hhs-2026-acl-aod-prrc-0029-v3.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 16, 2026

Office of Disability Services Innovation

National Paralysis Resource Center Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-AOD-PRRC-0029

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22

Find the application package 23

Get registered 24

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

Application checklist 26

Application contents and format 27

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 46

Application review 47

Award notices 50

Step 5: Submit Your Application 51

Application submission and deadlines 52

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 53

Post-award requirements and administration 54

Contacts and Support 56

Before you begin 3

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your

SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up to date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity

Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 16, 2026.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command

+ Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Basic information Administration for Community Living (ACL)

Office of Disability Services Innovation

Improve the health and quality of life of individuals living with paralysis through a nationally recognized resource center staffed by experts in the field.

Have questions?

See Contacts and

Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

National Paralysis Resource

Center

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACL-AOD-

PRRC-0029

Federal assistance listing:

93.325

Cost sharing: None

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

July 16, 2026

Optional notice of intent deadline:

Expected award date:

September 1, 2026.

Expected project start date:

September 1, 2026

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary ACL plans to award one cooperative agreement to operate the National Paralysis

Resource Center (NPRC). The NPRC will serve as a national source of trusted information and referral, peer support, and community-based resources for people living with paralysis, their families, caregivers, and support networks. It will provide an accessible website, trained information specialists, peer support, and quality-of-life grants to help people build independence, strengthen community participation, and improve quality of life. The NPRC will also conduct outreach, work with partners across the country, and track results to improve services and show impact.

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding over the performance period: Up to $30,000,000

Expected total program funding per budget period: Up to $10,000,000

Total expected awards: One

Funding range per applicant per budget period: Up to $10,000,000

We plan to fund awards in three 12-month budget periods for a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2029.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&wopisrc=https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FHHS947%2F_vti_bin%2Fwopi.ashx%2Ffiles%2F9c803ae9be934e8fb0c46ecc64aa745d&wdprevioussession=e3eb7177%2De5b3%2D49aa%2Ddf32%2D0e2cd27cff92&wdenableroaming=1&mscc=1&hid=1FC722A2-8077-D000-E7F8-AD9E2377619C.0&uih=sharepointcom&wdlcid=en-US&jsapi=1&jsapiver=v2&corrid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&usid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&newsession=1&sftc=1&hfto=1782852165372.3&uihit=docaspx&muv=1&ats=PairwiseBroker&cac=1&sams=1&mtf=1&sfp=1&sdp=1&hch=1&hwfh=1&dchat=1&sc=%7B%22pmo%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%22%2C%22pmshare%22%3Atrue%7D&ctp=LeastProtected&rct=Normal&wdorigin=Other&afdflight=76&csiro=1&instantedit=1&wopicomplete=1&wdredirectionreason=Unified_SingleFlush#_Contacts_and_Support https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&wopisrc=https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FHHS947%2F_vti_bin%2Fwopi.ashx%2Ffiles%2F9c803ae9be934e8fb0c46ecc64aa745d&wdprevioussession=e3eb7177%2De5b3%2D49aa%2Ddf32%2D0e2cd27cff92&wdenableroaming=1&mscc=1&hid=1FC722A2-8077-D000-E7F8-AD9E2377619C.0&uih=sharepointcom&wdlcid=en-US&jsapi=1&jsapiver=v2&corrid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&usid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&newsession=1&sftc=1&hfto=1782852165372.3&uihit=docaspx&muv=1&ats=PairwiseBroker&cac=1&sams=1&mtf=1&sfp=1&sdp=1&hch=1&hwfh=1&dchat=1&sc=%7B%22pmo%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%22%2C%22pmshare%22%3Atrue%7D&ctp=LeastProtected&rct=Normal&wdorigin=Other&afdflight=76&csiro=1&instantedit=1&wopicomplete=1&wdredirectionreason=Unified_SingleFlush#_Contacts_and_Support https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&wopisrc=https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FHHS947%2F_vti_bin%2Fwopi.ashx%2Ffiles%2F9c803ae9be934e8fb0c46ecc64aa745d&wdprevioussession=e3eb7177%2De5b3%2D49aa%2Ddf32%2D0e2cd27cff92&wdenableroaming=1&mscc=1&hid=1FC722A2-8077-D000-E7F8-AD9E2377619C.0&uih=sharepointcom&wdlcid=en-US&jsapi=1&jsapiver=v2&corrid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&usid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&newsession=1&sftc=1&hfto=1782852165372.3&uihit=docaspx&muv=1&ats=PairwiseBroker&cac=1&sams=1&mtf=1&sfp=1&sdp=1&hch=1&hwfh=1&dchat=1&sc=%7B%22pmo%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%22%2C%22pmshare%22%3Atrue%7D&ctp=LeastProtected&rct=Normal&wdorigin=Other&afdflight=76&csiro=1&instantedit=1&wopicomplete=1&wdredirectionreason=Unified_SingleFlush#_Intergovernmental_review%E2%80%AF https://word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/wordeditorframe.aspx?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&wopisrc=https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%2Fsites%2FHHS947%2F_vti_bin%2Fwopi.ashx%2Ffiles%2F9c803ae9be934e8fb0c46ecc64aa745d&wdprevioussession=e3eb7177%2De5b3%2D49aa%2Ddf32%2D0e2cd27cff92&wdenableroaming=1&mscc=1&hid=1FC722A2-8077-D000-E7F8-AD9E2377619C.0&uih=sharepointcom&wdlcid=en-US&jsapi=1&jsapiver=v2&corrid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&usid=3d4ab94d-d0c7-9738-d202-93d48c498908&newsession=1&sftc=1&hfto=1782852165372.3&uihit=docaspx&muv=1&ats=PairwiseBroker&cac=1&sams=1&mtf=1&sfp=1&sdp=1&hch=1&hwfh=1&dchat=1&sc=%7B%22pmo%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fgartner365.sharepoint.com%22%2C%22pmshare%22%3Atrue%7D&ctp=LeastProtected&rct=Normal&wdorigin=Other&afdflight=76&csiro=1&instantedit=1&wopicomplete=1&wdredirectionreason=Unified_SingleFlush#_Intergovernmental_review%E2%80%AF

