Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) On Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People With Disabilities

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 (NIDILRR), has announced a forecasted discretionary grant opportunity titled Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People With Disabilities. This opportunity, identified under Assistance Listing 93.433, reflects NIDILRR’s mission to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) are designed to address critical issues facing individuals with disabilities by generating and sharing knowledge that improves employment, community living, and health outcomes. This specific RRTC will focus on employer practices that enhance successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The awarded project is expected to run for a period of 60 months, divided into five 12-month budget periods, supporting long-term, structured research and implementation efforts. The funding scope includes up to one award, with an award ceiling of $925,000 and an award floor of $920,000. The total estimated program funding available for this competition is $925,000. Funds are intended to support rigorous, evidence-based research, dissemination of findings, and the provision of training and technical assistance to stakeholders including employers, policymakers, and service providers. Applicants are expected to propose projects that generate practical knowledge about effective employer practices that directly contribute to improved employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad, covering a wide range of entities including state governments, county and city or township governments, special district governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, public and private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations including small businesses, and other qualified agencies and organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply, but faith-based and community organizations that meet the requirements may submit applications. The forecasted post date for the funding announcement is January 28, 2026, with an estimated application due date of March 30, 2026. The anticipated award date is September 1, 2026, with the same date set for the project start. Applications will not require cost sharing or matching. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified in the forecast. The opportunity is not rolling but is expected to recur in alignment with NIDILRR’s ongoing research and training cycles. Interested applicants can find additional information and resources at the Administration for Community Living’s grants webpage at https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants. The grantor point of contact for this opportunity is Stephanie Lau, who can be reached by phone at 202-795-7396 or via email at Stephanie.Lau@acl.hhs.gov. Applicants are encouraged to monitor updates as the opportunity transitions from forecast to open status, as final application instructions and required forms will be posted closer to the estimated post date.