Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies | HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0212

FAQs: RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies (ACL/NIDILRR)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity under the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program, specifically the competition for an RERC on AI-Driven Assistive and Rehabilitation Technologies. It is administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR.

2) What is the purpose of the RERC Program in general?

Under the Rehabilitation Act framework, the RERC program is intended to strengthen the real-world effectiveness of rehabilitation services by supporting advanced engineering research, technology development, and rigorous evaluation of innovative solutions that address rehabilitation challenges or environmental obstacles that limit participation and independence for people with disabilities.

3) What is the focus of this specific RERC competition?

This competition centers on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) as tools to modernize assistive and rehabilitation technologies. The funded center is expected to conduct research on, develop, and evaluate AI-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies that enhance independence, participation, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

4) What problem is this opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity is grounded in the practical issue that many current assistive and rehabilitation devices and systems can be rigid, difficult to personalize, and poorly integrated into daily routines and changing real-life contexts.

5) What kind of approach does the grant encourage?

The grant aims to push the field from static, one-size-fits-many tools toward AI-enabled systems that can learn from user behavior and context, respond more intelligently in real time, and adapt as a person's preferences, environment, or functional abilities change over time.

6) What activities is the funded center expected to carry out?

Based on the announcement summary, the funded center is expected to conduct research and development and to evaluate AI-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies. The emphasis is on producing and evaluating innovations with meaningful, user-centered impact and clear relevance to reducing disability-related barriers in everyday life.

7) How long is the project period?

The award is structured as a 60-month project.

8) How is the 60-month project structured financially?

The 60 months are broken into five consecutive 12-month budget periods, indicating a multi-year, center-style effort rather than a short, single-study project.

9) How many awards does the opportunity expect to make?

The funding opportunity anticipates making one award.

10) What is the maximum annual funding amount?

The annual award ceiling is $975,000.

11) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

12) What category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

13) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.433.

14) Who is the sponsoring agency?

The opportunity is from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), through NIDILRR.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based public, private, nonprofit, academic, and certain business entities. 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 Native American tribal organizations; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); small businesses; and other eligible entities specified in the notice.

16) Can faith-based or community organizations apply?

Yes. Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they meet standard eligibility requirements.

17) Are foreign entities eligible to apply?

No. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to compete for or receive awards under this announcement.

18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2026 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0212.

19) What is the posting/creation date?

The posting/creation date is 2026-06-01.

20) What is the application closing date?

The original closing date is 2026-07-16.

21) What makes this a "center-style" grant rather than a small project?

The opportunity describes a sustained, research-and-development center effort and is structured as a 60-month project with five consecutive 12-month budget periods, which signals a multi-year, programmatic approach.

22) What outcomes is the program aiming for?

The program aims for AI-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies that measurably improve rehabilitation outcomes, reduce barriers, and enhance independence, participation, and overall quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

23) What kinds of technology improvements are emphasized?

The emphasis is on AI/ML-enabled systems that move beyond rigid tools by learning from user behavior and context, responding more intelligently in real time, and adapting as circumstances change.

24) Is the opportunity specifically about assistive technology, rehabilitation technology, or both?

It is explicitly focused on both assistive and rehabilitation technologies, with AI/ML used to modernize how these technologies function and adapt in real-world settings.

25) What is the overall intent in relation to disability-related barriers?

The overall intent is to support work that reduces disability-related barriers in everyday life by developing and evaluating innovative, user-centered technologies that improve participation and independence.