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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) - HHS-ACL

1) What is the Field Initiated Projects Program (Research)?

The Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by HHS-ACL. It funds research intended to advance the lives of people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The central purpose is to build new, usable knowledge or to develop and refine methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that support full inclusion and participation in society for people with disabilities.

3) Who is the program primarily meant to benefit?

The program is intended to benefit people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities.

4) What kinds of outcomes is the research expected to support?

The research is expected to strengthen outcomes related to employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency. It is also aimed at helping people with disabilities integrate more fully into community life.

5) Does the program focus only on generating knowledge, or can it support applied work?

It supports research that builds new knowledge and also research that develops or refines methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies. The emphasis is on producing usable outputs that can support inclusion and participation in society.

6) Is this grant intended to improve rehabilitation services covered under a specific law?

Yes. A major objective is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended).

7) What does "improve the effectiveness of services" mean in practical terms?

The opportunity is positioned to support research that makes rehabilitation-related services work better in real-world settings. Examples described in the opportunity include testing interventions, evaluating service approaches, or generating evidence that informs policy and practice.

8) Is this funding meant for general advocacy or broad program operations?

No. The opportunity is clearly research-centered and is intended to contribute to the evidence base in rehabilitation and disability-related services, rather than supporting general advocacy or broad operational activities.

9) What does HHS-ACL expect an applicant to propose?

Applicants are expected to propose a true research activity, including identifying one or more hypotheses or research questions and conducting an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing new scientific knowledge or a deeper, more rigorous understanding of the topic.

10) What level of rigor is expected for the proposed research?

The framing emphasizes methodologically strong research designed to produce findings that can be defended, replicated, and applied.

11) What kinds of deliverables or outputs are anticipated from funded projects?

The opportunity indicates outputs may include empirical evidence, validated tools, improved procedures, or rehabilitation technology that can be adopted by providers, systems, or communities.

12) What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.

13) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.433.

14) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

It is categorized under the Health funding activity area.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories); and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses). The opportunity also notes an "Others" category with additional eligibility clarification referenced in the full announcement.

16) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible, other than small businesses.

17) Are nonprofits eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility list includes nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status, with an exclusion noted for higher education institutions in those nonprofit categories.

18) Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?

Yes. Public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

19) Are tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible.

20) Are local education agencies or school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are included among eligible applicants.

21) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The posted opportunity information indicates an award ceiling of $200,000.

22) How many awards does the opportunity expect to make?

The posted opportunity information indicates an expectation of 9 awards.

23) When was the opportunity posted?

The announcement was created and posted on December 23, 2015.

24) What is the application closing date?

The closing date listed is February 22, 2016. The original and current closing dates are the same.

25) What is the overall emphasis of the program?

The overall emphasis is on well-defined, research-driven projects that contribute to improved rehabilitation knowledge and practice, and that support meaningful, measurable gains in inclusion and independence for people with disabilities.