Deadline: 29-Jul-2026
The Administration for Community Living’s National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research has announced a grant to establish a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focused on improving community living outcomes for people with disabilities. The program supports research, intervention development, and training aimed at increasing independence, accessibility, and participation in society. It funds a five-year national center to test scalable solutions addressing barriers like housing, healthcare, transportation, and caregiving access.
Overview of the Grant Opportunity
The Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), is funding a major research initiative to improve independence and community participation for people with disabilities.
The grant establishes a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focused on:
- Improving community living outcomes
- Developing and testing interventions
- Expanding access to independent living supports
- Strengthening disability inclusion research
Purpose of the RRTC Program
The central goal is to improve quality of life and independence for people with disabilities by addressing systemic and environmental barriers.
Key challenges the program targets include:
- Fragmented service delivery systems
- Limited access to accessible housing
- Transportation barriers
- Healthcare access limitations
- Shortage of qualified caregivers and personal attendants
The program emphasizes both individual-level and environmental solutions.
Core Focus Areas and Research Priorities
1. Caregiving and Support Systems
- Improving caregiver availability and quality
- Strengthening personal assistance services
2. Access to Services
- Connecting individuals to community-based services
- Improving service navigation systems
3. Whole-Person Health
- Integrating physical, mental, and social health supports
- Improving holistic health outcomes
4. Community Living Interventions
- Designing and testing interventions that improve independence
- Evaluating effectiveness of support systems
5. Research and Evidence Development
- Conducting systematic reviews of existing interventions
- Testing intervention effectiveness and scalability
- Advancing evidence-based disability research
6. Inclusion and Participation
- Reducing environmental and social barriers
- Improving participation in community life
- Strengthening accessibility and inclusion systems
7. Knowledge Translation and Training
- Providing research-based training
- Offering technical assistance
- Improving dissemination of findings
8. Disability-Inclusive Research Practices
- Involving people with disabilities in research design and execution
- Ensuring accessibility in all research outputs
Key Requirements of the Funded Center
The selected Rehabilitation Research and Training Center must:
Conduct Research Studies
- Complete two rigorous intervention studies
- At least one study must evaluate scale-up or real-world implementation
- Address both individual and environmental barriers
Serve as a National Resource Center
- Build partnerships with:
- Disability organizations
- Centers for independent living
- Service providers
- Policy and research stakeholders
Provide Training and Technical Assistance
- Host workshops and conferences
- Deliver professional training programs
- Support community education initiatives
Disseminate Research Findings
- Produce accessible research outputs
- Follow Section 508 accessibility standards
- Comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Organize National Conference
- Host a state-of-the-science conference in year 4
- Publish a comprehensive proceedings report
Funding Details
- Total funding: $925,000 (single award)
- Project duration: 5 years
- Project period: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2031
- Funding type: Competitive grant for one Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- State agencies
- Public or private organizations
- Institutions of higher education
- Indian tribes and tribal organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Community-based organizations
Applicants must demonstrate capacity in:
- Disability research
- Rehabilitation or community living interventions
- Training and technical assistance delivery
- Knowledge dissemination
Why This Grant Matters
This initiative strengthens disability inclusion and independent living by:
- Improving access to essential services
- Supporting evidence-based disability interventions
- Reducing systemic barriers to participation
- Enhancing caregiver and support systems
- Promoting inclusive community design and policy
It also ensures that research directly informs real-world improvements in accessibility and independence.
Key Highlights
- Focus: Community living for people with disabilities
- Method: Intervention research + training + dissemination
- Structure: National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
- Duration: 5 years
- Funding: $925,000
- Output: Scalable, evidence-based disability support solutions
Conclusion
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center grant from the Administration for Community Living represents a major investment in disability research and community inclusion. By focusing on scalable interventions, caregiver systems, accessibility barriers, and evidence-based practices, the program aims to strengthen independence and participation for people with disabilities while producing research that directly informs policy and real-world service delivery.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
