In FY 2007, approximately 400 awards were made.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds must be used to prepare personnel to serve children with both low and high-incidence disabilities, leadership personnel, and for special projects.

Awards are made only to eligible applicants that meet State and professionally recognized standards for the preparation of special education and related services personnel, if the purpose of the project is to assist personnel in obtaining degrees.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State educational agencies, local education agencies, public charter schools that are LEAs under State law, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, private nonprofit organizations, outlying areas, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries under this program.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is covered under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as a single point of contact in his or her State to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

The standard application forms as furnished by and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedures

Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts.

Deadlines

Deadlines are published in application notices in the Federal Register or you may contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines. Application notices may also be accessed through the Department of Education Web site at http://www.ed.gov.

Authorization

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part D, Subpart 2, Section 662.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Range is from 90 to 120 days.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Awards may be renewed annually for up to five years throughout the project period of the award, subject to the availabillity of appropriations.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

A recipient of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement may be required to share in the cost of a project. (See 20 U.S.C. 1482 (a)(2)(A).)

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Typically from one to five years. Renewals are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress reports shall be made on an annual basis.

Final reports shall be made at the end of the project period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

The awardee 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 or contract terms and conditions.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0300-0-1-501.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $89,720,000; FY 08 est $88,153,000; and FY 09 est $88,153,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable because the range and average varies greatly by competition.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

34 CFR Part 304.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Department of Education, OSERS Office of Special Education Programs 400 Maryland Ave, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2500 Contact: Bonnie Jones. E-mail: bonnie.jones@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 245-7395.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria for selecting among grant applications will normally be selected from those in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Part 75.210.