Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development | HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0186

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0186

The Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), focused on applied development work that improves the lives of people with disabilities. It sits within the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program, which supports the creation of practical rehabilitation methods, procedures, and technologies that help individuals with disabilities participate fully in society. A central emphasis is on outcomes that matter in day-to-day life, such as greater access to employment, more successful independent living, stronger family support, and increased economic and social self-sufficiency, with particular attention to individuals with the most severe disabilities. This specific competition is explicitly designated for development proposals led by minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

The core purpose of the development track is to turn existing research knowledge into usable, real-world products or approaches. Rather than funding basic research for its own sake, the program expects grantees to apply what is already known from prior studies and evidence to build or refine tangible deliverables that can benefit a defined target population. Examples of the kinds of outputs envisioned include materials and training products, assistive or rehabilitation devices, software or other systems, service delivery methods, measurement tools and assessments, techniques and toolkits, prototypes, processes, or structured intervention protocols. The unifying expectation is that the work will be development-oriented and geared toward producing something that can be tested, refined, and ultimately used by practitioners, service systems, communities, or individuals with disabilities.

A second major aim is to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. In practical terms, that means the funded work should have a clear line of sight to improving rehabilitation-related services, supports, and outcomes. Projects are expected to be relevant to real service environments and to contribute to better performance, better accessibility, or better results in programs that serve people with disabilities. Because this is an FI development grant, the emphasis is on producing and shaping tools, methods, and protocols that can be implemented, not just studied.

Administratively, this opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2017-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0186 and is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA number 93.433. The funding instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and an anticipated number of awards of 1, indicating a relatively competitive, focused competition with a single expected recipient. The original posting date (creation date) is November 17, 2016, with an original application closing date of February 15, 2017. Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.

Eligibility is described broadly in the source as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," while the program description makes clear that this particular announcement is the development funding opportunity for minority-serving institutions. In other words, applicants should expect MSI status (or MSI-led proposals consistent with the announcement requirements) to be a defining eligibility or competitiveness factor, and they would need to follow the detailed eligibility instructions referenced in the full announcement. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted investment in MSI-led development efforts that translate rehabilitation research into practical solutions that expand inclusion, independence, and economic and social participation for people with disabilities, especially those with the most significant support needs.

• 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 17, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 15, 2017 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: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2017 ACL NIDILRR IFST 0186

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