Switzer Research Fellowships Program

The Switzer Research Fellowships Program is administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This fellowship program is operated through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, which is responsible for supporting research that improves the quality of life and outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The program has been established to strengthen research capacity by investing in individual researchers, including those who themselves may have disabilities, to advance studies that address critical issues in rehabilitation, independent living, and disability-related experiences. It is a discretionary grant opportunity and is currently listed as forecasted under opportunity number HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-SFGE-0209. The primary purpose of the Switzer Research Fellowships is to support highly qualified individuals who are committed to conducting original research that is relevant to the lives of people with disabilities. Research supported under this program must align with one of three primary domains: health and function, employment, or community living and participation outcomes. These areas reflect core aspects of the lived experiences of people with disabilities and are intended to generate new knowledge that can directly inform practice, policy, and future research efforts. Fellows are expected to carry out their projects over a single twelve-month project period. Funding for this opportunity is expected to total $340,000, with approximately four awards anticipated. Individual award amounts are projected to range between $80,000 and $90,000, depending on the proposed project and available funding. Fellowship awards are made directly to the individual rather than to an institution. Because the award is personal, indirect costs associated with institutions are not allowed, and institutions cannot apply on behalf of candidates. Fellowship funds are considered taxable income. No cost sharing or matching requirement is associated with this fellowship program, and the awards are structured to provide financial support to the researcher without additional institutional financial contribution. Eligibility for the Switzer Research Fellowships is limited strictly to individuals. Institutions, organizations, and other entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must personally sign all required application documents. For applicants who are not U.S. citizens, additional documentation is required to confirm that they are eligible to receive research funding directly from a U.S. government agency. The Administration for Community Living has emphasized that fellowship applicants must apply in their own name, and institutions or organizations cannot act as the applicant of record. The anticipated timeline for the program includes an estimated posting date of December 1, 2025. Applications are expected to be due by February 2, 2026. Awards are projected to be issued on September 1, 2026, with funded projects beginning on that same date. The opportunity is forecasted as of September 5, 2025, and is expected to remain open until the application due date in February 2026. The archive date for this program is listed as September 30, 2026. There is no indication of pre-application requirements such as a Letter of Intent. The program is recurring, and future cycles are likely to follow an annual schedule. Applicants and interested parties seeking further clarification or assistance may contact Linda Vo, the designated grant officer for this opportunity. She can be reached at (202) 795-7431 or via email at linda.vo@acl.hhs.gov. Additional information about applying for grants through the Administration for Community Living can be found on the ACL grants webpage at https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants. This contact information provides a direct channel for applicants to address questions regarding eligibility, application requirements, and program intent. The Switzer Research Fellowships represent an important funding opportunity for individuals aiming to advance knowledge and contribute to the field of disability research in a meaningful way.