Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Among People with Physical Disabilities | HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTEM 0024

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTEM 0024

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Among People with Physical Disabilities is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits within NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and is focused on building practical, evidence-based knowledge that strengthens programs and services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. The overall intent is to use rigorous research paired with training, technical assistance, and dissemination so that findings do not stay in academic journals but instead reach the people and systems that can use them, including individuals with disabilities, family members and caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

This specific RRTC competition targets one core outcome area: improving employment outcomes for people with physical disabilities. Funded work is expected to go beyond describing problems and instead generate actionable solutions, tools, and guidance that can increase access to work, job retention, career advancement, and the quality of employment for this population. In practice, that emphasis typically means studies that identify barriers and effective interventions, training activities that build capacity among service providers or related professionals, technical assistance that helps organizations implement proven practices, and dissemination strategies that translate research into usable resources for the field. The opportunity is designed as a coordinated center model, meaning the awardee is expected to function as a hub for research and knowledge translation rather than as a single, isolated study.

NIDILRR planned to make one award under this opportunity in fiscal year 2023, making it a single-center national investment rather than multiple smaller projects. The project period is 60 months (five years), structured into five 12-month budget periods, which signals an expectation for a multi-year agenda with clear annual milestones and deliverables. The maximum annual funding level (award ceiling) is $875,000, and the grant mechanism is a standard grant award. The funding activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development, reflecting its research-driven nature even though it also includes training and technical assistance components.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can credibly operate a national research and training center. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; 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 institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as allowed under the additional eligibility language in the full notice. This range is meant to encourage participation from universities, nonprofit research and service organizations, government entities, and private-sector groups with relevant expertise in disability, rehabilitation, workforce development, and applied research.

Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number (HHS-2023-ACL-NIDILRR-RTEM-0024) and CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 93.433. The opportunity was posted on March 7, 2023, with an original application closing date of May 8, 2023. Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Overall, the grant is structured to support a five-year, center-based program of research and field-facing activities that can measurably improve employment-related policies, practices, and outcomes for people with physical disabilities.

• 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 "Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Among People with Physical Disabilities" 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 Mar 07, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 $875,000.00 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, 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, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTEM 0024

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