Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind (84.160D)

The Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind program establishes interpreter training programs or provides financial assistance for ongoing interpreter programs to train a sufficient number of qualified interpreters throughout the country to meet the communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are DeafBlind by:   

1. Training interpreters to effectively interpret and transliterate between spoken language and sign language and to transliterate between spoken language and oral or tactile modes of communication;  
2. Ensuring the maintenance of the interpreting skills of qualified interpreters; and  
3. Providing opportunities for interpreters to raise their skill level competence in order to meet the highest standards approved by certifying associations.  

The competition for this program was designed to fund projects that provide training to working interpreters in one of five specialty areas to effectively meet the communication needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are DeafBlind receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and/or services from other programs, such as independent living services, under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act).  

The Department has made awards in the following specialty areas: 

• Increasing skills of novice interpreters; 
• Advanced skills for working interpreters; and 
• Projects in the field-initiated areas of: 
  • Interpreting in healthcare, including interpreting for hard-to-serve populations and promoting equity in healthcare interpreting; 
  • Interpreting for individuals who are DeafBlind; 
  • Atypical language interpreting; and 
  • Improving rural interpreting skills. 

FY 2026 Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $1,800,000

Award Ceiling: $450,000

FY 2021 Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $3,360,000

Award Ceiling: We will not make an award exceeding $420,000 for a single budget period of 12 months.

Program Authority

29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 772(a) and (f)

Applicable Regulations

1. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, and 99. 
2. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. 
3. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474. 
4. The regulations for this program in 34 CFR part 396. 
5. Final Priority and Requirements-Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 79 apply to all applicants except federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.

Applicant Information

FY 2026 Competition

• A Pre-Application webinar will be held on Thursday, April 16th at 10:00 AM (ET). Potential applicants may join using the following link: 84.160D Pre-Application Webinar
• Please refer to the Federal Register Notice below, as well as the following application resources, for more information about this competition
  • FY 2026 84.160D Application Package
  • FY 2026 84.160D Application Instructions

Previous Federal Register Notices

• Correction: Applications for New Awards; Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program (August 19, 2021)
• Correction: Final Priority and Requirements-Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program (August 19, 2021)
• Applications for New Awards: Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program (July 26, 2021)
• Final Priority and Requirements: Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program (July 26, 2021)
• Proposed Priority and Requirements: Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are DeafBlind Program (March 2, 2021) 

Eligibility

State and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including American Indian Tribes and institutes of higher education (IHEs).

Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: 

1. Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; 
2. A statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; 
3. A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or 
4. Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

FY 2021 Grantees