Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) On Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People With Disabilities
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for rehabilitation research and training centers focused on employer practices that lead to successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Eligible applicants typically include universities, rehabilitation research organizations, and other 501(c)(3) institutions with demonstrated capacity to conduct applied research. The grant supports competitive research projects that investigate employer hiring, retention, and accommodation practices. Geographic scope is national, with funding supporting research, dissemination, and training activities. Applicants must show institutional support, qualified personnel, and partnerships with employers to ensure research relevance and implementation potential.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Jun 22, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 29, 2026 Application deadline in 13 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The purpose of the RRTCs is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical areas as specified by NIDILRR. This particular opportunity is for an RRTC is to generate new knowledge about effective employer practices that support successful employment outcomes among people with disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make one grant under this opportunity. The 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 proposal (typically 20-30 pages)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Letters of commitment from employer and organizational partners
- Resumes or CVs of key personnel
- Institutional support letter and cost-sharing documentation
- Organizational capacity statement and prior rehabilitation research experience
- Data management and dissemination plan
- Evaluation plan for measuring research and training outcomes
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
-
$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 $63.1M
- PA 9 awards $35.6M
- NY 6 awards $30.8M
- MA 6 awards $21.3M
- CA 4 awards $20.8M
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 RRTC grant?
Typically universities, rehabilitation research centers, and 501(c)(3) organizations with research infrastructure and capacity. Applicants should have experience in rehabilitation research and strong partnerships with employers and disability organizations.
What is the timeline for this grant?
The application opens September 5, 2025. Check ACL's website or the official RFP for the submission deadline, as it was not specified in this notice.
What types of research activities does this grant support?
The RRTC funds applied research on employer practices, training programs for rehabilitation professionals, and knowledge dissemination about successful employment strategies for people with disabilities.
How competitive is this funding?
RRTCs are highly competitive federal grants. Strong applications typically include published research, established researcher credentials, employer partnerships, and a clear plan for disseminating findings to practitioners and policymakers.
What is the typical funding range?
RRTC grants typically provide substantial multi-year funding (often $300,000-$500,000+ annually), but exact amounts vary. Consult the full RFP for specific budget details and allowable costs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish strong partnerships with employers before applying; reviewers want evidence that your research will directly influence real-world hiring and retention practices.
- Clearly articulate your dissemination strategy—how will findings reach rehabilitation counselors, HR professionals, and disability organizations? RRTCs are expected to train practitioners and spread evidence-based knowledge.
- Build a multidisciplinary team with expertise in vocational rehabilitation, employment policy, and disability studies; federal reviewers expect depth and breadth of research leadership.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment by securing dedicated space, administrative support, and cost-sharing from your organization; this shows long-term investment in the research center.
- Use preliminary data or pilot studies to support your proposed research methodology and justify why your investigation will produce actionable insights for employers seeking to hire people with disabilities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack genuine employer partnerships or fail to explain how research findings will translate into hiring practice changes. Weak applications also underestimate the importance of training and dissemination components—ACL wants centers that spread knowledge, not just conduct studies. Finally, many applicants underestimate the capacity and resource requirements; RRTCs require substantial infrastructure and experienced staff, and underfunded or understaffed proposals are rarely competitive.
Similar grants
- OPEN Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities — Administration for Community Living
- OPEN Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center — Administration for Community Living
- OPEN Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Resilience and Positive Mental Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury — Administration for Community Living
- OPEN Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment Among People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing — Administration for Community Living
- CLOSING SOON Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network Knowledge Translation Center — Administration for Community Living