Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC): National Research Center for Parents 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 organizations that conduct research on disability services and supports. Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, and nonprofits with research capacity. The grant supports a single 60-month national research center focused on parents with disabilities. Activities include evidence-based research, training, technical assistance, and intervention development related to parenting and disability.
The center must address barriers parents with disabilities face when fulfilling parenting roles. Projects should produce evidence-based practices, training materials, and resources. The grant emphasizes interdisciplinary research and knowledge translation to practitioners and policymakers.
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Key dates
- Sep 25, 2026 Applications open
- Mar 26, 2027 Application deadline in 168 days
- Sep 1, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The purpose of this RRTC is to conduct research, training, technical assistance and related activities toward evidence-based services, supports, interventions, or technologies to support parents with disabilities as they engage in their parenting roles. 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
- Proposal narrative with research plan and timeline
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Staff resumes and qualifications
- Letters of support from partners and stakeholders
- Evidence of prior research experience
- Knowledge dissemination strategy
Program contact
- 👤 Stephanie Lau
- 📧 Stephanie.Lau@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-795-7396
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
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$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,230,000
-
$6,229,999
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$5,560,825
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$5,560,824
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Transcen Inc MD$5,560,823
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$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 is eligible to apply for this RRTC grant?
Research institutions, universities, and nonprofits with research capacity and expertise in disability services can apply. You must demonstrate capacity to conduct rigorous research and disseminate findings.
What is the award amount and project duration?
Awards range from $920,000 to $925,000 for a 60-month project period. Funding is structured as five 12-month budget periods.
What types of activities and research topics are supported?
The center must conduct research on evidence-based services, supports, and interventions for parents with disabilities. Training, technical assistance, and knowledge dissemination are core activities.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing contributions from your organization.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is March 26, 2027. This is a fixed deadline; rolling applications are not accepted.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish clear partnerships with disability organizations and parent groups to ensure research relevance and dissemination pathways.
- Design a rigorous 5-year research agenda with measurable outputs in evidence generation, training, and technical assistance.
- Include a strong knowledge translation plan showing how findings reach practitioners, policymakers, and families.
- Demonstrate your organization's research infrastructure, including staff qualifications and prior research experience in disability services.
- Address how your center will sustain activities and leverage findings beyond the 5-year grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the scope of a 60-month research commitment without adequate staffing and infrastructure to deliver all five core components. Failing to demonstrate meaningful engagement with parents with disabilities and disability organizations throughout research design and dissemination. Proposing research topics misaligned with the specific focus on parenting roles and family outcomes.
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