Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for university-based research teams and nonprofit organizations that specialize in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology development. Applicants must have capacity to conduct advanced research and development activities focused on technologies that enable exercise and health outcomes for people with disabilities. The funded project will run for 60 months, with five 12-month budget periods. NIDILRR plans to make one award under this announcement.
This is a federal research grant administered through the Administration for Community Living. Applicants need research infrastructure, qualified personnel, and demonstrated expertise in rehabilitation engineering or disability-focused technology innovation. Cost sharing is not required, but competitive applications typically show institutional commitment and sustainability planning.
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Key dates
- Sep 25, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 15, 2027 Application deadline in 188 days
- Sep 1, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. The purpose of this RERC is to conduct research and development activities toward technologies that promote exercise and health among people with disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make one grant under this announcement. This grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Institutional Capacity Statement
- Letters of Support or Commitment
Program contact
- 👤 Thomas Corfman
- 📧 Thomas.Corfman@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 795-7328
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.433 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,229,999
-
$5,560,825
-
$5,560,824
-
Transcen Inc MD$5,560,823
-
$5,557,344
-
$5,407,677
Top States by Funding
- IL 15 awards $65.8M
- PA 9 awards $38.4M
- NY 7 awards $33.6M
- MA 6 awards $24.8M
- CA 4 awards $21.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.433). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $112,987,188 | |
| 2025 | $112,711,817 | |
| 2026 est. | $110,762,762 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this RERC grant?
University-based research centers, nonprofit organizations with research capacity, and established rehabilitation engineering programs can apply. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in assistive technology and research infrastructure.
What is the funding amount and project duration?
This grant provides up to $975,000 total over 60 months, structured as five 12-month budget periods. This allows for sustained, multiphase research development.
What types of activities are supported?
The grant funds advanced engineering research, technology development, and innovation specifically aimed at promoting exercise and health outcomes for people with disabilities.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this RERC grant. However, demonstrating institutional support strengthens applications.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is April 15, 2027. This is a one-time funding opportunity with a single award planned.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your narrative on how your technology directly addresses barriers to exercise and health for a specific disability population. Be concrete about the problem you're solving.
- Demonstrate your team's prior research track record in rehabilitation engineering or assistive technology. Include publications and previous grant funding.
- Plan your 60-month timeline carefully across five 12-month phases. Show clear milestones and transition points between research, development, and testing stages.
- Include letters of support from disability organizations, healthcare providers, or end-users. These show real-world relevance and adoption potential.
- Budget carefully for personnel (researchers, engineers, project management), equipment, and dissemination activities. This is a substantial, multi-year investment.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague problem statements that don't clearly explain how the technology removes barriers to exercise. Lack of evidence that your team has prior research capacity in rehabilitation engineering or assistive technology. Weak or missing plans for how end-users with disabilities will be involved throughout the research and development process.
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