Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services: Rehabilitation Services Administration: Rehabilitation Training: Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program: Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind, Have Low Vision ALN 84.129P | ED GRANTS 061725 006

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant competition from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), administered through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). It is offered under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) Program.

2) What is the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing Number is ALN 84.129P.

3) What is the focus area of ALN 84.129P?

ALN 84.129P focuses on training professionals who will work in the rehabilitation of individuals who are blind or have low vision.

4) What is the overall purpose of the RLTT Program in this competition?

The purpose is workforce development in vocational rehabilitation by supporting academic training in shortage areas, with an emphasis on building a pipeline of highly trained personnel where the federal government has identified ongoing staffing shortages.

5) Is this funding intended mainly for curriculum development or for student support?

The expectation is not simply to run classes or create curriculum, but to directly support students preparing to enter the field through an academic training project that includes a required scholarship component.

6) What is the required scholarship spending level under this program?

Grantees must use at least 65 percent of their total project funds to provide scholarships to students enrolled in the program (referred to as RSA scholars).

7) Who are “RSA scholars” in the context of this grant?

RSA scholars are students enrolled in the funded training program who receive scholarship support paid for with RLTT grant funds.

8) What types of costs can the RSA scholar scholarships cover?

Scholarships may cover training-related financial supports, including stipends, tuition and fees, books and supplies, and student travel when it is related to training assignments.

9) Does this opportunity apply to vocational rehabilitation broadly or to a specific population?

While the RLTT Program broadly supports training for professionals serving people with a wide range of disabilities, this specific opportunity is focused on rehabilitation serving individuals who are blind or have low vision.

10) What kinds of outcomes is the training meant to support for blind and low-vision consumers?

The synopsis frames the intent as producing graduates prepared for real-world service delivery, especially in roles that address employment, independence, and related rehabilitation outcomes for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

11) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants may include states and public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian Tribes and institutions of higher education.

12) Are institutions of higher education eligible applicants?

Yes. Institutions of higher education are specifically included among eligible applicants.

13) Are Indian Tribes eligible applicants?

Yes. Indian Tribes are included in the synopsis as eligible applicants.

14) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is ED GRANTS 061725 006.

15) What is the application deadline?

The application closing date is July 17, 2025.

16) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $175,000.

17) How many awards does the Department expect to make?

The Department expects to make about 9 awards.

18) How are proposals typically evaluated in this type of program?

As a discretionary grant competition, proposals are typically evaluated against criteria laid out in the official Federal Register notice for the competition.

19) Where can applicants find the full and authoritative requirements for this opportunity?

The public posting described is a synopsis and directs applicants to the official Federal Register application notice for the complete requirements, including eligibility nuances, priorities, performance measures, program contacts, and any application requirements.

20) Where can applicants find the Department of Education’s general discretionary grant application instructions?

Applicants are directed to the “Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs,” published December 23, 2024 (89 FR 104528), available at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-30488.

21) Does the synopsis include detailed competency requirements for the training program?

No. The synopsis does not list detailed competency requirements, but it clearly frames funded projects as preparing RSA scholars with specialized skills to meet the vocational rehabilitation needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.

22) What is the practical implication of the 65 percent scholarship requirement for project budgeting?

In practice, it means that most of the award is intended to reduce the cost burden on students so they can complete specialized preparation and move into the rehabilitation workforce, rather than being primarily used for other project expenses.