WASHINGTON -- Congress approved continued funding of the Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grant program in late December. As they did in 2005, $73.4 million was approved for 2006. The only change expected from 2005 is a 1 percent cut, which is an across the board reduction to the entire Labor Department of Health and Human Services bill that contains the PEP program. According to a report from the Department of Education, the application notice for PEP grants will be on February 27, with applications due on April 12. The Department of Education estimates that there will be 63 grants at an average $250,000 each.