Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind
Active
- Assistance listing
- 84.160
- Agency
-
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Department of Education
- Grant awards
- 37 $50,702,984 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 91-0301-0-1-506
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) funds interpreter training programs under Assistance Listing 84.160, with the most recent grant opportunity posted March 25, 2026 and a May 26, 2026 application deadline.
This program supports projects that increase the number of qualified interpreters and improve their skills in manual, tactile, oral, and cued speech interpreting for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. The program funds training curricula, skill development programs, and initiatives targeting specific interpreter gaps—recent awards include the Deafblind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center, healthcare interpreter specialty training, rural interpreter skills development, and programs addressing career pathways and atypical language interpreting. Projects are evaluated on consultation with state vocational rehabilitation agencies, incorporation of evidence-based practices, working relationships with state VR systems and consumers, and opportunities for consumer input.
All 37 awards in the portfolio are Project Grants. The Department of Education OSERS is the sole funding source, having obligated $50.7 million in federal dollars across the program's history. Recent award amounts range from approximately $1.7 million to $2.2 million per grant. Seven awards were made on October 1, 2021, with completion dates between 2025 and 2026. Award cadence has been irregular—six awards in 2005, six in 2010, five in 2017, and seven in 2021—with no awards recorded between 2017 and 2021 or after 2021.
Public and private nonprofit agencies and institutions of higher education are eligible. Applications undergo peer review with evaluation criteria published in 34 CFR 396 Subpart D. The application review period is approximately 120 to 160 days. Renewals are available only through the new application process; multi-year awards may continue based on appropriated funds and satisfactory annual performance review. Recipients must maintain financial records for three years from final expenditure report submission under 2 CFR 200.333.
Objective and description
- Objective
To support projects that increase the numbers and improve the skills of manual, tactile, oral, and cued speech interpreters providing services to individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind.
- Description
Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind supports projects that increase the numbers and improve the skills of manual, tactile, oral, and cued speech interpreters providing services to individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education are eligible for assistance.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Individuals preparing for employment as interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind who are presently serving as interpreters and wish to maintain or raise the level of their skills, and the persons who will receive the services of interpreters are beneficiaries of this program.
- Uses of assistance
Grants are awarded to eligible entities to provide training for manual, tactile, oral and cued speech interpreters. This training may include classroom instruction, workshops, seminars, and field placement. Curriculum may include specialty areas such as interpreting in legal, medical, or rehabilitation settings or for deaf-blind, speech-impaired or developmentally disabled persons.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Projects may be supported for a maximum of 5 years, with budget periods of 12 months.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
See above.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations at 34 CFR 396 Subpart D, and include the extent to which: the training project was developed in consultation with State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their related agencies and consumers, the training is appropriate for consumers and agencies that provide services to consumers, the training curricula includes evidence-based practices, there is a working relationship between the training project and the State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their related agencies and consumers, and there are opportunities for consumers to provide input regarding the project. The Secretary also considers the geographical distribution of projects throughout the country.
- Award procedure
New awards are made based upon the results of a peer review process and the review and approval of applications by staff in various offices within the Department.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Approximately 120 to 160 days.
- Renewals
Renewals are available only through the new application process. Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of appropriated funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 37 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeastern University | $13,935,266 | 27% |
| 2 | ST. Catherine University | $13,076,038 | 26% |
| 3 | Western Oregon University | $7,070,920 | 14% |
| 4 | University Of Northern Colorado | $5,574,628 | 11% |
| 5 | Gallaudet University | $3,239,030 | 6% |
| 6 | Sistema Universitario Ana G Mendez Inc. | $2,190,973 | 4% |
| 7 | Idaho State University | $1,810,676 | 4% |
| 8 | University Of Arkansas System | $1,413,866 | 3% |
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$10,394 |
| FY2025 | $1,191,349 |
| FY2024 | $2,935,390 |
| FY2023 | $3,718,398 |
| FY2022 | $2,910,511 |
| FY2021 | $2,855,198 |
| FY2020 | $2,399,750 |
| FY2019 | $2,399,996 |
| FY2018 | $2,381,533 |
| FY2017 | $2,399,805 |
| FY2016 | $2,399,964 |
| FY2015 | $1,979,947 |
| FY2014 | $2,099,935 |
| FY2013 | $2,099,956 |
| FY2012 | $2,063,287 |
| FY2011 | $2,099,978 |
| FY2010 | $2,099,978 |
| FY2009 | $8,193,631 |
| FY2005 | $2,093,185 |
| FY2004 | $289,264 |
| FY2001 | $2,102,323 |
Show all 21
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 84.160?
Assistance Listing 84.160 is Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind, a federal grant program run by Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (Department of Education).
What is the CFDA number for Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind?
Its CFDA number is 84.160: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 84.160 awarded?
37 grant awards under 84.160 have obligated $50,702,984 in federal funds to 8 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 84.160?
The recipients obligated the most under Training Interpreters for Individuals who are Deaf and Individuals who are Deaf-Blind are Northeastern University ($13,935,266), ST. Catherine University ($13,076,038) and Western Oregon University ($7,070,920).
How much did 84.160 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 84.160 obligated $1,191,349 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 84.160?
No opportunity listed under 84.160 is open now. The latest, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind; Assistance Listing Number 84.160D, was posted on March 25, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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