Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program: RERC on Technology for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing | HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0341

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0341

This funding opportunity is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits within the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program, which supports advanced engineering research and development aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. In practical terms, the program is meant to push forward new or improved technologies that address real rehabilitation challenges, reduce environmental barriers, and make everyday systems and products work better for people with disabilities.

The specific competition is for a Field-Initiated RERC focused on technology for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The center funded under this announcement is expected to conduct research and development that produces innovative technology solutions and related strategies that improve accessibility, usability, and overall performance of technologies intended to benefit individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. While the announcement does not limit the topic to a single device type or setting, the underlying goal is clear: improve how technologies work in real-world use, increase access to communication and information, and reduce barriers that show up in homes, schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, and public life.

Beyond creating or refining technology, an RERC is also expected to demonstrate and evaluate the technologies it develops. That means moving past a lab prototype and showing how tools perform with intended users, in realistic contexts, using credible evaluation approaches. The program also emphasizes translation and systems impact: RERCs are expected to help facilitate changes in service delivery systems, encourage private-sector production and distribution of new technologies and equipment, and build workforce capacity by offering training opportunities. In other words, NIDILRR is not only paying for invention; it is investing in a center that can validate solutions, help them reach the market or broad implementation, and train researchers and practitioners to sustain progress over time.

The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0341; CFDA 93.433) anticipated a single award, with an annual award ceiling listed at $925,000 and an expected number of awards of 1. It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, and the funding instrument is a grant. Applications were due by July 19, 2019, with electronic submissions required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can credibly host and operate a national research center. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses, with additional categories possible as clarified in the full announcement. This broad eligibility reflects the program’s expectation that strong proposals often come from partnerships that combine engineering and research capacity with lived-experience input, clinical or service expertise, and pathways to deployment.

Overall, the grant is designed to fund one specialized RERC that can serve as a national hub for engineering research, development, demonstration, evaluation, training, and technology translation focused on improving technology outcomes for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The center’s work is expected to result in tangible improvements in access and usability, along with credible evidence of effectiveness and stronger pathways for adoption in services and the 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 (RERCs) Program: RERC on Technology for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing" 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 May 20, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 19, 2019 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, 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0341

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