Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Resilience and Positive Mental Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic and nonprofit research institutions seeking federal funding to conduct research on resilience and positive mental health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) supports projects that advance knowledge about disability rehabilitation and improve quality of life for people living with disabilities. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and other research institutions with capacity to conduct rigorous research. The program supports research activities across U.S. jurisdictions. Funded projects may include empirical studies, intervention development, longitudinal research, and evidence synthesis focused on mental health resilience in the spinal cord injury population.
Key dates
- Apr 22, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 24, 2026 Application deadline in 23 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for academic and nonprofit research institutions seeking federal funding to conduct research on resilience and positive mental health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) supports projects that advance knowledge about disability rehabilitation and improve quality of life for people living with disabilities. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and other research institutions with capacity to conduct rigorous research. The program supports research activities across U.S. jurisdictions. Funded projects may include empirical studies, intervention development, longitudinal research, and evidence synthesis focused on mental health resilience in the spinal cord injury population.
Program description
Under this particular DRRP priority, the grantee must conduct research toward resilience and positive mental health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. 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
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for academic and nonprofit research institutions seeking federal funding to conduct research on resilience and positive mental health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) supports projects that advance knowledge about disability rehabilitation and improve quality of life for people living with disabilities. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and other research institutions with capacity to conduct rigorous research. The program supports research activities across U.S. jurisdictions. Funded projects may include empirical studies, intervention development, longitudinal research, and evidence synthesis focused on mental health resilience in the spinal cord injury population.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form and required certifications
- Project narrative (typically 15-25 pages) describing research goals, methodology, significance, and anticipated outcomes
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Curriculum vitae or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Letters of commitment from collaborating organizations and partners
- Human Subjects Protection documentation (IRB approval or exemption)
- Research and evaluation plan with timelines and milestones
- Organizational capacity and past performance documentation
- Letters of support from spinal cord injury organizations or community partners
Program contact
- 👤 Brian Bard
- 📧 Brian.Bard@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 795-7298
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 14 awards $60.6M
- 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?
Eligible applicants typically include accredited universities, research centers, medical schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and other research institutions with demonstrated capacity for conducting federally-funded research and compliance with federal regulations.
What types of research does this program support?
The program funds research that advances understanding of resilience and positive mental health outcomes specifically among people with spinal cord injury, including intervention studies, empirical research, program evaluation, and dissemination activities.
When is the application deadline?
The program opens for applications on April 22, 2026. Specific deadline dates should be verified on Grants.gov or the ACL website, as exact deadlines are not specified in the program announcement.
What is the typical funding range?
ACL research grants typically range from $50,000 to $200,000+ per year depending on project scope, though applicants should consult the official program announcement for current budget parameters and any cost-sharing requirements.
How competitive is this grant?
Research grants from ACL are moderately to highly competitive. Successful applications demonstrate strong research design, meaningful engagement with the spinal cord injury community, clear dissemination plans, and clear pathways to implementation of findings.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Center your research on resilience and positive mental health outcomes rather than deficit-focused approaches; emphasize how findings will improve well-being and quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.
- Build partnerships with spinal cord injury organizations, peer support networks, and individuals with lived experience in the design and conduct of the research to strengthen relevance and trustworthiness.
- Clearly articulate how your research will be disseminated and potentially implemented or adopted by practitioners, agencies, or communities serving the spinal cord injury population.
- Use strong, validated research methodologies and measurement instruments; include a rigorous evaluation plan and realistic timeline for a multi-year research project.
- Address any gaps in current literature and explain why your specific research question and approach advances the field in meaningful ways that reflect current priorities in disability and rehabilitation research.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail when they lack meaningful engagement with the spinal cord injury community throughout the research process or fail to clearly connect findings to practical applications and dissemination. Weak research methodology, unclear logic models, insufficient detail on how mental health resilience will be measured, and inadequate attention to equity and inclusivity in participant recruitment can also result in rejection. Additionally, applicants sometimes underestimate the importance of demonstrating sustainability of the research agenda and long-term impact beyond the funding period.
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