At a glance
This program funds research and development of AI-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies to improve health and function outcomes for people with physical disabilities that affect mobility, reaching, grasping, or manipulation. Only states; public or private agencies and organizations, including for-profit entities; institutions of higher education; Indian tribes and tribal organizations; and eligible faith-based and community organizations may apply. The notice says one grant is expected, with $975,000 in expected funding and a funding range of $970,000 to $975,000 per budget period over five 12-month budget periods. There is no cost-sharing requirement. The program is national and includes no geographic set-aside or regional restriction in the text provided.
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program is 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. The purpose of this RERC is to conduct research on, develop, and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven assistive and rehabilitation technologies that enhance independence, participation, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Many existing assistive and rehabilitation technologies lack adaptability, personalization, and seamless integration into daily life. AI and machine learning (ML) offer trans-formative potential to address these gaps by enabling smarter, more responsive, and individualized assistive and rehabilitation technologies. AI-driven innovations in assistive and rehabilitation technology can shift them from static tools to dynamic, intelligent systems that continuously learn and adapt in real time to individual preferences, needs, and changing abilities. This grant will have a 60-month project period, with five 12-month budget periods.
Who can apply
- City or township governments
- County governments
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
- Others
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Special district governments
- State governments