Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Research on Resilience and Positive Mental Health Outcomes Among People with Spinal Cord Injury

The grant opportunity under solicitation HHS-2026-ACL-NIDILRR-DPHF-0225 supports research aimed at advancing resilience and positive mental health outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury, with a focus on identifying risk factors for suicide, developing and testing interventions, and promoting protective factors such as resilience, spirituality, and positive adaptation. The project will run for a 36-month period divided into three 12-month budget cycles, with an expected start date of September 30, 2026, and an end date of September 29, 2029. Funding is available up to $700,000 per budget period, with applications exceeding this amount considered non-responsive, and the total award is expected to fund one recipient. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with ACL’s strategic priorities and conduct research at the intervention efficacy or scale-up evaluation stage at minimum, while also committing to dissemination and utilization of findings to ensure stakeholder impact. All proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov by August 5, 2026, and require active registration in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier, along with completion of standard forms including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and certifications regarding lobbying and anti-discrimination compliance. Applications must adhere to strict formatting guidelines, including 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font, one-inch margins, double-spacing for the project narrative, and single-spacing for summaries and tables, with a 60-page limit on the narrative and one page on the abstract. Required documentation includes a data management plan, biosketches of key personnel using the NIH format, a detailed budget narrative, indirect cost rate agreement approved by HHS or another federal agency, commitment letters, and a summary of key collaborators. Evaluation is based on five weighted criteria, with research design carrying the highest point value at 50%, followed by importance of the problem, project staff qualifications, and plans for dissemination and utilization. Applicants undergo a pass/fail responsiveness review prior to merit scoring, and those scoring among the highest are further subject to a risk assessment through SAM.gov, including checks for exclusions and financial management history. Final funding decisions are made by the ACL Administrator and consider not only merit scores but also portfolio balance, geographic distribution, past performance, and cost reasonableness. All awards are subject to compliance with 2 CFR 200, HHS Grants Policy Statement, federal anti