University Centers for Developmental Disabilities in Education, Research, and Service

The Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking applications for five-year grants to support up to two University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service, with a period of performance running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, and an expected start date of September 30, 2026. This funding opportunity is restricted exclusively to current UCEDDs designated under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and requires applicants to demonstrate capacity to perform four core functions: interdisciplinary pre-service and continuing education, community services including training and model activities, research, and dissemination of information aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities across areas such as education, health, employment, housing, and transportation. The total award amount is not specified, but funding will be provided in five annual budget periods and must be managed under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements outlined in 2 CFR Part 200, effective October 1, 2025, with additional compliance required under the HHS Grants Policy Statement and its Appendix D, which incorporates all relevant federal statutes and regulations. Applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier, and all subrecipients must also possess a UEI. The award is subject to a salary cap prohibiting the use of funds to pay any individual at a rate exceeding Executive Level II, and recipients must ensure compliance with all federal antidiscrimination laws, including requiring such compliance from partners and subrecipients. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 22, 2026, and are subject to strict formatting requirements including 11-point Times New Roman or Arial font, one-inch margins, double-spaced narrative text, and PDF format, with a 60-page limit on the project narrative and no page limit on the budget narrative. Applicants must complete and submit mandatory standard forms including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, Key Contacts Form, Lobbying Certification, and Project/Performance Site Location Form, along with required narratives and attachments such as an indirect cost agreement, resumes, and commitment letters. Evaluation is based on a scoring system prioritizing Approach (45 points), Capability and Expertise (20 points), Project Impact (15 points), Project Relevance and Current Need (