1. HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-RTHF-0123.pdf

Administration for Community Living

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function Among People with Serious Mental Health Conditions

HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-RTHF-0123

03/10/2025

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Table of Contents

Summary/ Abstract

Work Plan

Vitae/Biosketches of Key Project Personnel

References

Data Management Plan

Budget Narrative/Justification

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

Summary of Involved Individuals and Organizations

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

Informational Conference Call:

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research

Funding Opportunity Title:

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function Among People with Serious Mental Health Conditions

Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2025-ACL-NIDILRR-RTHF-0123

Primary CFDA Number:

93.433

Due Date for Letter of Intent:

02/14/2025

Due Date for Applications:

03/10/2025

Date for Informational Conference Call:

01/31/2025 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living invites applications for a new award for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function Among People with Serious Mental Health Conditions. NIDILRR's RRTC program is authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The purpose of the RRTCs is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the

Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topical areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit people with disabilities, family members, rehabilitation service providers, policymakers and other research stakeholders.

I. Funding Opportunity Description Background:

Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status can experience a serious mental health condition (SMHC). For people under the age of 18, SMHC refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that substantially interferes with or limits their role in family, school, or community activities (ISMICC, 2017). For people 18 or older, SMHC refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities (ISMICC, 2017).

In the U.S., one in six youth aged 6-17 (Whitney & Peterson, 2019) and 1 in 20 adults 18 years and older experience a SMHC each year (SAMHSA, 2022a). The most common age of onset of any SMHC is 14.5 years old, during the transition from childhood to adulthood (Solmi et al, 2022). Research has shown that nearly 50% of adults experiencing a SMHC began experiencing symptoms by age 14 and 75% experienced symptoms by age 20 (Fusar-Poli, 2019; Kessler, et al., 2007; McGrath et al., 2023).

Individuals with SMHCs often face poor overall health outcomes and they are more likely than peers without SMHCs to develop preventable chronic physical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease (Pizzol et al., 2023; Vancampfort et al., 2017). These comorbid chronic physical health conditions and SMHCs are increasingly occurring at younger ages, which exacerbates the prognosis for all conditions and significantly affects the severity of symptoms and functional impairment among youth (Bitsko et al., 2022;

Ferro et al., 2019; Romano et al., 2021; Firth et al., 2019; Merikangas et al., 2015). Earlier onset can lead to significant long-term consequences (e.g., poor health, diminished function) in adulthood (Caspi et al., 2020; Romano et al., 2021; Thompson et al., 2023; Waddell et al., 2018).

Chronic health conditions among people with SMHC are associated with factors such as adverse effects of psychotropic medications, lifestyle choices (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise), social determinants of health (e.g., poverty, being unhoused, social exclusion) (Jester et al., 2023;

Skjærpe et al., 2023), and healthcare disparities (Luciano et al., 2021). People with SMHC experience more rapid functional decline, diminished quality of life, and a lifespan that is 15 to 20 years shorter than the general population (Skjærpe et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2017; Gronholm, et al, 2021).

Research into strategies for improving health and function outcomes for people with SMHCs has expanded significantly over recent decades. This growth has led to the development of a variety of interventions and care models, each demonstrating varying levels of efficacy, feasibility, and dissemination. These include integrated mental and primary healthcare models (AHRQ, n.d.;

SAMHSA-HRSA, 2020), integrated mental and physical health care for youth (McGorry, et al., 2024); self-directed care approaches (e.g., Cook et al., 2019; Cook et al., 2023; Shen et al., 2010;

Slade, 2012), self-management techniques (e.g., Depp et al., 2016; Lean et al., 2019; Mueser et al., 2012), multi-dimensional wellness interventions (e.g., Zechner et al., 2019; Zechner et al., 2022) and lifestyle interventions (e.g., Manger, 2019; Walburg et al, 2023).

Despite this progress, there is an ongoing need to further develop and implement interventions and models to fully address the complex health needs of people with SMHC. Some interventions and care models have been developed and preliminary efficacy established for their use.

