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1. For clarification purposes, the proposed projects then should result in an approved degree that specifically includes “Interdisciplinary Master’s or Doctoral degree”. For example Interdisciplinary Studies Mater’s in Special Education and Health Sciences (related Service)?

   • While degrees awarded need not have “interdisciplinary” in their title, an applicant must propose an interdisciplinary project supporting scholars from two or more graduate degree programs at the master’s degree, education specialist degree or clinical doctorate degree level in either a) special education or early intervention and one or more related services, e.g., a master’s in deaf education and a clinical doctorate in audiology: or b) two or more related services, e.g., a master’s in speech-language pathology and an education specialist degree in educational psychology.

2. Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions.
   Are HSIs also a priority?
   For previous grants, is information available about the average number of students supported? The average percent of funds dedicated for student support (minimum 65%)?

   • Applications received from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) are treated as any other application submitted to 325K. There is no competitive preference for them.

     The number of scholars supported is dependent on the program submitted. Applicants must budget for a minimum of 65% of the total award (minus funds allocated for program development in the planning year) to be used for scholar support.

3. This is a question regarding matching support. The application refers to various percentages “of the total amount of the grant.” We would like clarification if the percentage of matching support is based on the federal funds requested or the total cost of delivering the project.

   • The percentage of matching support is based on the total amount of federal funds requested.

4. Is there a limitation on the # of applications submitted by an IHE for the 84.325K?

   • There is no limitation on the number of grants an IHE may submit to 325K. However, the same application may be submitted to only one focus area. More than one application may be submitted to a specific focus area but they must be different applications.

5. What start date should be indicated in the proposal?

   • Awardees may start as early as October 1, 2019 but must start by January 1, 2020.

6. In the student funding, is it acceptable to provide funds for tuition and a stipend in either Focus A or Focus B? As our Master of Arts in Special Education program is an online program and we would need to have students join us on campus for some components of what we propose and would like to offer a general stipend which could offset some of this expense.

   • It is acceptable to provide funds for tuition and a stipend in both Focus Area A and Focus Area B.

7. If we meet the minimum requirement of collaborators (and have confirmation letters from them), can we later add collaborators that are not addressed in the application?

   • Additional collaborators may be added after consultation with OSEP.

8. For either Focus A or Focus B of this grant, is there a minimum number of scholars in order to receive funding? Also, is there a minimum number of courses that the scholars must enroll in together for either Focus A or B?

   • There is not a minimum number of scholars the applicant must propose to prepare in order to receive funding in either Focus Area A or Focus Area B.

     There is not a minimum number of courses that the scholars must be enrolled in for Focus Area A or Focus Area B.

9. Competitive preference priority #2: Is this limited to the project directors only? In other words, if a key personnel or consultant on a current 84.325K grant applies for this competition as the Project Director of a new proposal, will he/she receive the 5 points under this preference?

   • The eligible applicant for the 325K competition is the IHE, not the project director. Projects proposed by applicants (IHEs) that have not had an active grant award under the 325K program at any point in the preceding 5 fiscal years (i.e., FY 2014 FY 2018) would be eligible for Competitive Preference Priority 2.

10. Will there be a PDF Application document made available this year? Or will we only have the Federal Register to reference for guidance?

    • Yes. The application package can be found on grants.gov. See
      https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00251321-instructions.pdf

11. For the purpose of this grant, is a teacher of the visually impaired, or educational vision services, considered a related service?

    • University programs preparing teachers of the visually impaired are considered special education programs and not a related service.

12. Who is considered an eligible applicant in the 325K competition?

    • Eligible applicants for the 325K competition are IHEs and private nonprofit organizations. Eligible private nonprofit organizations are organizations that propose high-quality interdisciplinary projects that prepare special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at the master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or clinical doctoral degree levels for professional practice in natural environments, early learning programs, classrooms, and school settings serving children, including infants and toddlers, and youth with disabilities.

13. Has the submission time changed for 325K applications?

    • Yes, applicants must submit successfully to Grants.gov before 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, July 8th, the closing date for 325K.

14. Competitive priority #1: Does the “cash or 3rd party in kind donation” have to be directed towards the OSEP training program only OR can it be directed towards both the OSEP training program and the professional degree program?

    • The cash or third-party in-kind donation must be support to the training program described in the application being submitted to the 325K competition. Applicants must address this competitive preference priority, if applicable, in the budget information (ED Form 524, Section B) and the budget narrative. The applicant must propose the amount of cash or in-kind resources to be contributed for each year of the grant.

      For the purposes of this priority, matching support can be either cash or in-kind donations. According to 2 CFR 200.306, a cash expenditure or an outlay of cash with respect to the matching budget by the grantee is considered a cash contribution. Certain cash contributions that the organization normally considers an indirect cost should not be counted as a direct cost for the purposes of meeting matching support. According to 2 CFR 200.434, third-party in-kind contributions are services or property (e.g., land, buildings, equipment, materials, supplies) that are contributed by a non-Federal third-party at no charge to the grantee.

15. Competitive preference priority #2: Does “applicant” refer to the project director or submitting institution? Further, does it also refer to key personnel?

    • Eligible applicants for the 325K competition are IHEs and private nonprofit organizations. Eligible private nonprofit organizations are organizations that propose high quality interdisciplinary projects that prepare special education, early intervention, and related services personnel at the master’s degree, educational specialist degree, or clinical doctoral degree levels for professional practice in natural environments, early learning programs, classrooms, and school settings serving children, including infants and toddlers, and youth with disabilities

16. Will there be a list of programs and services that a grant awarded recipient will be required to use?

    • There is not a specific list of programs and services grant awarded recipients are required to use. Grantees are required to align with and use resources, as appropriate, available through technical assistance centers, which may include centers funded by the Department. Grantees may use the “Find a Center” link at https://osepideasthatwork.orghttps://osepideasthatwork.org for information about OSEP-funded
      technical assistance centers

17. We would like to develop an interdisciplinary project in a department in which both partners (one related service and one special education area) receive a degree in Curriculum and Instruction, but the majors for each program are different. Would the fact that the degree is the same disqualify this project from funding?

    • For the purposes of this priority, “interdisciplinary” refers to preparing scholars from two or more graduate degree programs in either (a) special education or early intervention and one or more related services through shared coursework, group assignments, and coordinated field experiences; or (b) two or more related services through shared coursework, group assignments, and coordinated field experiences. Different graduate degree programs across more than one institution of higher education may partner to develop an interdisciplinary project.

      For the purpose of this priority, “interdisciplinary” does not include: (a) individual scholars who receive two or more graduate degrees; (b) one graduate degree program that prepares scholars with different areas of focus; (c) one graduate degree program that offers interdisciplinary content but does not prepare scholars from two or more degree programs together; or (d) one graduate degree program in special education, early intervention, and related services partnering with a graduate degree program other than special education, early intervention, or related services. Programs in which scholars receive only a certificate or endorsement without a graduate degree are not eligible.

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