Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind; Assistance Listing Number 84.160D

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), through its Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), has announced a discretionary grant opportunity focused on the training of interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are DeafBlind. This initiative is authorized under Assistance Listing Number 84.160D and is part of a long-standing federal commitment to improving communication access for individuals with disabilities. The RSA administers programs that help individuals with physical or mental impairments achieve employment and independent living, and this grant program aligns with its mission by supporting interpreter training services directly connected to vocational rehabilitation (VR) and related services. The primary objective of the program is to provide specialized training to interpreters, enabling them to effectively serve individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind, particularly those receiving services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These services may include vocational rehabilitation and independent living support. The training funded by this grant is intended to enhance interpreter quality, expand service capacity, and improve the communication experience and employment outcomes of individuals with sensory disabilities. Grantees are expected to develop and implement training programs that are responsive to the linguistic, cultural, and professional needs of this population. Eligible applicants for this opportunity include states and public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including American Indian Tribes and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). The federal government emphasizes inclusivity, recognizing the importance of ensuring interpreter training is accessible and informed by diverse perspectives. Programs funded under this opportunity must comply with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act and meet expectations for effectiveness, accountability, and accessibility. Applicants must follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, as published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025. These instructions outline key submission requirements, such as registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), the use of Grants.gov Workspace for online submission, and file formatting standards. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must adhere to formatting rules, file type requirements (PDF), and page layout standards. Applicants are also required to certify the accuracy of all submitted content, whether it was generated by artificial intelligence tools or not. Applications are now being accepted, with the submission window open from March 25, 2026, through May 26, 2026. Applicants must also consider the deadline for intergovernmental review, which is set for July 23, 2026. Award announcements and grant notifications will follow the application review process, with final grant awards totaling approximately $1.8 million distributed among up to four recipients. Each award is capped at a ceiling of $450,000. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, although the exact ratio is not specified in the notice and must be confirmed by applicants during proposal development. Program-related inquiries can be directed to April Hammond at the Department of Education. She can be reached via telephone at (202) 987-0114 or by email at [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to initiate contact early to ensure clarity regarding the application process and compliance requirements. This grant program is offered on a recurring basis, reflecting the Department’s ongoing commitment to ensuring effective communication access for individuals with disabilities in vocational and independent living contexts.