Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions | HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0340

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0340

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program opportunity titled "RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions" is a discretionary grant competition run 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 overall aim of the RERC program is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by supporting advanced engineering research and development that targets real rehabilitation challenges. In practical terms, the program is looking for work that either solves specific rehabilitation problems or reduces environmental barriers that limit participation and independence for people with disabilities.

This particular competition is field-initiated and focused on rehabilitation strategies, techniques, and interventions. NIDILRR is seeking research and development that leads to better rehabilitation practices and services that improve health and functional abilities across multiple domains, including physical, cognitive, sensory, and communication functioning. The intended beneficiaries include individuals with a wide range of disabling conditions, so the center's work is expected to be broadly relevant rather than narrowly tailored to a single diagnosis. The rehabilitation engineering emphasis means that the funded center should translate research into tangible technological outcomes, such as new or improved products, devices, tools, or other technology-based advances that can enhance rehabilitation services in clinical settings (like hospitals and outpatient rehab) as well as community settings (like home- and community-based programs, schools, workplaces, or independent living contexts).

Beyond creating technology, the RERC model expects a full pathway from innovation to impact. That includes demonstrating and evaluating the developed technologies to show how well they work and under what circumstances they are most effective. It also includes activities that help change or improve service delivery systems, meaning the center should think about how technologies can be integrated into real-world rehabilitation workflows and how services might adapt to use them effectively. The program also emphasizes stimulating private-sector production and distribution, signaling that commercialization, manufacturing partnerships, and dissemination strategies matter so that innovations do not remain limited to prototypes or lab demonstrations. Another core expectation is training: RERCs are intended to provide training opportunities that build capacity in rehabilitation engineering and related fields, helping develop the workforce and spreading technical expertise.

Administratively, this opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0340 and is categorized under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development funding activity area (CFDA 93.433). The funding instrument is a grant. The posted award ceiling is $925,000, and the agency anticipated making one award under this competition. Eligible applicants are broad and include various levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special districts), independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice. The opportunity was created on January 15, 2019, with an original closing date of March 18, 2019, and electronic submissions were due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

Taken together, the grant is designed to support one center that can lead a coordinated research-and-development program in rehabilitation engineering, producing and validating technological innovations that improve rehabilitation outcomes and service effectiveness, while also helping those innovations move into practice through systems change, industry engagement, and training.

• 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 "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions" 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 15, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 18, 2019 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 $925,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), 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 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0340

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