Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Traditionally Underserved Populations Assistance Listing Number 84.315C | ED GRANTS 041321 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 041321 005

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), offered a discretionary grant competition titled "Traditionally Underserved Populations" under Assistance Listing Number 84.315C (Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 041321 005). The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the Department of Education expects to have substantial involvement in the project during the performance period (for example, providing ongoing technical direction, collaborating on key deliverables, or monitoring specific milestones more closely than in a standard grant). The overall focus of this competition was to strengthen services and outcomes under the Rehabilitation Act by targeting gaps that disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds and by building the ability of minority-serving entities and Indian Tribes to participate meaningfully in Rehabilitation Act-funded activities.

At its core, the program purpose was twofold. First, it aimed to improve the quality, access, and delivery of rehabilitation-related services and to improve the outcomes of those services for people with disabilities, particularly those from historically underserved or minority communities. In practical terms, this can include efforts that reduce barriers to vocational rehabilitation services, improve culturally and linguistically responsive service delivery, strengthen outreach and engagement, or improve coordination among service systems that people with disabilities rely on. Second, it sought to increase the capacity of minority entities and Indian Tribes to compete for, manage, and implement projects funded under the Rehabilitation Act. Capacity-building can reasonably be understood as support that helps eligible entities develop the organizational infrastructure, partnerships, staff expertise, and program designs needed to operate effective RSA-aligned initiatives.

Eligibility explicitly included federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with additional eligible applicant types referenced as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." Because the summary points applicants back to the official Federal Register notice for definitive eligibility rules, the safe interpretation is that tribes were clearly eligible, while other categories of applicants may have been eligible depending on the specific definitions and requirements spelled out in the formal notice. Applicants were instructed to rely on the Federal Register application notice as the controlling source for eligibility, required application components, priorities, performance measures, and submission procedures, and to consult the Department of Education's Common Instructions for discretionary grant programs (published February 13, 2019, 84 FR 3768) for standardized submission and procedural requirements.

From a funding perspective, the opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $905,340 and an expected number of awards listed as 1. That combination suggests a relatively targeted, potentially national-scope project or a specialized capacity-building and technical assistance effort rather than multiple smaller regional awards. Because it was a cooperative agreement and only one award was expected, applicants would likely have been expected to present a clear plan for deliverables, collaboration with RSA, and measurable outcomes aligned to the program's emphasis on improving rehabilitation service access and results for traditionally underserved communities.

Key dates were clearly laid out. Applications became available on April 13, 2021, with a deadline for transmittal of applications on June 14, 2021. The deadline for intergovernmental review was August 11, 2021, which matters for applicants subject to Executive Order 12372 processes in states that participate in intergovernmental review. OSERS also provided structured pre-application support: it planned to post a general RSA discretionary grants overview PowerPoint and a competition-specific PowerPoint at https://ncrtm.ed.gov/RSAGrantInfo.aspx, and it scheduled a competition-specific pre-application meeting via conference call to answer questions. Prospective applicants were invited to email questions in advance to 84.315C@ed.gov, and OSERS indicated it would post teleconference information and then publish a summary of questions and answers within six days after the meeting, also on the NCRTM-hosted webpage.

For applicants needing official guidance or clarification, the listed federal contact was Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez at the U.S. Department of Education (400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 5094, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800), reachable by phone at (202) 245-6103 or by email at 84.315C@ed.gov. The synopsis repeatedly emphasized that the brief description is only an overview and that the legally controlling requirements and details are contained in the official Federal Register notice, including specifics on eligibility, priorities, performance measures, and application submission instructions.

• 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): Traditionally Underserved Populations Assistance Listing Number 84.315C" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.315.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 13, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2021 Applications Available April 13, 2021. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications June 14, 2021. Date of Pre-Application Meeting The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) will post a PowerPoint presentation that provides general information about the Rehabilitation Services Administrationaposs (RSA) discretionary grants and a PowerPoint presentation specifically about Activities for Traditionally Underserved Populations 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 84.315C@ed.gov in advance of the pre-application meeting. The teleconference information, including the 84.315C pre-application meeting summary of 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 August 11, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 5094, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2800. Telephone (202) 245-6103. Email 84.315C@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 $905,340.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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