Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Resilience and Positive Mental Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Resilience and Positive Mental Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury is administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program operates under the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research and supports applied research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The DRRP program is a longstanding federal effort designed to generate new knowledge and promote evidence-based practices that enhance independence, community participation, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This specific funding opportunity focuses on advancing research related to resilience and positive mental health outcomes among individuals living with spinal cord injuries. The selected grantee will be expected to design and implement a research project that contributes to the understanding of psychological well-being, coping mechanisms, and factors that promote positive mental health in this population. The project is intended to produce actionable findings that can inform rehabilitation practices, service delivery systems, and policy decisions that impact individuals with spinal cord injuries. The total estimated program funding is $700,000, with a single award expected to be made. The award ceiling is $700,000 and the award floor is $695,000, indicating a tightly defined funding range. The project period is set for 36 months, structured into three 12-month budget periods. No cost sharing or matching requirement is specified for this opportunity, allowing applicants to propose projects without the need to secure additional matching funds. Funding is intended to support research-related activities consistent with federal guidelines, including personnel, data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state governments, local governments, tribal governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, and small businesses. Indian tribes and tribal organizations are also eligible. However, foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Faith-based and community organizations are eligible provided they meet all stated requirements. This inclusive eligibility framework reflects the program’s intent to attract a diverse range of applicants with the capacity to conduct high-quality research. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through Grants.gov, although specific submission components are not detailed in the forecast notice. Applicants should anticipate preparing a full research proposal, including project narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation typical of federal research grants. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. The estimated posting date is April 24, 2026, with an application due date of June 24, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, which also aligns with the anticipated project start date. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined in the forecast, but applicants can reasonably expect review based on scientific merit, relevance to program priorities, methodological rigor, and potential impact. As a research-focused grant, proposals will likely be assessed for their contribution to knowledge and applicability to real-world rehabilitation settings. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals closely with the stated priority of improving resilience and mental health outcomes among individuals with spinal cord injuries. For additional information, applicants may contact Brian Bard at the Administration for Community Living via email at Brian.Bard@acl.hhs.gov or by phone at (202) 795-7298. Further guidance on the application process is available through the Administration for Community Living grants webpage. This funding opportunity represents a targeted investment in disability research with the potential to significantly influence rehabilitation practices and improve quality of life outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.