328M_PTI_NIA_App Package Updated 3.13.25.pdf

Parent Training and Information Centers

(PTIs)

FY 2025

Grant Competition

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Application Instructions

Follow the 5-step process to apply.

1 Review the opportunity

2 Prepare your application

3 Submit your application

4 Understand review, selection, and award

5 Review post-award requirements

Timing and Deadlines

Contacts for Questions

Click on the icons on the left throughout the document to navigate to sections!

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for Special Education Parent Information Centers grant program, Assistance Listing Number 84.328M. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB control number 1820–0028. 1

Table of Contents Review the Opportunity ……………………………………………….

Purpose of Program, Eligibility, Funding Amount ……………………………………… Background and Important Reminders……………………………………………… Award Amounts…..……………………………………………………………………...

Priorities and Requirements…………………………………………………… Application Requirements ……………………………………………………………… Program Requirements / Regulations…………………………………………………… Prepare your Application………………………………………… Application Checklist …………………………………………………………… Standard Documents ……………………………………………………………… Budget Information……………………………………………………… ED Abstract Form ……………………………………………………………… Project Narrative ……………………………………………………………… Budget Narrative ………………………………………………………………………..

Other Attachment Forms ……………………………………………………………… Assurances and Certification …………………………………………………………...

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs ……………………………………….

Submit your Application………………………………………………..

Submission Instructions ……………………………………………………………… Submission of Proprietary Information ………………………………………………… Funding Restrictions …………………………………………………………………….

Accessible Format ……………………………………………………………… Procedures and Tips ………………………………………………………………… Helpful Reminders ……………………………………………………………………… Understand Review, Selection, and Award…………………… Selection Criteria ……………………………………………………………………….

Review & Selection Process ……………………………………………………… Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions……………………………………………….

Past Performance and Assurances……………………………………………………… Integrity and Performance System……………………………………………………… In General …………………………………………………………………………… Review Post Award Requirements…………………………………….

Award Notices ………………………………………………………………………….

Administrative and National Policy Requirements ……………………………………..

Open Licensing Requirements ………………………………………………………….

Reporting ………………………………………………………………………… Performance Measures ………………………………………………………………… Continuation Awards …………………………………………………………………...

Timing & Deadlines …………………………………………………….

Contacts for Questions ………………………………………………...

5-8

10-13

17-18

21-22

27-28 29-31

32-34

Review the Opportunity Special Education Parent Information Centers – (PTIs)

This section provides an overview of the funding opportunity, issue background, and requirements for the program.

Purpose of Program The purpose of the Special Education Parent Information Centers program is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive high-quality, relevant, and useful training and information to help improve outcomes for their children.

This competition will fund 64 PTIs designed to meet the information, training, and support needs of parents of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities.

Eligible Applicants Parent organizations.

Note: A “parent organization” is defined as a private nonprofit organization (other than an institution of higher education (IHE)) that–

(a) Has a board of directors--

(1) The majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities ages birth through 26;

(2) That includes--

(i) Individuals working in the fields of special education, related services, and early intervention; and

(ii) Individuals with disabilities; and

(3) The parent and professional members of which are broadly representative of the population to be served, including low-income parents and parents of limited English proficient children;

and

(b) Has as its mission serving families of children with disabilities who are ages birth through 26 and have the full range of disabilities

Type of Award

Discretionary grants

Estimated Available Funds

$25,800,000*

Estimated Number of Awards

Maximum Award Amount

Varies by State/Region – Further detail outlined on

Project Period:

Up to 60 months

Application Narrative Length:

Up to 50 pages (see section 2 for more detail)

Program Website

To learn more about this year’s competition go to our website.

See Contacts for Questions

See Timing and Deadlines

See Definitions

*The Administration has requested $33,152,000 for awards for the Special Education Parent Information Centers program for FY 2025, of which we intend to use an estimated $25,800,000 for this competition. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program. 3 https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/grants-special-populations/grants-individuals-disabilities/parent-training/info-centers-84-328-m

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Important Reminders & Background

Get Registered

To apply, you much first be registered in two systems. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up to date.

SAM.gov

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click “Get Started.”

Click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register in SAM.gov.

If you need help, you can call 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk.

Grants.gov

You must also have an active account with grants.gov.

To register, go to grants.gov and click “Register.” When ready click on “Get Registered Now” and complete required fields.

