Department of Education Funding Opportunity

05.21.12 – The Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has issued a notice inviting applications for funding opportunities concerning technology and media services for individuals with disabilities.  The priority aims to provide funding for projects which “identify resources needed to effectively implement evidence based technology tools that benefit students with disabilities, and develop and disseminate products that will help a broad range of schools to effectively implement these technology tools.”  The priority requires that all projects develop a technological tool which can “improve the academic achievement” of students with disabilities.  The development of the tool should be “an interactive process beginning in a single development school and continuing through interactive cycles of development and refinement in other development schools, followed by a formative evaluation and refinement in pilot schools.”  Projects are also required to coordinate with the OSEP-funded Model Demonstration Coordination Center concerning the design, implementation and dissemination of the technology tool.  OSEP is currently offering up to seven awards with a proposed budget of up to $500,000 for 12 months.  The applications are due July 5, 2012. [Source: Federal Registrar]