The purpose of the Field Initiated Projects program is to generate new knowledge through research or to develop methods, products, procedures, or 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. In carrying out a development project under a Field Initiated Projects development grant, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols that are beneficial to the target population of people with disabilities. Please note that this will be the funding opportunity for Field Initiated Projects development proposals. We will invite Field Initiated Projects research proposals under a separate announcement. NIDILRR plans to make 13 Field Initiated Projects awards. NIDILRR's Field Initiated Projects 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.

Business

• Small businesses
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Education

• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and state institutions of higher education

Government

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Other Native American tribal organizations