Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097
This funding opportunity is a discretionary federal research grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It supports the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program, specifically an RERC focused on Universal Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The core aim of the broader RERC program is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by funding advanced engineering research and development that tackles real-world rehabilitation challenges and removes environmental barriers that limit participation for people with disabilities.
The RERC model is not limited to producing research papers or prototypes. It is designed to move technology from concept to practical impact. That includes developing and refining innovative technologies; demonstrating and evaluating how well those technologies work in real settings; helping drive changes in service delivery systems so that new solutions can actually be implemented; encouraging private-sector production and distribution so innovations can scale beyond the grant; and offering training opportunities to build the workforce and knowledge base needed for continued progress in rehabilitation engineering and accessibility.
This particular RERC competition targets universal access to ICT, meaning the technologies people rely on to communicate, work, learn, and access services, such as computers, mobile devices, operating systems, software applications, websites, digital documents, telecommunications tools, and emerging platforms. The funded center is expected to conduct research, development, and related activities across three main objectives. First, it should help ensure that accessibility standards for ICT used by people with disabilities are met or exceeded. In practice, this points to work that improves compliance, testing, measurement, and real-world implementation of accessibility requirements, while also pushing beyond minimum standards to improve usability and inclusive design outcomes.
Second, the center should promote the availability and usability of individualized ICT configurations for people with disabilities across devices and contexts. This emphasizes practical personalization and interoperability: making it easier for users to carry their accessibility preferences and assistive configurations from one device to another, across different operating systems, applications, and environments (home, school, workplace, community settings). It also suggests attention to usability, setup burden, support needs, and the everyday reality that people often use multiple devices and platforms that do not automatically work well together from an accessibility standpoint.
Third, the RERC should identify barriers to and facilitators of sustainable adoption of innovations that provide universal access to ICT. This moves beyond technical performance into long-term uptake and impact. It includes examining why promising accessibility solutions do or do not get adopted at scale, such as cost, procurement practices, institutional policies, training and support gaps, compatibility issues, market incentives, privacy and security constraints, and the practical needs of end users, employers, educators, service providers, and vendors. The emphasis on sustainability signals that NIDILRR is looking for approaches that can persist after the grant period through viable deployment pathways, industry engagement, and systems change.
NIDILRR anticipated making one award under this opportunity in FY 2023, making it a single-center competition. The project period is 60 months (five years), structured as five 12-month budget periods. The award ceiling is $925,000, and applications were due June 2, 2023, with electronic submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, city, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities as clarified in the full announcement. The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development, funded as a grant instrument, and is listed under CFDA number 93.433.Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Universal Access to Information and Communication Technology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.433.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 03, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 02, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $925,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal research grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It supports the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program and specifically funds an RERC focused on Universal Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
2) Which program is being funded?
The opportunity funds a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) under NIDILRR's RERC Program, with this competition dedicated to Universal Access to ICT.
3) What is the overall purpose of the RERC Program?
The broader RERC program aims to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by funding advanced engineering research and development that addresses real-world rehabilitation challenges and removes environmental barriers that limit participation for people with disabilities.
4) What does NIDILRR mean by the RERC model?
The RERC model is intended to move technology from concept to practical impact, not just produce research papers or prototypes. Activities can include developing and refining innovative technologies, demonstrating and evaluating performance in real settings, supporting changes in service delivery systems to enable implementation, encouraging private-sector production and distribution, and offering training opportunities to build workforce capacity in rehabilitation engineering and accessibility.
5) What is the focus area of this specific RERC competition?
This competition focuses on universal access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including technologies people use to communicate, work, learn, and access services.
6) What types of technologies are considered ICT in this opportunity?
Examples of ICT listed in the opportunity include computers, mobile devices, operating systems, software applications, websites, digital documents, telecommunications tools, and emerging platforms.
7) What are the main objectives the funded RERC is expected to address?
The funded center is expected to conduct research, development, and related activities across three main objectives: (1) helping ensure ICT accessibility standards are met or exceeded; (2) promoting the availability and usability of individualized ICT configurations across devices and contexts; and (3) identifying barriers to and facilitators of sustainable adoption of innovations that provide universal access to ICT.
8) What does "help ensure that accessibility standards are met or exceeded" mean in practice?
