Show me the Money!
Grants for Students with Special Needs
I love free money! OK, Technically……..it will cost you the resource of time, but still worth it! If you are wanting to start a new PAES Lab at your facility, but don’t know where the funding would come from, here is a list of new grant opportunities for educational entities that serve students with special needs. I suppose you could use these for other worthy programs as well. (haha) Whatever you choose to use these grants for I wish you luck with your application!
#1 Rehabilitation Training: Disability Innovation Fund-Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project
Applications Available: January 7, 2021.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 7, 2021.
The U.S. Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the Disability Innovation Fund—Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project. The Department intends to fund a multi-site model demonstration project designed to assist State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, in partnership with other entities, to develop career pathways focused on career advancement. This competition will help VR-eligible individuals with disabilities, including previously served VR participants in employment who re-enter the VR program, to advance in high-demand, high-quality careers, such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including computer science, careers; to enter career pathways in industry-driven sectors through pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships and Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP); to improve and maximize competitive integrated employment outcomes, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion in society; and to reduce reliance on public benefits.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program, as provided by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, is to support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of individuals with disabilities, including activities aimed at improving the education and post-school outcomes of children receiving SSI and their families that may result in long-term improvement in the SSI child recipient's economic status and self-sufficiency.
#2 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Applications Available: December 23, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 22, 2021
The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS to partner with Indian Tribes in providing eligible American Indians with disabilities with vocational rehabilitation (VR) services.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to provide VR services, including culturally appropriate services, to American Indians with disabilities who reside on or near Federal or State reservations, consistent with such eligible individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, so that such individual may prepare for, and engage in, high-quality employment that will increase opportunities for economic self-sufficiency.
#3 State Personnel Development Grants
Applications Available: December 29, 2020.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 9, 2021.
The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications (NIA) for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program.
Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to assist State educational agencies (SEAs) in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, educational, and transition services in order to improve results for children with disabilities.