Opportunity Listing - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies

Agency: Administration for Community Living

Assistance Listings: 93.433 -- ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Last Updated: June 1, 2026

Description

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. The purpose of this RERC is to conduct research on, develop, and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies that enhance independence, participation, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Many existing...

assistive and rehabilitation technologies lack adaptability, personalization, and seamless integration into daily life. AI and machine learning (ML) offer trans-formative potential to address these gaps by enabling smarter, more responsive, and individualized assistive and rehabilitation technologies. AI-driven innovations in assistive and rehabilitation technology can shift them from static tools to dynamic, intelligent systems that continuously learn and adapt in real time to individual preferences, needs, and changing abilities. This grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Business

Small businesses
For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Government

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

Miscellaneous

Other

Nonprofit

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

Education

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

Additional information

States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity announcement.

Grantor contact information

Description

Thomas Corfman Thomas.Corfman@acl.hhs.gov

Email

Thomas.Corfman@acl.hhs.gov

Documents

File name	Description	Last updated
hhs-2026-acl-nidilrr-rege-0212_v3.pdf	hhs-2026-acl-nidilrr-rege-0212_v3.pdf	Jun 1, 2026 05:16 PM UTC

Link to additional information

https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants

Closing: July 16, 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.

Award

$975,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$970,000

Award Minimum

$975,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

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:

Posted date:

June 1, 2026

Archive date:

September 30, 2026