However, not all these interventions and models have strong evidence for their efficacy in real-life settings or for their long-term impact. In addition, substantial obstacles continue to restrict the availability of these interventions and models among individuals with SMHCs, especially those from underserved and under-resourced communities (Hodgkinson et al., 2017; McGorry, et al., 2024; Mongelli et al., 2020; SAMHSA, 2022b). These obstacles include system-level factors such as restricted access to healthcare, societal barriers, stigma, suboptimal quality of care, an inadequately trained workforce, and lack of effective care coordination, as well as individual-level lack of motivation to change health and lifestyle (AHRQ, n.d.; Coombs et al., 2021;

Hodgkinson et al., 2017; Mongelli et al., 2020).

As described in the NIDILRR Long Range Plan for 2024-2028, maximizing health and function outcomes among people with disabilities, including those with SMHCs, is critical to their general well-being and ability to meet personal goals for employment and community living. Achieving improved health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs will require refining policies, programs, practices, and technologies that reduce limitations and improve health and function outcomes. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to build on NIDILRR’s prior research investments in health and function among people with SMHCs, by supporting innovative and well-designed research and training projects that address these critical needs.

References:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (n.d.). The Academy Integrating Behavioral Health & Primary Care Health Equity and Behavioral Health Integration.

https://integrationacademy.ahrq.gov/products/topic-briefs/health-equity.

Bitsko, R.H., Claussen, A.H., Lichstein, J., Black, L.I., Jones, S.E., Danielson, M.L., Jennifer M Hoenig, J.M. (2022). Mental Health Surveillance Among Children — United States, 2013–2019 Supplements / Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 71(2);1–42.

Caspi, A., Houts, R.M., Ambler, A. (2020). Longitudinal assessment of mental health disorders and comorbidities across 4 decades among participants in the Dunedin Birth Cohort Study.

JAMA Network Open. 3(4):e203221.

Cook, J.A., Jonikas, J.A., Burke-Miller, J.K., Hamilton, M., Falconer, C., Blessing, M., Aranda, F., et al. (2023). Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-Directed Care for Medically Uninsured Adults With Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services, 74(10), 1027-1036.

Cook, J.A., Shore, S., Burke-Miller, J.K., Jonikas, J.A., Hamilton, M., Ruckdeschel, B., Norris, W., Markowitz, A.F., Ferrara, M., Bhaumik, D. (2019). Mental Health Self-Directed Care Financing: Efficacy in Improving Outcomes and Controlling Costs for Adults With Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services, 70, 191–201.

Coombs, N.C., Meriwether, W.E., Caringi, J., Newcomer, S.R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM Population Health. 15;15:100847. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847. PMID: 34179332;

PMCID: PMC8214217.

Depp, C.A., Moore, R.C., Perivoliotis, D., Granholm, E. (2016). Technology to assess and support self-management in serious mental illness. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 18, 171- 182.

Ferro MA, Lipman EL, Van Lieshout RJ, et al. (2029). Multimorbidity in children and youth across the life- course (my life): protocol of a Canadian prospective study. British Medical Journal Open, 9:e034544.

Firth, J., Siddiqi, N., Koyanagi, A., Siskind, D., Rosenbaum, S., Galletly, C., Allan, S., Caneo, C., Carney, R., et al. (2019). The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: A blueprint for protecting physical health in people with mental illness. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(8), 675–712.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30132-4.

Fusar-Poli, P. (2019). Integrated Mental Health Services for the Developmental Period (0 to 25 Years): A Critical Review of the Evidence. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10:355.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6567858/.

Gronholm, P. C., Chowdhary, N., Barbui, C. et al. (2021). Prevention and management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders: WHO recommendations.

International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 15(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-021- 00444-4.

Hodgkinson, S., Godoy, L., Beers, L.S., Lewin, A. (2017). Improving Mental Health Access for Low-Income Children and Families in the Primary Care Setting. Pediatrics, 139(1):e20151175.

Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) (2017). The Way Forward: Federal Action for a System That Works for All People Living With SMI and SED and Their Families and Caregivers. Retrieved 8/28/2024 from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep17-ismicc-rtc.pdf.

Jester, D.J., Thomas, M.L., Sturm, E.T., Harvey, P.D., Keshavan M, Davis BJ, et al. (2023).