Eligibility Eligible applicants Only these types of organizations may apply:

• Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments.

• Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/

Native American).

• Faith-based organizations.

• Community-based organizations.

• Hospitals.

• Institutions of higher education.

Disqualifying factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements. We won’t consider an application that:

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual, including a sole proprietorship, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from ACL.

• Does not contain documented commitment to solicit, select, and make subawards totaling at least 35% of the total annual federal award.

• Exceeds the 50-page limit for the project narrative. Any pages that exceed 50 pages will be removed and only the first 50 pages of the Project Narrative will be provided to the merit reviewers for funding consideration. NOTE: The Project Work Plan, Letters of Commitment, Organizational Charts, and Resumes/Vitae of Key Project

Personnel are not counted as part of the Project Narrative for purposes of the

50-page limit.

• Your budget must be at least the minimum award amount and no more than the maximum award amount listed in Section II.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory Authority This program is authorized under Section 14301 of the Omnibus Public Land

Management Act of 2009 (Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act) and Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-9).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program description Purpose The purpose of the NPRC is to improve the health and quality of life of people living with paralysis.

The NPRC will serve as the nation’s go-to source for:

• Trusted information.

• Real-time help.

• Community capacity-building.

• Peer support.

• Community-based resources that promote independence and participation.

The NPRC will advance:

• Independence.

• Informed choice.

• Full participation in community life for people living with paralysis.

The NPRC will reduce environmental, social, and systemic barriers to health and community living.

The program will strengthen community capacity through competitive subawards. It will also track progress through performance measures and a public dashboard.

Background People living with paralysis often face:

• Disconnected systems of care.

• Inconsistent information.

• Barriers to getting long-term services and supports. These challenges can lead to:

• Inappropriate services.

• Preventable secondary conditions.

• Increased healthcare costs.

• Reduced independence.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act authorized the Secretary of Health and

Human Services to fund projects to improve the quality of life of people living with paralysis. Since its establishment, the National Paralysis Resource Center has helped

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 people living with paralysis, their families, caregivers, and support networks connect to reliable information, practical tools, peer support, and community-based resources.

Through national information and referral services, accessible educational materials, outreach, and partnerships, the Resource Center has supported informed decision-making, self-advocacy, independence, and participation in community life.

The Resource Center has also strengthened community capacity through quality-of-life grants and partnerships with organizations across the country. These efforts have supported local projects that improve access, reduce barriers, expand opportunities for community participation, and address practical needs related to independent living, transportation, accessibility, employment, peer connection, and family and caregiver support. As more people live longer with paralysis, there is still a strong need for a national resource center that offers reliable information and community supports.