For more information or assistance, click on “Applicant Registration Page.”

Apply by March 26, 2025

Applications are due by 11:59 Eastern Time on March 26, 2025. The Department will not review application received after the application due date and time.

If you wait until the last minute, you may find that your application has errors that keep you from submitting it. Apply early.

Issue Background

Family engagement is vital to student success and children’s development. To support families of children with disabilities, and youth with disabilities, as they navigate complex systems to obtain educational and developmental opportunities children and youth with disabilities need to thrive, the Department funds PTIs. This competition will fund 64 PTIs designed to meet the information, training, and support needs of parents of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities.

PTIs help families of children with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children. This is done through individualized assistance, training, and resources that help parents work with schools, providers, and educational systems to meet the unique needs of their children. PTIs also help youth develop their ability to advocate for their needs through individual assistance, training, and resources.

PTIs provide support to increase parents’ knowledge of evidence-based practices, expand their capacity to help their children improve their educational and developmental outcomes, and develop their ability to be involved in school reform initiatives. PTIs help youth understand their rights and responsibilities and learn self-advocacy skills to lead as productive and independent lives as possible.

See Definitions 4

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Award Amounts

See Definitions

State Max Award State Max

Award State Max Award

Alabama $374,214 Michigan $677,073 U.S. Virgin Islands $175,000

Alaska $250,00 Minnesota $386,724 Utah $269,725

Arizona $484,600 Mississippi $250,000 Vermont $250,000

Arkansas $250,000 Missouri $428,497 Virginia $571,252

California Montana $250,000 Washington $484,832

CA Region 1 $605,344 Nebraska $250,000 West Virginia $250,000

CA Region 2 $751,877 Nevada $250,000 Wisconsin $396,810

CA Region 3 $350,371 New Hampshire $250,000 Wyoming $250,000

CA Region 4 $463,005 New Jersey $563,367

CA Region 5 $335,221 New Mexico $250,000

Colorado $367,386 New York

Connecticut $250,000 NY Region 1 $698,920

Delaware $250,000 NY Region 2 $544,158

District of Columbia $250,000 North Carolina $733,745

Florida North Dakota $250,000

FL Region 1 $351,158 Ohio $798,050

FL Region 2 $325,620 Oklahoma $307,681

FL Region 3 $608,398 Oregon $259,817

Georgia $775,872 Pacific $250,000

Hawaii $250,000 Pennsylvania $824,315

Idaho $250,000 Puerto Rico $250,000

Illinois $819,598 Rhode Island $250,000

Indiana $493,168 South Carolina $357,394

Iowa $250,000 South Dakota $250,000

Kansas $250,000 Tennessee $489,171

Kentucky $330,0002 Texas

Louisiana $340,291 TX Region 1 $543,245

Maine $250,000 TX Region 2 $310,371

Maryland $385,237 TX Region 3 $704,460

Massachusetts $418,997 TX Region 4 $695,054

Maximum Award

We will not make an award exceeding the corresponding amount shown in the table below for each State or region within a State for a single budget period of 12 months.

Note: The Department considered population distribution, poverty rates, and low-density enrollment when determining the award amounts for grants under this competition. For the States listed in the funding table, one award may be made for up to the amounts listed in the table to a qualified applicant for a PTI to serve the entire State.

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Award Amounts – Region Details

See Definitions

Details on Regions

The counties and territories that comprise of the regions listed in the table on page 5 are detailed below.

California Region 1

Los Angeles

California Region 2

Imperial Orange Riverside San Bernadino San Diego

California Region 3

Fresno Inyo Kern Kings Madero Mariposa

Merced Mono San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara Tulare Ventura

California Region 4

Alameda Contra Costa Marin Monterey Napa San Benito

San Francisco San Mateo Santa Clara Santa Cruz Solano Sanoma

California Region 5

Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Del Norte

El Dorado Glenn Humboldt Lake Lassen Mendocino

Modoc Nevada Plaver Plumas Sacramento San Joaquin

Shasta Sierra Siskiyou Stanislaus Sutter Tahama

Trinity Tuolumne Yuba

Florida Region 1

Alachua Baker Bay Bradford Brevard Calhoun

Clay Columbia Dixie Duval Escambia Flagler

Franklin Gadsen Gilchrist Gulf Hamilton Holmes

Jackson Jefferson Lafayette Leon Levy Liberty

Madison Marion Nassau Okaloosa Putnam Santa Rosa

Seminole St. Johns Suwannee Taylor Union Volusia

Wakulla Walton Washington

Florida Region 2

Charlotte Citrus Collier DeSoto Glades Hardee

Hendry Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Lee Manatee

Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Sumter

Florida Region 3

Broward Indian River Lake Martin Miami-Dade Monroe

Okeechobee Orange Osceola Palm Beach Polk St. Lucie

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Award Amounts – Region Details, Cont.

