National Paralysis Resource Center

The National Paralysis Resource Center opportunity is a federal funding initiative administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Office of Disability Services Innovation. This program is authorized under the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and the Public Health Service Act, reflecting a long-standing federal commitment to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of individuals living with paralysis. The initiative supports the operation of a national resource center that provides trusted information, peer support, and community-based services to individuals with paralysis, their families, caregivers, and broader support networks. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to establish and operate a nationally recognized resource center that serves as a centralized hub for information, referral services, and community capacity building. The center is expected to deliver accessible digital resources, real-time assistance through trained specialists, and peer support programming. It must also administer a national subaward program to fund community-based organizations that improve quality of life outcomes. The program emphasizes independence, informed decision-making, and full participation in community life, while also addressing systemic barriers that individuals with paralysis face in accessing services and supports. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, with substantial involvement from the federal agency throughout the project period. The total program funding is up to 30000000 dollars over three years, with up to 10000000 dollars available annually. The award supports a wide range of allowable activities, including information dissemination, outreach, peer support, subawards to community organizations, and performance evaluation systems. However, funds cannot be used for construction, direct medical services, or basic research. There is no cost-sharing requirement, although voluntary contributions may be included but are not considered in the review process. Eligible applicants include domestic nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, hospitals, institutions of higher education, and community-based organizations. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to operate a national program, including managing a large-scale subaward program that distributes at least 35 percent of annual funding to community-based organizations. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and require multiple components, including a project narrative, budget narrative, federal forms, and supporting documentation such as commitment letters and proof of nonprofit status. The application process includes preparation steps such as obtaining active registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. The submission deadline is July 16, 2026 at 1159 pm Eastern Time. Applications undergo an initial compliance review followed by a merit-based evaluation using criteria such as relevance, approach, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Awards are expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, with the project period beginning the same date and continuing through August 31, 2029. Evaluation of funded projects includes both process and outcome assessments, with required reporting to the funding agency twice per year. The funded entity must also establish a public dashboard to track program outputs and outcomes starting in the second year. The cooperative agreement requires ongoing collaboration with the agency, adherence to federal regulations, and active engagement with stakeholders, including individuals with paralysis. Contact information for programmatic and budget inquiries is provided through named agency representatives, and applicants are encouraged to seek clarification as needed during the application process.