Review of Major Social Determinants of Health in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Psychotic disorders:

I. Clinical outcomes. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 49(4):837 50.

Kessler, R.C., Angermeyer, M., Anthony, J.C., et al. (2007). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of mental disorders in the World Health Organization's World Mental Health survey initiative. World Psychiatry, 6, pp. 168-176.

Lean, M., Fornells-Ambrojo, M., Milton, A., Lloyd-Evans, B., Harrison-Stewart, B.H., Yesufu Udechuku, A., Kendall, T., Johnson, S. (2019). Self-management interventions for people with severe mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 214, 260-268.

Liu NH, Daumit GL, Dua T, Aquila R, Charlson F, Cuijpers P, et al. (2017). Excess mortality in persons with severe mental disorders: a multilevel intervention framework and priorities for clinical practice, policy and research agendas. World Psychiatry, 16(1):30–40.

Luciano, M., Sampogna, G., Del Vecchio, V., Giallonardo, V., Palummo, C., Andriola, I., Amore, M. LIFESTYLE Working Group/. (2021). The impact of clinical and social factors on the physical health of people with severe mental illness: Results from an Italian multicentre study. Psychiatry Research, 303:114073.

Manger, S. (2019). Lifestyle interventions for mental health. Australian Journal of General Practice. 48(10), 670-673.

McGorry, P.D., Mei, C., Dalal, N., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Blakemore, S.J., Browne, V., Barbara Dooley, B., et al. (2024). The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health. Lancet Psychiatry 2024; 11: 731–74. The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health.

McGrath, J.J., Al-Hamzawi, A., Alonso, J., Altwaijri, Y., Andrade, L.H., Bromet, E.J., Bruffaerts, R., et al. (2023). Age of onset and cumulative risk of mental disorders: a cross-national analysis of population surveys from 29 countries. The Lancet Psychiatry, 10(9). 668-681 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00193-1.

Merikangas, K.R., Calkins, M.E., Burstein, M., He, J.P., Chiavacci, R., Lateef, T., Ruparel, K., et

al. (2015). Comorbidity of Physical and Mental Disorders in the Neurodevelopmental Genomics Cohort Study. Pediatrics, 135(4): e927–e938.

Mongelli, F., Georgakopoulos & Pato. M. T. (2020). Challenges and opportunities to meet the mental health needs of underserved and disenfranchised populations in the United States. Focus;

18(1):16–24.

Mueser, K. T., Bartels, S. J., Santos, M., Pratt, S. I., & Riera, E. G. (2012). Integrated illness management and recovery: A program for integrating physical and psychiatric illness self-management in older persons with severe mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 15(2), 131–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487768.2012.679558.

Pizzol, D., Trott, M., Butler, L., Barnett, Y., Ford, T., Neufeld, S.A., Ragnhildstveit, A., et al.

(2023). Relationship between severe mental illness and physical multimorbidity: a meta-analysis and call for action. Evidence-Based Mental Health. 26(1):e300870.

Romano, I., Buchan, C., Baiocco- Romano, L., et al. (2021). Physical- mental multimorbidity in children and youth: a scoping review. British Medical Journal Open, 11:e043124.

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043124.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022a). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP22-07-01-005, NSDUH Series H-57). Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-nsduh-annual-national-report.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Adapting Evidence- Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations. (2022b). SAMHSA Publication No. PEP22- 06-02-004. Rockville, MD: National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS). (2020). Standard framework for levels of integrated health care.

https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/01/CIHS_Framework_Final_charts.

pdf?daf=375ateTbd56.

Shen, C., Mahoney, K.J., Smyer, M.A., et al (2010). Self-Directed Care in Mental Health:

Learnings From the Cash & Counseling Demonstration Evaluation. Pub no SMA-10-4522.

Rockville, MD, Department of Health and Human Services.

Skjærpe, J.N., Hegelstad W.V., Inge Joa, I., Storm, M. (2023). Exploring key determinants of health among individuals with serious mental Illness: qualitative insights from a first episode psychosis cohort, 20 years postdiagnosis. Evidence-Based Mental Health. 23(784), 2-14.