Goals, expectations and outcomes

The goals of the NPRC are to improve:

• Health.

• Independence.

• Quality of life for people living with paralysis.

The NPRC will also help people:

• Build self-advocacy skills.

• Make informed choices.

• Participate more fully in community life.

It will work to reduce barriers that affect health and community living.

The NPRC expectations include:

• Launching and maintaining a public dashboard by year two that shows at least one key output and one key outcome.

• Using a performance and reporting system that links federal funding to project activities, outputs, and outcomes.

• Conducting both process and outcome evaluations.

• Using feedback from people living with paralysis to improve services and materials.

• Strengthening peer support through mentor recruitment, matching, quality standards, training, and timely access.

• Ensuring subawards strengthen community capacity, reduce barriers, and improve quality of life.

• Using plain language and accessible formats so people can understand and use

NPRC information.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Expected outcomes include:

• Increased access to reliable information and support.

• Improved knowledge and self-advocacy.

• Greater independence and community participation.

• Stronger community capacity to support people living with paralysis.

• Fewer barriers to services and community living.

• Broader reach to underserved populations and.

• Stronger performance data to show results and support continuous improvements.

Target population

In this funding opportunity, paralysis refers to a range of disabling conditions due to stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or other central nervous system disorders that result in difficulty or inability to move the upper and lower extremities.

The NPRC will serve people living with paralysis of all ages, including people with co-occurring or secondary disabilities. The NPRC will also serve their families and support networks.

Emphasis on reaching people who are unserved, underserved or hard to reach

The NPRC should place special emphasis on reaching people who are unserved, underserved or hard to reach, including:

• Veterans.

• Children and youth.

• Older adults.

• People who are incarcerated or were formerly incarcerated.

• Tribal communities.

• Rural populations.

• People experiencing homelessness.

• People with substance use disorders.

• People who are uninsured or underinsured.

• Survivors of violence.

• Individuals with co-occurring developmental, intellectual, physical, psychiatric, sensory, or emerging disabilities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Independent Living Philosophy

ACL expects the NPRC to follow the principles of Independent Living (IL). This includes:

• Consumer control.

• Self-determination.

• Peer support.

• Full inclusion of people with disabilities.

Programs and services should reflect these principles by centering on the voice, choice, and independence of the people served.

Required activities You will address all six required activity areas below.

Activity A: Strengthen nationwide access to reliable information, tools and real-time help

You will operate a national information and referral (I&R) center that provides:

• Accurate, up to date information.

• Easy-to-read resources.

• Real-time help.

You will operate the I&R center using current methods that reflect how people find information and connect today. You will:

• Maintain a comprehensive, accessible, Section 508-compliant national website that makes it easy for people to find reliable information.

• Create navigation tools to access resources when they need them.

• Provide real-time access to trained information specialists and other experts who can respond in multiple languages to a wide range of questions.

◦ This includes questions about rehabilitation services, insurance, and adaptive recreation.

• Develop informational products, toolkits, and resource mapping tools based on people’s information needs.

• Ensure all informational materials are written in plain language.

• Share materials that turn research into practical information people can understand and use.

• Get feedback from people with lived experience and use that feedback to improve the Center’s I&R.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

Activity B: Strengthen community capacity through state and local investments that improve quality of life

You will operate a quality-of-life community investment program that helps community-based organizations across the nation improve quality of life for people with paralysis.

• Explain how the program will help reduce barriers to health and community living.

• You will use at least 35% of the annual federal award for a competitive national subaward program.

• You will maintain enough staffing to manage the subawards efficiently, reducing administrative costs over time to direct more funds to the quality-of-life subawards.

• You will provide financial oversight, program support and technical support to subrecipients to make sure funds are used for the approved purpose.

Subawards

You will ensure subawards:

• Promote independence, choice, and community integration.

• Strengthen long-term services and supports.

• Are awarded through an open and competitive process.

• Do not require matching funds.

• Are spent within 12 months after the subaward is made.

• Are focused on priority areas of national need.

Priority areas

You will work with people with paralysis, their families, and their support network to identify priority areas for subawards.

You will use data, input from people living with paralysis and information on past quality-of-life investments to identify priority areas for subawards.

