Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network | HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPAD 0050

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPAD 0050

The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network opportunity is a discretionary grant competition run 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). It sits within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 93.433) and is designed to strengthen how disability-related services and supports work in practice by improving the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. In plain terms, the program is meant to generate practical methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that help people with disabilities, particularly those with the most significant disabilities, achieve better independent living and employment outcomes.

This specific funding priority focuses on supporting the ADA National Network through ten separate DRRP awards, with one project funded in each of the 10 HHS regions. The intent is to ensure national coverage while still maintaining strong regional presence and responsiveness. Each funded project is expected to operate as a regional resource that helps people and organizations better understand and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, emphasizing both rights and responsibilities. Rather than being purely academic research, the program is structured around a blend of service, education, capacity building, and research activities that translate ADA requirements into real-world understanding and action.

Applicants are required to propose a comprehensive program of services and activities aimed at improving ADA knowledge and implementation among individuals with disabilities and the public and private entities that have obligations under the law. The notice highlights a broad menu of allowable and expected activities: outreach to raise awareness; training for stakeholders who need practical guidance; technical assistance that helps solve specific ADA compliance questions; information dissemination so accurate ADA resources are easy to find and use; capacity building that strengthens regional and local ability to address disability access and civil rights issues over time; and research that can evaluate needs, identify gaps, and improve what works. The overall expectation is that these combined efforts lead to clearer understanding, better decision-making, and more consistent application of ADA principles across communities and systems.

Eligibility is wide and includes many types of government and non-government organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education when applying under those categories); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The listing also includes an “Others” category with reference to additional eligibility language in the full announcement, signaling that there may be clarifications or additional conditions in the complete solicitation.

From a funding and scale standpoint, the opportunity anticipated making 10 awards total, aligning with the goal of one award per HHS region. The listed award ceiling was $1,246,000. The announcement was created on January 14, 2021, with an original application deadline of March 15, 2021, indicating a relatively standard federal grant timeline between posting and closing. In practice, applicants would be expected to align their proposed activities with regional needs while still contributing to the broader national network goal: expanding reliable ADA information and assistance, improving compliance and implementation, and ultimately supporting fuller participation in community life and employment for people with disabilities.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network" 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 Jan 14, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2021. (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 $1,246,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR DPAD 0050

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