HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies
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 2026.
Administration for Community Living offered grants of up to $975,000 (at least $970,000) to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make one award worth $975,000 in total. Applications closed on July 16, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 1, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$975,000
- Award floor$970,000
- Total funding$975,000
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | June 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | July 16, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | September 30, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 13 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- 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
- 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 $975,000 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 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 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-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212 still open?
No. It closed on July 16, 2026. A newer notice is forecast: HHS-2027-ACL-NIDILRR-RTCP-0315, expected deadline March 26, 2027.
Who can apply for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies?
Administration for Community Living accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies?
Closed July 16, 2026. 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 $975,000 each. About $975,000 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.