Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development | HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0023

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0023

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development grant is a discretionary federal research and development opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and its National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It is designed to support development-focused rehabilitation research and technology efforts that can strengthen real-world outcomes for people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on individuals with the most severe disabilities. The program sits within the broader Field Initiated (FI) Projects portfolio, which aims to expand practical knowledge, tools, and approaches that improve inclusion, participation, and independence across major life domains.

At its core, the opportunity seeks projects that help maximize full inclusion and integration of individuals with disabilities into society. That includes improving access to employment, supporting independent living, strengthening family support systems, and boosting economic and social self-sufficiency. A second major goal is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. In practice, that means projects should have a clear connection to strengthening rehabilitation and disability-related services, whether by making them more effective, more accessible, more culturally responsive, or better aligned with the needs and circumstances of the target population.

This specific competition is tailored to build research and development capacity among minority-serving entities. NIDILRR limits eligibility to minority entities and Indian tribes, consistent with the Rehabilitation Act provisions (notably Section 21(b)(2)(A)) that authorize NIDILRR to make awards to these organizations for activities under Title II of the Act. The intent is not only to produce useful development outputs, but also to expand participation and leadership of minority-serving institutions and organizations in federally sponsored disability and rehabilitation research. NIDILRR signals particular interest in applications from minority entities that have been historically underrepresented in the federal research ecosystem, meaning proposals that also strengthen long-term institutional capacity, pipelines, partnerships, or infrastructure can be especially aligned with the spirit of the opportunity.

Because this is a development grant, the expected work is focused on turning existing research knowledge into tangible, usable outputs rather than primarily generating new basic research findings. The notice emphasizes that a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create practical deliverables such as materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols that benefit the intended population. In other words, proposals should be grounded in evidence or prior research and then move toward building, refining, testing, or packaging something that stakeholders can realistically use in rehabilitation practice, community settings, service systems, workplaces, or daily living contexts.

Administratively, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2021-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0023) is a grant in the science and technology and other research and development category (CFDA 93.433). Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as clarified in the full eligibility language, with the key constraint that applicants must qualify as minority entities or Indian tribes under the program requirements. The opportunity was posted on December 4, 2020, with an original closing date of February 2, 2021. Funding is limited, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and an expectation of one award, making it a highly competitive, single-project opportunity where fit, clarity of deliverables, and alignment with NIDILRR priorities matter a great deal.

Overall, the MSI-FI Development competition is best understood as a targeted investment meant to do two things at once: produce concrete development outputs that can improve the lives and participation of people with disabilities, and strengthen the ability of minority-serving entities to conduct and lead disability and rehabilitation research and development in the long term.

• 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 04, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 02, 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 $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, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0023

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