Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development | HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0378

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0378

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development grant opportunity is a discretionary research and development funding program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The program is designed to support practical, development-focused work in disability and rehabilitation, with the larger goal of helping people with disabilities, particularly those with the most severe disabilities, participate fully in society. That includes improving outcomes tied to employment, independent living, family and community supports, and overall economic and social self-sufficiency. In addition to improving real-world inclusion and participation, the program also aims to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

This specific competition is tailored to Minority-Serving Institutions and minority entities, including eligible Indian tribes, with the explicit intention of building the research and development capacity of organizations that have historically been underrepresented in federally sponsored research. NIDILRR is limiting eligibility in a way that aligns with Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act, which authorizes awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under Title II of the Act. In practice, the emphasis is not only on producing a useful development outcome, but also on strengthening the ability of MSI and other eligible minority entities to compete, lead, and sustain disability and rehabilitation R and D work over time.

The funding focus is on development activities rather than early-stage exploratory research. Applicants are expected to draw on existing research knowledge and translate it into tangible products or deliverables that can benefit a defined target population. Examples of the kinds of development outputs envisioned include materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols. The common thread is that the project should move beyond theory and produce something that can be used, tested, implemented, or otherwise applied to improve rehabilitation practice, accessibility, service delivery, or independent living outcomes for people with disabilities.

Key opportunity details include the funding opportunity number HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0378 and CFDA number 93.433, with an activity category of science and technology and other research and development. The award ceiling is $200,000, and the opportunity anticipated making one award. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations, along with other eligible applicants as clarified in the official eligibility guidance. The opportunity was created on December 18, 2019, with an original application deadline of February 18, 2020, and electronically submitted applications were required to be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Overall, this competition functions as the dedicated funding pathway for FI development proposals coming from minority-serving institutions, centered on producing applied rehabilitation solutions while simultaneously expanding the participation and leadership of MSIs and other minority entities in federally funded disability research and development.

• 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 "Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (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 Dec 18, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 18, 2020 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 $200,000.00 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), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0378

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