See Definitions

Texas Region 1

Atascosa Bandera Bastrop Bexar Blanco Burnet

Caldwell Cameron Comal Dimmit Fayette Frio

Gillespie Gonzales Guadalupe Hays Hidalgo Jim Hogg

Kendall Kerr Kinney La Salle Lee Llano

Maverick Medina Real Starr Travis Uvalde

Webb Willacy Williamson Wilson Zapata Zavala

Texas Region 2

Andrews Archer Armstrong Bailey Baylor Bell

Borden Bosque Brewster Briscoe Brown Callahan

Carson Castro Childress Clay Cochran Coke

Coleman Collingsworth Comanche Concho Coryell Cottle

Crane Crockett Crosby Culberson Dallam Dawson

Deaf Smith Dickens Donley Eastland Ector Edwards

El Paso Falls Fisher Floyd Foard Freestone

Gaines Garza Glasscock Gray Hale Hall

Hamilton Hansford Hardeman Hartley Haskell Hemphill

Hill Hockley Howard Hudspeth Hutchinson Irion

Jack Jeff Davis Jones Kent Kimble King

Knox Loving Lamb Lampasas Limestone Limpscomb

Lubbock Lynn Martin Mason McCulloch McLennan

Menard Midland Mills Mitchell Montague Moore

Motley Navarro Nolan Ochiltree Oldham Parmer

Pecos Potter Presidio Randall Reagan Reeves

Roberts Runnels San Saba Schleicher Scurry Shackelford

Sherman Stephens Sterling Stonewall Sutton Swisher

Taylor Terrell Terry Throckmorton Tom Green Upton

Val Verde Ward Wheeler Wichita Walbarger Winkler

Yoakum Young

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Award Amounts – Region Details, Cont.

See Definitions

Texas Region 3

Anderson Angelina Bowie Camp Cass Cherokee

Collin Cooke Dallas Delta Denton Ellis

Erath Fannin Franklin Grayson Gregg Harrison

Henderson Hood Hopkins Hunt Johnson Kaufman

Lamar Marion Morris Nacogdoches Palo Pinto Panola

Parker Rains Red River Rockwall Rusk Sabine

San Augustine Shelby Smith Somervell Tarrant Titus

Upshur Van Zandt Wise Wood

Texas Region 4

Aransas Austin Bee Brazoria Brazos Brooks

Burleson Calhoun Chambers Colorado DeWitt Duval

Fort Bend Galveston Goliad Grimes Hardin Harris

Houston Jackson Jasper Jefferson Jim Wells Karnes

Kennedy Kleberg Lavaca Leon Liberty Live Oak

Madison Matagorda McMullen Milam Montgomery Newton

Nueces Orange Polk Refugio Robertson San Jacinto

San Patricio Trinity Tyler Victoria Walker Waller

Washington Wharton

New York Region 1

Bronx Kings Nassau New York Queens Richmond

Suffolk

New York Region 2

The rest of the State of New York.

Pacific

American Samoa Guam

Commonwealth of the Northern

Mariana Islands

Freely Associated States consisting of the Federated

States of Micronesia

Republic of the Marshall

Islands

Republic of Palau

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Program Priority and Requirements

Absolute Priority

For FY 2025 this priority is an absolute priority. The absolute priority is from the allowable activities in, or otherwise authorized under, the statute*. We consider only applications that meet this priority.

Absolute Priority 1—Parent Training and Information Centers

The Department intends to fund 64 grants to establish and operate 64 PTIs. Based on the quality of applications received, the Department intends to fund one PTI in each of the States and regions listed above.

An absolute priority (AP) is a requirement and must be met for an application to be considered. The AP is the foundation for the program. 1

See Definitions *See sections 671 and 681(d) of IDEA; 20 U.S.C. 1471 and 1481.

