Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Universal Design Applications

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Universal Design Applications is a funding opportunity provided by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) under the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This program aims to advance engineering research and development focused on universal design applications that enhance accessibility and usability for individuals with disabilities. The initiative supports innovative technologies, built environments, and service delivery systems that align with the principles of universal design, ultimately benefiting people with disabilities in various domains such as health and function, employment, and community participation.

This grant seeks to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by funding projects that develop and evaluate universally designed products or environments. The funded RERC will be required to conduct advanced research and development activities that result in new or improved technologies, ensuring that these innovations promote accessibility for a broad spectrum of individuals. In addition to research and development, the RERC is expected to facilitate knowledge translation, technology transfer, and the widespread adoption of its findings to ensure real-world impact.

The total estimated funding for this opportunity is $975,000 per year, with an expected project period of 60 months (five 12-month budget periods). The award ceiling is $975,000 per budget period, and the award floor is $970,000 per budget period. The opportunity anticipates funding one award in this cycle. While there is no mandatory cost-sharing or matching requirement, applicants may voluntarily contribute non-federal resources.

Eligible applicants include state governments, public or private agencies, institutions of higher education (both public and private), for-profit organizations, and tribal entities. Foreign entities are not eligible for funding under this announcement. Applications must demonstrate how they will incorporate individuals with disabilities in research, development, and decision-making roles, ensuring meaningful input in the project’s design and implementation.

The application process requires a Letter of Intent (LOI) due by January 24, 2025, followed by full applications due by March 6, 2025. An informational conference call for potential applicants is scheduled for January 13, 2025. Submissions must be made electronically via Grants.gov, and applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance to avoid technical difficulties.

Proposals will be evaluated based on a 100-point scoring system that considers factors such as the importance of the problem addressed, research and development design, training and dissemination plans, technical assistance strategy, staff qualifications, operational planning, and the adequacy of resources. The final award decision will be made by the ACL Administrator, considering the peer review panel’s recommendations, programmatic compliance, estimated costs, and the potential impact of the proposed project.

For further inquiries, potential applicants can contact Maureen Linden at Maureen.Linden@acl.hhs.gov or (202) 207-9776 for programmatic questions. For grants management questions, contact Carolyn Anderson at (202) 240-3134. Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding
opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The
purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent
reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review.