Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Development) | HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR DPCP 0198

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR DPCP 0198

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Development) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). The overall DRRP program sits within NIDILRRs Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and is designed to fund applied research and related efforts that ultimately improve real-world outcomes for people with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities. This particular competition focuses on the community living and participation domain and is framed as a field-initiated opportunity, meaning applicants propose the topic and approach so long as it clearly fits within the stated priority area.

The core purpose of this opportunity is to support a development project aimed at improving community living and participation for individuals with disabilities. In practical terms, NIDILRR is looking for projects that take what is already known from research and translate it into tangible, usable solutions. The notice highlights development activities such as creating materials, devices, systems, methods, or processes that benefit the target population. It also explicitly anticipates design and development work, including prototypes and the processes needed to produce, refine, or implement them. While the broader DRRP authority can support research, demonstrations, training, and even international activities, the central expectation under this priority is development grounded in research knowledge, with a clear path toward improving participation and inclusion in community life.

In terms of the outcomes NIDILRR is trying to advance, the opportunity is tied to long-standing goals under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). Those goals include maximizing full inclusion and integration into society, improving employment and independent living, strengthening family support, and increasing economic and social self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. Another important thread is service improvement: the work funded is expected to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act, meaning projects should be relevant to rehabilitation systems and community-based supports, not just conceptually interesting innovations.

This funding opportunity is identified as HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR DPCP 0198 and is categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 93.433). The agency expected to make one award in this competition, with an award ceiling of $500,000. Although the priority is framed as a development project competition, the text notes that the single field-initiated award in the community living and participation domain could ultimately be a research project or a development project depending on how applications are ranked by peer review, so applicants needed to pay close attention to how they frame their work and how well it fits the priority and review criteria.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The listing also includes an "Others" category with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which typically covers certain for-profit entities or other organizations depending on the specific notice language.

Key administrative details include the posting date (December 21, 2016) and the original closing date (February 21, 2017). Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted investment in applied, development-oriented rehabilitation and disability innovation that can measurably improve how people with disabilities live, participate, and thrive in their communities, with an emphasis on practical deliverables like prototypes, tools, systems, or methods that can be used by individuals, service providers, or community organizations.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, 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: Community Living and Participation (Development)" 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 Dec 21, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2017 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: 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), 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR DPCP 0198

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