Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision | HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0030

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0030

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administered through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically under NIDILRR. The program is rooted in the Rehabilitation Act and is designed to strengthen rehabilitation-related services by supporting advanced engineering research and development that leads to practical, innovative technologies. The central idea is to tackle real rehabilitation challenges and reduce or remove environmental barriers that limit full participation in everyday life. In addition to creating new or improved technologies, RERCs are expected to demonstrate how these tools work in real-world settings, evaluate their effectiveness, and help drive broader improvements in service delivery systems so that innovations can be adopted and scaled.

This specific competition focuses on blindness and low vision, with the aim of funding one center that will carry out research and development activities directed at technologies that promote independence and community living for people who are blind or have low vision. In practice, that means the funded RERC would be expected to pursue technology solutions that make it easier for people to navigate their environments, access information, communicate, work, learn, and participate in their communities with fewer barriers. The opportunity also emphasizes the full pipeline of innovation: developing and refining technology, testing and evaluation, and then supporting pathways that move successful tools into broader use. A major theme is impact beyond the lab, including helping to stimulate private-sector production and distribution of new technologies and equipment, which is often a key step in getting assistive and accessible products into the hands of consumers.

The program is also structured to build capacity in the field. RERCs are expected to provide training opportunities, which commonly includes interdisciplinary workforce development, student and trainee involvement, and knowledge-sharing to strengthen the rehabilitation engineering ecosystem. Another notable element is the expectation that the center will contribute to systems change, meaning it should not only create new tools but also help improve how services and supports are delivered so people with disabilities can benefit more consistently. This can include collaborations with service providers, community organizations, industry partners, and other stakeholders who influence adoption, implementation, and long-term sustainability.

In terms of funding details, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2021-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0030 and CFDA (Assistance Listing) 93.433, categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The funding instrument is a grant, with an award ceiling of $925,000, and the agency anticipated making one award under this announcement. The opportunity was posted on February 17, 2021, with an original application closing date of April 19, 2021.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of applicants capable of leading a research and development center. Eligible entities include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding higher education institutions in those categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as further clarified in the full funding notice. This wide eligibility reflects the program’s emphasis on multidisciplinary, cross-sector work, since impactful rehabilitation technology efforts often involve partnerships among universities, nonprofits, healthcare and service systems, government agencies, and industry.

Overall, this grant opportunity is intended to support a single, high-capacity RERC dedicated to blindness and low vision, with the explicit goal of producing and validating technology innovations that measurably improve independent living and community participation, while also strengthening the pathways that move those innovations into routine use through evaluation, training, service-system improvements, and private-sector engagement.

• 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 "Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Blindness and Low Vision" 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 Feb 17, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 19, 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 $925,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2021 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0030

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