Field Initiated Project (G)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202-2575

FY 2007 APPLICATION KIT FOR NEW GRANTS

UNDER

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH

FIELD INITIATED PROGRAM

(Research or Development)

CFDA NUMBER: 84.133G

FORM APPROVED

OMB No. 1820-0027, EXP. DATE 02/28/2007

ED FORM 424, 02/28/2008

DATED MATERIAL - OPEN IMMEDIATELY

CLOSING DATE: XXX X, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section A Dear Applicant Letter

Section B Federal Register Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards – Field Initiated CFDA NUMBER: 84.133G-1 or 133G-2

Page B-X: Program Requirements

Page B-X: Instructions for Applications

Page B-X: Instructions for Grants.gov

Page B-X: Instructions for Transmitting Paper Copies of the Application

Section C Selection Criteria - Research

Section D Selection Criteria - Development

SECTION

A

DEAR APPLICANT LETTER

Dear Applicant:

The Secretary invites applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2007 for the Field-Initiated Program (CFDA 84.133G), authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to carry out either research or development activities. Awards will be made in two distinct categories: (1) research, and (2) development for a period of up to three years (36 months). For review purposes, the research category is designated (84.133G-1) and development is designated as (84.133G-2).

The applicant must clearly identify on the cover page of the application form whether the proposal is for a research (84.133G-1) or a development project (84.133G-2). For paper submissions the information goes in block 4 of the ED 424 form. For electronic submission CFDA 84.133 goes in Block #11 of the SF 424 place the research or development designation in the descriptive title Block 12. Download the correct pkg. 84.133G2007-1, 84-133G2007-2.

You also must identify if the application is a resubmittal from a previous competition, within the past two years, by putting the word “resubmittal” along with the descriptive title and include the assigned application number (i.e., H133G05, H133G06) in the abstract, the introduction, and in a cover letter. For paper submissions the information goes in Block 14. For electronic submission the information goes in Block 15.

Include a one page abstract. The abstract is a critical component of the proposal, and it should describe the purpose, target population to be served during the project period, planned goals and objectives, innovative strategies utilized, project outcomes, and dissemination.

It is critical that proposals describe expected public benefits, especially benefits for individuals with disabilities and propose projects that are optimally designed to demonstrate outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

This application kit contains information and the required forms for potential applicants to apply and be considered for a FY 2007 grant award under these competitions, including the published Federal Register notice dated November 17, 2006.

Page 2 – Dear Applicant

Potential applicants are advised to read the materials carefully, particularly the information on the types of organizations that are eligible to apply for these grants, how to prepare an application, the dollar amount for any year, the protection of human subjects, and the appropriate selection criteria for the specific program (Sections C & D) used by the reviewers to evaluate each application.

These instructions indicate that you can either submit your application electronically through the grants.gov system or you can mail (postmarked) or hand-deliver or by carrier service one original and two copies of your application on or before the application deadline date, to the address list in Section B, Notice Inviting Applications, and Section H - Application Transmittal Instructions. The closing date (application deadline) is January 31, 2007.

If you are submitting by paper

Applications must be postmarked by the closing date of January 31, 2007, if submitting in paper. Follow the Application Transmittal Instructions for submitting in paper or electronically found in Section H. Please include an electronic copy (disk) with your application. NIDRR would appreciate that you include 9 additional copies of your application to facilitate the peer review process (12 copies in all). In addition, NIDRR requests that you submit a disk copy of your application. Also, we would like to suggest that the original copy of the application be secured with a binder clip in order to facilitate any additional copying that might be required.

If you are submitting electronically

We are encouraging you to submit your application electronically. Electronic copies must be uploaded on Grants.gov by 4:30 pm, Washington DC time on the closing date and then processed by Grants.gov successfully. For additional information on electronic submission procedures, see the Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants - Section H. A copy of your application must not be emailed directly to the Department. Must submit it electronically via Grants.gov. We strongly suggest that you carefully check your submission to ensure that you have attached the correct files in the appropriate fields.

We encourage you to read Section H -- Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants 

Page 3 – Dear Applicant

PROGRAM REGULATIONS

These grants are subject to the requirements of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 97, which set forth general rules affecting the submittal, review, grant award, and post-award administration for Department of Education grant programs.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

If you have any questions about the information in this application packet, please contact Lynn Medley at [email protected] or by telephone at (202) 245-7338. Individuals who use a telecommunications device (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday.

