Promoting Positive Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities who are Experiencing Long-COVID | HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000

This funding opportunity, titled "Promoting Positive Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities who are Experiencing Long-COVID" (Funding Opportunity Number: HHS 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000), is a discretionary research grant offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), specifically the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits within the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) portfolio and is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 93.433). The central aim is to strengthen the evidence base and practical effectiveness of programs and services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by generating new knowledge and developing improved methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technologies that support better health, functioning, community living, and employment outcomes for people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on individuals who have the greatest support needs.

Under this specific DRRP priority area, applicants are expected to carry out research that leads to the development, or the development and testing, of interventions, supports, or workplace accommodations designed to help people with disabilities manage or address long-COVID symptoms in ways that protect health and make it more feasible to maintain employment. In practical terms, the research focus is not simply documenting the challenges of long COVID, but building and evaluating solutions that can be used in real-world employment and rehabilitation contexts. The intent is to translate research into strategies that improve job retention, stability, and work participation for people whose long-COVID symptoms may interfere with stamina, cognition, respiratory function, pain, or other domains that affect work performance and overall well-being.

NIDILRR planned to make a single award under this opportunity in fiscal year 2023, making it a highly competitive, targeted grant. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $500,000. The project period is 60 months, structured as five consecutive 12-month budget periods, which implies an expectation of a multi-year research plan with phased activities and annual budgeting and reporting. The opportunity was created on May 11, 2023, with an original application closing date of July 10, 2023, and electronic submissions were required by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of potential research performers and partners. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions where applicable); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities as permitted under the announcement's additional eligibility information. This breadth suggests NIDILRR was open to proposals led by universities, research institutes, nonprofits, public agencies, and private-sector organizations, including those positioned to test interventions in clinical, vocational rehabilitation, community, and workplace settings.

Overall, the grant is designed to push the field beyond describing long-COVID-related employment barriers and toward actionable, evidence-informed tools and practices. The emphasis on interventions, supports, and accommodations signals that the desired outputs likely include tested approaches that vocational rehabilitation systems, employers, service providers, and individuals with disabilities can apply to sustain health and improve employment outcomes while managing the ongoing and sometimes fluctuating effects of long COVID.

• 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 "Promoting Positive Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities who are Experiencing Long-COVID" 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 11, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 10, 2023 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 $500,000.00 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 2023 ACL NIDILRR DPEM 0000

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: