Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Short-Term Training: Client Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.246K | ED GRANTS 062321 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 062321 002

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), offered a discretionary grant competition under the Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program focused specifically on the Client Assistance Program (CAP). This opportunity is identified as Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.246K and was released by the U.S. Department of Education. The core idea behind the competition is to fund a short-term training project that strengthens knowledge and skills in areas that matter to rehabilitation-related systems, including CAP, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living services, and related medical, social, and psychological rehabilitation efforts.

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program is to support training and technical instruction that is brief, targeted, and practical. Rather than funding long-term academic degree programs, these awards are meant to underwrite seminars, institutes, workshops, and other short courses that address issues of special significance to the field. The training can be designed for a regional audience or structured to reach participants nationally, depending on the applicant's approach and the needs being addressed. For CAP in particular, the intent is generally to build capacity so that advocates and stakeholders are better prepared to help people understand and exercise their rights and to navigate rehabilitation and independent living systems effectively.

A wide range of applicant types were eligible, reflecting the program's emphasis on broad field capacity rather than limiting participation to one sector. Eligible applicants included state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories). The listing also notes that additional eligibility clarification may apply under an "Additional Information on Eligibility" section in the official notice, so applicants were expected to verify specifics in the Federal Register publication.

In terms of basic competition logistics, applications became available on June 23, 2021, and the deadline to submit applications was August 9, 2021. The intergovernmental review deadline was October 6, 2021. RSA anticipated making a single award under this competition, with an award ceiling of $308,000, meaning the maximum expected amount for the one funded project was up to that level.

OSERS also built in pre-application support to help potential applicants understand the program and submission expectations. The agency indicated it would post PowerPoint materials with general information about RSA discretionary grant competitions as well as materials tailored to this specific Rehabilitation Short-Term Training competition on the NCRTM website at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx. In addition, OSERS planned to hold a competition-specific pre-application meeting by conference call to answer questions. Prospective applicants were invited to email questions in advance to 84.246K@ed.gov, and the agency planned to post teleconference details and then publish a summary of questions and answers within six days after the call, also on the NCRTM page.

For official requirements, OSERS emphasized that the funding opportunity description provided publicly was only a synopsis and that the controlling requirements were those published in the Federal Register. Applicants were directed to consult the official application notice for the full set of details, including eligibility nuances, submission procedures, performance measures, priorities, and program contact information. Applicants were also referred to the Department of Education's "Common Instructions" for discretionary grant programs (published February 13, 2019, 84 FR 3768) for standard submission and procedural guidance, including where and how to obtain and submit an application.

The primary program contact listed for questions was Felipe Lulli at the U.S. Department of Education, with a phone number of (202) 245-7425 and the email address 84.246K@ed.gov. Overall, this opportunity was designed as a focused, short-term training investment intended to improve practice, knowledge, and technical capacity connected to CAP and the broader rehabilitation and independent living service ecosystem, with one award available and clear encouragement to rely on the Federal Register notice for the definitive rules and application requirements.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Short-Term Training: Client Assistance Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.246K" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.246.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 23, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 09, 2021 Applications Available June 23, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications August 9, 2021. Date of Pre-Application Meeting The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation that provides general information related to the Rehabilitation Services Administrationaposs (RSA) discretionary grant competitions and a PowerPoint presentation specifically related to this Rehabilitation Short-Term Training program competition at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx. OSERS will conduct a pre-application meeting specific to this competition via conference call to respond to questions. Information about the pre-application meeting will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx prior to the date of the call. OSERS invites you to send questions to 84.246K@ed.gov in advance of the pre-application meeting. The teleconference information, including the 84.246K pre-application meeting summary of the questions and answers, will be available at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx within six days after the pre-application meeting. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review October 6, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Felipe Lulli, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5051, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20212-2800. Telephone (202) 245-7425. Email 84.246K@ed.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $308,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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