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

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employer Practices Leading to Successful Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. This program is authorized under Title II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and reflects the federal government’s strategic priority to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The funding supports the establishment of a national research and resource center focused on identifying, testing, and promoting effective employer practices that improve hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities. The primary purpose of this grant is to generate new, actionable knowledge that leads to measurable improvements in employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The funded center is expected to conduct rigorous research on employer practices, including recruitment pipelines, workplace accommodations, and career advancement strategies. Special emphasis is placed on addressing the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, which may lack the infrastructure to implement inclusive hiring and retention practices. The program requires applicants to propose research activities aligned with defined priority areas, including workplace factors, recruitment systems, and scalable employer interventions. Funding under this opportunity supports a five-year project period consisting of five 12-month budget cycles. The total expected annual funding is approximately 920,000 to 925,000 dollars, with one award anticipated. Funds may be used for research activities, knowledge translation, technical assistance, training, and dissemination of findings. However, there are strict funding limitations, including a cap on indirect costs at 15 percent and prohibitions on certain activities such as construction, major renovations, and specific policy-restricted initiatives. Additionally, funds cannot be used for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility-related research or activities as defined in the funding restrictions. Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizational types such as state governments, public and private agencies, institutions of higher education, tribal organizations, and for-profit entities. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible if they meet the stated requirements. Individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded. Applicants must propose a fully compliant RRTC project that addresses all program requirements, including conducting at least one research project at the intervention efficacy or scale-up stage and serving as a national resource center through training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components such as a project abstract, a detailed project narrative, a budget narrative, and supporting attachments including a data management plan and commitment letters. Applicants must also maintain active registrations with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. An optional notice of intent is requested prior to submission to assist the agency in planning peer review logistics. Applications are evaluated through a two-stage review process consisting of an initial compliance screening followed by a merit review scored across criteria such as research design, project staff qualifications, and alignment with agency priorities. Key deadlines include an optional notice of intent due on July 13, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued by September 1, 2026, with the project period beginning on the same date and continuing through August 31, 2031. Applicants are encouraged to participate in an informational conference call scheduled for July 9, 2026. Program contacts are available for questions related to eligibility, application requirements, and financial considerations, providing support throughout the application process.

Align proposal strongly with ACL employment priority; demonstrate rigorous research design; include stakeholder involvement; ensure accessibility compliance; clearly justify research stages