The Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) invites applications for the Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Development (HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0107). This funding opportunity is authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and aims to enhance research and development initiatives that improve the inclusion, integration, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The program focuses on strengthening the capacity of minority-serving institutions and Indian tribes to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research.

This grant supports development projects that utilize existing research knowledge to create new methodologies, tools, technologies, or intervention protocols that benefit individuals with disabilities. The research areas must align with NIDILRR’s Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028, focusing on community living and participation, health and function, or employment. Applicants are required to specify which of these primary domains their project will address and must ensure sufficient representation of individuals with disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in their research sample.

The grant provides up to $250,000 per budget period, with a minimum award of $245,000. NIDILRR anticipates making two awards under this competition, with a project duration of up to 36 months, divided into three 12-month budget periods. Cost-sharing or matching is not required but may be voluntarily proposed by applicants. If additional funds become available in Fiscal Year 2026, NIDILRR may make additional awards from the pool of approved but unfunded applications.

Eligible applicants are limited to minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other institutions where minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. Indian tribes and tribal organizations are also eligible to apply. Applications that fail to meet the eligibility criteria or are submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.

The submission process requires a letter of intent, a project narrative, a data management plan, a budget justification, and other supporting documents. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Key deadlines include a Letter of Intent deadline on January 16, 2025, an informational conference call on January 9, 2025, and the final application submission deadline on March 17, 2025. The anticipated start date for funded projects is September 1, 2025.

Evaluation criteria for the applications include the significance of the problem addressed, the effectiveness of the proposed development activities, the qualifications of key personnel, and the adequacy of resources. Peer reviewers will assess applications based on these factors, and the final award decisions will be made by the ACL Administrator.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact Shelley Reeves at Shelley.Reeves@acl.hhs.gov or (202) 795-7427. Additional assistance regarding the submission process can be obtained from Megan Alvarado at Megan.Alvarado@acl.hhs.gov.