Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Research) | HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR DPHF 0087

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR DPHF 0087

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Research) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It focuses on building evidence and practical solutions that improve health and functional outcomes for people with disabilities, with an emphasis on individuals who have the greatest support needs. The broader DRRP mission is to support research, demonstration efforts, training, and related activities that lead to better methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies so that people with disabilities can more fully participate in society, pursue employment, live independently, strengthen family supports, and increase economic and social self-sufficiency. A parallel goal is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Under this specific priority area, applicants are expected to propose a clearly defined research project aimed at improving health and function outcomes. The program is not looking for vague exploration; the project must be driven by one or more explicit hypotheses or research questions. Grantees are required to conduct an intensive and systematic study designed to produce either new or fuller scientific knowledge, or a stronger understanding of the problem being studied. In practice, this means the application should present a coherent research plan with a defensible rationale, a structured approach to generating evidence, and outcomes that matter to people with disabilities and the systems that serve them.

NIDILRR indicates that the field-initiated awards in this health and function domain may ultimately be funded as research projects, development projects, or a combination of research and development, depending on how applications are ranked by peer review. That framing gives applicants room to propose studies that generate knowledge (research), create or refine tools/interventions/technologies (development), or do both in a tightly integrated way, as long as the work stays anchored to improving health and function for people with disabilities.

The award is structured as a 60-month project period, broken into five 12-month budget periods, which supports multi-year studies and iterative work where evidence development and refinement can occur over time. The funding opportunity lists an award ceiling of $500,000 and anticipates making 2 awards. It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 93.433) and uses the grant funding instrument.

Eligibility is broad across public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city/township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than IHEs); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other eligible entities as defined in the announcement. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to compete for or receive awards under this opportunity.

Key administrative details from the notice include the opportunity number HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0087, a posting/creation date of February 7, 2024, and an original application closing date of April 8, 2024. Overall, the opportunity is designed for organizations capable of conducting rigorous disability and rehabilitation research that results in credible knowledge and actionable improvements in health and functional outcomes for people with disabilities.

• The Administration for Community Living in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Health and Function (Research)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.433.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-08. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR DPHF 0087

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