U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL)
ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Key facts
- Open now
- None right now
- Opening soon
- 13 grants
- Type of help
- Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement)
- Typical award
- The range and average vary greatly according to the competition.
Opening soon
Announced, but you can't apply yet. Get ready now.
- Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Employment · Due about Dec 7, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Health and Function · Due about Dec 7, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Community Living and Participation · Due about Dec 7, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) · Opens Oct 12, 2026 · due about Dec 14, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) · Opens Oct 12, 2026 · due about Dec 14, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Phase I · Opens Oct 16, 2026 · due about Dec 16, 2026 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II · Opens Dec 1, 2026 · due about Feb 1, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research · Opens Jan 13, 2027 · due about Mar 15, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC): National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities · Opens Jan 26, 2027 · due about Mar 26, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Centers · Opens Feb 1, 2027 · due about Apr 1, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Burn Injury Model System Centers · Opens Feb 8, 2027 · due about Apr 8, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities · Opens Feb 15, 2027 · due about Apr 15, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies for People Who are Blind or have Low Vision · Opens Feb 22, 2027 · due about Apr 22, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
What it pays for
To support and coordinate research and its utilization in order to improve the lives of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities, especially persons with severe disabilities, through: (1) identifying and eliminating causes and consequences of disability; (2) maximizing the health, physical, and emotional status of persons with disabilities and their functional ability, self- sufficiency, self-development and personal autonomy; (3) preventing or minimizing personal and family, physical, mental, social, educational, vocational, and economic effects of disability; and (4) reducing and eliminating physical, social, educational, vocational, and environmental barriers to permit access to services and assistance and to use their abilities in daily life.
Who can apply
States, public, private, or nonprofit agencies and organizations, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations are eligible for research projects and specialized research activities related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities; fellowships may be awarded to individuals.
How applications are judged
Objectives of projects and programs must be in consonance with and should contribute to achievement of the goals and objectives of the Institute. Proposed research and development activities must be rigorous and of high quality. Adequate facilities must be available or planned to carry out the specific project or program. Personnel must be trained and qualified to carry out the proposed programs, and staffing patterns must be appropriate. Demonstrations of adequate plans and procedures for ensuring the relevance to current needs in rehabilitation and the potential for project results must be effectively utilized. Commitment of available resources on the part of the applicant and evidence that the applicant has knowledge of rehabilitation issues as well as knowledge of past and present related research activities. A statement showing that the estimated cost to the government is reasonable in relation to anticipated project results. Demonstrate the ability and capacity to achieve stated goals. Demonstrate, coordinate and cooperate with regional programs, State agency programs, and private rehabilitation facilities. Specific weighted selection criteria are contained in program regulations.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
Who in Tennessee has won this program
3 awards to Tennessee groups since 2020. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | $449K spent that year | 2025 |
| Serious Health LLC | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $100K | 2023 |
| Redacted Due to Pii | Knoxville, Knox County | $70K | 2020 |
Source: Federal Audit Clearinghouse, USAspending.gov.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 9 pass-through grants on file. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Virginia Commonwealth University | $305K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Virginia Commonwealth University | $191K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Virginia Commonwealth University | $186K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation | $19K spent that year | 2025 |
| Meharry Medical College | Nashville, Davidson County | Sh | $16K spent that year | 2024 |
| Tennessee Disability Coalition | Nashville, Davidson County | Syracuse University | $11K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $11K spent that year | 2023 |
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | University of Oregon | $5,815 spent that year | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Virginia Commonwealth University | — | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).