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

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program: Americans with Disabilities Act National Network Knowledge Translation Center is 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 rooted in the statutory authority of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and is designed to support research, technical assistance, and knowledge dissemination activities that enhance the implementation and understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The opportunity is structured as a federal grant supporting a single award to establish and operate a Knowledge Translation Center that strengthens the ADA National Network. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to improve the translation, dissemination, and use of ADA-related knowledge across a wide range of stakeholders. The ADA National Network consists of regional centers and collaborative research entities that provide training, technical assistance, and resources to individuals and organizations with rights and responsibilities under the ADA. The funded Knowledge Translation Center will coordinate efforts across these entities, ensuring that research findings and informational materials are effectively communicated, accessible, and applied to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. Funding under this opportunity supports a comprehensive range of activities, including research on knowledge translation methods, development of dissemination materials, coordination of network-wide initiatives, and logistical support for meetings and conferences. The award will fund a three-year project period consisting of three 12-month budget periods, with total funding expected to be approximately 850000 dollars. Allowable activities include maintaining information repositories, supporting collaborative product development, conducting training and technical assistance, and organizing national meetings and research conferences. Restrictions include prohibitions on construction costs, certain telecommunications equipment, and activities that conflict with federal regulations or policy limitations. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes state governments, local governments, tribal organizations, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities. Individuals and foreign entities are not eligible to apply. The program does not require cost sharing, although voluntary contributions may be included but are not considered during the review process. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to carry out complex, multi-faceted projects and maintain compliance with federal administrative and reporting requirements. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components such as a project abstract, project narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation. The project narrative is limited to 80 pages and must address detailed evaluation criteria including research design, dissemination strategies, collaboration, and alignment with agency priorities. Applicants must also provide a data management plan, commitment letters, and information on key personnel. Registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov is mandatory prior to submission. Applications are due by July 23, 2026, with an optional notice of intent requested by July 14, 2026. An informational conference call is scheduled for June 30, 2026 to provide additional guidance. The expected project start date is September 1, 2026, coinciding with the anticipated award date. Applications undergo a two-stage review process consisting of an initial compliance review followed by a merit-based evaluation scored on a 100-point scale across multiple criteria including responsiveness, design quality, and resource adequacy. Award decisions are based on merit review scores, alignment with agency priorities, applicant past performance, and available funding. The selected recipient will be responsible for ongoing reporting, compliance with federal regulations, and collaboration with other ADA National Network entities. The program is part of a recurring federal funding initiative supporting disability research and knowledge translation, although specific future cycles are subject to congressional appropriations and agency priorities.

Align proposal closely with ACL strategic priorities; demonstrate strong collaboration with ADA stakeholders; ensure rigorous research and dissemination design; strictly follow formatting and page limits