Explore Current and Completed Projects

Explore the NIDILRR Program Database by browsing new, current, and completed projects organized by funding mechanism or outcome domain. You can also conduct your own search using the advanced search page. Visit NIDILRR's website to learn more about its funding mechanisms and outcome domains and support areas.

NIDILRR Programs (click Details to expand/collapse description)
Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training Program (ARRT) (Details)
The purpose of this program is to expand capability in the field of rehabilitation research by supporting projects that provide advanced training in rehabilitation research. These projects provide research training and experience at an advanced level to individuals with doctoral or similar advanced degrees who have clinical or other relevant experience, including experience in management or basic science research, in fields pertinent to rehabilitation, in order to qualify those individuals to conduct independent research on problems related to disability and rehabilitation.
Americans with Disabilities Act National Network (ADANN) (Details)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) opens new opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also places new responsibilities on employers, transit and communications systems, state and local governments, and public accommodations. NIDILRR funds the ADA National Network to provide information, training, and technical assistance related to the ADA to businesses, agencies, and the public, as well as conducting ADA-related research. Presently, ten ADA regional centers and one ADA collaborative research center are funded under this program. Beginning in 2011, NIDILRR funded an ADA Network Knowledge Translation Center (ADA Network-KTC) to support knowledge translation activities of all ADA National Network centers.

The toll-free number for information, materials, or technical assistance on the ADA is 800/949-4232 (V/TTY). This number will automatically route the center in the caller's region.
Burn Model System (BMS) (Details)
The Burn Model Systems establish innovative projects for the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive rehabilitation services to people with burn injuries. These projects collect and contribute longitudinal data on the individuals’ demographics, diagnoses, causes of injury, interventions, outcomes, and costs, to the Burn National Data and Statistical Center.
Field-Initiated Projects (FIP) Program (Details)
This program is designed to encourage eligible applicants to originate valuable ideas for research and demonstrations, development, or knowledge dissemination activities in areas which represent their own interests, yet are directly related to the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.
General Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (General DRRP) Program (Details)
These projects address rehabilitation priorities identified by NIDILRR and published in the Federal Register. These priorities address a variety of problems encountered by people with disabilities. Projects are funded for up to 60 months.
Knowledge Translation (KT) Program (Details)
Knowledge translation provides the tools though which to ensure that people with disabilities become fully integrated and participating members of society. NIDILRR's Knowledge Translation efforts ensure the widespread distribution, in usable formats, of practical scientific and technological information generated by research, demonstration, and related activities. NIDILRR's challenge is to reach diverse and changing populations; to present research results in many different and accessible formats; and to use technology appropriately.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Program (RERC) (Details)
This program provides support for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers to conduct programs of advanced research of an engineering or technical nature in order to develop and test new engineering solutions to problems of disability. Each center is affiliated with a rehabilitation setting, which provides an environment for cooperative research and the transfer of rehabilitation technologies into rehabilitation practice. The centers' additional responsibilities include developing systems for the exchange of technical and engineering information and improving the distribution of technological devices and equipment to individuals with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Program (RRTC) (Details)
This program provides support for the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers. The primary goals of these centers are:

To conduct research targeted toward the production of new knowledge which will improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize disabling conditions, and promote maximum social and economic independence.

To institute related teaching and training programs to disseminate and promote the utilization of research findings, thereby reducing the usual long intervening delay between the discovery of new knowledge and its wide application in practice.

