Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network is administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACL, through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), funds research and related activities that improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. This specific opportunity supports the ADA National Network, a nationwide system designed to provide information, training, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. The program aligns with federal priorities to ensure equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support ten regional centers, each serving one of the ten U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regions. These centers will collectively form the ADA National Network and are expected to deliver coordinated services that increase understanding and compliance with the ADA. Funded projects must propose comprehensive programs that include training, technical assistance, outreach, and research. Activities should target a broad range of stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, employers, state and local governments, businesses, and service providers, with the goal of improving knowledge of ADA rights and responsibilities. Funding under this program is substantial, with an estimated total program funding of over eleven million dollars and individual awards ranging from approximately one million to just over 1.2 million dollars. Each award supports a 36-month project period, structured into three 12-month budget periods. Funds are intended to cover programmatic activities such as staffing, development of training materials, outreach campaigns, and applied research. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces financial barriers for applicants and encourages broader participation across eligible entities. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive. Applicants may include state governments, local governments, tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), institutions of higher education (both public and private), and for-profit entities including small businesses. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible if they meet the program requirements. However, foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. This wide eligibility scope reflects the program’s emphasis on building a diverse and capable network of regional providers with expertise in disability law, policy, and services. The application process will be managed through Grants.gov, with an estimated posting date of April 24, 2026, and an application deadline of June 24, 2026. Applicants are expected to prepare a full proposal that outlines their program design, implementation strategy, staffing, partnerships, and evaluation methods. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, typical submissions for DRRP programs include narrative sections, budgets, and supporting documentation demonstrating organizational capacity and experience. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Applications will be evaluated based on their ability to effectively deliver training, technical assistance, and research that enhances ADA implementation and understanding. Review criteria typically include the quality and feasibility of the proposed approach, organizational capacity, experience with disability-related programs, and plans for evaluation and dissemination. Successful applicants will be notified in advance of the anticipated award date of September 1, 2026, which also marks the expected project start date. The program follows a structured timeline, beginning with the forecast release in April 2026, followed by the official posting and application period, and culminating in awards by early September 2026. The opportunity is part of a recurring federal funding stream under NIDILRR, though specific recurrence details are not explicitly stated in the forecast. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact Shelley Reeves at the Administration for Community Living via phone or email as provided in the opportunity listing.