Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Development)

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Development) 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 is designed to advance research and development initiatives that improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The DRRP program historically supports projects that generate new knowledge or translate existing research into practical applications that enhance independence, inclusion, and quality of life. This specific funding opportunity focuses on development projects that aim to improve community living and participation outcomes. Applicants are expected to leverage existing research and knowledge to create tangible solutions such as models, methods, tools, applications, or devices. The emphasis is on producing usable innovations that directly benefit individuals with disabilities. These projects may include the design and development of prototypes or processes that can be implemented in real-world settings to enhance participation and independent living. Funding under this opportunity is provided through discretionary grants, with an estimated total program funding of 500000 dollars and an expected number of two awards. Each award ranges between 495000 and 500000 dollars. The project period is structured as a 36-month term, divided into three 12-month budget periods. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible applicants and allows organizations to focus resources on project development and execution. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible if they meet the stated requirements. However, foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. This broad eligibility framework reflects the program’s goal of encouraging diverse participation across sectors that serve individuals with disabilities. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through Grants.gov. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants should anticipate requirements typical of federal research and development grants, such as project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process, with rankings determining whether proposals are funded as research projects, development projects, or a combination of both within the DRRP framework. The timeline for this opportunity indicates a forecasted posting date of April 24, 2026, with an estimated application due date of June 24, 2026. Awards are expected to be issued by September 1, 2026, which also serves as the anticipated project start date. The opportunity is part of the fiscal year 2026 funding cycle and is not explicitly stated as recurring. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance of the official posting date to ensure timely submission once the application window opens.