; (B) is or includes an institution (which may be an institution of higher education), or a nongovernmental organization, that focuses on— (i) serving the needs of individuals with disabilities; or (ii) serving the needs of older adults; (C) in the case of an entity or partnership with a disability focus, has a cross-disability service focus; (D) has experience in conducting training, technical assistance, and research pertaining to consumer-directed community support services for covered individuals; (E) includes covered individuals in positions of leadership in the planning, management, and operation of the programs of training, technical assistance, and research; (F) has knowledge and experience pertaining to the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective engagement policies, programs, and activities that promote the inclusion, needs, and rights of covered individuals in preparation for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of disasters; and (G) has, or will establish, an advisory council or similar entity, of which at least half of the members are covered individuals. (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 6(b). (b) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements (1) In general The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible entities on a competitive basis to carry out projects of national significance that— (A) create opportunities for individuals with disabilities and older adults to directly contribute to improving preparation for, recovery from, response to, and mitigation of disasters; (B) support the development of Federal, State, tribal, and local policies that reinforce and promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and older adults in Federal, State, tribal, and local community preparation for disasters