OSERS: RSA: Disability Innovation Fund (DIF)--Creating a 21st Century Workforce of Youth and Adults with Disabilities Through the Transformation of Education, Career, and Competitive Integrated Employment Model Demonstration Project, ALN 84.421F | ED GRANTS 040924 001

FAQs: Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Model Demonstration Project (ALN 84.421F)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), specifically the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). It is part of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) and is titled: "Creating a 21st Century Workforce of Youth and Adults with Disabilities Through the Transformation of Education, Career, and Competitive Integrated Employment Model Demonstration Project."

2) What is the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing Number (ALN) is 84.421F.

3) What is the posted opportunity number?

The posted opportunity number is ED GRANTS 040924 001.

4) When was this opportunity created and what is the application deadline listed in the synopsis?

The opportunity was created on April 9, 2024. The original application deadline listed in the synopsis is July 8, 2024.

5) How many awards does the Department expect to make?

The notice indicates an expectation of 29 awards. However, applicants are directed to the Federal Register application notice for definitive details and any limits or parameters that may not be fully reflected in the synopsis.

6) What is the main goal of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) program?

The core purpose of DIF, as authorized through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328), is to fund innovative activities that increase competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes for youth and other individuals with disabilities.

7) What does the grant mean by "competitive integrated employment (CIE)"?

The notice ties the definition of competitive integrated employment (CIE) to section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 705(5)), with additional clarification available in the regulatory definition at 34 CFR 361.5(c)(9).

8) Is this grant meant to fund ongoing services, or something else?

This opportunity is framed as a model demonstration project. The intent is not just to provide services, but to build, pilot, and demonstrate approaches that can be replicated or scaled, especially where education-to-career pathways and employment systems need better alignment.

9) What kinds of projects is the Department looking to support?

The Department is looking to support projects that test or demonstrate improved ways of helping people with disabilities prepare for, enter, and succeed in jobs that are integrated with nondisabled peers and that pay competitively, consistent with the CIE focus and the model demonstration framing described in the notice.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes both government and non-government applicants. Eligible applicants include specific state agencies (or their legal equivalents) and also public, private, and nonprofit entities, including Indian Tribes and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). The Grants.gov listing also references multiple government categories and nonprofit categories, reinforcing that a wide range of organizations may be able to apply depending on how they fit the official notice.

11) Which state-level agencies are specifically named as eligible applicants?

Eligible state agencies (or their legal equivalents) include: a State Educational Agency; a State Juvenile Justice agency; a State Developmental Disabilities agency; a State Department of Health; a State Department of Human Services; or the designated State unit for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services.

12) Are Indian Tribes eligible to apply?

Yes. The opportunity allows Indian Tribes to apply.

13) Are Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) eligible to apply?

Yes. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) are included among eligible applicants.

14) Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit entities are included as eligible applicants, and the listing references nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status as potentially eligible categories, subject to meeting the requirements in the official notice.

15) Are local governments or school districts included in the eligible applicant categories?

The Grants.gov listing references categories such as state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, suggesting that certain local governmental entities may be eligible depending on how they meet the official eligibility terms in the Federal Register notice.

16) What compliance rules apply to most applicants?

For most applicants, the regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply, as highlighted in the synopsis.

17) Are federally recognized Indian Tribes subject to 34 CFR part 79?

No. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are exempt from 34 CFR part 79, per the synopsis.

18) What special regulatory requirement applies to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)?

Institutions of Higher Education are specifically subject to 34 CFR part 86.

19) How can a nonprofit prove its nonprofit status for this competition?

Nonprofit applicants should pay close attention to 34 CFR 75.51 regarding how to prove nonprofit status. The synopsis lists acceptable documentation approaches, including: IRS recognition under 501(c)(3); a certification from a state taxing body or state attorney general; incorporation documents clearly establishing nonprofit status; documentation through a parent organization plus an affiliate statement; or alternative evidence for entities with sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent them from applying for 501(c)(3) determination but that would otherwise qualify as nonprofit under the regulation.

20) Is the Grants.gov synopsis the official, governing source for requirements?

No. The synopsis repeatedly emphasizes that it is not the official governing document. Applicants are instructed to rely on the Federal Register notice for the full set of requirements.

21) Where do applicants find the definitive requirements, priorities, and selection criteria?

Applicants should use the Federal Register application notice for definitive details, including program priorities, the definition of "innovative" for this competition, required project components, performance measures, reporting expectations, selection criteria, and any pre-application requirements.

22) Where should applicants confirm award parameters like ceilings or floor amounts?

Applicants are directed to the Federal Register notice to confirm any ceilings, floor amounts, or other award parameters that may not be fully reflected in the synopsis.

23) Where can applicants find standardized application submission guidance for U.S. Department of Education discretionary grants?

The Department points applicants to the "Revised Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs" (published December 7, 2022) for standardized guidance on obtaining and submitting an application, including addresses and submission procedures.

24) What does the opportunity suggest about what strong applicants are positioned to do?

Based on the synopsis, strong applicants will typically be positioned to coordinate across education, workforce, and rehabilitation systems, collect and report meaningful outcome data, and build approaches that can be sustained and replicated beyond the grant period, consistent with the model demonstration focus described in the title and purpose.

25) Is this opportunity specifically focused on youth with disabilities?

The purpose statement emphasizes improving competitive integrated employment outcomes for youth and other individuals with disabilities, and the description highlights youth transitioning into adulthood as a key focus area.

26) What federal law authorizes the DIF purpose described in the synopsis?

The DIF purpose described in the synopsis is authorized through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328).