Projects of National Significance: Protecting Rights and Abuse

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), has forecasted a discretionary grant opportunity under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This funding initiative, titled "Projects of National Significance: Protecting Rights and Abuse," is part of the Administration's ongoing commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The initiative is designed to foster national and state-level policies that advance self-determination, inclusion, and equal participation in all aspects of community life for individuals with developmental disabilities. This opportunity will be implemented via cooperative agreements and falls under the assistance listing 93.631. The program will fund approximately five projects nationwide, with each award ranging between $300,000 and $375,000, totaling an estimated $1,875,000 in funding. These projects will focus on the protection of rights and prevention of abuse among individuals with ID/DD, in collaboration with families, guardians, advocates, and community stakeholders. The funded work is expected to result in measurable outcomes including changes in policies that enhance the experiences of people with ID/DD and greater leadership roles and skills among affected individuals and their families. Awardees will be expected to contribute toward one or more key performance areas. These include policy improvements (e.g., number of advocacy participants, trainings conducted, policy products developed and disseminated), increased leadership roles (e.g., number of leadership resources developed and used, skill acquisition), increased awareness and utilization of supports (e.g., related trainings and resources), and enhanced access and use of data resources. All projects must generate quantifiable outputs that relate to these outcome areas, which are aligned with the broader mission of ACL. The eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include a wide range of public and nonprofit institutions. These include, but are not limited to, public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, independent school districts, housing authorities, and federally and non-federally recognized tribal organizations. Importantly, both nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status may apply. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible, provided they meet the core eligibility requirements. However, foreign entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility under this program. This is a forecasted opportunity, with applications anticipated to open on May 30, 2025, and due by July 30, 2025. Awards are expected to be announced by August 29, 2025, with project start dates scheduled for September 1, 2025. As this is a recurring grant program under the Projects of National Significance framework, applicants should anticipate a regular funding cycle. No matching funds are required for this opportunity, allowing broader participation by eligible institutions without a financial contribution requirement. The primary point of contact for this grant is Larissa Crossen, who can be reached via email at larissa.crossen@acl.hhs.gov or by phone at (202) 795-7333. Further information, including updates to this forecasted opportunity and additional ACL grant listings, can be found on the ACL's open opportunities webpage at https://acl.gov/grants/open-opportunities.