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Solmi M, Radua J, Olivola M, et al. (2022). Age at onset of mental disorders worldwide: large-scale meta-analysis of 192 epidemiological studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 27: 281–95.

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Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Schuch, F.B., Rosenbaum, S., Mugisha, J., Hallgren, M., Probst, M., Ward, P.B., Gaughran, F., De Hert, M., Carvalho, A.F., Stubbs, B. (2017). Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 308-315.

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People With a Severe Mental Illness in Dutch Outpatient Mental Health Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 80(9):886–894.

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Multidimensional Wellness for People Aging With Mental Health Conditions: A Proposed Framework. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. 45(2), 160–169.

https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000510.

Priority:

With the publication of this NOFO, the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living establishes a priority for a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Health and Function among People with Serious Mental Health Conditions (SMHC). For people under the age of 18, SMHC refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that substantially interferes with or limits a child’s role in family, school, or community activities.

For people 18 and older, SMHC refers to a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

The RRTC must contribute to maximizing the health and function outcomes of people with SMHCs.

To contribute to this outcome, the RRTC must:

a. Focus on people with SMHC as a group or on a specific clinical or demographic subpopulation of people with SMHC. Subpopulations may include children with SMHC, adults with SMHC, or both.

b. Conduct research in one or more of the following priority areas:

i. Technology to improve health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs.

ii. Individual and environmental factors associated with improved health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs.

iii. Interventions that are designed to contribute to improved heath and function outcomes among people with SMHCs. Interventions may include any strategy, practice, program, policy, or tool that, when implemented as intended, contributes to improvements in health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs.

Research on interventions may include longitudinal research that examines longer-term effectiveness of an intervention or interventions.

iv. Effects of government policies and programs on health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs.

v. Practices and policies that contribute to improved health and function outcomes among children and adolescents with SMHC.

c. Focus its research on a specific stage(s) of research. If the RRTC is to conduct research that can be categorized under more than one stage, including research that progresses from one stage to another, those stages must be clearly specified and justified. These stages -- exploration and discovery, intervention development, intervention efficacy, and scale-up evaluation -- are defined on ACL’s website. Applicants must justify the need and rationale for research at the proposed stage or stages and describe fully an appropriate methodology or methodologies for the proposed research.

i. The RRTC must conduct at least one study in real-world settings at the intervention efficacy or scale-up evaluation stage.

d. Demonstrate, in its original application, that people with SMHCs from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds will be included in study samples in sufficient numbers to generate knowledge and products that are relevant to the racial and ethnic diversity of the population of people with SMHCs being studied. The RRTC must describe and justify, in its original application, the planned racial and ethnic distribution of people with SMHCs who will participate in the proposed research activities.

e. Serve as a national resource center related to the health and function of people with SMHCs by conducting knowledge translation activities that include but are not limited to:

i. Providing research-based information and technical assistance to people with SMHCs and their representatives, service providers, and other key stakeholders.

ii. Providing training (including graduate, pre-service, and in-service training), to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, rehabilitation service providers and other service providers, to identify and facilitate more effective delivery of services to people with SMHCs. This training may be provided through conferences, workshops, public education programs, in-service training programs, and similar activities.

iii. Disseminating research-based information and materials related to improving health and function outcomes among people with SMHCs to key stakeholders, including individuals with SMHCs.

f. Demonstrate in its original application that people with SMHCs from the target population will be involved in planning and implementing all RRTC activities, and in evaluating the RRTC’s work. This involvement will help maximize the relevance and usability of the new knowledge generated by the RRTC.

g. Ensure that all materials, websites and information technology tools and products that the RRTC develops or maintains 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.

Statutory Authority 29 U.S.C. § 764(b)

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant)

Estimated Total Funding:

$925,000

Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$925,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$920,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods

Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other' Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers are limited to an indirect cost rate of 15%. The maximum amount of the award includes both direct and indirect costs.

The Administration has requested funding for the NIDILRR program for FY 2025. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on final Congressional action. However, we are inviting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant process if Congress appropriates funds for this program.

