Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Minority-Serving Institution ARRT | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Minority-Serving Institution

What is the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Minority-Serving Institution opportunity?

The ARRT Program - Minority-Serving Institution is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is run through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The purpose is to fund an advanced rehabilitation research training project that strengthens the national pipeline of highly trained disability and rehabilitation researchers.

Which agency administers this grant?

This opportunity is administered by HHS, specifically ACL, through NIDILRR (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research).

What larger program does this ARRT competition belong to?

ARRT sits within NIDILRR's broader Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program.

What is the main goal of this ARRT competition?

The main goal is to fund a structured advanced research training project that provides intensive research training and hands-on research experience for qualified individuals who already have a doctorate or comparable advanced degree and also have clinical or other directly relevant professional experience.

Who is the training intended for (trainee level)?

The training is intended for postdoctoral-level trainees or similarly advanced individuals who already hold a doctorate (or comparable advanced degree) and bring relevant clinical or professional experience.

What kind of activities does the grant support?

The grant supports a structured training environment where advanced trainees can deepen research skills, build multidisciplinary expertise, and become more capable of leading high-quality disability and rehabilitation research efforts.

How is success of the project described in this opportunity?

Success is described as building long-term research capacity by training advanced fellows to conduct rigorous and impactful research, rather than focusing only on producing a single study.

What is the focus of the research this training program should prepare trainees to conduct?

A defining feature is research that supports the implementation and objectives of the Rehabilitation Act and improves the effectiveness of services authorized under that Act. The training is expected to prepare researchers to conduct studies with real-world relevance to disability policy and practice.

Does the opportunity emphasize inclusion of certain researchers?

Yes. ARRT projects are meant to train rehabilitation researchers broadly, including researchers with disabilities, with an emphasis on ensuring the research workforce reflects the communities and perspectives the work is meant to serve.

What outcome domains must the training content and research experiences align with?

The training content and research experiences must align with at least one of NIDILRR's major outcome domains: (1) community living and participation, (2) employment, or (3) health and function.

What does "community living and participation" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, community living and participation refers to research oriented toward increasing independent living and community engagement for individuals with disabilities.

What does the "employment" domain refer to?

The employment domain refers to research focused on improving competitive integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

What does the "health and function" domain cover?

The health and function domain covers research that advances physical and mental health, functioning, and related rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Is multidisciplinary research capacity part of the expectations?

Yes. The program stresses multidisciplinary research capacity, meaning trainees should be prepared to work across fields and methods. The description notes examples of relevant disciplines such as clinical fields, social science, engineering/technology, public health, and education.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

What is the category of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is listed in the science and technology and other research and development category.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 93.433.

Who is eligible to apply based on the provided information?

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, including public and state-controlled universities and private universities. The competition is specifically framed around a minority-serving institution ARRT project.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-AR-0156.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was created and posted on April 8, 2016. The application closing date listed is June 7, 2016.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The expected number of awards is one, indicating the competition is small and selective.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed is $150,000.

What is the overall purpose of the award in practical terms?

Overall, the award supports a single university-led advanced research training program designed to develop highly qualified disability and rehabilitation researchers. It is intended to strengthen long-term research capacity and support research that improves rehabilitation services and outcomes aligned with the Rehabilitation Act.

What kinds of real-world impact is this training expected to contribute to?

The description emphasizes research that can help agencies, providers, and communities deliver better supports and services, and that contributes to improved community participation, employment outcomes, and health and function for people with disabilities.