Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) -Research | HHS 2025 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0106

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0106

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Research is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically through NIDILRR, focused on advancing disability and rehabilitation research while also strengthening the research capacity of minority-serving institutions. The core aim is to generate new knowledge that improves outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on individuals with the greatest support needs. Funded projects are expected to support fuller inclusion and participation in society across key life areas such as employment, independent living, family and caregiver support, community integration, and long-term economic self-sufficiency.

This announcement is specifically for FIP-MSI Research proposals. Applicants must propose a true research study, meaning the project needs clearly stated hypotheses or research questions and an intensive, systematic approach to investigation. The expected results should contribute either (1) new scientific knowledge or (2) a stronger understanding of a defined subject, problem, or existing body of knowledge in disability, rehabilitation, and related technology or service systems. While the broader Field Initiated Projects program can also support development work (such as creating methods, procedures, or rehabilitation technologies), development proposals for the MSI track will be solicited under a separate announcement, not this one.

Awards are structured with a 36-month project period divided into three 12-month budget periods. The notice indicates an anticipated award ceiling of $250,000, and the source data lists an expected two awards under this posting, while the narrative notes NIDILRR plans to make four total FIP-MSI awards across research and development combined, depending on how applications rank in peer review. In practice, that means research proposals submitted under this announcement will be reviewed and ranked, and final selections may reflect a balance across both research and development competitions once both are evaluated, with overall rankings influencing which projects ultimately receive funding.

Eligibility is limited to qualifying minority entities and Indian Tribes, as authorized under Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. A minority entity is defined to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, American Indian tribal colleges or universities, and other institutions of higher education where minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. Eligible applicant categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. NIDILRR signals particular interest in applications from individual minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research arena, aligning the program not only with research outcomes but also with building durable institutional capacity to compete for and conduct high-quality research. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this opportunity.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0106 and CFDA number 93.433. The application deadline is March 17, 2025 (original closing date), and the opportunity was created on December 12, 2024. The funding activity category is science and technology and other research and development, reflecting the program emphasis on rigorous research that can inform practice, policy, and technology to improve real-world rehabilitation and community living outcomes for people with disabilities.

• 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 Institutions (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 2024-12-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-17. (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 $250,000.00 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 2025 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0106

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