Based on the opportunity description, this points to work that improves compliance, testing, measurement, and real-world implementation of accessibility requirements, while also pushing beyond minimum standards to improve usability and inclusive design outcomes.
9) What does the opportunity mean by "individualized ICT configurations"?
This objective emphasizes practical personalization and interoperability so that people with disabilities can more easily use personalized accessibility preferences and assistive configurations across devices, operating systems, applications, and environments (such as home, school, workplace, and community settings).
10) Why is interoperability across devices and platforms emphasized?
The opportunity highlights that people often use multiple devices and platforms that do not automatically work well together from an accessibility standpoint. The center is expected to pay attention to usability, setup burden, support needs, and cross-platform portability of accessibility configurations.
11) What does "sustainable adoption" refer to under the third objective?
Sustainable adoption goes beyond technical performance to examine whether accessibility innovations are taken up and maintained at scale. The opportunity notes factors such as cost, procurement practices, institutional policies, training and support gaps, compatibility issues, market incentives, privacy and security constraints, and the practical needs of end users and stakeholders.
12) Who are the stakeholders mentioned for adoption and sustainability work?
The opportunity explicitly references end users, employers, educators, service providers, and vendors as stakeholders whose needs and constraints can influence adoption and long-term impact.
13) How many awards did NIDILRR expect to make under this opportunity?
NIDILRR anticipated making one award under this opportunity in FY 2023, making it a single-center competition.
14) What is the project period for the award?
The project period is 60 months (five years).
15) How is the 60-month project period structured?
The project period is structured as five 12-month budget periods.
16) What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $925,000.
17) What was the application due date and time?
Applications were due June 2, 2023, and electronic submissions were required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
18) Were electronic submissions required?
Yes. The opportunity specifies electronic submissions were required, due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.
19) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city, and special district governments; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other eligible entities as clarified in the full announcement.
20) Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included in the listed eligible applicants.
21) Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, as well as small businesses.
22) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The opportunity is funded as a grant instrument.
23) What category does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.
24) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 93.433.
25) Which federal offices are responsible for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by HHS through ACL, via NIDILRR.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’ Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2023
Previous opportunity: DOD, Peer Reviewed Alzheimer’s, Transforming Diagnosis Award
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Career Development Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP CDA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP CDA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Advancing Cancer Care through Clinical Trials Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP ACCCT Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP ACCCT Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Impact Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP IPA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP IPA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Idea Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP IA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP IA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Translational Team Science Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP TTSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP TTSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Patient Well-Being and Survivorship Award Apply for HT9425 23 PRCRP PWSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 PRCRP PWSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOE Traineeship in Accelerator Science & Technology Apply for DE FOA 0003025 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003025 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles Apply for 693JJ323NF00008 Funding Number: 693JJ323NF00008 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| DoD Tick-Borne Research Program Idea Development Award Apply for HT9425 23 TBDRP IDA Funding Number: HT9425 23 TBDRP IDA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Disability Statistics and Demographics Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTGE 0028 Funding Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR RTGE 0028 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| DoD Tick-Borne Disease Research Program Therapeutic/Diagnostic Research Award Apply for HT9425 23 TBDRP TDRA Funding Number: HT9425 23 TBDRP TDRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Interfacial Engineering Apply for PD 23 1417 Funding Number: PD 23 1417 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nanoscale Interactions Apply for PD 23 1179 Funding Number: PD 23 1179 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Environmental Sustainability Apply for PD 23 7643 Funding Number: PD 23 7643 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CyberCorps(R) Scholarship for Service Apply for 23 574 Funding Number: 23 574 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Standards Coordination Office Curricula Development Cooperative Agreement Program (SCO CD CAP) Apply for 2023 NIST SCOCD 01 Funding Number: 2023 NIST SCOCD 01 Agency: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II Apply for 2023 NIST SBIR 02 Funding Number: 2023 NIST SBIR 02 Agency: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Research Initiation Initiative Apply for 23 576 Funding Number: 23 576 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Modeling relationships of hydromorphology, nutrient dynamics, and algal production in backwaters of the Lower Mississippi River Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0005 Funding Number: W81EWF 23 SOI 0005 Agency: Department of Defense, Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| DOD Lung Cancer, Patient-Centered Outcomes and Survivorship Award Apply for HT9425 23 LCRP PCOSA Funding Number: HT9425 23 LCRP PCOSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0097", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.