Programmatic Requirements

At a minimum, the PTIs must increase—

(a) parents’ capacity to help their children improve their early learning, school-aged, and postsecondary outcomes;

(b) parents’ knowledge of educational and early learning best practices; and

(c) youth’s capacity to be effective self-advocates.

Other General Requirements:

1. Recipients of funding under this program must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).

2. Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Application Requirements

See Definitions

a) In the narrative section of the application under “Significance”—

1) Present information on the needs of all parents and youth in the State or region, including but not limited to those who are underserved, low-income, or with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, incarcerated youth, and youth in foster care; and

2) Demonstrate how the proposed project will address the needs of all parents and youth in the State or region by providing high-quality services that—

i. Increase parents’ capacity to support their children’s development, learning, and transitions;

ii. Increase youth’s capacity to be effective self-advocates; and

iii. Are informed by knowledge of—

A. Best practices in providing training and information to parents and youth, and outreach and family-centered services;

B. Relevant and current education practices and policy initiatives; and

C. How to identify and work with appropriate State and local partners that serve children, families, and youth.

Selection Criteria Points possible Application

Requirement Section

Significance 15 points a

Quality of the Project Design 35 points b

Quality of Project Evaluation or Other Evidence- Building 15 points c

Adequacy of Resources 20 points d

Quality of the Management Plan 15 points e

Requirements and Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline how the application will be scored (further detail in Section 4). The application requirements, below and in subsequent pages, map to the selection criteria and provide clarity on what an applicant must include in each section.

Application Requirements

See Definitions

b) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project design,” how the proposed project will–

1) Use a project logic model to guide the development of project plans and activities within its State or region;

2) Develop and implement an outreach plan to inform all parents and youth of how they can benefit from the PTI’s services including, but not limited to, those who are underserved, low-income, or with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, incarcerated youth, and youth in foster care;

3) Provide high-quality services that increase parents’ knowledge of--

i. The nature of their children’s disabilities, strengths, and challenges;

ii. The importance of having high expectations for their children and the early intervention and education practices that help children meet those expectations;

iii. The local, State, and Federal resources available to assist them and strengthen their connection to their communities;

iv. IDEA, Federal IDEA regulations, and State regulations, policies, and practices implementing IDEA, including their rights and responsibilities, procedural safeguards, and dispute resolution processes, how to participate on Individualized Family Service Plan and Individualized Education Program teams, and how services are provided;

v. The Rehabilitation Act (including Section 504), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other relevant educational and health care legislation, regulations, and policies that affect people with disabilities, including their rights and responsibilities, procedural safeguards, and dispute resolution processes;

vi. Transition services, at all levels, and re-entry of incarcerated youth to school and the community ;

vii. How their children can have access to the general education curriculum, inclusive early learning programs, academic standards and assessments , extracurricular and enrichment opportunities, and other initiatives available to all children; and

viii. School reform efforts to improve student achievement and increase graduation rates;

4) Provide high-quality services that increase parents’ capacity to effectively—

i. Support their children and participate in their children’s education

ii. Communicate and work collaboratively in partnership with the professionals working with their children;

iii. Resolve disputes; and

iv. Participate in school reform activities to improve outcomes for all children;

See Definitions

5) Provide high-quality services that increase youth’s knowledge of—

i. The nature of their disabilities, strengths, and challenges;

ii. The importance of having high expectations for themselves and practices that help them meet those expectations;

iii. The resources available to support their success in education, employment, and their communities;

iv. IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act (including Section 504), the

WIOA, the ADA, and other legislation, regulations, and policies that affect people with disabilities;

v. Their rights and responsibilities while receiving services under IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act, and the WIOA, and after transitioning to post-school life under Section 504 and the

ADA

vi. How they can participate on teams that support them; and

vii. Supported decision making necessary to transition to adult life

6) Provide high-quality services that increase youth’s capacity to communicate and collaborate with providers and others, and make informed decisions and advocate for themselves;

7) Use best practices and various methods to deliver services;

8) Establish cooperative partnerships with Community Parent

Resource Centers (ALN 84.328C) and other PTIS funded in the State or region;

9) Establish cooperative partnerships with PTIs funded under the Rehabilitation Act (ALN 84.235F) in the Regional Parent Technical Assistance Center’s (Regional PTACS’s) (ALN 84.328R) region to which they belong, and the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) (ALN 84.328R); and

10) Network with local, State, and national organizations and agencies that serve parents and families.

c) In the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the project evaluation or other evidence-building,” include an evaluation plan for the project.

