Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Community Living and Participation (Research)

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects Program: Community Living and Participation is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically, it is managed through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, which funds research initiatives designed to improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities. This program represents part of a broader federal effort to generate evidence-based practices and innovations that support independence, inclusion, and participation in community life for people with disabilities across the United States. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support rigorous research projects that address community living and participation challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Applicants are required to propose a clearly defined research project grounded in one or more hypotheses or research questions. The program emphasizes the production of new scientific knowledge or deeper understanding of specific issues affecting community participation. Projects may be categorized as research, development, or a hybrid of both, depending on how applications are evaluated and ranked by a peer review panel. The scope includes intensive and systematic investigation, ensuring that funded work contributes meaningfully to the field. Funding under this opportunity is structured as discretionary federal grant support with an expected total program funding amount of 500000 dollars and approximately two awards anticipated. Individual awards are expected to fall within a narrow range between 495000 and 500000 dollars. The project period is defined as 36 months, divided into three 12-month budget periods. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces barriers to participation for eligible entities. While the announcement does not detail specific allowable or unallowable costs, standard federal grant cost principles are implied. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, covering a wide range of entity types. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education (both public and private), small businesses, for-profit organizations, tribal governments, and tribal organizations. Faith-based and community-based organizations are explicitly included provided they meet the eligibility criteria. However, foreign entities are not eligible to apply or receive funding under this program, reinforcing its focus on domestic impact. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through Grants.gov. While the forecasted notice does not list all required components, applicants should anticipate submitting a full research proposal including project narrative, budget justification, and supporting documentation consistent with federal research funding requirements. Applications will be evaluated through a peer review process, with rankings influencing whether projects are funded as research, development, or combined initiatives. Specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the forecast but are expected to align with scientific merit, relevance, and feasibility. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecasted stage. The estimated posting date is April 24, 2026, with an application deadline anticipated for June 24, 2026. Awards are expected to be made by September 1, 2026, which also aligns with the projected project start date. The funding cycle appears to be tied to the federal fiscal year, but no explicit statement confirms whether the program is recurring annually. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the official posting for updates and complete application instructions. For further information, the listed program contact is Maureen Linden, who can be reached via phone or email for inquiries related to the opportunity.

Focus on clearly defined research questions and rigorous methodology aligned with community living outcomes