Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic and research institutions, rehabilitation engineering centers, and nonprofits focused on developing AI-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies. Applicants must have demonstrated expertise in assistive technology research, engineering, and development, with capacity to establish or maintain a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center. The program supports both institutions and partnerships that can advance the state of practice in rehabilitation technology through applied research and commercialization. Geographic scope is national; activities supported include research, product development, technology demonstration, training of professionals and consumers, dissemination of findings, and technical assistance to end users and industry partners.
Key dates
- Jun 1, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 16, 2026 Application deadline in 33 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
Program description
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. The purpose of this RERC is to conduct research on, develop, and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies that enhance independence, participation, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Many existing assistive and rehabilitation technologies lack adaptability, personalization, and seamless integration into daily life. AI and machine learning (ML) offer trans-formative potential to address these gaps by enabling smarter, more responsive, and individualized assistive and rehabilitation technologies. AI-driven innovations in assistive and rehabilitation technology can shift them from static tools to dynamic, intelligent systems that continuously learn and adapt in real time to individual preferences, needs, and changing abilities. This 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 describing research goals, methodology, and AI applications
- Detailed budget and budget justification for the proposed period
- Organizational capacity documentation and personnel qualifications (CVs)
- Letters of support and commitment from partner organizations, end-user groups, and industry
- Data management and sharing plan
- Dissemination and commercialization plan
- Evidence of prior assistive technology research or rehabilitation engineering accomplishment
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or plan for human subject research (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Thomas Corfman
- 📧 Thomas.Corfman@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 795-7328
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 the RERC program?
Typically, accredited institutions of higher education, rehabilitation facilities, and nonprofit organizations with research and development capacity in assistive technology are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capability, qualified personnel, and commitment to rehabilitation engineering research.
What are the deadlines and review process?
Application deadlines vary by funding cycle. The program typically accepts applications annually with peer and programmatic review. Check the HHS-ACL website or grants.gov for the current fiscal year deadline.
What activities are supported?
Funded activities include research and development of AI-driven assistive technologies, prototype creation, testing with end users, training programs for practitioners and consumers, dissemination of research findings, and establishment of resource centers.
How competitive is this grant?
The RERC program is highly competitive. Success typically requires a strong track record in assistive technology research, letters of commitment from partners, clear commercialization potential, and demonstrated benefit to persons with disabilities.
What is the typical funding range?
RECs are typically funded at $1-3 million annually over multi-year periods. Consult the specific funding opportunity announcement for exact award ranges for the current cycle.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate a clear research question focused on AI applications that address a genuine gap in assistive or rehabilitation technology, backed by end-user input and market research.
- Build a strong partnership team that includes people with disabilities, rehabilitation practitioners, technology developers, and commercialization experts to show sustainability and real-world relevance.
- Develop a realistic timeline and budget that accounts for iterative testing with end users, technology validation, and dissemination; overoptimistic plans are common rejections.
- Clearly articulate the pathway to commercialization and technology transfer, showing how your research will reach people with disabilities and have market viability beyond the grant period.
- Include strong letters of support from partner organizations, manufacturers, and end-user groups; isolated academic proposals without stakeholder commitment are less competitive.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail to demonstrate genuine end-user involvement in technology design and testing, treating people with disabilities as data sources rather than co-designers. Additionally, proposals often lack a clear commercialization or dissemination strategy, focusing only on research without showing how innovations will be adopted in practice. Weak organizational capacity or understaffing for a multi-year center is another common reason for rejection.
Similar grants
- OPEN Rural Community Health Integration2026 — New York State Department of Health
- OPEN FY26 Bureau of Land Management Rangeland Resource Management – Bureau wide — Bureau of Land Management
- OPEN FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management – Bureau wide — Bureau of Land Management
- OPEN FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps – Bureau wide — Bureau of Land Management
- OPEN Infertility Training Center — Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health