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in FY 2026 from the list of approved but unfunded applicants from this competition.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants For FY 2024 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

States; public or private agencies, including for-profit agencies; public or private organizations, including for-profit organizations; IHEs; and Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

Foreign entities are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria Application Responsiveness Criteria To be considered for review under this grant opportunity, applicants must propose to run a RRTC that is responsive to each of the requirements in the priority section of this notice of funding opportunity.

Application Screening Criteria We will screen all applications, and will reject any applications that:

Are submitted after the established deadline;

Propose a budget that exceeds $925,000 in any single budget year;

Propose a project period that exceeds 60 months.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package Application materials can be obtained from https://www.grants.gov or https://www.acl.gov/grants/applying-grants.

Please note, ACL requires applications for all announcements to be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov in Workspace. Grants.gov Workspace is the standard way for organizations and individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. An overview and training on Grants.gov Workspace can be found here at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a UEI and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

SAM.GOV Quick Start Guide for Financial Assistance Registrations.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

1.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

2. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

3. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

4. Provide its UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a UEI number at the time the subaward is made.

The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. As of April of 2022, the federal government stopped using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. It is entered on the SF-424. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number, which provides unique identifiers of single business entities.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide.

Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM. Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from https://www.grants.gov that contains https://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from https://www.grants.gov.

If you have any questions about the programmatic or substantive requirements of this funding opportunity, please contact the competition manager:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living

Donna Gregory donna.gregory@acl.hhs.gov

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent Number of Days from Publication 35

02/14/2025 Applicants are requested, but not required, to submit a letter of intent to apply for this funding opportunity to assist ACL in planning for the application independent review process. The purpose of the letter of intent is to allow our staff to estimate the number of independent reviewers needed and to avoid potential conflicts of interest in the review. Letters of intent should be sent to:

Megan.Alvarado@acl.hhs.gov

In your email include:

The funding opportunity number and title.

The name and contact information for the project principal investigator.

A brief description of the proposed activities.

A list of key individuals and their organizations that will have a significant role in your project.

A list of individuals whose selection as a peer reviewer might constitute a conflict of interest due to their involvement in the application development.

For further information regarding the LOI submission process, contact Megan Alvarado.

Project Narrative The Project Narrative portion of your application is where you describe your proposed project and address each of the review criteria. Applicants should directly address each of the review criteria (see Section V), in the project narrative. Each applicant must limit the Project Narrative to the equivalent of no more than 80 pages using the following standards:

A page is 8.5" x 11" on one side only with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides;

Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all narrative text in the project narrative. You are not required to double space titles, headings, footnotes, references, captions, or text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs. Applicants who unnecessarily place narrative text in tables to avoid the double-spacing requirement run the risk of exceeding the page limit;

Use a font that is not less than size 12 and is Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New or Arial;

Include all critical information, including the Work Plan, in the Project Narrative, minimizing the need for additional appendices;

Ensure that you attach PDF files only for any attachments to your application. While you are able to attach files to your application in formats other than PDF, non-PDF files are converted into PDF format before reviewers see and evaluate your application. The conversion to PDF format may not maintain your original formatting. Therefore, to ensure the integrity of your application documents we strongly recommend that you attach only PDF files as you submit your application.

NOTE: The page limit for the Project Narrative does not apply to the Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424), the table of contents, budget narrative/justification, the forms, the summary/abstract, the vitae/ biosketches, references, the letters of commitment from key participating organizations and agencies, the summary of involved individuals and organizations, data management plan, or the data safety and monitoring plan (if applicable).

For project narratives that exceed 80 double-spaced pages, NIDILRR will instruct reviewers to disregard all of the content on the pages beyond the 80th page.

Table of Contents The table of contents should show where and how the important sections of your proposal are organized. While the application will be submitted electronically, the reviewers may use printed copies during the review process. The table of contents will assist reviewers in more efficiently and effectively evaluating your application.

Summary/ Abstract The one-page abstract should be a comprehensive description of the whole project (all years) and not a description of the competency of the institution or Project Director/PI. It is not an executive summary. The abstract can be single-spaced.

Work Plan Applicants must provide a Work Plan (Plan of Operation) in their Project Narrative. The Work Plan should cover all years of the project period. The Work Plan should include a statement of the project's overall goal(s), anticipated outcome(s), and the major tasks that are proposed to achieve the goal and outcome(s). For each major task, the Work Plan should identify timeframes involved and the lead person responsible for the task. A "Project Work Plan - Sample Template" is provided in the Appendix section of this Funding Opportunity Announcement.