The evaluation plan must describe measures for evaluating the quality and reach of project services; progress in implementing project services; the outcomes of the project’s activities; and the extent to which the project meets the goals described in the logic model.

See Definitions

d) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Adequacy of resources,” how –

1) The applicant and partners have adequate resources to carry out the proposed activities;

2) The costs are reasonable in relation to the anticipated results and benefits;

3) The project will make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities; and

4) The key project personnel, consultants, and subcontractors have the qualifications and experience to carry out the proposed activities and achieve intended outcomes.

e) Demonstrate, in the narrative section of the application under “Quality of the management plan,” how –

1) The management plan contains clearly defined responsibilities of staff, consultants, and contractors, and project timelines to ensure that the project’s intended outcomes will be achieved on time and within budget;

2) Key project personnel, consultants, and subcontractors are appropriately allocated to the project;

3) The management plan will ensure that services provided are of high quality, relevant, and useful to recipients;

4) The applicant will use its board of directors to provide appropriate oversight to the project;

5) Accurate and timely annual performance reports submitted to the Department will include at a minimum the number and demographics of parents and youth who received PTI services, the unique needs of those parents and youth, the levels of services provided, and information on the project’s outputs and outcomes; and

6) The project management and staff will use the technical assistance (TA) available from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)-funded Technical Assistance and Dissemination network, their Regional PTAC and the CPIR, and collaborate with the Regional PTAC in facilitating at least one site visit and developing individualized TA plans as needed.

(f) Address the following additional application requirements. The applicant must--

1) Include, in Appendix A, a logic model for the project;

2) Include, in Appendix A, any applicable personnel-loading charts and timelines to illustrate the management plan;

3) Include, in the budget, travel funds to support the project director’s annual attendance at one meeting sponsored by OSEP and one meeting sponsored by the Regional PTACs, at a minimum; and

4) Provide an assurance that it will maintain a website that meets government or industry-recognized standards for accessibility and meets the needs of the parents and youth in the State or region.

Step 1 Review the Opportunity: Program Requirements / Regulations

Cost Sharing or Matching

This program does not require cost sharing or matching.

Administrative Cost Limitation

This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses.

Indirect Cost Rate Information

This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate.

Subgrantees

A grantee under this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry out project activities described in its application--to the following types of entities: IHEs and private nonprofit organizations suitable to carry out the activities proposed in the application.

The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has identified in an approved application.

For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please visit here.

See Definitions

Other General Requirements:

1. Recipients of funding under this program must make positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities (see section 606 of IDEA).

2. Each applicant for, and recipient of, funding under this program must involve individuals with disabilities, or parents of individuals with disabilities ages birth through 26, in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project (see section 682(a)(1)(A) of IDEA).

Waiver of Proposed Rulemaking: Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.

553), the Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to comment on proposed priorities and requirements. Section 681(d) of IDEA, however, makes the public comment requirements of the APA inapplicable to the priority in this notice.

Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7273-7274

Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.

Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the provisions stated in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance (89 FR 30046, April 22, 2024) when preparing an application. For more information about these regulations please visit:

www.cfo.gov/resources-coffa/uniform-guidance/.

https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ofo/indirect-cost-determination-guidance-for-state-and-local-government-agencies https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-75 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-77 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-79 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-82 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-84 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-86 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-97 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-98 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-99 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-180 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-3485 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-3474

Prepare your Application Get ready to apply:

Download the application package

Address to request: You can access the application package for this program through Grants.gov

Application Elements The application will require you to fill out several forms, which are listed and linked in grants.gov. See below for a description of forms and sections:

1. Standard Documents Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) ED Supplemental Information for SF 424

2. Budget Information ED Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

3. ED Abstract Form Project Abstract

4. Project Narrative Application Narrative

5. Narrative Attachment Form Project Narrative Attachment Form

6. Other Attachment Forms Reference List Appendix A Appendix B (Syllabi) Resumes/Vitaes Letters Supplementary Information

7. Assurances and Certifications Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Standard Form LLL) Grants.gov Lobbying Form (ED 80-013 Form) General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Requirements (ED GEPA 427 Form)

8. Intergovernmental Review (Executive Order 12372) State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) List (IF APPLICABLE)

See Contacts for Questions

See Timing and Deadlines

See Definitions

Step 2 Prepare your Application: Application Checklist

Part 1: Standard Documents

Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424)

For additional information on Form SF 424, please visit the following links:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SF424_4_0- V4.0-Instructions.pdf

ED Supplemental Information for SF 424

These forms require basic identifying information about the applicant and the application. Please provide all requested applicant information (including name, address, e-mail address and Unique Entity ID (UEI)). When applying electronically via Grants.gov, you will need to ensure that the UEI enter on your application is the same as the UEI your organization used when it registered with the System for Award Management.

