Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) -Research | HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0075

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0075

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Research is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Its central aim is to support rigorous disability and rehabilitation research that generates new knowledge or produces a clearer, evidence-based understanding of problems that affect people with disabilities, with an emphasis on individuals who have the greatest support needs. The program is designed to fund projects that ultimately strengthen full inclusion and participation in society, including better outcomes related to employment, independent living, family and caregiver support, community integration, and long-term economic and self-sufficiency.

A key feature of this specific announcement is that it is focused on research (not product or technology development). Applicants are expected to frame their work as a true research study by identifying one or more hypotheses or research questions and then carrying out an intensive and systematic investigation. The expected output is either new scientific knowledge or a stronger understanding of the topic being studied, rather than simply delivering services or implementing a program without a clear research design. NIDILRR notes that a separate funding announcement will cover FIP-MSI Development proposals, so applicants need to ensure their proposed activities align with the research purpose of this competition.

In addition to advancing disability and rehabilitation research, the opportunity has a second, explicit goal: building the research capacity of Minority-Serving Institutions. NIDILRR is using this program to help MSIs expand their ability to conduct high-quality research and development in the disability and rehabilitation arena, and it signals particular interest in applications from minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research landscape. In practice, that means proposals that not only answer important questions but also strengthen institutional research infrastructure, mentorship, partnerships, training, or other capacity-building elements may align well with the program intent, as long as the core work remains research-focused.

Eligibility is restricted to specific categories of minority entities and Indian Tribes, as authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). Eligible applicants include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, and other institutions of higher education where minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. The eligible applicant types listed also include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement.

Structurally, awards are planned for a 36-month project period, organized into three 12-month budget periods. NIDILRR indicated it planned to make four FIP-MSI awards overall, covering a mix of research and development awards based on combined peer-review rankings across the companion competitions, although the source data for this specific listing shows an expected awards count of 2 for this opportunity. The maximum award amount shown is $200,000 (award ceiling). Applications were due March 18, 2024, under Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0075, cataloged under CFDA 93.433, with the activity category described as science and technology and other research and development.

Overall, this grant is best understood as support for MSI-led, hypothesis-driven disability and rehabilitation research that is methodologically strong, produces generalizable knowledge or deeper understanding, and aligns with real-world goals like improved inclusion, employment outcomes, independence, and supports for people with disabilities, while also strengthening the ability of MSIs to compete and lead in the federal disability research ecosystem.

• The 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) -Research" 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 2024-01-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-18. (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 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0075

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