Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received a $222,213 Project Grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training (RLTT) program (CFDA 84.129), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award supports academic training initiatives designed to address personnel shortages in vocational rehabilitation services. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution with over 90% Hispanic enrollment, UTRGV will develop and deliver specialized training to prepare rehabilitation professionals capable of providing comprehensive services to individuals with disabilities, with emphasis on preparing qualified personnel for competitive integrated employment and independent living outcomes.

The RLTT program, administered by the Department of Education, provides federal funding to higher education institutions to create master's degree programs and specialized training curricula in vocational rehabilitation counseling and related disciplines. UTRGV's award contributes to the program's broader mission of increasing the national workforce of rehabilitation professionals equipped with contemporary competencies in areas such as telerehabilitation, multicultural service delivery, and technology integration. The training programs developed under this grant will prepare graduates to address critical rehabilitation service needs across diverse disability populations, including individuals with physical disabilities, mental health disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and sensory impairments.