Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment (Research)

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), is offering funding under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program focused on employment research for individuals with disabilities. The grant seeks to support projects that generate scientific knowledge and understanding to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The program aligns with NIDILRR’s Long Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 and builds on prior research to create innovative and effective policies and practices. The research must address key priority areas, including technology, environmental factors, interventions, policy effects, vocational rehabilitation, and transition-aged youth employment.

The grant provides an estimated total funding of $1,000,000, with an award ceiling of $500,000 and an award floor of $495,000 per 12-month budget period. A total of two awards are expected under this funding opportunity. The project period is for 60 months, divided into five annual budget periods. NIDILRR intends to fund three field-initiated DRRP projects, including research, development, or a combination of both, depending on the ranking of applications by the peer review panel. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, but applicants may voluntarily commit non-federal resources.

Eligible applicants include state and public agencies, private and nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations. Applications must adhere to the requirements in the funding priority section to be considered responsive. Applications exceeding the budget limit or proposing a project period beyond 60 months will be rejected. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and applicants must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).

Applicants must submit a detailed project narrative addressing the research design, utilization activities, problem significance, dissemination strategies, project staffing, and resource adequacy. The application process includes a letter of intent due by February 18, 2025, while full applications are due by March 18, 2025. An informational conference call is scheduled for February 4, 2025, to assist applicants. Award announcements are expected before the project start date of September 1, 2025.

Proposals will be evaluated on various criteria, including research design (50 points), utilization strategies (5 points), problem importance (20 points), dissemination design (5 points), project staffing (15 points), and resource adequacy (5 points). The review process includes a peer panel evaluation, consideration of programmatic and grants management compliance, and final funding decisions by the ACL Administrator.

For further inquiries, applicants may contact Timothy Beatty at Timothy.Beatty@acl.hhs.gov or (703) 649-4202. Grants management-related questions can be directed to Carla Kirksey at (202) 795-7303. Additional details, including application instructions, required documents, and reporting obligations, are available through Grants.gov and the ACL website.