NCTI Technology in the Works Supporting Information

I. Intent

To fund quick turnaround collaborative research that informs the development of assistive and learning technologies to improve educational results for all students, particularly those with disabilities.

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II. Eligibility

• Collaboration team. Applicants must propose a collaborative study involving at least one researcher and one vendor to examine the effectiveness of a technology product in improving educational results for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
• Technology. The technology product should be innovative, beneficial for students with disabilities, and have wide market appeal.
• Funding. Up to five awards of $15,000 will be made in 2007. The collaboration team must secure matching funds of at least $15,000 from at least one of the parties involved in the study. The matching funds may be given to the project in the form of in-kind materials, equipment, or staff. We encourage creative arrangements. The NCTI award and matching funds may be used to support an expansion of an already existing research project. However, these funds cannot be used to purchase hardware or software. No more than five percent of the award may be budgeted to cover administrative and indirect costs.
• Research plan. Applicants must submit a short and detailed plan for conducting the proposed research. Upon award, grantees need to provide documentation of approval by the sponsoring institution’s Internal Review Board (IRB) of the research plan to protect human subjects and submit the plan to the American Institutes for Research (AIR) for review. If an applicant does not work for an institution that has an IRB in place, the applicant may submit plans for the protection of human subjects to AIR for IRB approval.
• Research subjects. Subjects of the research are not required to be students; research related to technology and training is acceptable. There is no requirement for the minimum number of subjects in a study.
• Past research experience. Applicants must submit evidence of previously conducted research.
• Mandatory participation in NCTI Conference. Awarded applicants are required to present the project design and/or findings at the NCTI Technology Innovators Conference November 14-16, 2007. Preliminary results are acceptable. Project monies may not be used to cover transportation or registration costs.
• Mandatory participation in NCTI research on collaboration. Through this effort, NCTI seeks to learn about the process of collaboration in technology innovation; therefore, awardees must agree to be interviewed about their collaboration at two points in the research year.
• Availability of findings. Preliminary findings are due to NCTI at the November 2007 conference. Final reports are due to NCTI by January 31, 2008. Awarded applicants are required to share findings of the research supported by this award through the NCTI website and other venues such as conference presentations.
• Payment schedule. Payment of the award will be made in two increments: one available upon award, and one upon submission of final report.
• Questions. Questions may be submitted at any time to ncti@air.org. Questions will be compiled into an FAQ posting on www.nationaltechcenter.org.

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III. Exclusions

NCTI will not make subcontracts to:

• Government agencies
• Individuals
• Lobbyists
• Members of the NCTI Advisory Board
• Researchers awarded a grant from a previous NCTI Technology in the Works Competition (Vendors are not excluded.)
• Projects that focus on products already examined in previous NCTI Technology in the Works Awards (Please see previous award abstracts for more information on these products.)
• More than one project at a single organization (An organization may submit several proposals for consideration, but only one proposal may be chosen for funding.)

Please note that schools are not excluded from this competition. We welcome applications from schools and other agencies that serve children.

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IV. Letter of Intent

A letter of intent to submit an application will be appreciated, but not required, for a complete submission. Please submit a one page letter via email to asidana@air.org by 5:00 p.m. ET on or before February 15, 2007. Indicate the technology to be investigated and the key parties that will be collaborating. This intent is not binding for the proposal, but to assist NCTI with planning the review process.

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V. Proposal

The proposal must be submitted via email to asidana@air.org by 5:00 p.m. ET on or before April 2, 2007 and include the following components:

Due to electronic delays, allow sufficient time for submissions to be delivered.

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VI. Review Process and Notification

Completed proposals received on or before April 2, 2007 will be evaluated by a review panel of experts in the field and of members of the NCTI Advisory Board. Applications will not be returned. Up to five teams will be selected to conduct studies, and notification of all decisions will be released by May 1, 2007. Working with the proposed fiduciary agent of awarded projects, NCTI intends to release funds within four weeks of award announcements.

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VII. Contact Information

For further information, please contact Anju Sidana at asidana@air.org, or (202) 403-5540, or ncti@air.org.