Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Communication Technologies

Background
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) program, administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), aims to enhance the effectiveness of services under the Rehabilitation Act. The program focuses on advanced engineering research and development of innovative technologies to address rehabilitation challenges and eliminate environmental barriers for individuals with disabilities. This specific RERC prioritizes research and development activities aimed at creating new communication technologies for individuals who cannot rely on speech alone.

Grant Details
The RERC must conduct rigorous research, development, and evaluation activities that lead to innovative communication technologies. Tasks include:
1. Researching, developing, and evaluating new or improved products and devices that enhance communication for individuals with disabilities.
2. Conducting at least one research project focused on intervention efficacy or scale-up evaluation.
3. Carrying out at least one development project at the proof of product or proof of adoption stage.
4. Ensuring inclusion of people with disabilities from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds in study samples to ensure relevance to the population served.
5. Generating state-of-the-science knowledge and products while facilitating technology transfer activities to ensure accessibility of developed technologies.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include states; public or private agencies; organizations (for-profit or non-profit); institutions of higher education; and Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

Period of Performance
The grant has a total project period of 60 months, divided into five budget periods of 12 months each.

Grant Value
The estimated total funding for this grant opportunity is $975,000, with an expected number of awards being one. The award ceiling is set at $975,000 per budget period, while the award floor is $970,000.