Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) -Research

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) - Research (HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0106) for the fiscal year 2025. This grant program is authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to support either research or development projects that contribute to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. The primary objective is to enhance knowledge, methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology to maximize the inclusion, independence, and self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities. The competition specifically seeks to strengthen the research capacity of Minority-Serving Institutions and Indian Tribes.

The funding opportunity will provide grants for research activities that involve systematic studies to generate new scientific knowledge or improve understanding in the field of disability and rehabilitation research. NIDILRR will make four awards under the FIP-MSI program, categorized as either research projects, development projects, or a combination of both. Applications must identify the primary outcome domain from NIDILRR’s Long-Range Plan (2024-2028), which includes community living and participation, health and function, and employment.

The estimated total funding for this opportunity is $500,000, with an expected number of two awards. The award ceiling is set at $250,000 per year, and the award floor is $245,000 per year. The grant period will be up to 36 months, divided into three 12-month budget periods. Funding is contingent upon Congressional appropriations. If funds are available, additional awards may be issued in FY 2026 from the list of approved but unfunded applications.

Eligible applicants are limited to Minority-Serving Institutions (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and American Indian tribal colleges or universities) and Indian tribes, as outlined in Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Applications must demonstrate inclusivity by including individuals with disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic communities in sufficient numbers to ensure research applicability. Additionally, all electronic materials, tools, and websites developed must comply with Section 508 accessibility standards.

Key application deadlines include the Letter of Intent due by January 16, 2025, the full application submission deadline on March 17, 2025, and an informational conference call scheduled for January 9, 2025. Applicants must submit their proposals via Grants.gov and maintain active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM). Applications submitted past the deadline will not be reviewed.

Applications will be evaluated based on importance (20 points), design of research activities (60 points), quality of project staff (15 points), and adequacy of resources (5 points), totaling 100 points. An independent peer review panel will assess submissions based on these criteria. Award decisions will be made by the ACL Administrator, with funding notices issued before the anticipated project start date of September 1, 2025.

For further information, applicants may contact Shelley Reeves at Shelley.Reeves@acl.hhs.gov or call (202) 795-7427. Additional inquiries can be directed to Tiffiny Langevin at (202) 795-7374 within the ACL Office of Grants Management. 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. Letters of intent
should be sent to:
Megan.Alvarado@acl.hhs.gov