Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network. It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

Which federal program and classification does this opportunity fall under?

It sits within the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and is categorized under science, technology, and other research and development. The CFDA number provided is 93.433.

What is the main goal of the program?

The central goal is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by supporting projects that develop and validate methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that expand independent living and employment outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on individuals with the most significant disabilities.

How does this competition relate to the ADA National Network?

A defining feature of this competition is that it supports the ADA National Network. Under this priority, HHS planned to fund regional projects that operate as resources within a coordinated national network focused on improving ADA understanding and implementation.

How many awards were anticipated, and why?

The anticipated number of awards was 10. The intent was to fund one DRRP project in each of the ten HHS regions, creating a region-by-region infrastructure that can deliver consistent, high-quality ADA-related services while also addressing regional needs and barriers.

What is meant by “one project located in each of the ten HHS regions”?

The program design calls for a separate funded project in each HHS region. Each project is expected to serve as a regional resource while contributing to a broader, coordinated national effort through the ADA National Network.

What types of activities must applicants propose?

Applicants are required to propose a program of services and activities designed to improve how well individuals and covered entities understand their rights and responsibilities under the ADA. The description emphasizes technical assistance and knowledge-translation activities that improve practical understanding and application of ADA requirements.

Who are the intended audiences for the services and technical assistance?

The services are intended to help people with disabilities and covered entities better interpret and apply ADA requirements. Covered entities and audiences specifically referenced include employers, state and local governments, businesses, and other organizations.

Does the program focus only on information dissemination?

No. While providing information is part of the effort, the emphasis is on improving understanding in ways that support compliance and meaningful access. Examples mentioned include structured training, consultation, problem-solving assistance, and other regionally delivered activities aligned with the ADA National Network mission.

Is research required as part of the project?

Yes. In addition to service delivery, each applicant must include research activities that produce new knowledge about barriers to ADA compliance and strategies that lead to effective ADA implementation.

What kinds of research topics does the opportunity emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes research on why compliance gaps persist and what interventions work. Examples of compliance challenges referenced include recurring misconceptions, cost concerns, organizational practices, or accessibility obstacles, as well as evaluation of implementation approaches that can be adopted and replicated.

How are service delivery and research expected to work together?

The overall expectation described is a feedback loop: research findings should improve technical assistance, and technical assistance experience should inform future research questions. The goal is progressively more effective ADA implementation over time.

What is the intended impact of funding these projects?

The intended impact includes better informed stakeholders, fewer barriers to ADA compliance, stronger strategies for implementing ADA requirements, and improved independent living and employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS-2016-ACL-NIDILRR-DP-0143.

When was the opportunity posted and when was it due?

The opportunity was posted on February 19, 2016, and the application deadline was April 19, 2016.

What is the funding instrument?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What was the award ceiling?

The listed award ceiling was $1,246,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad and included: state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other applicants as further clarified in the full eligibility instructions.

Are both nonprofit and for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities, other than institutions of higher education) and also includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, subject to the full eligibility instructions.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Are tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.

Why is eligibility so broad?

The description explains that effective ADA technical assistance and implementation research can be led by universities, nonprofits, governmental entities, or specialized organizations with strong regional reach and disability expertise, which aligns with the program design.

What is the geographic/service area expectation for funded projects?

The opportunity is structured around the ten HHS regions, with the intent that each funded project operates as a regional resource within the ADA National Network while contributing to coordinated national efforts.

What does “covered entities” refer to in this opportunity?

The opportunity uses “covered entities” in the context of organizations that have ADA rights and responsibilities and need help understanding and applying ADA requirements. Examples given include employers, state and local governments, and businesses.

Does the opportunity emphasize particular disability populations?

Yes. The central goal highlights expanding independent living and employment outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on individuals with the most significant disabilities.