
you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

    Exception to Electronic Submission Requirement: You qualify for an 
exception to the electronic submission requirement, and may submit your 
application in paper format, if you are unable to submit an application 
through the Grants.gov system because--
     You do not have access to the Internet; or
     You do not have the capacity to upload large documents to 
the Grants.gov system; and
     No later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date (14 calendar days or, if the fourteenth calendar day before the 
application deadline date falls on a Federal holiday, the next business 
day following the Federal holiday), you mail or fax a written statement 
to the Department, explaining which of the two grounds for an exception 
prevent you from using the Internet to submit your application.
    If you mail your written statement to the Department, it must be 
postmarked no later than two weeks before the application deadline 
date. If you fax your written statement to the Department, we must 
receive the faxed statement no later than two weeks before the 
application deadline date.
    Address and mail or fax your statement to: Marlene Spencer, U.S. 
Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5133, Potomac 
Center Plaza (PCP), Washington, DC 20202-2700. FAX: (202) 245-7643.
    Your paper application must be submitted in accordance with the 
mail or hand delivery instructions described in this notice.
    b. Submission of Paper Applications by Mail.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you may mail (through the U.S. Postal Service or a 
commercial carrier) your application to the Department. You must mail 
the original and two copies of your application, on or before the 
application deadline date, to the Department at the following address: 
U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, Attention: 
(CFDA Number 84.133F-1), LBJ Basement Level 1, 400 Maryland Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20202-4260.
    You must show proof of mailing consisting of one of the following:
    (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 of the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    If you mail your 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.
    If your application is postmarked after the application deadline 
date, we will not consider your application.

    Note: 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.

    c. Submission of Paper Applications by Hand Delivery.
    If you qualify for an exception to the electronic submission 
requirement, you (or a courier service) may deliver your paper 
application to the Department by hand. You must deliver the original 
and two copies of your application, by hand, on or before the 
application deadline

[[Page 77509]]

date, to the Department at the following address: U.S. Department of 
Education, Application Control Center, Attention: (CFDA Number 84.133F-
1,) 550 12th Street SW., Room 7041, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, 
DC 20202-4260.
    The Application Control Center accepts hand deliveries daily 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Washington, DC time, except Saturdays, 
Sundays, and Federal holidays.

    Note for Mail or Hand Delivery of Paper Applications: If you 
mail or hand deliver your application to the Department--
    (1) You must indicate on the envelope and--if not provided by 
the Department--in Item 11 of the SF 424 the CFDA number, including 
suffix letter, if any, of the competition under which you are 
submitting your application; and
    (2) The Application Control Center will mail to you a 
notification of receipt of your grant application. If you do not 
receive this notification within 15 business days from the 
application deadline date, you should call the U.S. Department of 
Education Application Control Center at (202) 245-6288.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: The selection criteria for this program are 
from 34 CFR 356.30 through 356.32 and are listed in the application 
package.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past 
performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as 
the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and 
compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider 
whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or 
submitted a report of unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary 
also requires various assurances including those applicable to Federal 
civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or 
activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department 
of Education (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).
    3. Special Conditions: Under 34 CFR 74.14 and 80.12, the Secretary 
may impose special conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is 
not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; 
has a financial or other management system that does not meet the 
standards in 34 CFR parts 74 or 80, as applicable; has not fulfilled 
the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.

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 notify you informally, also.
    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: (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, 
you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and 
systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 
should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply 
if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    (b) 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 directed by the Secretary under 34 
CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance 
reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, 
please go to http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    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 a portion of its grantees to determine the extent to which 
grantees are conducting high-quality research and related activities 
that lead to high quality products. Performance measures for the 
Research Fellowships program include--
     The percentage of NIDRR-supported fellows, post-doctoral 
trainees, and doctoral students who publish results of NIDRR-sponsored 
research in refereed journals;
     The percentage of grantee research and development that 
has appropriate study design, meets rigorous standards of scientific 
and/or engineering methods, and builds on and contributes to knowledge 
in the field; and
     The number of publications per award based on NIDRR-funded 
research and development activities in refereed journals.
    NIDRR evaluates the overall success of individual research and 
development grants through a review of grantee performance and 
products. NIDRR uses information submitted by grantees as part of their 
final performance report for these reviews. Approved final performance 
report guidelines require grantees to submit information regarding 
research methods, results, outputs, and outcomes.

VII. Agency Contact

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Either Lynn Medley or Marlene 
Spencer as follows: Lynn Medley, U.S. Department of Education, 400 
Maryland Avenue SW., Room 5140, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. 
Telephone: (202) 245-7338 or by email: [email protected]. Marlene 
Spencer, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 
5133, PCP, Washington, DC 20202-2700. Telephone: (202) 245-7532 or by 
email: [email protected].
    If you use a TDD, call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, 
at 1 (800) 877-8339.

VIII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format 
(e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) 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 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

[[Page 77510]]

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: December 8, 2011.
Alexa Posny,
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-31947 Filed 12-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P