Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Braille Training Program

The Braille Training Program, administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), is a federal discretionary grant initiative overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. This program operates under Assistance Listing Number 84.235E and is part of a broader effort to enhance educational and vocational outcomes for individuals who are blind. The Department of Education, through RSA, aims to support projects that increase access to braille literacy and nonvisual technology, thereby improving services for blind youth and adults. The primary objective of the Braille Training Program is to support initiatives that deliver comprehensive braille training to personnel involved in vocational rehabilitation (VR) or education services for individuals who are blind. It also seeks to promote the development of effective braille instructional materials and teaching methodologies. Furthermore, the program encourages projects that foster awareness and the practical application of braille and nonvisual access technologies, helping to bridge accessibility gaps in both educational and employment settings. Funding from this program may be used for training educators and VR professionals, developing innovative instructional content, and implementing community engagement initiatives that enhance understanding and usage of braille. Projects are expected to target both youth and adults who are blind and can include outreach, curriculum development, and professional training components. While specific cost restrictions are not detailed in the public notice, applicants must adhere to standard federal grant management practices as outlined in the common instructions for discretionary grants. Eligibility for this program is broad, encompassing states, public and nonprofit agencies and organizations, and both public and nonprofit institutions of higher education. There is no matching requirement, allowing a wider range of entities to participate without the need for cost-sharing. Applicants must follow the Department of Education’s standard submission process via Grants.gov, which includes registration in SAM.gov and submission of application materials by the deadline. Applications must meet all formatting and technical requirements to be considered complete. The application window opens on December 29, 2025, and closes on March 27, 2026. A deadline for intergovernmental review is set for May 26, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register, for guidance on application formatting, registration, and electronic submission. The application package is available via Grants.gov. Contact for this funding opportunity is Stephanie Badger, U.S. Department of Education, reachable at [email protected] or (202) 219-2185. The total available funding is estimated at $2,100,000, with an expected seven awards and an award ceiling of $300,000. There is no specified minimum award amount. This program is not recurring and does not require submission of letters of intent or other pre-application materials.