Applicants are advised to complete the Application for Federal Assistance (Form SF 424) first. Grants.gov will automatically insert the correct Assistance Listing Number and program name automatically wherever needed on other forms.

Please do not attach any narratives, supporting files, or application components to the Standard Form (SF 424). Although this form accepts attachments, the Department of Education will only review materials/files attached in accordance with the instructions provided within this application.

Additional information is provided at the following links https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/sf424instruct.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SF424_4_0-V4.0-Instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SF424_4_0-V4.0-Instructions.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/sf424instruct.pdf

Part 2: Budget Information

ED Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

This part of your application contains information about the Federal funding you are requesting. Remember that you must provide all requested budget information for each year of the project and the total column in order to be considered for Federal funding. Specific instructions for completing the budget forms are provided within this application package.

Instructions for completing ED Form 524 Section A:

Name of Institution/Organization: Enter the name of the applicant in the space provided.

Personnel (line 1): Enter project personnel salaries and wages only. Include fees and expenses for consultants on line 6.

Fringe Benefits (line 2): The institution’s normal fringe benefits contribution may be charged to the program. Leave this line blank if fringe benefits applicable to direct salaries and wages are treated as part of the indirect cost.

Travel (line 3): Indicate the travel costs of employees and participants only. Include travel of persons such as consultants on line 6.

Equipment (line 4): Indicate the cost of tangible, non-expendable personal property that has a usefulness greater than one year and acquisition costs that are the lesser of the capitalization level established by the applicant entity for financial statement purposes or $5,000 per article.

Lower limits may be established to maintain consistency with the applicant’s policy.

Supplies (line 5): Show all tangible, expendable personal property. Direct supplies and materials differ from equipment in that they are consumable, expendable, and of a relatively low unit cost. Supplies purchased with grant funds should directly benefit the grant project and be necessary for achieving the goals of the project.

Contractual (line 6): The contractual category should include all costs specifically incurred with actions that the applicant takes in conjunction with an established internal procurement system. Include consultant fees, expenses, and travel costs in this category if the consultant’s services are obtained through a written binding agreement or contract.

Construction (line 7): Construction funds are not authorized.

Other (line 8): Indicate all direct costs not covered on lines 1-6. For example, include costs such as space rental, required fees, honoraria and travel (where a contract is not in place for services), training, and communication and printing costs. Do not include costs that are included in the indirect cost rate.

Part 2: Budget Information, Continued

ED Budget Information Non-Construction Programs (ED Form 524)

Total Direct Costs (line 9): The sum of lines 1-8.

Indirect Costs (line 10): Indicate the applicant’s approved indirect cost rate, per sections

75.560 – 75.564 of EDGAR. If an applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal agency, the applicant must apply to the Department for a temporary indirect cost rate if it wishes to charge indirect costs to the grant. For more information, go to the Department's website at:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/abouticg.html. In addition, a grantee, if it is eligible, may also use De Minimis rate as provided for under 2 CFR 200.414(f).

Training Stipends (line 11):

Total Cost (line 12): This should equal to sum of lines 9-11 (total direct costs + indirect + stipends). The sum for column one, labeled Project Year 1 (a), should also be equal to item 15a on the application cover sheet (SF Form 424).

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/abouticg.html

Part 3: ED Abstract Form

This section should be attached as a single document to the ED Abstract Form in accordance with the instructions found on Grants.gov and should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process.

Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the Federal Register application notice. Also, do not upload any password-protected files to your application.

Please note that Grants.gov cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the same name within a grant submission.

When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. The Department recommends your file names be less than 50 characters.

Part 4: Project Narrative Attachment Form

This section should be attached as a single document to the Project Narrative Attachment Form in accordance with the instructions found on Grants.gov and should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process.

Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available here. Also, do not upload any password-protected files to your application.