The three major activities, research, training, and service, are expected to be mutually supportive. Specifically, this synergy calls for research ideas to derive from service delivery problems, for research findings to be disseminated via training, and for new professionals to be attracted to research and service via training.
Section 21 Program (Minority Serving) (Details)
The Section 21 program focuses on research capacity building for minority entities, such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and institutions, serving primarily Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian or Alaska Native students, as well as non-minority entities with an interest in improving understanding about the needs and outcomes of individuals with disabilities from minority populations. Program activities include assisting minority entities with networking that supports enhanced collaboration between minority entities and non-minority entities, and the exchange of expertise and advanced training across program areas.
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) (Details)
New ideas and products useful to people with disabilities and the rehabilitation field are encouraged with small business innovation research grants. This three-phase program takes an idea from development to market readiness.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Model System (Details)
This program provides assistance to establish innovative projects for the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive medical, vocational, and other rehabilitation services to meet the wide range of needs of individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Switzer Research Fellowship Program (Details)
Fellowships, named for the late Mary E. Switzer, build future research capacity. NIDILRR makes awards on two levels: Distinguished Fellowships go to individuals of doctorate or comparable academic status who have had seven or more years of experience relevant to rehabilitation research. Merit Fellowships are given to persons in earlier stages of their research careers.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model System (Details)
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems establish innovative projects for the delivery, demonstration, and evaluation of comprehensive rehabilitation services to people with TBI. These projects collect and contribute longitudinal data on the individuals’ demographics, diagnoses, causes of injury, interventions, outcomes, and costs, to the TBI National Data and Statistical Center.
Outcome Domain (click Details to expand/collapse description)
Community Living and Participation (Details)
Independent living recognizes that each person has the right to independence through maximum control over his or her life, based on an ability and opportunity to make choices in performing everyday activities. These activities include: managing one's personal life; participating in community life; fulfilling social roles, such as marriage, parenthood, employment, and citizenship; sustaining self-determination; and minimizing physical or psychological dependence on others. Community integration incorporates ideas of both place and participation, so that a person is physically located in a community setting, and participates in community activities. Issues of consumer direction and control also are integral to concepts of community integration. The goals of NIDILRR's research program are to encourage independent living and community integration, to achieve more successful outcomes for people with disabilities, and to foster the development of innovative methods to achieve these outcomes and to measure achievement.
Disability Statistics and Demographics (Details)
Related disability research emphasizes knowledge areas that are cross-cutting and essential to the support and refinement of disability research generally. The common theme linking disability statistics, outcome measures, Disability Studies, rehabilitation science, and international activities, is that they all provide essential frameworks and building blocks that enable the disability research enterprise to thrive and to address important issues in meaningful ways.
Employment (Details)
NIDILRR seeks to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities by funding research into the wide spectrum of employment and disability issues, including economics; Federal, State, and community employment programs; accommodation; technology; education; and ergonomics and the work environment.
Health and Function (Details)
NIDILRR's research focus for health and function addresses challenges to individual care, services, and supports for people with disabilities. Research topics include: medical rehabilitation; health and wellness programs; service delivery; short- and long-term interventions; systems research; and new and emerging disabilities.
Technology for Access and Function (Details)
Historically and currently, research investigating rehabilitation and biomedical engineering and assistive technology has produced results which have helped people with disabilities to achieve and maintain maximum physical function, live in their own homes, attain gainful employment, and participate in and contribute to society. NIDILRR's research addresses a broad range of technology, including systems of public technology, such as telecommunications and the built environment, and orphan technology for individuals. The research program also ecourages universal design practices.

In the past, NIDILRR has also funded the following mechanisms (click Details to expand/collapse description)
Alternative Financing Projects (Details)
The Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act funded alternative financing projects aimed at providing financial assistance in the purchase of assistive technology. Projects worked with public and private lenders in their states. The Alternative Financing Program is currently part of the Assistive Technology State grant program funded by the Administration for Community Living Office of Interagency Innovation.
Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Projects (Details)
This program funded projects to provide information and technical assistance to projects implementing assistive technology programs at the state level. These projects are now funded under the Administration for Community Living.
Innovative Research Projects (Details)
This program provided financial support to projects that tested new concepts and innovative ideas; demonstrated research results of high potential benefits; purchased and evaluated prototype aids and devices; or conducted feasibility. planning. and evaluation studies and conferences, and other activities to disseminate specific research findings.
Interagency Agreements (Details)
This program provided funds for projects conducted in cooperation with other agencies of the Federal government.
International Projects (Details)
Bi-National Foundations and Joint Boards were established for science and technology research agreements between the Department of State and Foreign Ministries of the participating countries. This agreement required matching deposit of equal funds by each government in a separate joint interest-bearing account. The interest generated by these accounts was used to fund research proposed by local scientists and approved by the appropriate U.S. agency selected by the category of U.S. domestic mission. Mutuality in this cooperation was respected by both countries through bilateral management of matched annual deposits to the Joint Fund. Joint Fund support for research cooperation took the form of grants to both partner institutions. Grants were awarded on the basis of the cooperative evaluation of proposals from either country. Joint funds were designed to support add-on costs and not structured as a primary source of funds for domestic research in either country. While modest, they assured a financial resource uniquely dedicated to the advantages inherent in international cooperation.
Research and Demonstration Projects (Details)
These projects addressed rehabilitation priorities identified by NIDRR and published in the Federal Register. These priorities addressed a variety of problems encountered by people with disabilities.
State Technology Assistance Projects (Details)
Through an important program funded under the Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act, NIDRR supported consumer-driven state plans for the delivery of assistive technology and grants awarded to groups investigating innovative ways of delivering assistive technology devices and services to individuals of all ages with disabilities. These projects are currently funded under the Administration for Community Living Office of Interagency Innovation.
Technology Related Projects of National Significance (Details)
These projects were funded under Title II, Parts C and D, of the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. Part C of Title II funded two kinds of training projects: one that educated people with disabilities and other relevant groups, including those in organizations and agencies, in developing, demonstrating, disseminating, and evaluating curricula, materials, and methods used to train people to provide technology-related assistance; and one that prepared personnel to provide technical assistance and administer programs or to support the development and implementation of statewide programs in technology-related assistance. Part C funding also supported a broad range of public awareness activities, including, for example, media spots on the impact and benefits of technology on the lives of people with disabilities. Part D supported model demonstration direct service projects, applied research and development activities that increase the provision of reliable and durable technology, participation of people with disabilities in testing technology before mass marketing, making common technology accessible to people with disabilities, and increasing efforts in technology transfer. Part D also included a program for income-contingent direct-loan demonstrations.
Utilization Projects (Details)
This program supported activities that would ensure that rehabilitation knowledge generated from projects and centers funded by the Institute and other sources was fully utilized to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.