Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities | HHS 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0000

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0000

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program competition titled "RERC on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities" is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). It sits within the science, technology, and research and development funding category (CFDA 93.433) and is structured to support a single, focused national center that advances engineering research and practical technology development in rehabilitation.

At its core, the RERC program exists to strengthen the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended). It does that by funding advanced engineering research and development (R and D) aimed at solving real rehabilitation problems or removing environmental barriers that limit participation for people with disabilities. RERCs are not intended to be purely academic research projects; they are designed to move technology forward in ways that are usable in the real world. That includes designing and building innovative technologies, demonstrating and evaluating how well they work, and helping translate successful innovations into practice. Another key emphasis is systems impact: RERCs are expected to help catalyze improvements in service delivery systems, encourage private-sector production and distribution of new assistive or rehabilitation technologies, and create training opportunities to build the workforce and knowledge base needed to sustain and scale the innovations.

This specific funding opportunity narrows the mission to recreation, sports, and exercise, with a clear public health and participation focus. The funded RERC is expected to conduct R and D activities that lead to technologies promoting exercise and health among people with disabilities. In practical terms, this could encompass a wide range of technology areas that support physical activity and wellness, such as adaptive and inclusive fitness equipment, sport-specific assistive devices, accessible wearable sensors and feedback systems, adaptive gaming or exergaming tools, mobility and support technologies that enable exercise participation, and software platforms that remove barriers to training, coaching, or facility access. The unifying theme is enabling people with disabilities to participate more fully, safely, and effectively in recreational, sport, and exercise activities, and to support improved health outcomes through increased physical activity.

The opportunity is offered as a grant, with NIDILRR planning to make one award under this announcement. The maximum annual funding level is listed with an award ceiling of $925,000. The project period is 60 months total, organized into five 12-month budget periods, which reflects a multi-year center model where activities can progress from initial design and prototyping through iterative refinement, evaluation, demonstration, and broader dissemination and commercialization support over time.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can credibly operate a national R and D center. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities as described in the funding notice. This wide eligibility reflects the program's expectation that strong proposals often come from multi-partner collaborations that can combine engineering and research capability with clinical or community expertise, disability stakeholder engagement, and pathways to real-world deployment.

The announcement information provided indicates the funding opportunity number as HHS 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0000, with a creation date of April 12, 2022, and an original application due date of June 13, 2022, with electronic submissions due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Overall, the grant is designed to support one national center that develops and validates recreational, sport, and exercise technologies that measurably reduce barriers and improve health and participation outcomes for people with disabilities, while also pushing successful solutions toward adoption through service systems and the private marketplace.

• 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 Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities" 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 Apr 12, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 13, 2022 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 $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, 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 2022 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0000

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