When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. The Department recommends your file names be less than 50 characters.

Table of Contents The Table of Contents shows where and how the important sections of your proposal are organized and should not exceed one double-spaced page.

Application Narrative The Department encourages applicants to limit this section of the application to the equivalent of no more than 50 pages and adhere to the following guidelines:

• A “page” is 8.5" x 11", on one side only, with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.

• Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.

• Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).

• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit does not apply to the cover sheet; the budget section, including the narrative budget justification; the assurances and certifications; or the project abstract, the resumes, the bibliography, or the letters of support. However, the recommended page limit does apply to the Project Narrative.

Selection Criteria for Program Narrative The application narrative is synonymous with responding to the Selection Criteria and should follow the order as found here. Each criterion includes the factors that reviewers will consider in determining the extent to which an applicant meets the criterion.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#forms https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs

Part 5: Budget Narrative

This section should be attached as a single document to the Budget Narrative Attachment Form in accordance with the instructions found on Grants.gov. It should be organized in the following manner and include the following parts in order to expedite the review process.

Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available here.

Also, do not upload any password-protected files to your application.

When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. The Department recommends your file names be less than 50 characters.

Each application must also provide a Budget Narrative (which serves to meet the requirements of ED Form 524, Section C) for requested Federal funds. The Budget Narrative for requested Federal funds should provide a justification of how the money requested for each budget item will be spent.

This section requires an itemized budget breakdown for each project year and the basis for estimating the costs of personnel salaries, benefits, project staff travel, materials and supplies, consultants and subcontracts, indirect costs and any other projected expenditures. Be sure to complete an itemized budget breakdown and narrative for each year of the proposed project.

The Budget Narrative provides an opportunity for the applicant to identify the nature and amount of the proposed expenditures. The applicant should provide sufficient detail to enable reviewers and project staff to understand how requested funds will be used, how much will be expended, and the relationship between the requested funds and project activities and outcomes.

In accordance with 34 CFR 75.232, Department of Education staff perform a cost analysis of each recommended project to ensure that costs relate to the activities and objectives of the project, are reasonable, allowable and allocable. The Department may delete or reduce costs from the budget during this review.

Important Notes Applicants are encouraged to review the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Uniform Guidance, Cost Principles in preparing their budget and budget narrative.

The Uniform Guidance may be found at the following link:

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#forms https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=367e1f94ddd42a155763f4a7fa1ee269&h=L&mc=true&n=pt34.1.75&r=PART&ty=HTML#se34.1.75_1232 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl

Suggested Guidelines for the Budget Narrative

1. Provide an itemized budget breakdown, and justification by project year, for each budget category listed in Sections A and B. For grant projects that will be divided into two or more separately budgeted major activities or sub-projects, show for each budget category of a project year the breakdown of the specific expenses attributable to each sub-project or activity.

2. For non-Federal funds or resources listed in Section B that are used to meet a cost-sharing or matching requirement or provided as a voluntary cost-sharing or matching commitment, you must include:

a. The specific costs or contributions by budget category;

b. The source of the costs or contributions; and

c. In the case of third-party in-kind contributions, a description of how the value was determined for the donated or contributed goods or services.

[Please review ED’s general cost sharing and matching regulations, which include specific limitations, in 34 CFR 74.23, applicable to non-governmental entities, and 80.24, applicable to governments, and the applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles for your entity type regarding donations, capital assets, depreciation and use allowances.

3. If applicable to this program, provide the rate and base on which fringe benefits are calculated.

4. If you are requesting reimbursement for indirect costs on line 10, this information is to be completed by your Business Office. Specify the estimated amount of the base to which the indirect cost rate is applied and the total indirect expense. Depending on the grant program to which you are applying and/or your approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, some direct cost budget categories in your grant application budget may not be included in the base and multiplied by your indirect cost rate. For example, you must multiply the indirect cost rates of “Training grants" (34 CFR 75.562) and grants under programs with “Supplement not Supplant” requirements ("Restricted Rate" programs) by a “modified total direct cost” (MTDC) base (34 CFR 75.563 or 76.563). Please indicate which costs are included and which costs are excluded from the base to which the indirect cost rate is applied.

When calculating indirect costs (line 10) for "Training grants" or grants under "Restricted Rate" programs, you must refer to the information and examples on ED’s website at:

www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.

