Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living and its National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, has announced a forecasted grant opportunity titled Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities. This program is part of the broader Rehabilitation Research and Training Center initiative, which is designed to strengthen the goals of the Rehabilitation Act by supporting high-quality research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination of findings. The program emphasizes the development and implementation of interventions and services that improve outcomes for people with disabilities and enhance their ability to live independently in their communities. The specific focus of this grant is to fund research that will contribute to the creation of evidence-based practices, supports, or interventions that promote community living among people with disabilities. The grant will fund a single center that will be responsible for conducting applied research, offering training to practitioners and stakeholders, providing technical assistance, and disseminating findings. The center’s role is intended to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act while also filling gaps in knowledge and practice related to community living outcomes. The Administration for Community Living has estimated a total program funding level of $925,000, with one award expected under this announcement. The award ceiling is set at $925,000 and the floor at $920,000, indicating a relatively fixed funding amount for the single awardee. The project period is planned for 60 months, divided into five 12-month budget periods, beginning September 1, 2026. No cost sharing or matching requirement is associated with this opportunity, allowing applicants to apply without contributing additional funds. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing a wide range of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state governments, city or township governments, county governments, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, small businesses, and other for-profit organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible, but faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are permitted to apply. The forecasted application timeline indicates that the funding announcement will be posted on January 21, 2026. Applications will be due on March 23, 2026, with an anticipated award date of September 1, 2026, which coincides with the expected project start date. The program is recurring in nature, as Rehabilitation Research and Training Center opportunities are regularly issued by NIDILRR. The current forecast sets the archive date for September 30, 2026. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers were specified in this forecast. The grantor point of contact for this program is Dawn Carlson, who can be reached at 202-795-7323 or via email at dawn.carlson@acl.hhs.gov. Additional information on applying for grants with the Administration for Community Living can be accessed through their official grants portal. This program is a critical opportunity for institutions and organizations that are committed to advancing research and services that support independent living and improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities.