Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Research) | HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0052

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0052

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Research) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits within NIDILRR's broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and is designed to support rigorous work that advances disability and rehabilitation research and practice. The overall mission behind DRRPs is to generate knowledge, tools, and approaches that improve the lives of people with disabilities by strengthening inclusion and participation in key areas such as employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular attention to individuals with the most significant disabilities and to improving services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).

This specific competition focuses on employment. Applicants are expected to propose a research-driven project aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The emphasis is on structured, hypothesis- or question-driven inquiry rather than general program operations. In practice, that means the project should clearly identify one or more research questions or testable hypotheses, then carry out an intensive and systematic study designed to produce either (1) new or expanded scientific knowledge, or (2) a deeper understanding of the employment-related issue being studied. While DRRPs can involve related components such as demonstrations, training, and even international activities, the core expectation here is research that credibly adds to what the field knows about disability employment and what works to improve outcomes.

This funding opportunity is described as field-initiated in the employment domain, meaning applicants bring forward their own research ideas and designs within the boundaries of the priority area (employment), rather than responding to a narrowly prescriptive research topic. NIDILRR indicated plans to make two field-initiated DRRP awards in this employment area, and noted that the final mix of funded projects could include research projects, development projects, or a combination, depending on how applications score during peer review. In other words, applicants can propose research-only work or research plus development elements, but awards are driven by merit rankings from the review panel.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number HHS-2021-ACL-NIDILRR-DPEM-0052 and CFDA number 93.433, with the activity category listed as science and technology and other research and development. The opportunity was posted January 26, 2021, with an original closing date of March 23, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $500,000. The source data also notes an expected awards figure of 1 in one field, while the narrative description states NIDILRR planned two awards in the employment domain; taken together, the safest interpretation is that NIDILRR intended multiple awards overall under this employment-focused priority, with exact numbers depending on available funds and review outcomes.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can carry out high-quality research and related activities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and 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 and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as allowed under additional eligibility guidance. This wide eligibility reflects the program's interest in supporting credible employment research wherever the strongest capacity and partnerships exist, including collaborations between universities, nonprofits, workforce entities, and disability-serving systems.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a competitive research grant for projects that can meaningfully move the evidence base forward on disability employment, with a clear expectation of disciplined research design, well-defined questions, and results that can strengthen policy, practice, technology, or service effectiveness under the Rehabilitation Act framework.

• 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: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (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 Jan 26, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 23, 2021. (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, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0052

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