Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0205
Apply for HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0205
- 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) -Research" 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 2 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) - Research is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). The program is designed to advance disability and rehabilitation research by supporting projects that generate new knowledge or strengthen understanding of important disability-related issues. At the same time, this specific MSI-focused competition is meant to build and improve the long-term research capacity of eligible minority-serving institutions, helping them conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development and increasing their representation in the federal research landscape.
The central focus of the funding is on research that can improve real-world outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular attention to individuals with the greatest support needs. NIDILRR is interested in projects that ultimately help maximize full inclusion and integration in society, including participation in employment, independent living, and community life. The program also highlights family and caregiver support, along with economic and self-sufficiency goals, reflecting an emphasis on practical benefits and measurable improvements in how people with disabilities live, work, and engage in their communities.
For this announcement, applicants must propose a true research project rather than a purely service or outreach initiative. Grantees are expected to clearly identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and then carry out an intensive and systematic study. The work should be structured to produce either new scientific knowledge or a better understanding of a subject, problem, or existing body of knowledge related to disability, rehabilitation, independent living, assistive or rehabilitation technologies, or related methods and procedures. In other words, NIDILRR expects a rigorous approach with well-framed questions, appropriate methods, and a plan for producing evidence that contributes meaningfully to the field.
This posting is specifically for FIP-MSI Research proposals. NIDILRR indicates that Development proposals (for example, focused on creating products, procedures, or technologies) will be solicited under a separate announcement. Even though this is the research-focused notice, NIDILRR notes that FIP-MSI awards overall will include a mix of research and development grants, with final selections influenced by peer review rankings across both tracks. The planned project period is 36 months total, organized into three 12-month budget periods, which typically means yearly budgeting and reporting within a three-year performance window.
Eligibility is limited and intentionally targeted. Applicants must qualify as a minority entity or an eligible Indian Tribe, as authorized by Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. A minority entity includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, and other institutions of higher education where minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. The 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, consistent with the MSI and tribal eligibility framing. NIDILRR also signals special interest in applications from minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research arena, which suggests the program is also trying to broaden participation and strengthen research pipelines at institutions that may have had fewer prior federal research awards.
Key administrative details include the opportunity number HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0205 and CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 93.433. The application deadline is April 13, 2026, and foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement. The listing shows an award ceiling of $250,000. The opportunity record also lists expected awards as 2, while the narrative description states NIDILRR plans to make three FIP-MSI awards across research and development combined, meaning the exact number of awards under this particular research-only notice may depend on the mix of top-ranked applications and available funds when both competitions are considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is this grant opportunity?
The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Research is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). It supports disability and rehabilitation research projects while also strengthening the long-term research capacity of eligible minority-serving institutions (MSIs).
Which federal agency and office administer the program?
The program is administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research).
What is the main purpose of the MSI-focused competition?
This competition is designed to build and improve the long-term research capacity of eligible minority-serving institutions so they can conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development and increase their representation in the federal research landscape.
What kinds of topics or outcomes does NIDILRR want these projects to address?
The central focus is research that improves real-world outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular attention to individuals with the greatest support needs. NIDILRR is especially interested in work that supports full inclusion and integration in society, including participation in employment, independent living, and community life, and that advances family and caregiver support along with economic and self-sufficiency goals.
Is this funding meant for research, development, or both?
This posting is specifically for FIP-MSI Research proposals. NIDILRR notes that Development proposals (such as projects focused on creating products, procedures, or technologies) will be solicited under a separate announcement.
Can a service or outreach program be funded under this opportunity?
Applicants must propose a true research project rather than a purely service or outreach initiative. NIDILRR expects a project with one or more hypotheses or research questions and an intensive, systematic study designed to produce evidence.
What does NIDILRR mean by a "true research project" for this notice?
NIDILRR expects rigorous research with clearly identified hypotheses or research questions, appropriate methods, and a plan to produce either new scientific knowledge or a stronger understanding of disability-related subjects. The research should contribute meaningfully to the field through evidence and systematic study.
What subject areas are within scope for the research?
The project should relate to disability, rehabilitation, independent living, assistive or rehabilitation technologies, or related methods and procedures, and be structured to generate new knowledge or strengthen understanding of important disability-related issues.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to applicants that qualify as a minority entity or an eligible Indian Tribe, as authorized by Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
What counts as a "minority entity" for eligibility purposes?
A minority entity includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, and other institutions of higher education where minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent.
What types of organizations are listed as eligible applicants?
The 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, consistent with the MSI and tribal eligibility requirements.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply or receive awards?
No. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement.
Does NIDILRR have any stated preference within the eligible MSI pool?
NIDILRR signals special interest in applications from minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research arena, reflecting the program's goal of broadening participation and strengthening research pipelines at institutions that may have had fewer prior federal research awards.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is April 13, 2026.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0205.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 93.433.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listing shows an award ceiling of $250,000.
How long is the planned project period?
The planned project period is 36 months total, organized into three 12-month budget periods.
What does it mean that the project is organized into three 12-month budget periods?
It typically means yearly budgeting and reporting within a three-year overall performance window, with the total project lasting 36 months.
How many awards does NIDILRR expect to make?
The opportunity record lists expected awards as 2. However, the narrative description states NIDILRR plans to make three FIP-MSI awards across research and development combined, so the number of awards under this research-only notice may depend on the mix of top-ranked applications and available funds when both competitions are considered.
How are final selections influenced across the research and development tracks?
NIDILRR notes that FIP-MSI awards overall will include a mix of research and development grants, and final selections are influenced by peer review rankings across both tracks.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
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