Vitae/Biosketches of Key Project Personnel Vitae or biosketches of key project personnel should include information that is specifically pertinent to the applicant’s proposed project. Applicants are encouraged to use NIH’s biosketch format, which provides reviewers with a concise description of training, expertise, and productivity that is relevant to the proposed project.

References Applicants should provide references for works cited in the Project Narrative. Applicants may provide references in any format (i.e., APA, AMA, MLA), though the formatting should be consistent.

Data Management Plan You must provide a data management plan for your project. We will review the data management plan for compliance before making an award.

The data management plan is your plan for making your NIDILRR-funded data available to the public at the end of your grant. The Data Management Plan must include the following:

A description of the types of data you will collect for your project.

A description of how you will organize, store, and preserve your project data.

A description of the metadata to be provided for useful analysis of the data by others.

Metadata include descriptions and labels for variables and values in your dataset.

A description of the data repository that you will use to make your data available to the public at the end of your grant. We recommend that you use the ICPSR as your data repository, but you may select a different data repository.

o If you select a different data repository, you must provide information on how the data repository will provide long-term preservation and free public access to the project data.

If applicable, describe why your data cannot be submitted to a data repository.

A description of the informed consent process that will enable data sharing.

Costs associated with data management can be included in your budget.

If you require technical assistance in preparing your data management plan for this application, contact ICPSR at ICPSR-help@umich.edu or 734-647-2200.

Budget Narrative/Justification The applicant must submit an itemized budget breakdown for each project year and the basis for estimating the costs of personnel salaries, benefits, project staff travel, materials and supplies, consultants and subcontracts, indirect costs, and any other projected expenditures.

The Budget Narrative/Justification can be provided using the “Budget Narrative/Justification – Sample Format” included in this document. Applicants are encouraged to pay particular attention to this document, which provides an example of the level of detail sought. A combined multi-year Budget Narrative/Justification as well as a detailed Budget Narrative/Justification for each year of potential grant funding is required. This information will be uploaded in the "Budget Narrative/Justification" section under the "Optional" category. If applicable, address cost share in a separate section of the budget narrative labeled "cost share."

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies Include letters of commitment from key participating organizations and agencies after the Budget Narrative/Justification.

Summary of Involved Individuals and Organizations Submit an appendix that lists every collaborating organization, and every individual who is named to a professional role in the proposed project. These individuals should include staff, consultants, contractors, and advisory board members. We will use this information to screen for conflicts of interest with potential peer reviewers.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) The Grants.gov registration process can take several days. If your organization is not currently registered, please begin this process immediately. For assistance with https://www.grants.gov, please contact them at support@grants.gov or 800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Eastern Time.

At the https://www.grants.gov website, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, including the hours of operation. ACL strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application due date to begin the application process because of the time involved to complete the registration process.

All applicants must have a UEI number and be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM, www.sam.gov) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete, and should a grant be made, throughout the life of the award. Effective June 11, 2018, when registering or renewing your registration, you must submit a notarized letter appointing the authorized Entity Administrator. Please be sure to read the FAQs located at www.sam.gov to learn more. Applicants should allot sufficient time prior to the application deadline to finalize a new, or renew an existing registration.

This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award. Maintain documentation (with dates) of your efforts to register or renew at least two weeks before the deadline. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

SAM.GOV Quick Start Guide for Financial Assistance Registrations.

Note: Once your SAM registration is active, allow 24 to 48 hours for the information to be available in Grants.gov before you can submit an application through Grants.gov. This action should allow you time to resolve any issues that may arise. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your inability to submit your application or receive an award.

Note: Failure to submit the correct EIN Suffix can lead to delays in identifying your organization and access to funding in the Payment Management System.

