Disability Innovation Fund (DIF)

 

To support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of individuals with disabilities as defined by section 7(20)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Deleted 04/02/2020 (Archived.)
Program Number
84.421
Federal Agency/Office
Agency: Department of Education
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Authorization
Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law 113-76; Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and institutions of higher education may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals with disabilities as defined in 7(20)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services must be used for this program. Information about submitting applications may be found in the Notice Inviting Applications. Contact the program office for additional information.
Award Procedure
The Department will screen applications submitted in accordance with the requirements in the Notice Inviting Applications. Additional tiers of reviews of eligible applications may be used.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
A continuation award may be made annually for up to 5 years depending on the availability of funds and the Department's determination that the grantee has made substantial progress in meeting the objectives of the approved application.
How are proposals selected?
Criteria will be from EDGAR, 34 CFR Part 75.210. Contact the program office for additional information.
How may assistance be used?
In FY 2015, funds will support grants for innovative approaches to expand individuals with disabilities' access to information and communication technologies (ICT). The 5-year Automated Personalization Computing Project would establish an information technology infrastructure that allows users of ICT, based on preferences stored in the cloud or other technology, to have the computer interfaces they are using automatically reflect the assistive technology solutions they prefer instantly on any supported Internet-capable computer.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Reporting requirements will be included in the grant award documents. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.
Records
As required by EDGAR, the grantee shall maintain accounts, records, and other evidence pertaining to all costs incurred, revenues or other applicable credits acquired under its award, as stated in grant terms and conditions. Generally, records related to grant funds, compliance and performance must be maintained for a period of 3 years after grant completion. (2 CFR 200.333 and 34 CFR 75.730-732).
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Subject to the availability of funds, grants may be awarded for up to 5 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Tom Finch Office of Special Educaiton and Rehabilitative Services
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: Tom.Finch@ed.gov Phone: 202.245.7343
Website Address
No Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
91-0301-0-1-506.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 14 Not Available; FY 15 est $20,000,000; and FY 16 est $20,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not Applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not Applicable.

 


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