Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind Program CFDA Number: 84.160C | ED GRANTS 072516 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 072516 001

The Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind Program (CFDA 84.160C) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, administered through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). It is authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and it supports efforts to build and strengthen the national supply of qualified interpreters. The core idea is to fund interpreter training programs or provide support to improve and sustain existing programs so more interpreters can meet real-world communication needs across the country.

The program focuses on preparing interpreters to interpret and transliterate effectively using multiple communication modes, including spoken, visual, and tactile methods. In practice, that means supporting training that covers the range of situations and access needs encountered by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf-blind. Beyond producing new interpreters, the grants are also meant to help currently qualified interpreters maintain their skills and continue improving, with an emphasis on reaching the highest professional standards recognized by certifying associations while staying responsive to the specific communication preferences and requirements of the communities served.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, using the downloadable application package associated with the CFDA number. A key detail is that applicants must search using "84.160" rather than including the alpha suffix (so not "84.160C"). The opportunity was listed under Funding Opportunity Number ED GRANTS 072516 001, with an original closing date of August 24, 2016. The federal helpdesk contact for technical issues with Grants.gov is 1-800-518-4726, and the email is support@grants.gov.

Eligibility is structured around a consortium model with a specific requirement for who can serve as the lead applicant. Only baccalaureate degree ASL-English interpretation programs that are recognized and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) are eligible to apply as the lead applicant for the consortium. Other entities, including states and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations (including institutions of higher education), may participate only as consortium members. This includes baccalaureate degree ASL-English interpretation programs that are not CCIE accredited: they can be partners in the consortium but cannot be the lead applicant.

Finally, the published materials note an important correction to the original Federal Register notice inviting applications for FY 2016 (81 FR 48409, published July 25, 2016). The notice incorrectly stated that a 10 percent match was required to meet the cost match requirement. The document associated with this synopsis clarifies that this statement was an error and was being corrected, meaning applicants needed to rely on the corrected Federal Register guidance for the accurate matching requirement and any other official conditions. For full details on priorities, performance measures, and application requirements, applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice, which is treated as the controlling source.

• The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind Program CFDA Number: 84.160C" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.160.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-08-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for ED GRANTS 072516 001

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