Effective October 1, 2010, HHS requires all entities that plan to apply for and ultimately receive federal grant funds from any HHS Operating/Staff Division (OPDIV/STAFFDIV) or receive subawards directly from the recipients of those grant funds to:

1. Register in SAM prior to submitting an application or plan;

2. Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by an OPDIV; and

3. Provide its UEI number in each application or plan to submit to the OPDIV.

Additionally, all first-tier subaward recipients must have a UEI number at the time the subaward is made.

The Federal Government will transition from the DUNS Number to the New Unique Entity Identifier. As of April of 2022, the federal government stopped using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. They will no longer have to go to a third-party website to obtain their identifier. This transition allows the government to streamline the entity identification and validation process, making it easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government. If your entity is registered in SAM.gov today, your Unique Entity ID (SAM) has already been assigned and is viewable in SAM.gov. This includes inactive registrations. The Unique Entity ID is currently located below the DUNS Number on your entity registration record. Remember, you must be signed in to your SAM.gov account to view entity records. To learn how to view your Unique Entity ID (SAM) go to this help article.

You must submit all documents electronically, including all information included on the SF424 and all necessary assurances and certifications. In accordance with the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce reporting burden for recipients of federal financial assistance, the general certification and representation requirements contained in the Standard Form 424B (SF-424B) – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs, and the Standard Form 424D (SF-424D) – Assurances – Construction Programs, have been standardized federal-wide. Effective January 1, 2020, the updated common certification and representation requirements will be stored and maintained within SAM.

Organizations or individuals applying for federal financial assistance as of January 1, 2020, must validate the federally required common certifications and representations annually through SAM located at SAM.gov.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive an automatic acknowledgment from https://www.grants.gov that contains https://www.grants.gov tracking number. The Administration for Community Living will retrieve your application form from https://www.grants.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications 03/10/2025

03/10/2025

Date for Informational Conference Call:

01/31/2025 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with http://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

In addition, if you are submitting your application via Grants.gov, you must (1) be designated by your organization as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and (2) register yourself with Grants.gov as an AOR. Details on these steps are outlined at the following Grants.gov web page: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

After you electronically submit your application, you will receive from Grants.gov an automatic notification of receipt that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. (This notification indicates receipt by Grants.gov only)

If you are experiencing problems submitting your application through Grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Support Desk, toll free, at 1-800-518-4726. You must obtain a Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number and must keep a record of it.

If you are prevented from electronically submitting your application on the application deadline because of technical problems with the Grants.gov system, please contact the person listed under For Further Information Contact in section VII of this notice and provide a written explanation of the technical problem you experienced with Grants.gov, along with the Grants.gov Support Desk Case Number. ACL will contact you after a determination is made on whether your application will be accepted.

Note: We will not consider your application for further review if you failed to fully register to submit your application to Grants.gov before the application deadline or if the technical problem you experienced is unrelated to the Grants.gov system.

If for any reason (including submitting to the wrong funding opportunity number or making corrections/updates) an application is submitted more than once prior to the application due date, ACL will only accept your last validated electronic submission, under the correct funding opportunity number, prior to the Grants.gov application due date as the final and only acceptable application

Unsuccessful submissions will require authenticated verification from http://www.grants.gov indicating system problems existed at the time of your submission. For example, you will be required to provide an http://www.grants.gov submission error notification and/or tracking number in order to substantiate missing the cut off date.

Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) will automatically send applicants a tracking number and date of receipt verification electronically once the application has been successfully received and validated in http://www.grants.gov.

Informational Conference Call:

An informational conference call will be held between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the date listed above for the informational conference call. Interested parties are invited to participate in the pre-application meeting to discuss the funding priority and to receive information and technical assistance. You must contact Megan.Alvarado@acl.hhs.gov in order to participate in this meeting. NIDILRR staff also will be available to provide information and technical assistance via individual phone consultations from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the date listed above. Requests for individual consultations during this one-hour window must be made in advance to Megan Alvarado.

5. Intergovernmental Review This program is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

6. Funding Restrictions A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has raised considerable concerns about grantees and contractors charging the Federal government for additional meals outside of the standard allowance for travel subsistence known as per diem expenses. Executive Orders on Promoting Efficient Spending (E.O. 13589) and Delivering Efficient, Effective and Accountable Government (E.O. 13576) have been issued and instruct Federal agencies to promote efficient spending.