Priority areas may include:

• Employment.

• Improving accessibility.

• Assistive technology.

• Support for families and caregivers.

• Transportation.

• Institutional transitions.

• Preventing institutionalization.

• Rural outreach.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

Activity C: Increase individual independence and participation through peer support programs

You will operate a nationwide peer support program for people living with paralysis and their caregivers. The program will provide person-centered support based on each person’s needs and preferences. You will:

• Recruit and retain volunteer peer mentors across the nation with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds, so you can match people based on their preferences and needs.

• Maintain a directory of peer support groups and mentors.

• Set quality standards for peer mentors and groups to be included in the directory.

• Ensure timely access to peer support for those who request it.

• Identify gaps in existing peer support and develop ways to address them.

• Provide training, practical tools, resources and technical assistance to peer groups and mentors.

The aim is to strengthen peer support skills that promote independence, self-advocacy skills, and participation in community life.

Activity D: Conduct on-going promotional activities and outreach to increase visibility and number of people using

NPRC resources

You will promote the NPRC nationwide as a trusted source of information and support for people living with paralysis, their families, and members of their support network.

• You will use outreach strategies that reflect how people find and use information today.

• You will share information widely so that people across the country, and people who are hard to reach, can connect to NPRC’s resources.

• Your outreach efforts will target people living with paralysis, families, professionals, and underserved communities.

• Your strategy will include co-branding with ACL, conference participation, digital outreach, and outreach to people who are not already connected to services.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Activity E: Collaborate and partner with relevant organizations

You will work with key partners to improve outcomes for people of all ages living with paralysis, including those with co-occurring or secondary disabilities, as well as their families and support networks.

Strong partnerships will ensure that:

• Project activities reflect lived experience and professional expertise.

• Respond to the needs of people and their families.

• Improve access, inclusion, independence, and community participation.

Partners should have clear roles for how they:

• Share information.

• Identify barriers.

• Help carry out strategies to address those barriers.

Each key partner will play a role in supporting project goals and required activities and remain active throughout the project period.

Activity F: Measure performance and evaluate outcomes

You will work with a group made up mostly of people who have paralysis to evaluate how well each required activity is carried out and what results it achieves.

• You will work with the group to look at the overall impact of the NPRC and whether project activities are improving the lives of people with paralysis, their families and their support networks.

• You will keep a performance data and reporting system to help ensure that the data you collect is accurate and useful.

• You will use performance findings to:

◦ Review the project regularly and support improvement.

◦ Report to ACL twice a year.

◦ Refine delivery service.

◦ Strengthen effective strategies.

◦ Improve the program’s impact on people and their families.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Performance and evaluation required activities

Measuring how well each required activity is carried out

You will complete two types of evaluations:

• A process evaluation.

• An outcome evaluation.

Process evaluations

First, you will conduct a process evaluation.

• This will show whether activities are carried out on time, and with the intended partners and participants.

• It will help you identify what is working well and what needs to be improved.

You will also assess how efficiently the project is operating.

• This includes reviewing how staff time, funds, and other resources are being used.

• You will examine whether administrative tasks are completed on time and in a cost-effective way.

• You will examine where there are opportunities to streamline procedures, reduce delays, or lower administrative costs.

• You may review workflows, examine spending patterns, and speak with staff and partners to identify where time or resources may be tied up.

The goal is to reduce unnecessary administrative costs so that more funding can support activities that improve the quality of life for people with paralysis, such as the quality-of-life subawards.

• You will share all this information with the group made up mostly of people living with paralysis.

• You will discuss how well the project is working and ask for their feedback on changes that may be needed.

◦ This includes ways to improve efficiency and direct any savings to activities that improve the quality of life.

You will document any changes you make to the project and why they were needed.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Outcome evaluations: Measuring the impact of the NPRC

You will also conduct an outcome evaluation.

• This will measure the results of your activities and show whether they are helping to improve the quality of life for people with paralysis.

• The outcome evaluation will compare actual results to the targets you set and help show whether your work is making a meaningful difference.

• Working with a group made up of mostly people living with paralysis, you will use available national data to identify key quality-of-life measures.

◦ These measures will include areas such as housing, health, employment, where people live, age, and education.

• Using national estimates of how many people are living with paralysis, you will set clear, measurable targets for the indicators that matter most to people with paralysis.

