Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Burn Injury as A Lifelong Condition

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program: Burn Injury as a Lifelong Condition is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Community Living and its National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. This federal research grant opportunity is authorized under Title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and is designed to advance scientific knowledge and improve outcomes for individuals living with burn injuries. The program reflects a shift in the field from acute survival-focused care toward understanding burn injury as a chronic condition with long-term health, psychosocial, and community living implications. According to the funding notice, the agency aims to support rigorous research that contributes to whole-person health and improved connections to services. The purpose of this opportunity is to fund a single Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project that will develop an evidence-based model for managing burn injury as a lifelong condition. The funded project must generate new knowledge about chronic disease management models and adapt those models specifically for individuals with burn injuries. The research is expected to include systematic literature reviews, identification of best practices, and the development and testing of a new model that integrates clinical care, community supports, and long-term monitoring. The project must also include dissemination and knowledge translation activities to ensure that findings are accessible and usable by stakeholders, including clinicians, researchers, and individuals with lived experience. Funding for this opportunity is structured as a single award of approximately 700000 dollars per year over a three-year project period, for a total expected funding amount of about 2100000 dollars. The grant is issued in three 12-month budget periods, contingent on continued appropriations and satisfactory performance. Allowable uses of funds include research activities, personnel, dissemination, and related project costs. However, the program imposes strict limitations, including prohibitions on construction activities and restrictions on certain policy areas. Additionally, funds may not be used for diversity, equity, inclusion, or accessibility activities as defined by the agency. Indirect costs are permitted under either an approved rate or a de minimis rate up to 15 percent of modified total direct costs. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad but limited to organizational applicants. Eligible entities include state governments, public and private agencies, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, and for-profit organizations. Individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded. Applicants must also meet administrative requirements such as maintaining active registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. While cost sharing is not required, applicants who voluntarily include it must fulfill those commitments if awarded. The program emphasizes stakeholder engagement, requiring involvement of individuals with burn injuries and other relevant participants throughout the research process. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as a project narrative, budget justification, project abstract, data management plan, and supporting documentation. The project narrative is the most critical element and must address specific evaluation criteria, including responsiveness to program priorities, research design, dissemination strategies, and staff qualifications. Applications are subject to a two-stage review process, including an initial compliance review and a merit-based peer review scored on a 100-point scale. Final funding decisions consider not only merit scores but also programmatic priorities, geographic distribution, and applicant performance history. Key dates for this opportunity include an optional notice of intent due July 14, 2026, and a full application deadline of July 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. An informational conference call is scheduled for July 1, 2026. The expected project start date and award issuance are both September 1, 2026. The program does not indicate that it recurs annually, and only one award is expected for this cycle. Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow formatting and submission requirements, as noncompliance may result in disqualification. For support and inquiries, applicants may contact program officials including Radha Holavanahalli for programmatic questions and Nicole Dunning for financial inquiries. Technical assistance is also available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov support services. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in advancing long-term care models for burn injury, with the goal of improving health outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals across the United States.

Ensure strong alignment with research priorities and include rigorous methodology; clearly demonstrate stakeholder involvement; prioritize accessibility compliance; follow formatting rules strictly