Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision | HHS 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0023

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0023

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It is designed to support a single national center focused on advanced engineering research and development that improves the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The core idea behind the RERC program is to move beyond basic research and push toward practical, usable technologies that address specific rehabilitation challenges and remove environmental barriers that limit participation for people with disabilities.

This particular competition targets innovations that promote independence and community living for people who are blind or have low vision. The funded center is expected to conduct research and development on new or improved technologies, then demonstrate and evaluate those technologies in ways that show real-world usefulness and impact. In addition to building and testing solutions, the RERC model emphasizes translating successful ideas into practice by encouraging service delivery system improvements and helping stimulate private-sector production and distribution, so promising tools do not get stuck in a lab or pilot phase. Training is also a required part of the overall mission, meaning the center should create meaningful opportunities for developing expertise in rehabilitation engineering and related fields.

NIDILRR plans to make one award under this announcement, making it a single-center opportunity with a national scope. The project period is 60 months total, organized into five 12-month budget periods. The maximum funding level (award ceiling) is $925,000. The funding activity falls under science and technology and other research and development, with CFDA number 93.433, and the funding instrument is a grant.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants that can credibly lead a large research and development center. Eligible entities include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when applying under the nonprofit category); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses, along with other applicants as further clarified in the announcement.

Key administrative details from the notice include a creation date of February 25, 2022, and an application due date of April 26, 2022, with electronic submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline. The opportunity number is HHS-2022-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0023. Overall, the grant is structured to support a long-term, coordinated program of applied research, engineering development, evaluation, training, and technology translation specifically aimed at improving everyday independence and participation for individuals with blindness or low vision.

• 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 "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision" 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 Feb 25, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2022 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 $925,000.00 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, 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 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0023

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