Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Research)
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and research organizations seeking to fund disability and rehabilitation research projects that focus on community living and participation. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public and private universities, research institutions, and accredited colleges. The program supports research that advances knowledge and interventions for people with disabilities to live, work, and participate fully in their communities. Research may address topics like accessibility, employment, housing, social inclusion, and quality of life for individuals with various disabilities. The Administration for Community Living prioritizes research with practical application and potential to improve outcomes for disabled populations. Geographic scope is nationwide, and federal researchers and researchers at for-profit institutions may have restrictions or require special justification.
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Key dates
- Jul 6, 2026 Applications open
- Aug 5, 2026 Application deadline in 18 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a research project that is aimed at improving community living and participation outcomes among people with disabilities. In carrying out a research project under this program, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new or full scientific knowledge or (2) understanding of the subject or problem studied. NIDILRR’s field-initiated DRRP awards in the community living and participation domain will be (1) research projects, (2) development projects, or (3) a combination of research and development projects, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel. 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
- 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 (federal application form)
- Project narrative and research proposal (detailed methodology, significance, and innovation)
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational capacity and past performance documentation
- Letters of support from research partners and disability community organizations
- Curriculum vitae of key research personnel
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
- Dissemination and implementation plan
- IRB approval or IRB protocol (if human subjects research)
- Data management plan (for federally-funded research)
Program contact
- 👤 Maureen Linden
- 📧 maureen.linden@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-207-9776
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 is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public and private universities, research institutions, and accredited colleges are eligible. Some state and local government entities and faith-based organizations may also apply. Check the specific RFP for detailed eligibility requirements.
What types of research projects are funded?
This program supports research on disability and rehabilitation that advances community living and participation outcomes, including topics like accessibility, employment support, independent living, housing, assistive technology, and quality of life improvements for people with disabilities.
What is the typical funding range for awards?
Federal research grants from HHS typically range from $75,000 to $300,000+ depending on project scope and complexity. Specific amounts vary by competition year and available funding.
What are the chances of getting funded?
Disability research programs typically have competitive success rates of 10-25%. Strong applications demonstrate rigorous methodology, experienced research teams, partnerships with disability community members, and clear dissemination plans.
When is the deadline and when will I be notified of award decisions?
The application portal opens April 22, 2026. Specific submission deadlines and notification timelines will be posted when the competition opens. Plan for an 8-12 month review and award process from submission to funding decision.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Involve people with disabilities and disability community organizations as research partners or advisors to strengthen your application and ensure research relevance.
- Clearly articulate how your research findings will translate into practical improvements for people with disabilities in community settings, not just theoretical contributions.
- Develop a detailed dissemination plan showing how you will share results with practitioners, policymakers, and disability communities—not just academic journals.
- Use the ACL research clearinghouse and prior DRRP awards as models for proposal design; review 2-3 funded projects in your topic area to understand funder priorities.
- Budget for strong evaluation and outcomes measurement from project start; funders expect you to demonstrate impact on disability employment, participation, or community inclusion metrics.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they focus too narrowly on academic rigor without demonstrating practical application for the disability community. Another common issue is insufficient community engagement—reviewers want to see people with disabilities involved in research design and interpretation, not just as study subjects. Weak dissemination plans are also problematic; applicants must show concrete plans to share findings with practitioners and policymakers, not just publish in journals.
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