Provide other explanations or comments you deem necessary.

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html

Part 6: Other Attachment Forms

Attach one or more documents to the Other Attachments Form in accordance with the instructions found on Grants.gov.

You may provide all of the required information in a single document, or in multiple documents.

Ensure that you only attach the Education approved file types detailed in the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available here. Also, do not upload any password-protected files to your application.

Please note that Grants.gov cannot process an application that includes two or more files that have the same name within a grant submission.

When attaching files, applicants should limit the size of their file names. Lengthy file names could result in difficulties with opening and processing your application. The Department recommend your file names be less than 50 characters.

Individual Resumes for Project Directors and Key Personnel: Provide brief resumes or job descriptions that describe personnel qualifications for the responsibilities they will carry out under the project.

Copy of Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

Letters of Support

References/Bibliography

MOU/MOA and, if applicable, Consortium Agreement Documentation; all group applicants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#forms https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs

Part 7: Assurances and Certifications

Be certain to complete all required assurances and certifications in Grants.gov, and include all required information in the appropriate place on each form. The assurances and certifications required for this application are:

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL Form)

Refer to instructions provided at the following link:

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SFLLL_2_ 0-V2.0-Instructions.pdf

Grants.Gov Lobbying Form – “Certification Regarding Lobbying” (ED 80-013 Form)

Refer to the instructions provided at the following link:

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/GG_Lobb yingForm-V1.1-Instructions.pdf

General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) Requirements – Section 427

Refer to the instructions provided at the following link:

https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.pdf

NOTE: While it is required to submit the lobbying form that best meets an applicants’ situation, the two forms are classified as “optional” in Grants.gov to avoid submission errors when only one of the lobbying form is submitted.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#forms https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SFLLL_2_0-V2.0-Instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SFLLL_2_0-V2.0-Instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/GG_LobbyingForm-V1.1-Instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/GG_LobbyingForm-V1.1-Instructions.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.pdf

Part 8: Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs (Executive Order 12372)

This program falls under the rubric of Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs) and the regulations in 34 CFR Part 79. One of the objectives of Executive Order 12372 is to strengthen federalism--or the distribution of responsibility between localities, states, and the Federal government--by fostering intergovernmental partnerships. This idea includes supporting processes that state or local governments have devised for coordinating and reviewing proposed Federal financial grant applications.

The process for doing this requires grant applicants to contact State Single Points of Contact (SPOC) for information on how this works. Multi-state applicants should follow procedures specific to each state.

Further information about the SPOC and the official list of entities can be found at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SPOC-list-as-of-2023.pdf.

Absent specific State review programs, applicants may submit comments directly to the Department. All recommendations and comments must be mailed or hand-delivered by the date indicated in the actual NIA to the following address:

The Secretary, EO 12372-- ALN# 84.116N U.S. Department of Education, Room 7E200 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202

Proof of mailing will be determined on the same basis as applications (see 34 CFR §75.102).

Recommendations or comments may be hand-delivered until 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the closing date indicated in the NIA.

Important note: The above address is not the same address as the one to which the applicant submits its completed applications. Do not send applications to the above address.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SPOC-list-as-of-2023.pdf

Submit your Application Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Submit your application by March 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Try to submit your application well before the due date allowing time to avoid denial of your application in case errors occur and the system cannot validate it.

Submission Instructions:

Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.

An applicant may apply only once under the priority, except an applicant may apply for multiple regional centers within a single State and must submit a separate application for each region.

For example, an applicant submitting for multiple regions within Texas must submit separate applications for each region.

Application submission will occur electronically through Grants.gov. Mail in applications are discouraged, see application package on Grants.gov for more details.

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person, individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

See Contacts for Questions

See Timing and Deadlines

See Definitions https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs

Step 3 Submit your Application: Procedures and Tips To facilitate your use of Grants.gov, this document includes important submission procedures you need to be aware of to ensure your application is received in a timely manner and accepted by the Department of Education.

Browser Support

The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are supported for use with Grants.gov. However, these web browsers undergo frequent changes and updates, so the Department recommends you have the latest version when using Grants.gov. Legacy versions of these web browsers may be functional, but you may experience issues. Grants.gov no longer provides support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or below.

For additional information or updates, please see the Grants.gov Browser information in the Applicant FAQs: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#browser

ATTENTION – Workspace, Adobe Forms and PDF Files

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application.