Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Community Living and Participation

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Community Living and Participation, administered by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL), seeks to expand the national capacity for high-quality research in disability and rehabilitation. This initiative supports institutions of higher education in offering advanced research training to individuals who hold research doctorates or other advanced degrees—such as clinical doctorates, MDs, or JDs—and possess relevant clinical or professional experience. This program specifically focuses on preparing researchers in areas that align with the goals of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The primary aim of this ARRT opportunity is to develop independent disability and rehabilitation researchers with specialized training in the community living and participation outcome domain. Successful applicants must demonstrate the ability to recruit and support a diverse pool of trainees, with targeted outreach to individuals with disabilities. Programs must offer structured, multidisciplinary training that includes didactic instruction, research mentorship, and practical experiences. This includes engagement with experienced researchers at the host institution and hands-on practicum activities with community-based organizations that represent or serve individuals with disabilities. Applicants must ensure that the training program incorporates academic and career mentorship, fosters the development of professional communication skills through scholarly publications and presentations, and provides opportunities to attend conferences. Each training experience must span at least one academic year, with justification provided if longer periods (e.g., 18 or 24 months) are proposed. Trainees are expected to dedicate at least 80% of their time to program activities. Additionally, all products and tools developed under this program must be fully accessible in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and meet WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards. Only institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. Matching or cost-sharing is not required, though voluntary contributions may be proposed. The estimated total funding available for this competition is $250,000 per year, with an award range of $245,000 to $250,000 per 12-month budget period. One award is anticipated. The project period is up to 36 months, structured as three consecutive one-year budget periods. Indirect costs are limited to 8% of modified total direct costs, excluding tuition, fees, and stipends, as required for training grants. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal through Grants.gov. The submission package must include a project narrative (maximum 40 double-spaced pages), work plan, budget justification, biosketches of key personnel, references, letters of commitment, and a list of involved individuals and organizations. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent by March 17, 2026, though it is not mandatory. Full applications are due by April 13, 2026. An informational conference call will be held on February 25, 2026, and interested parties must contact Megan Alvarado to participate. Proposals will be evaluated by a peer review panel based on five criteria: importance of the problem (15 points), design of training activities (50 points), plan of operation (10 points), project staff qualifications (15 points), and adequacy and accessibility of resources (10 points). Awards will be announced prior to the project start date of June 1, 2026. Applicants must also comply with administrative requirements, civil rights laws, and ACL’s public access and reporting requirements. This program does not fall under Executive Order 12372 for intergovernmental review.

Emphasize scientific methodology, mentorship quality, inclusive trainee recruitment, and Section 508 digital accessibility compliance.