Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0206
Apply for HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0206
- The Administration for Community Living in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Development" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.433.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-02-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-04-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Development grant is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It supports development-focused projects that use existing research knowledge to create practical outputs that improve the lives of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs. The larger goal behind the program is to strengthen full inclusion and integration across major life areas such as employment, independent living, participation in community life, family and caregiver support, and long-term economic self-sufficiency.
This specific announcement is only for FIP-MSI Development proposals, meaning the work should focus on building and producing tangible, usable deliverables rather than conducting purely exploratory or hypothesis-driven research. NIDILRR describes development activities as efforts that translate what is already known from research into real-world solutions. Examples of appropriate deliverables include materials and training products, devices and rehabilitation technologies, systems and service delivery methods, assessment measures, tools and techniques, prototypes, processes, and intervention protocols. A strong development proposal under this program would typically show a clear pathway from established evidence to a product or method that can be implemented, tested in practical settings as appropriate, and ultimately adopted by the intended users or service systems.
A second major purpose of the opportunity is capacity-building for minority-serving institutions. NIDILRR is explicitly trying to improve the ability of MSIs to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development, expanding participation by institutions that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research landscape. In other words, the program is not only about producing a strong development output for the disability community, but also about strengthening institutional infrastructure, expertise, partnerships, and experience that allow MSIs to compete successfully and contribute consistently to the disability and rehabilitation field over time.
Eligibility is limited by statute. Applicants must qualify as a minority entity or be an Indian Tribe, as authorized under Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act. The announcement defines a minority entity to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as recognized in federal higher education law, Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, or other institutions of higher education where at least 50 percent of enrolled students are from minority populations. Eligible applicant types listed for this opportunity include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement.
In terms of funding and timing, the opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.433 and categorized under science and technology and other research and development. The award ceiling is $250,000, and the project period is 36 months, structured as three 12-month budget periods. The original application closing date is April 13, 2026. While the source information lists an expected number of awards as 1 for this particular notice, NIDILRR also states it plans to make three FIP-MSI awards overall, spanning a mix of research and development awards depending on how all submitted applications score and rank in peer review. That means development proposals submitted under this announcement will effectively compete in a broader portfolio where final award decisions reflect combined peer review rankings across both tracks, with research proposals to be solicited through a separate announcement.
Overall, the program is aimed at supporting MSI-led, development-oriented disability and rehabilitation projects that produce concrete tools or interventions with clear benefits for people with disabilities, while also expanding the presence and long-term research and development capacity of minority-serving institutions in federally funded disability and rehabilitation work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Development grant?
It is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The program supports development-focused projects that use existing research knowledge to create practical outputs that improve the lives of people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs.
Who administers this grant?
The grant is administered by ACL through NIDILRR.
What is the main goal of the program?
The larger goal is to strengthen full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across major life areas, including employment, independent living, participation in community life, family and caregiver support, and long-term economic self-sufficiency.
What does "Development" mean in this announcement?
"Development" refers to activities that translate what is already known from research into real-world solutions. Under this announcement, proposals are expected to focus on building and producing tangible, usable deliverables rather than conducting purely exploratory or hypothesis-driven research.
Does this opportunity fund purely exploratory or hypothesis-driven research?
No. This specific announcement is only for FIP-MSI Development proposals, and the expectation is that the work will produce practical, usable outputs grounded in existing evidence.
What kinds of deliverables are appropriate under this Development grant?
Examples of appropriate deliverables include materials and training products, devices and rehabilitation technologies, systems and service delivery methods, assessment measures, tools and techniques, prototypes, processes, and intervention protocols.
What makes a strong Development proposal for this program?
A strong proposal typically shows a clear pathway from established evidence to a product or method that can be implemented, tested in practical settings as appropriate, and ultimately adopted by intended users or service systems.
Who is the program intended to benefit?
The program is intended to improve the lives of people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs.
Is capacity-building for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) part of the purpose?
Yes. A major purpose of the opportunity is to build capacity at MSIs by improving their ability to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development, expanding participation by institutions historically underrepresented in the federal research landscape.
How does the program support MSI capacity-building?
The announcement describes an intent to strengthen MSI infrastructure, expertise, partnerships, and experience so that MSIs can compete successfully and contribute consistently to the disability and rehabilitation field over time.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited by statute. Applicants must qualify as a minority entity or be an Indian Tribe, as authorized under Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act.
What qualifies as a "minority entity" for eligibility?
The announcement defines a minority entity to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as recognized in federal higher education law, Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, or other institutions of higher education where at least 50 percent of enrolled students are from minority populations.
What types of applicants are listed as eligible?
Eligible applicant types listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.433.
What funding category is this opportunity associated with?
It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $250,000.
How long is the project period?
The project period is 36 months.
How are the budget periods structured?
The 36-month project period is structured as three 12-month budget periods.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is April 13, 2026.
How many awards will be made under this notice?
The source information lists an expected number of awards as 1 for this particular notice.
Is this Development announcement competing within a larger set of FIP-MSI awards?
Yes. NIDILRR states it plans to make three FIP-MSI awards overall, spanning a mix of research and development awards depending on how submitted applications score and rank in peer review.
Does this mean Development proposals compete with Research proposals?
Based on the description provided, final award decisions reflect combined peer review rankings across both tracks (research and development), with research proposals to be solicited through a separate announcement.
What is the overall focus of the opportunity?
The opportunity is aimed at supporting MSI-led, development-oriented disability and rehabilitation projects that produce concrete tools or interventions with clear benefits for people with disabilities, while also expanding the long-term research and development capacity of minority-serving institutions.
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