If you need help with Grants.gov before the closing date, please contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or use the customer support available on the Web site: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport.

NOTE: Please forward this entire application packet to the individual or office responsible for preparing an application, as they will need the entire packet to complete the grant application.

Thank you for your interest in these programs.

Sincerely,

//signed//

Steven James Tingus, M.S., C.Phil.

Director,

National Institute on Disability

and Rehabilitation Research

SECTION

B

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW AWARDS

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS (NIA)

HOLDING SPACE

Each NIA includes particular information on the priority. This can include description of the program; number & amount of award(s); eligibility; indirect cost rate; cost share/matching; how and where to apply.

SECTION

C

SECTION CRITERIA

FIELD INITIATED –RESEARCH

SELECTION CRITERIA: FIELD-INITIATED RESEARCH PROJECT

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate a FI (84.133G) Project application that proposes to carry out RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

(a) Importance of the problem (15 points total).

1. The Secretary considers the importance of the problem.

2. In determining the importance of the problem, the Secretary considers the following factors:

1. The extent to which the applicant clearly describes the need and target population (5 points).

2. The extent to which the proposed activities further the purposes of the Act (4 points).

3. The extent to which the proposed project will have beneficial impact on the target population (6 points).

(b) Design of research activities (50 points total).

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 the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the methodology of each proposed research activity is meritorious, including consideration of the extent to which-

1. The proposed design includes a comprehensive and informed review of the current literature, demonstrating knowledge of the state-of-the-art (10 points);

2. Each research hypothesis is theoretically sound and based on current knowledge (10 points);

3. Each sample population is appropriate and of sufficient size (10 points);

4. The data collection and measurement techniques are appropriate and likely to be effective (10 points); and

5. The data analysis methods are appropriate (10 points).

(c) Plan of evaluation (10 points total).

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 will be used to improve the performance of the project through the feedback generated by its periodic assessments.

(d) Project staff (15 total 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 the extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct all proposed activities (13 points).

(e) Adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points total).

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 the following factors:

1. The extent to which the applicant is committed to provide adequate facilities, equipment, other resources, including administrative support, and laboratories, if appropriate (5 points).

2. 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 (5 points).

SECTION

D

SECTION CRITERIA

FIELD INITIATED –DEVELOPMENT

SELECTION CRITERIA: FIELD-INITIATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

The Secretary uses the following criteria to evaluate a FI (84.133G) Project application that proposes to carry out DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

(a) Importance of the problem (15 points total).

1. The Secretary considers the importance of the problem.

2. In determining the importance of the problem, the Secretary considers the following factors:

1. The extent to which the applicant clearly describes the need and target population (5 points).

2. The extent to which the proposed activities further the purposes of the Act (4 points).

3. The extent to which the proposed project will have beneficial impact on the target population (6 points).

(b) Design of development activities (50 points total).

1. The Secretary considers the extent to which the design of development 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 the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the plan for development, clinical testing, and evaluation of new devices and technology is likely to yield significant products or techniques, including consideration of the extent to which--

1. The proposed project will use the most effective and appropriate technology available in developing the new device or technique (10 points);

2. The proposed development is based on a sound conceptual model that demonstrates an awareness of the state-of-the-art in technology (10 points);

3. The new device or technique will be developed and tested in an appropriate environment (5 points);

4. The new device or technique is likely to be cost-effective and useful (10 points);

5. The new device or technique has the potential for commercial or private manufacture, marketing, and distribution of the product (5 points); and

6. The proposed development efforts include adequate quality controls and, as appropriate, repeated testing of products (10 points).

(c) Plan of evaluation (10 points total).

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 will be used to improve the performance of the project through the feedback generated by its periodic assessments.

(d) Project staff (15 total 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 the extent to which the key personnel and other key staff have appropriate training and experience in disciplines required to conduct all proposed activities (13 points).

(e) Adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points total).

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 the following factors:

1. The extent to which the applicant is committed to provide adequate facilities, equipment, other resources, including administrative support, and laboratories, if appropriate (5 points).

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 (5 points).