Field Initiated Projects - Minority-Serving Institutions Research Grant
Summary
The ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) announced a Field Initiated Projects (FIP) research grant for Minority-Serving Institutions. Three awards of $245,000-$250,000 each will fund 36-month disability and rehabilitation research projects. Eligible applicants include HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and other institutions with at least 50% minority enrollment. Applications close April 13, 2026.
What changed
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR published a funding opportunity announcement for the Field Initiated Projects (FIP) Minority-Serving Institutions Research grant. The program seeks to improve the capacity of MSIs to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitation research and development, advancing knowledge to maximize full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.
Eligible institutions include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and other institutions where minority student enrollment reaches at least 50 percent. Foreign entities are not eligible. Educational institutions interested in federal disability research funding should prepare applications targeting new scientific knowledge in rehabilitation, independent living, and integration of people with disabilities.
What to do next
- Review eligibility criteria for Minority-Serving Institution status
- Submit application by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 13, 2026
- Contact Shelley Reeves at shelley.reeves@acl.hhs.gov for questions
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) -Research
Agency: Administration for Community Living
Assistance Listings: 93.433 -- ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Last Updated: February 10, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The purpose of the Field Initiated Projects (FIP) program is to generate new knowledge through reseach or to develop methods, products, procedures, or rehabilitation technologies -- to maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family/caregiver support, and economic and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, especially people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs. Another purpose of this grant opportunity is to improve the capacity of minority serving institutions (MSI) to conduct high-quality disability and rehabilitaiton research... and development. In carrying out a research project under a Field Initiated 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. Please note that this will be the funding opportunity for FIP-MSI Research proposals. We will invite FIP-MSI Development proposals under a separate announcement. NIDILRR plans to make three FIP-MSI awards. NIDILRR's FIP-MSI grants will include a combination of research applications and development applications, depending on the combined ranking of individual research and development applications by the peer review panel. Grants will have a 36-month project period, with three 12-month budget periods. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Parties eligible to apply for MSI FI grants are limited to minority entities and Indian Tribes as authorized by Section 21 (b)(2)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. A minority entity is defined as a Historically Black College or University (HCBU) (a part B institution, as defined in Section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended), a Hispanic-serving institution of higher education, an American Indian tribal college or university, or another IHE whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. NIDILRR is especially interested in applications from individual minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the Federal research arena. Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.
Grantor contact information
Description
Shelley Reeves
shelley.reeves@acl.hhs.gov
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentof_HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0205.pdf | FoaContentof_HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0205.pdf | Feb 10, 2026 04:11 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants
Closing: April 13, 2026
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$500,000
Program Funding
2
Expected awards
$245,000
Award Minimum
$250,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-IFST-0205
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
February 10, 2026
Archive date:
September 30, 2026
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