Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Centers
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research centers specializing in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. Eligible applicants are typically institutions with demonstrated capacity to conduct research and manage longitudinal studies. Centers must contribute data to the national TBIMS database and conduct site-specific and collaborative research.
Projects must focus on improving TBI outcomes in health and function, community living and participation, or employment domains. Awards range from $560,000 to $640,000 annually over a 60-month project period.
Strong research infrastructure, existing TBI patient populations, and commitment to longitudinal data collection are essential. Applicants should have institutional support and capacity to meet federal reporting requirements.
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Key dates
- Sep 25, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 1, 2027 Application deadline in 174 days
- Sep 1, 2027 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The TBI Model Systems Centers conduct research that contributes to the development of and access to evidence-based TBI rehabilitation. The TBIMS Centers must generate new knowledge that can be used to improve outcomes of individuals with TBI in one or more domains identified in NIDILRR’s Long Range Plan: health and function, community living and participation, and employment. TBIMS Center grants must conduct site-specific research, collaborative research, and contribute data to the TBIMS longitudinal database. TBIMS Centers will be funded at varying amounts up to the maximum award amount based on the number of of database participants eligible for follow-up in the TBIMS longitudinal database. The grants 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
- Hospital
- 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/Research Plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Institutional Support Letter
- Data Management Plan
- TBIMS Database Contribution Plan
- CV/Biosketches of Key Personnel
- Evidence of IRB approval or pending status
Program contact
- 👤 Cate Miller
- 📧 Cate.Miller@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 795-7403
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 $65.8M
- PA 9 awards $38.4M
- NY 7 awards $33.6M
- MA 6 awards $24.8M
- CA 4 awards $21.7M
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 can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and rehabilitation centers with capacity to conduct TBI research and manage longitudinal studies. Your organization must be able to contribute data to the national TBIMS database.
What is the project duration?
Projects run for 60 months (5 years), divided into five 12-month budget periods. Awards are made annually based on eligible database participants.
What research activities are funded?
Site-specific research, collaborative research, and longitudinal data collection on TBI outcomes. Focus areas include health/function, community living/participation, or employment.
What is the award amount?
Awards range from $560,000 to $640,000 annually. Exact funding depends on the number of eligible database participants available for follow-up.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing or matching funds are required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate existing TBI patient population and capacity to enroll participants in longitudinal follow-up studies.
- Align your research questions with NIDILRR's Long Range Plan domains (health/function, community living, employment).
- Plan for robust data collection and management systems to contribute reliably to the national TBIMS database.
- Show strong institutional commitment with dedicated research infrastructure and experienced TBI specialists on staff.
- Include detailed plans for participant recruitment, retention, and follow-up over the full 60-month period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the complexity of longitudinal data collection and retention requirements. Failing to clearly align research aims with NIDILRR's priority domains. Insufficient detail on database management infrastructure and participant follow-up protocols.
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