Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations, universities, nonprofit entities, and state/local government agencies seeking to support disability and rehabilitation research projects aligned with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network mission. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local government entities, and tribal organizations. The program supports research that advances ADA implementation, disability rights, accessibility, and rehabilitation outcomes. Activities supported include empirical research, evidence synthesis, evaluation studies, and knowledge dissemination related to ADA compliance, disability policy, and rehabilitation best practices. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to conduct rigorous research and engage stakeholders in the disability community.
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Key dates
- Jun 22, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 23, 2026 Application deadline in 6 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Under this priority, 10 grants, one within each of the 10 HHS regions, will be funded as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network. Applicants must propose a program of training, technical assistance, outreach, and research that lead to improved understanding by stakeholders of their rights and responsibilities under the ADA. The grants will have a 36-month project period, with three 12-month budget periods.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- 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)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required)
- Project narrative/research proposal (typically 15–25 pages)
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity statement and organizational chart
- Letters of support from partner organizations and/or disability stakeholders
- Curriculum vitae or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
- Project timeline/Gantt chart
- Data management/dissemination plan
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 Shelley Reeves
- 📧 Shelley.Reeves@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202) 795-7427
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
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$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 is eligible to apply for DRRP funding?
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local government agencies, tribal organizations, and other public institutions. Organizations must have demonstrated research capacity and experience working with disability communities.
What types of research projects are supported?
The program funds disability and rehabilitation research aligned with ADA implementation, including empirical studies, policy research, accessibility evaluations, rehabilitation outcomes research, and knowledge dissemination projects.
Are there geographic restrictions on funding?
No specific geographic restrictions; however, research must address ADA-related issues and be applicable to the national ADA implementation context.
How competitive is this program?
This is a moderately to highly competitive federal research program. Successful applications typically feature strong research design, clear ADA relevance, experienced research teams, and engagement of disability stakeholders.
What is the typical funding range?
Specific funding amounts vary by research scope and project type. Federal research grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually; consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity for exact amounts and project budgets.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your research advances ADA implementation, accessibility, or disability policy outcomes. Reviewers prioritize projects with direct relevance to the ADA National Network mission.
- Build strong research teams that combine academic expertise with meaningful engagement from disabled people and disability organizations. Community voice strengthens competitiveness.
- Use preliminary data or literature synthesis to establish feasibility. Federal reviewers want evidence that your project design is sound and achievable within the funding period.
- Address dissemination early in your proposal. Explain how findings will reach practitioners, policymakers, and disability communities—not just academic journals.
- Plan realistic timelines and budgets. Overestimating what you can accomplish or underestimating costs is a common reason for funding denials. Build in buffer time for recruitment, data collection, and unexpected challenges.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack clear connection to ADA implementation or disability policy impact—reviewers seek research that informs real-world practice, not general disability studies. Another frequent issue is insufficient stakeholder engagement; successful proposals demonstrate meaningful input from disabled people and disability organizations throughout the research process, not token involvement. Weak research design, unclear methodologies, or unrealistic timelines also lead to rejections.
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