Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP): Assistive Technology to Promote Independence and Community Living (Research) | HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0354

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0354

This funding opportunity is a discretionary federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and its National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits under NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, specifically the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) mechanism. The overall aim of DRRPs is to support research, demonstrations, training, and related activities (including international work when relevant) that advance rehabilitation methods, procedures, and technologies. The larger policy goal is to maximize full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across everyday life, including employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular attention to individuals with the most significant disabilities. Another core objective is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

For this particular priority, the competition is focused on assistive technology and other technology-based solutions that improve independence and community living outcomes for people with disabilities, with a clear emphasis on seniors with disabilities. In practice, this means applicants are expected to propose a project that either generates strong evidence about technology interventions (research) or advances the development of technology solutions (development), with a direct line of sight to real-world outcomes such as greater autonomy at home, improved ability to participate in the community, and reduced barriers to daily activities. The announcement explicitly welcomes both research applications and development applications, and the mix of funded projects may include either or both types depending on how applications score in peer review.

NIDILRR indicated an intent to make three awards under this competition, although the source data also lists an "ExpectedAwards" value of 2, suggesting some uncertainty that can occur across forecasts and final award decisions. Regardless, the funding level is substantial: successful applicants can receive up to $1,333,332 total for a 36-month period of performance. Applicants must submit a detailed budget covering the entire 36 months, and they must also provide three separate annual budgets, each capped at $444,444, which effectively spreads the total ceiling across the three years while still requiring full-period planning and cost detail.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of entities that commonly carry out applied research and technology development. 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; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility language. This wide eligibility set reflects the program's interest in practical, deployable solutions and encourages partnerships across academia, nonprofits, industry, and public agencies.

Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2019-ACL-NIDILRR-DPGE-0354, with CFDA (now Assistance Listing) number 93.433, and it is categorized under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development." The original posting timeline shows a creation date of April 18, 2019, with an original closing date of June 17, 2019. Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Overall, the grant is structured for organizations capable of delivering a focused, outcomes-driven technology project over three years, backed by a clear workplan and a budget that demonstrates feasibility, rigor, and a realistic pathway to improving independence and community living for people with disabilities, especially older adults.

• 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): Assistive Technology to Promote Independence and Community Living (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 Apr 18, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 17, 2019 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 $1,333,332.00 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, 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0354

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