The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living invites applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2024 for the Field Initiated (FI) Projects Program (CFDA 93.433), authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to carry out either research or development activities. Awards will be made in one of two distinct categories: (1) research, and (2) development, for a period of up to three years (36 months).
This is the Funding Opportunity Announcement that applicants should use in order to submit FI research proposals. NIDILRR/ACL is publishing the Funding Opportunity Announcement for FI development proposals separately.
The purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program is to develop knowledge, methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social selfsufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially those with the highest support needs. Another purpose of the FI Projects program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
In carrying out a research activity under a FI Projects research grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new scientific knowledge or (2) better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge.
Deadline: Dec. 11, 2023
Invitational Priority: In FY 2024, there are seven invitational priorities of interest to the agency (see below). NIDILRR does not give applications that address these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.
1. Research or development projects that address the needs, experiences, or outcomes of people with disabilities from underserved communities. People with disabilities from underserved communities include those from communities or populations defined in Section 2 of the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, including: people with disabilities who are racial and ethnic minorities; people with disabilities who are members of religious minorities; people with disabilities who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer; people with disabilities who live in rural areas; or people with disabilities otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.
2. Research or development projects to explore or address the relationship between climate change and the needs, experiences, and outcomes of people with disabilities.
3. Research or development projects related to oral health among people with disabilities.
4. Research or development projects that focus on making airline travel accessible for people with disabilities.
5. Research or development projects that focus on improving the extent to which emergency and disaster preparedness plans and systems are accessible to, and responsive to the needs of, people with disabilities.
6. Research or development projects that focus on improving the experience and outcomes of people with disabilities as they interact with one or more components of the criminal justice system (e.g., police, courts, jails and prisons).
7. Research or development projects that focus on services, supports, or interventions for people with disabilities who experience Long COVID.
States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
Award Ceiling: $200,000 Per Budget Period
Award Floor: $195,000 Per Budget Period
