Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technologies for People Who are Blind or have Low Vision
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations conducting advanced engineering research on technologies for people who are blind or have low vision. Eligible applicants are typically universities, research centers, and nonprofit organizations with strong research capabilities and experience in rehabilitation engineering. Projects must address innovation in assistive technology or removal of environmental barriers. The grant supports a 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods.
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Key dates
- Sep 25, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 22, 2027 Application deadline in 195 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 will promote independence and community living among people who are blind or who have low vision. 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/Research Plan
- Budget Narrative and Justification
- Organizational Capacity/Administrative Documents
- Letters of Support
- Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel
- Resumes or CVs of project staff
Program contact
- 👤 Maureen Linden
- 📧 Maureen.Linden@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 2079766
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?
Universities, research institutions, and nonprofits with research capacity and expertise in rehabilitation engineering or assistive technology. Prior RERC experience is strongly preferred.
What is the funding amount and project duration?
Awards range from $970,000 to $975,000 for a 60-month project period divided into five 12-month budget periods.
What types of research activities are supported?
Advanced engineering research and development of innovative technologies that promote independence and community living for people who are blind or have low vision.
Is cost sharing required?
No, there is no cost-sharing requirement for this grant.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. NIDILRR will make only one grant under this announcement, so applications must demonstrate exceptional research quality and innovation.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a multidisciplinary team with engineers, rehabilitation specialists, and people with lived blindness/low vision experience. This strengthens credibility and innovation potential.
- Clearly articulate how your technology removes specific barriers to independence or community living. Generic solutions are less competitive.
- Demonstrate organizational infrastructure to manage a large, multi-year research project including budget management and reporting capabilities.
- Include letters of support from potential end-users, advocacy organizations, and partners who will help validate and disseminate findings.
- Address sustainability and commercialization plans. Reviewers want to know how the technology will reach people after the grant ends.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak or unclear problem statement. Reviewers want to see specific barriers you're solving. Underestimating the research and administrative burden of a 5-year project. Failing to demonstrate strong team expertise in both engineering and rehabilitation.
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