HHS-2021-ACL-NIDILRR-DPEM-0053: Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Development)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is forecast: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC): National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities (HHS-2027-ACL-NIDILRR-RTCP-0315). Status: Expected deadline March 26, 2027. It is in our archive of Administration for Community Living notices from 2021.
Administration for Community Living offered grants of up to $500,000 (at least $495,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes and businesses. It expected to make one award worth $500,000 in total. Applications closed on March 29, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed January 26, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$500,000
- Award floor$495,000
- Total funding$500,000
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | January 26, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 29, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | May 14, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes and businesses.
All 13 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research awards averaged $983,065; this notice allows up to $500,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (64% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The purpose of NIDILRR's Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities, including international activities, to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the most severe disabilities, and to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). Under this particular DRRP priority, applicants must propose a development project that is aimed at improving the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. In carrying out a development activity under this program, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols that are beneficial to the target population. Please note that this is the Funding Opportunity for field-initiated DRRP development projects in the employment domain. NIDILRR plans to make two field-initiated DRRP awards in the employment domain. NIDILRR's two awards under this grant competition may include research projects, development projects, or both, depending on the ranking of applications provided by the peer review panel.
Who has won ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (93.433) awarded $553 million across 563 grant awards, an average of $983,065 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago | Illinois | 13 | $24.7 million |
| University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | 14 | $23.5 million |
| University of Washington | Washington | 12 | $20.5 million |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | 15 | $18.7 million |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Alabama | 13 | $16.7 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, HHS-2027-ACL-NIDILRR-RTCP-0315, which is forecast.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is HHS-2021-ACL-NIDILRR-DPEM-0053 still open?
No. It closed on March 29, 2021. A newer notice is forecast: HHS-2027-ACL-NIDILRR-RTCP-0315, expected deadline March 26, 2027.
Who can apply for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Development)?
Administration for Community Living accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (Development)?
Closed March 29, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $500,000 each. About $500,000 in total for one award.
Who has won ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, University of Washington. The program made 563 awards worth $553 million in that time.