Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program: RERC on Technologies to Enhance Independence and Community Living Among People with Cognitive Disabilities

Background
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program aims 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 for people with disabilities. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

Grant Details
The purpose of this particular RERC is to conduct research, development, and related activities toward technologies that support the community living and participation of adults with cognitive disabilities. The grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods. The RERC must focus on innovative technological solutions, new knowledge, and implementation strategies that enhance the self-management, independence, community living, and quality of life of people with cognitive disabilities. Research and development topics may include robotics and automation technologies; monitoring and prompting technologies or other information or communication aids; assistive technologies, including socially assistive robotics; mobile and wearable technologies; virtual reality; care coordination or tele-health, tele-rehabilitation, and other tele-support systems to facilitate improved independence and community living outcomes of people with cognitive disabilities.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include states; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; Indian tribes and tribal organizations. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this grant opportunity. To be considered for review under this grant opportunity, applicants must propose to run a RERC grant that is responsive to each of the requirements in the priority section of this funding opportunity announcement.

Period of Performance
The grant will have a 60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods.

Grant Value
$925,000 is the estimated total funding for one award under this opportunity. The award ceiling is $925,000 per budget period with an award floor of $920,000 per budget period.