ICAP-ICAP-24-001: New $9 Million SSA Program for Disability and SSI Research

o States

o Local governments

o Federally recognized Indian tribes

o Foundations

o Employer associations

o Not-for-profit organizations

o For-profit organizations, such as firms

o Educational institutions, including Institutions Serving Students of Color (ISSCs)

ISSCs, also known as Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs): SSA relies on research to learn about the diverse people we serve, how they are affected by our programs, and ways in which our programs can be improved to better serve the public. As such, we recognize the importance of engaging with researchers who represent the diversity of the American public. For this reason, SSA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified under the eligibility section of this announcement, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity. For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

• HBCUs, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/

• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/

• Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/

• Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.5864458618728%2C-148.28228249999984

• Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6). A map of these schools can be found at https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4

• Additional information on eligibility: The intervention must relate to one of the priority topic areas listed in the Program Description

I.    Program Description

Program Purpose

This funding opportunity is for the Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program (ICAP). Through the ICAP, SSA collaborates with States, foundations, and other non-federal groups and organizations who have the interest and ability to identify, operate, partially fund, and evaluate interventional research related to the Disability Insurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. The research and interventions under this program will target five priority topics, listed below.

SSA intends the projects to have a project period of up to 5 years, with the first year used to put any necessary data agreements into place, gather all documentation necessary to apply for Authority to Operate (ATO) from SSA’s Office of Information Security, gain approval from the Office of Management and Budget for any information collection activities, and conduct any other implementation planning activities. SSA will only release the majority of project funding once they determine that the project has or will meet all necessary milestones required for implementation. If the project is able to meet these milestones in the first year, funding will be continued to field and evaluate the project for up to four years.

Priority Topics of Interest

Proposals must address goals under at least one of the following priority topics. Proposals should identify the priority topic(s) the proposed intervention(s) will address and explain how the intervention would address the priority topic(s).

·  Eliminating the structural barriers in the labor market for people with disabilities and other underserved communities.

·  Promoting self-sufficiency by helping people enter, stay in, or return to the labor force, including transition-age youth.

·  Coordinating planning between private and public human services agencies to improve the administration and effectiveness the DI, SSI, and related programs.

·  Assisting claimants in underserved communities apply for or appeal decisions on claims for DI and SSI benefits; and

·  Conducting outreach to people with disabilities who are potentially eligible to receive SSI.

II.   Award Information

Type of Award

SSA expects to award up to 3 awards of up to $3 million (each) in cooperative agreements, up to $9 million total, under this request for applications (RFA). The total amount awarded, and the number of awards will be determined based on the strength of the applications received and programmatic and budgetary considerations. SSA reserves the right to determine the number of awards, make no awards, or to make awards for amounts less than the amounts requested by the applicants. However, applicants should not request more than $3 million in ICAP funding.

Cooperative agreements require close cooperation and coordination between SSA and the awardees. SSA will have substantial involvement in the administration of the cooperative agreement, and SSA’s input and approval is required before conducting most activities.

Award Amount and Period of Performance

SSA may fund interventions for up to 5 years with a total of up to $3 million over the 5-year project period. Applicants may not apply for more than the ceiling of $3 million from SSA for each project. There is no minimum award, and grant proposals with a $0 budget are acceptable.

The start date will be no later than September 30, 2024.

Applications must include a project timeline in the project narrative that must be for at least three years, up to a maximum of five years. All projects will start with one base year with the option to fund the remaining years. The one-year base period of each cooperative agreement will support the development of data sharing agreements, project planning, evaluation design, and other administrative aspects of the agreement. If the necessary agreements and other planning and administrative aspects are in place at the end of the first year or sooner and the planning process justifies it as an evaluable project, as determined by SSA, cooperative agreements may be extended for the remaining proposed project period (up to four additional years) during which the recipient will implement and evaluate the intervention. SSA may not extend for the remaining proposed project period after the one-year base period if SSA determines that the planning process doesn’t justify it as an evaluable project (for example, if the necessary agreements and other planning and administrative aspects are not in place at the end of the base year.)