Program of Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights

CFDA 84.240 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$20.2M FY2026
$20.2M
FY24
$20.2M
FY25
$20.2M
FY26*
* estimated

Program Objective

To provide grants for States, and to the eligible system serving the American Indian Consortium when sufficient funds are appropriated for the program in accordance with section 509(c)(1)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), to support protection and advocacy systems to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who are ineligible for services from the other protection and advocacy programs or whose problems fall outside the scope of services available from the Client Assistance Program (CAP). This program is subject to a statutory non-supplanting requirement and, therefore, must use a restricted indirect cost rate in accordance with 34 CFR 76.563 through 76.569. For assistance with questions related to the restricted indirect cost rate, email the Indirect Cost Division at IndirectCostDivision@ed.gov.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

Only designated protection and advocacy agencies in each State and Territory, and the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium, may apply. Except for the protection and advocacy system serving the American Indian Consortium, the Governor designates the protection and advocacy agency in each State.

Beneficiaries

  • Other

Individuals with disabilities will benefit.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Once the applications have been approved, awards are made on the basis of the statutory formula or statutory minimum amounts, as applicable and the eligible system serving the American Indian Consortium.

Program details & compliance

Description

Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights provides grants for States, and to the eligible system serving the American Indian Consortium when sufficient funds are appropriated for the program in accordance with section 509(c)(1)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), to support protection and advocacy systems to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who are ineligible for services from the other protection and advocacy programs or whose problems fall outside the scope of services available from the Client Assistance Program (CAP). This program is subject to a statutory non-supplanting requirement and, therefore, must use a restricted indirect cost rate in accordance with 34 CFR 76.563 through 76.569. For assistance with questions related to the restricted indirect cost rate, email the Indirect Cost Division at IndirectCostDivision@ed.gov.

Mission Categories

Primary: Special Education

Other categories:
Law Enforcement Education

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

The Secretary must set aside not less than 1.8 percent and not more than 2.2 percent of the funds appropriated for this program for training and technical assistance to eligible systems established under this program. Federal formula funds are used to support a system in each State to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with disabilities who need services that are beyond the scope of the CAP under Section 112 of the Rehabilitation Act; and are ineligible for the protection and advocacy programs under Part C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DDA) and the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act (PAIMI Act). For any fiscal year in which the amount appropriated for this program equals or exceeds $10,500,000, the Secretary must reserve a portion and make a grant to the eligible system serving the American Indian Consortium.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Annual
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

Basic parameters are established in Section 509(c) of the Rehabilitation Act.

Contacts

Samuel Pierre
(202) 987-1928
Department of Education, OSERS, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-07-28. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-08-08 03:04:14.