Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment Among People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations conducting research and demonstration projects focused on employment outcomes and vocational rehabilitation services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofit organizations, universities, research institutions, community rehabilitation programs, and state vocational rehabilitation agencies. The program supports projects that develop, test, and disseminate innovative employment-related interventions, training models, and best practices. Funding is generally available to entities with demonstrated capacity to conduct rigorous research or evidence-based demonstrations. Geographic scope is nationwide, though applicants must serve populations within the United States. Projects may involve direct service provision, research activities, training and technical assistance, or a combination of these components.
Key dates
- Apr 22, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 24, 2026 Application deadline in 11 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose to conduct research toward positive employment outcomes among people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This grant 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
- Completed SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative (research protocol, demonstration model description, or evaluation plan)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organization's most recent audited financial statements or accounting records
- Organizational capacity statement (staff qualifications, prior relevant experience)
- Letters of support and/or memoranda of understanding from collaborators and stakeholders
- Evaluation plan with specific, measurable employment-related outcomes
- Dissemination and sustainability plan
- Curriculum vitae or resume for key personnel
- Evidence of organizational nonprofit status (501(c)(3) documentation if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Angel Miles
- 📧 angel.miles@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 795-7304
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 eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, research institutions, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and other organizations with documented capacity to conduct research or demonstration projects. Some programs also accept state and local government entities.
What types of projects does this program fund?
The program supports research and demonstration projects focused on employment outcomes for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including intervention development, program evaluation, training models, best practice dissemination, and service delivery innovations.
What is the typical funding amount and project duration?
Specific funding amounts vary by funding cycle. Multi-year awards are common, typically ranging from 2-5 years. Check the current Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for exact budget parameters and project duration requirements.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a moderately to highly competitive federal research grant. Strong applications include clear research methodology, demonstrated organizational capacity, experienced project leadership, letters of support from collaborators, and a clear dissemination plan.
What is the application deadline?
The application open date is April 22, 2026. Consult the official NOFA on Grants.gov for the specific submission deadline and any extension dates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate your research question or demonstration focus and explain how it addresses employment barriers for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Use existing literature and stakeholder input to ground your approach.
- Build a strong collaborative team that includes subject matter experts, people with lived experience (deaf or hard of hearing), vocational rehabilitation specialists, and evaluation experts. Include letters of support.
- Develop a rigorous evaluation plan with clear, measurable outcomes related to employment (e.g., job placement rates, wage gains, retention, career advancement). Use validated instruments when available.
- If proposing a demonstration or service innovation, explain how you will disseminate findings and tools to other practitioners and agencies. Include a sustainability or scale-up strategy.
- Follow federal formatting requirements strictly (font sizes, margins, page limits) and submit well in advance of the deadline. Budget narratives should be detailed and justified line-by-line.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to unclear research design or overly ambitious scope that cannot be achieved within the budget and timeline. Weak evaluation plans—lacking specific employment-related outcome measures or failing to include a control/comparison group—are frequently cited weaknesses. Additionally, applicants often underestimate the importance of demonstrating organizational capacity and relevant prior experience; reviewers want evidence that the team has successfully completed similar projects.
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