Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) | HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374

The Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), aimed at advancing disability rehabilitation and related supports through development-focused projects. The program is designed to help generate practical solutions that increase full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities across major life domains, including employment, independent living, family support, and broader economic and social self-sufficiency. A central emphasis is placed on benefiting individuals with the most severe disabilities, with the overall intent of improving real-world outcomes and participation in society.

Unlike purely exploratory research competitions, this specific opportunity is focused on development activities. Applicants are expected to build on existing research knowledge and translate that evidence into usable, field-relevant outputs. In other words, the program funds work that turns what is already known from research into something that can be applied, tested, adopted, or implemented. Under an FI Development grant, a project should result in tangible deliverables such as models, methods, tools, systems, materials, devices, applications, standards, or intervention protocols that are beneficial to a clearly defined target population of individuals with disabilities. The development work is also meant to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), reinforcing the program's focus on strengthening rehabilitation systems and service delivery, not just producing academic findings.

This opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 93.433. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374. The federal agency component involved is ACL, which administers disability and community living programs, including NIDILRR-related efforts that support rehabilitation and independent living outcomes through evidence-informed development and innovation.

Eligibility is broad and includes multiple levels of government (state, county, city/township, and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other tribal organizations. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category. The listing also notes an "Others" category, indicating additional eligible applicant types may apply depending on the specifics provided in the full eligibility guidance.

In terms of funding scale and competitiveness, the opportunity indicated an award ceiling of $200,000 per award and anticipated making approximately 8 awards. The application deadline for the referenced cycle was January 27, 2020, with electronic submissions due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Overall, the program is best understood as support for development and translation: taking credible research-based understanding and turning it into practical rehabilitation technologies, tools, protocols, or service-improvement products that can measurably enhance inclusion, independence, and quality of life for people with disabilities.

• 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 (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 27, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2020 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 8 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, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374

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