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), operating under the U.S. Department of Education, administers numerous programs aimed at improving the lives and opportunities of individuals with disabilities. One such initiative is the Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind program, managed through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This grant program is tied to Assistance Listing Number 84.160D and is dedicated to enhancing interpreter training to support individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind, particularly those receiving vocational rehabilitation services or support under related programs authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The primary objective of the program is to increase the quantity and quality of interpreters who can effectively meet the diverse communication needs of these populations. This includes equipping interpreters with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in complex settings, including those that require specialized communication methods or adaptations for dual sensory loss. By strengthening the training pipeline, the grant aims to ensure that individuals with hearing and vision disabilities can fully access vocational and independent living services, empowering them to achieve their educational and employment goals. This funding opportunity will make approximately $1.8 million available in total, with up to four awards expected. The maximum award per project is $450,000. A cost sharing or matching requirement is in place, though the exact ratio or percentage is not provided in the synopsis. Applications will be accepted from states, public and private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including American Indian Tribes and Institutions of Higher Education. This broad eligibility reflects the federal commitment to building interpreter capacity through diverse and community-embedded institutions. Applicants must adhere to submission procedures outlined in the Department of Education’s Common Instructions for Discretionary Grant Programs, which are published in the Federal Register. The application window opened on March 25, 2026, and submissions are due by May 26, 2026. Additionally, applications are subject to an Intergovernmental Review process with a final deadline of July 23, 2026. Interested applicants may contact April Hammond at the U.S. Department of Education for additional information via telephone at (202) 987-0114 or email at 84.160D@ed.gov. The grant follows a discretionary funding model, meaning proposals will be evaluated competitively. While the synopsis does not specify detailed evaluation criteria, applicants should expect to be assessed on their organizational capacity, the quality of proposed training strategies, sustainability, and alignment with RSA goals. Funding decisions will be made following the application deadline, though no specific award date or project start timeline is given. There is no indication in the synopsis of whether the grant is recurring annually or follows another cycle. Since the deadline is set and no language suggests ongoing availability or prior cycles, the program may be issued on an ad hoc basis. Similarly, the synopsis does not list specific required application components or review tips, so applicants are encouraged to consult the full application package linked in the Federal Register notice for detailed guidance.