Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Program - Disability Policy Research

The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living establishes a priority for the NIDILRR Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) program. Under this priority, we invite applications for ARRT policy research fellowship grants. ARRT policy research fellowship grants under this priority must be designed to improve outcomes among people with disabilities through advanced training in policy research in one or more of NIDILRR’s three outcome domains of health and function, employment, and community living and participation. Advanced training in policy research may address outcomes among people with disabilities in one or more of these domains through a focus on technology for access and function, as described in NIDILRR’s Long Range Plan.The purpose of the ARRT Program is to increase the capacity for high-quality disability and rehabilitation research by supporting grants to institutions to provide advanced research training to individuals with research doctorates or similar advanced degrees (e.g., clinical doctorates, MD, JD) who have clinical or other relevant experience.NIDILRR makes these ARRT grants to institutions to recruit qualified persons, including individuals with disabilities and other individuals underrepresented in the scientific workforce, and to prepare them to conduct independent research related to disability and rehabilitation with particular attention to research areas that support the implementation and objectives of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Act. An applicant should consult NIDILRR’s Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-2028 (the Plan) when preparing the application.Proposed ARRT projects under this priority must:Recruit and select candidates for advanced policy research training and include in their application targeted plans for recruiting individuals with disabilities. Applicants may also include targeted plans for recruiting individuals from additional populations that are underrepresented in the scientific workforce, including Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders;Provide a training program that includes didactic instruction, is multidisciplinary, and emphasizes scientific methodology;Provide research experience with qualified researchers at the host institution or other appropriate institutions and practicum experience, or other practical activities, with organizations representing individuals with disabilities;Provide academic and career mentorship. Applicants should describe how they will foster the relationship between the trainees and the mentors;Provide opportunities for participation in the development of professional presentations and scholarly publications and for attendance at professional conferences and meetings;Provide training that is responsive to the requirements under paragraphs b – e, to individuals for at least one academic year unless a longer training period is necessary to ensure that each trainee is qualified to conduct independent research upon completion of the course of training. Applicants should provide a clear and detailed justification for the proposed length of the training period (i.e., 12, 18, or 24 months);Require trainees to devote at least 80 percent of their time to the activities of the training program during the training period.Among the fellows who receive training described in paragraphs b-e, ensure that at least two are residential fellows who will spend an additional one year in Washington, DC to conduct research in a Congressional office or any relevant department or agency of the fellow’s choice within the Federal Executive or Legislative branch, or in a relevant nongovernmental organization. This residential portion of the fellowship must be carried out in addition to the disability policy research training and mentorship that fellows receive under paragraphs b-e. The Fellow must secure their own fellowship site placement.Note 1: The costs associated with providing this residential policy practicum are the responsibility of the grantee and must be reflected in the applicant’s proposed budget.Note 2: The grantee must ensure that fellows funded under this program are informed about the anti-lobbying requirements of Federal funding.Applicants should articulate the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes for the research training and other activities. Applicants should describe expected public benefits of these training activities, especially benefits for individuals with disabilities, and propose training projects that are optimally designed to demonstrate outcomes that are consistent with the proposed goals.Applicants must ensure that all materials, websites and information technology tools and products that they plan to develop or maintain are accessible, and that electronic materials are produced in full compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d). For websites this compliance currently requires meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0/2.1 AA success criteria. Applications must demonstrate an ability to meet these requirements.