Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) (84.421)
Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) (Assistance Listing 84.421) is run by the Department of Education. It awarded $672 million in 63 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $10.7 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $10.0 million. Half of the 63 awards fell between $9.4 million and $13.4 million, and they ranged from $431,172 to $20.4 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$672 million
- Grant awards63
- Typical award$10.0 million
- Awarded in FY 2025-$10.6 million
- Size rank308 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- It is the 308th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 52% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 39 states and territories.
What the program funds
To support innovative activities aimed at improving the outcomes of individuals with disabilities as defined by section 7(20)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
States and public, private and nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and institutions of higher education may apply.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Use of funds is determined by the notice inviting applications. Contact program office for additional information.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
$8,000,000-$10,000,000 for a 60 month period.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) (84.421) awarded$672 million across 63 grant awards, an average of $10.7 million per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 73% of the money, colleges and universities 14% and nonprofits 8.4%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 44 | $492 million | 73% |
| Colleges and universities | 10 | $92.3 million | 14% |
| Nonprofits | 6 | $56.7 million | 8.4% |
| Other | 2 | $22.9 million | 3.4% |
| Businesses | 1 | $8.0 million | 1.2% |
By state
Each state below has its own page for this program, with its recipients and yearly totals.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 4 | $48.6 million |
| Virginia | 3 | $34.4 million |
| Maryland | 4 | $33.0 million |
| California | 2 | $32.7 million |
| Oregon | 2 | $28.5 million |
| Connecticut | 2 | $24.2 million |
| Illinois | 2 | $24.2 million |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $24.2 million |
| Florida | 3 | $22.7 million |
| Texas | 2 | $22.6 million |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $20.0 million |
| Kentucky | 2 | $19.9 million |
| Nebraska | 2 | $18.7 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $18.4 million |
| Idaho | 2 | $17.6 million |
| North Dakota | 2 | $17.4 million |
| Vermont | 2 | $16.7 million |
| Michigan | 1 | $16.1 million |
| Georgia | 2 | $15.8 million |
| New York | 1 | $14.2 million |
| Indiana | 1 | $14.2 million |
| Colorado | 1 | $14.1 million |
| Iowa | 2 | $14.1 million |
| North Carolina | 1 | $14.1 million |
| Minnesota | 1 | $13.2 million |
| Wyoming | 1 | $10.0 million |
| Alaska | 1 | $10.0 million |
| Louisiana | 1 | $10.0 million |
| Mississippi | 1 | $10.0 million |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $10.0 million |
| South Carolina | 1 | $10.0 million |
| Nevada | 1 | $10.0 million |
| New Mexico | 1 | $9.9 million |
| Arkansas | 1 | $9.9 million |
| Ohio | 1 | $9.2 million |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 1 | $9.2 million |
| New Jersey | 1 | $8.7 million |
| Kansas | 1 | $8.4 million |
| Maine | 1 | $7.0 million |