Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Employment Among People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program on Employment Among People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 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 authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and is designed to fund research that improves employment outcomes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The initiative aligns with broader federal priorities to increase workforce participation and economic independence among people with disabilities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to generate new knowledge and evidence-based strategies that address barriers to employment faced by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Applicants are required to conduct rigorous research that identifies, develops, or evaluates interventions, services, practices, or policies that improve employment access, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes addressing systemic barriers such as communication challenges, limited access to education and training, and reduced career mobility opportunities. Projects must clearly define their target population and justify the research approach, whether focused on intervention development, efficacy testing, or scale-up evaluation. Funding is structured as a single award with an expected total of two million one hundred thousand dollars distributed across a three year project period. Each year may receive between six hundred ninety five thousand and seven hundred thousand dollars, contingent on continued appropriations and satisfactory progress. Funds may be used for research activities, personnel, dissemination, and related project costs, but cannot be used for construction or major rehabilitation. There are also restrictions on certain activities, including diversity equity and inclusion related programming, and compliance with federal regulations such as accessibility standards and administrative cost principles is required. There is no cost sharing requirement, though voluntary contributions must be honored if proposed. Eligibility is limited to organizations rather than individuals and includes state governments, public and private agencies, institutions of higher education, tribal entities, and for profit organizations. Foreign entities and individuals are explicitly excluded. Applicants must ensure compliance with all submission requirements, including registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov, and must submit applications electronically. Required application components include a project abstract, detailed project narrative, budget justification, data management plan, and supporting documentation such as letters of commitment and biosketches of key personnel. The submission process includes an optional notice of intent deadline, followed by a final application deadline. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by the specified deadline and must adhere to formatting and content guidelines, including page limits and required sections. The review process involves an initial screening for responsiveness followed by a merit review based on criteria such as the importance of the problem, quality of research design, dissemination strategy, and qualifications of project staff. Final funding decisions consider review scores, alignment with agency priorities, and available funding. Applicants are encouraged to participate in an informational conference call and may contact program officials for guidance on eligibility, budget, or application requirements. The anticipated award date and project start date occur at the end of the fiscal year, and successful applicants will receive a formal Notice of Award outlining terms and conditions. Projects must comply with ongoing reporting, evaluation, and federal oversight requirements throughout the project period.

Ensure strong research design and alignment with employment outcomes include stakeholder involvement and accessibility compliance