Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development | HHS 2018 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0242

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2018 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0242

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development grant is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the 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). It sits in the science, technology, and research and development category (CFDA 93.433) and is designed to support practical, development-focused work that advances disability and rehabilitation outcomes. The core idea is to move beyond basic research and use what is already known from prior research to build usable solutions that improve everyday life for people with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on those with the most severe disabilities.

At a program level, the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program aims to develop new or improved methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that increase full inclusion and integration into society. That includes improving outcomes related to employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency. Another major purpose is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, meaning the work is expected to connect to real-world service systems and improve how supports are delivered, accessed, or measured. In practice, this program is oriented toward tangible results that can be adopted by service providers, communities, employers, schools, rehabilitation systems, or individuals and families themselves.

This specific competition is tailored for minority-serving institutions and related minority entities, with eligibility intentionally limited to minority entities and Indian tribes. NIDILRR uses this eligibility restriction to align with Section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act, which authorizes awards to minority entities and Indian tribes for activities under Title II of the Act. A central goal of the MSI-FI competition is capacity-building: it is meant to increase the ability of minority entities to carry out disability and rehabilitation research and development activities, particularly for organizations that have historically been underrepresented in federally sponsored research. In other words, it is not only funding a single development project, but also encouraging growth in research infrastructure, experience, and representation within the disability R&D field.

Because this is an FI "development" grant, applicants are expected to translate existing research knowledge into concrete outputs that directly benefit the target population. The announcement describes eligible development outputs broadly, which can include materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols. The emphasis is on creating something usable or implementable, rather than only generating new findings. A strong application would typically make clear what research foundation the project is building on, what product or protocol will be produced, who will use it, and how it will improve participation, independence, employment, or other community-living outcomes for people with disabilities.

Key administrative details from the opportunity include the funding opportunity number HHS-2018-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0242, with applications originally due January 22, 2018, and electronic submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The award ceiling listed is $200,000, and the agency anticipated making one award. The funding instrument is a grant, and eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other eligible minority entities as clarified in the full eligibility language of the notice. Overall, this opportunity functions as the dedicated NIDILRR pathway for FI development proposals specifically intended for minority-serving institutions, combining practical disability innovation with a deliberate focus on strengthening the research and development capacity of underrepresented minority entities.

• 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 Nov 21, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 22, 2018 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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2018 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0242

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