NEA Universal Design Leadership Project, FY2009 CFDA 45.024

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is committed to maintaining a leadership role in the area of universal design. Universal design is a design process that goes beyond minimum codes and standards to make spaces comfortably usable by people from childhood into their oldest years. It is not, as many mistakenly view it, the practice of meeting minimum access requirements. The Arts Endowment recognizes design’s ever present role in everyday life and is committed to encouraging and disseminating the best in universal design for the benefit of the American public. The NEA, with its national perspective and commitment to artistic excellence, is in a unique position to exercise a leadership role in this area. The Arts Endowment seeks to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with an organization that will carry out a project to increase understanding, acceptance, and practice of universal design within the design profession, by design educators, and by the American public. Proposed projects should focus on extending the appeal of universal design from the disability community into the mainstream of American design and American society. The project should educate designers and others including developers, city planners, and consumers on this important issue. The Arts Endowment’s support of this Cooperative Agreement can start no sooner than September 1, 2009. The period of support may extend for up to two years. Applications are due by February 19, 2009.


Eligible Applicants:
State governments
County governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
Independent school districts
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility:
Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), U.S. organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities or tribes may apply. To be eligible, the applicant organization must: Meet the Arts Endowment’s "Legal Requirements" including nonprofit, taxexempt status at the time of application. Have at least three years of experience with the universal design field. Have submitted acceptable Final Report packages by the due date(s) for all Arts Endowment award(s) previously received.

Document Type: Grants Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: NEAPS0901
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Oct 28, 2008
Creation Date: Oct 28, 2008
Original Closing Date for Applications: Feb 19, 2009
Current Closing Date for Applications: Feb 19, 2009 Proposal Receipt Deadline: February 19, 2009 The Arts Endowment requires organizations to submit their proposals electronically through Grants.gov, the federal government’s online application system. The Grants.gov system must receive your proposal no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the deadline date above. We strongly recommend that you submit at least 10 days in advance of the deadline to give yourself ample time to resolve any problems that you might encounter.
Archive Date: Mar 21, 2009
Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
Category of Funding Activity: Arts (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards: 1
Estimated Total Program Funding: $65,000
Award Ceiling: $65,000
Award Floor: $65,000
CFDA Number(s): 45.024 -- Promotion of the Arts_Grants to Organizations and Individuals
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

NEA Universal Design Web Site Announcement

Universal Dedsign Program Solicitation