1820-0027 Program Descriptions

The following program descriptions are for the application packages used for grant

competitions under the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers 

Program is used specifically for: 84.133A, Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects; 

84.133B, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers; 184.33E, Rehabilitation 

Engineering Research Centers; 84.133F, Research Fellowship; 84.133G, Field Initiated 

Project; 84.133N, Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program; 

84.133P, Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Project

84.133A, Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects

The purpose of the DRRP Program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration 

projects, training, and related activities that help to maximize the full inclusion and 

integration of individuals with disabilities into society and to improve the effectiveness of 

services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act). An 

applicant for assistance under this program must demonstrate in its application how it 

will address, in whole or in part, the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority

backgrounds (34 CFR 350.40(a)). The approaches an applicant may take to meet this 

requirement are found in 34 CFR 350.40(b). 

Eligible: States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or 

private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and 

tribal organizations.

84.133B, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

RRTCs conduct coordinated and integrated advanced programs of research 

targeted toward the production of new knowledge to improve rehabilitation methodology

and service delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize disability conditions, or promote 

maximum social and economic independence for persons with disabilities. 

General Requirements of RRTCs 

RRTCs must--

 Carry out coordinated advanced programs of rehabilitation research;

 Provide training, including graduate, pre-service, and in-service training, to 

help rehabilitation personnel more effectively provide rehabilitation services to 

individuals with disabilities;

 Provide technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, their 

representatives, providers, and other interested parties;

 Demonstrate in their applications how they will address, in whole or in part, 

the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds;

 Disseminate informational materials to individuals with disabilities, their 

representatives, providers, and other interested parties; and
 Serve as centers of national excellence in rehabilitation research for 

individuals with disabilities, their representatives, providers, and other interested parties.

Eligible: States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or 

private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and 

tribal organizations.

84.133E, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

RERCs carry out research or demonstration activities in support of the 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, by--

 Developing and disseminating innovative methods of applying advanced 

technology, scientific achievement, and psychological and social knowledge to (a) solve 

rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers and (b) study and evaluate 

new or emerging technologies, products, or environments and their effectiveness and 

benefits; or

 Demonstrating and disseminating (a) innovative models for the delivery of 

cost-effective rehabilitation technology services to rural and urban areas and (b) other 

scientific research to assist in meeting the employment and independent living needs of 

individuals with severe disabilities; or

 Facilitating service delivery systems change through (a) the development, 

evaluation, and dissemination of consumer-responsive and individual and familycentered innovative models for the delivery to both rural and urban areas of innovative 

cost-effective rehabilitation technology services and (b) other scientific research to assist 

in meeting the employment and independence needs of individuals with severe 

disabilities. 

Each RERC must provide training opportunities, in conjunction with institutions 

of higher education and nonprofit organizations, to assist individuals, including 

individuals with disabilities, to become rehabilitation technology researchers and 

practitioners. 

Eligible: States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or 

private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and 

tribal organizations.

84.133F, Research Fellowship

Fellows must conduct original research in an area authorized by section 204 of the 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Section 204 authorizes research designed to 

maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, 

family, support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, 

especially individuals with the most severe disabilities. 

Eligible: Individuals only
84.133G, Field Initiated Project

The purpose of this program is to further one or both of the following: (a) develop 

methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and 

integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic 

and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with the 

most severe disabilities; or (b) improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the 

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act). FI projects carry out either research 

activities or development activities.

In carrying out a research activity, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses 

and, based on the hypotheses identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed 

toward new scientific knowledge or better understanding of the subject, problem studied, 

or body of knowledge. 

In carrying out a development activity, a grantee must use knowledge and 

understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, or methods 

beneficial to the target population, including design and development of prototypes and 

processes. Target population means the group of individuals, organizations, or other 

entities expected to be affected by the project. More than one group may be involved 

since a project may affect those who receive services, provide services, or administer 

services.

Eligible: States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or 

private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and 

tribal organizations.

84.133N, Special Projects and Demonstrations for Spinal Cord Injuries Program

The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) program is designed to study the 

course of recovery and outcomes following the delivery of a coordinated system of care 

for individuals with SCI. Under this program, SCIMS centers provide comprehensive 

rehabilitation services to individuals with SCI and conduct spinal cord research, including 

clinical research and the analysis of standardized data in collaboration with other related 

projects.

Each SCIMS center funded under this program establishes a multidisciplinary

system for providing rehabilitation services specifically designed to meet the special 

needs of individuals with SCI. These services include acute care as well as periodic 

inpatient or outpatient follow-up and vocational services. Centers demonstrate and 

evaluate the benefits and cost effectiveness of their systems for providing rehabilitation 

services to individuals with SCI and demonstrate and evaluate existing, new, and 

improved methods and equipment essential to the care, management, and rehabilitation of 

individuals with SCI. Centers also demonstrate and evaluate methods of community

outreach and education for individuals with SCI in connection with the problems these 

individuals experience in such areas as housing, transportation, recreation, employment, 

and community activities. SCIMS centers engage in initiatives and new approaches and 

maintain close working relationships with other governmental and voluntary institutions 

and organizations to unify and coordinate scientific efforts, encourage joint planning, and 
promote the interchange of data and reports among SCI researchers. Additional 

information on the SCIMS program can be found at:

http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/res-program.html#model

Eligible: States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or 

private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and 

tribal organizations.

84.133P, Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Project

ARRT projects must-- (1) Recruit and select candidates for advanced research training; 

(2) Provide a training program that includes didactic and classroom instruction, is 

multidisciplinary, emphasizes scientific methodology, and may involve collaboration 

among institutions; (3) Provide research experience, laboratory experience, or its 

equivalent in a community-based research setting, and a practicum that involve each 

individual in clinical research and in practical activities with organizations representing 

individuals with disabilities; (4) Provide academic mentorship or guidance, and 

opportunities for scientific collaboration with qualified researchers at the host university

and other appropriate institutions; and (5) Provide opportunities for participation in the 

development of professional presentations and publications, and for attendance at 

professional conferences and meetings, as appropriate for the individual’s field of study

and level of experience.

Eligible: States Universities; public or private IHEs.