Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function of People with Psychiatric Disabilities | HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR RTHF 0389

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR RTHF 0389

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function of People with Psychiatric Disabilities is a federal discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). It sits within NIDILRRs Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program and is structured as a research-and-development oriented grant intended to strengthen the real-world effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. The core idea behind an RRTC is not just producing academic research, but pairing research with training, technical assistance, and broad dissemination so that the results actually reach providers, systems, and communities that serve people with disabilities.

This specific RRTC competition focuses on the health and functional outcomes of people with psychiatric disabilities. Its stated purpose is to generate new knowledge that can directly inform and shape evidence-based services, supports, and interventions aimed at improving health outcomes for this population. In practice, that means applicants are expected to build a center-like program of work that studies what improves health and function, translates findings into usable guidance, and helps stakeholders adopt what works. The intended beneficiaries extend beyond individuals with psychiatric disabilities to include family members, rehabilitation and behavioral health service providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders who influence access, quality, and outcomes across systems of care.

The opportunity was released under Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2020-ACL-NIDILRR-RTHF-0389, with a creation date of March 23, 2020, and an original application deadline of May 22, 2020. Applications were required to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. The program is listed under CFDA 93.433 and categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting its emphasis on generating and translating rigorous evidence rather than delivering direct services alone.

Funding details indicate a single expected award (Expected Awards: 1), making this a highly competitive center grant intended to concentrate resources into one national-level project. The award ceiling is $875,000, which typically signals support for an integrated portfolio of activities such as multiple coordinated research studies, stakeholder engagement, training and workforce development, technical assistance products, and dissemination efforts (for example, toolkits, briefs, webinars, and implementation supports) that help move evidence into routine practice and policy. While the text provided does not specify the project period or required research topics in detail, the RRTC model generally expects a cohesive program with clear research aims, measurable outputs, and a plan for sustained impact on service systems.

Eligibility is broad and includes various levels of government (state, county, city/township, special districts), 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, nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in those categories as specified), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. An additional eligibility clarification is referenced in the announcement, implying there may be specific conditions or definitions that applicants should verify in the full funding notice.

Overall, the grant is designed to support a comprehensive RRTC that advances practical, evidence-based knowledge on how to improve health and functioning among people with psychiatric disabilities, while also ensuring that knowledge is packaged and delivered in ways that providers, policymakers, and communities can actually use to improve outcomes.

• 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 Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function of People with Psychiatric Disabilities" 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 Mar 23, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 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 $875,000.00 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 2020 ACL NIDILRR RTHF 0389

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