Grant opportunity

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

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.

GrantResearch fundingHealthUnited StatesAI
Funder
Administration for Community Living / Department of Health and Human Services
Closes 2026-07-16
Closes 2026-07-16: Jul 16, 2026
Award
up to USD 975,000; floor USD 970,000; estimated total USD 975,000; 1 expected award
Applicant
Organizations and Institutions
Discipline
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Region
United States
Posted
Jun 1, 2026

Call summary

Overview

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.

Who can apply

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.

What it supports

  • Health and Biomedical Sciences
  • United States
  • Official opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212.

Funding and duration

  • up to USD 975,000; floor USD 970,000; estimated total USD 975,000; 1 expected award

Closes 2026-07-16

Closes 2026-07-16: Jul 16, 2026

How to apply

Use the official Grants.gov listing for application package, forms, attachments, and agency-specific instructions. Submit by 2026-07-16 unless the agency updates the official listing.

Call details

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: 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. Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212. Closing date: 2026-07-16. Funding: up to USD 975,000; floor USD 970,000; estimated total USD 975,000; 1 expected award.

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.

Health and Biomedical Sciences

United States

Official opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-REGE-0212.

up to USD 975,000; floor USD 970,000; estimated total USD 975,000; 1 expected award

Closes 2026-07-16: Closes 2026-07-16: Jul 16, 2026.

Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.

Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.

Use the official Grants.gov listing for application package, forms, attachments, and agency-specific instructions. Submit by 2026-07-16 unless the agency updates the official listing.

Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.