Annual data collection

Each year, you will collect data from project activities to measure performance against these indicators.

This may include:

• The number and types of services provided.

• The number of participants served.

• Information reported directly by participants about their experiences and outcomes.

You may also use follow-up surveys, interviews, or other tools to understand how participants’ quality of life has changed.

• You will compare this information to the national data and to your targets.

• This will help you identify where progress is being made, and where changes may be needed.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Performance data and reporting systems To carry out the process and outcome evaluations, you will:

• Describe the system to collect, manage, and report performance data for all required activities, including subawards.

• Implement a performance and reporting management system that shows the line from federal funding to grant-supported activities to outcomes for people with paralysis and their families.

The system will track key inputs, outputs, and outcomes across all program areas, including:

• Who uses services.

• Who is reached.

• How subawards are distributed.

• And what results the program achieves.

Public dashboard

To support transparency and accountability, you will launch a public dashboard by the beginning of year two of the grant award.

You will describe:

• What outputs and outcomes will be included when the dashboard launches.

• How often the data will be updated.

• How the dashboard will improve transparency, accountability, and public understanding of project performance.

This dashboard will be easy for the public to access online. When launched it will include up-to-date information on at least one key program’s output and one key outcome.

Over time, you will add additional outputs and outcomes. This will allow ACL, project partners, people with paralysis, and the public to see:

• How funds are being used.

• What activities are being supported.

• What results are being achieved.

Supporting the dashboard with data

To support the dashboard, you will collect and organize data on your activities and results throughout the year. This may include:

• The number of people served.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17

• The types of services provided.

• Participant feedback.

• Progress toward meeting your targets.

You will update the dashboard regularly so that users can clearly see how the project is performing over time.

The goal is to make it easy for anyone to understand what the project is doing, how resources are being used, and whether the work is making a difference.

Cooperative agreement terms Cooperative agreements require substantial ACL project involvement after an award is made. There are specific roles for both you and ACL.

Your responsibilities

• Fulfill all program requirements described in this NOFO.

• Collaborate with ACL to finalize and refine the work plan within 45 days of award.

• Document outcomes and maintain quality assurance systems.

• Report semi-annually on progress and performance, including findings from the

NPRC performance and reporting management system, and beginning in year two, maintain a publicly available dashboard on at least one key program output and outcome.

• Manage and monitor subawards in compliance with federal regulations.

• Collaborate with ACL on branding and public communications.

Our responsibilities

• Provide substantial involvement in program oversight.

• Conduct regular meetings to monitor progress.

• Provide technical assistance.

• Participate in major project activities, as appropriate.

Managing disagreements

Disagreements related to programmatic or administrative matters will first be addressed through informal resolution between the awardee and the ACL project officer. If unresolved, matters may be elevated through established ACL and HHS grant dispute resolution procedures.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18

Funding policies and limitations

Changes in HHS regulations

As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in

2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

Policies

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations, and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate: racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety.

If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

• You may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Under this NOFO, you can’t continue existing projects without expansion or new and innovative approaches.

• Meals are allowed only in limited circumstances linked to program activities, like during travel or when approved in advance by ACL. See Allowable Costs and

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

Activities, Exhibit 4: Selected Items of Cost, Meals in the HHS Grants Policy

Statement.

• There are restrictions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. See 2 CFR 200.216 to make sure this does not apply to any proposed equipment in your application.

Unallowable costs

• Construction or major rehabilitation of buildings.

• Basic research, such as scientific or medical experiments.

• For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General.

Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.420.

Program-specific limitations and policies

The recipient must allocate at least 35 percent of total federal funds awarded annually through an open and competitive national subaward process to eligible nonprofit community-based organizations serving individuals living with paralysis in the United

States. Subawards must be expended within 12 months, may not require matching funds, and may not be used for medical services or fundraising activities. Federal funds under this program may not be used to provide direct medical care or clinical services. All materials and digital content developed under this award must acknowledge ACL funding, clearly distinguish the NPRC brand from that of the recipient organization, comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements, and use plain language. The recipient must establish written procedures for subrecipient monitoring consistent with 2 CFR

200.332 and collect and report performance data.

Indirect costs

Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC))

Subawards

As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role is primarily a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

All subrecipients must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award

Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation

The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive

Level II.

For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACL grant or cooperative agreement.

Program income

If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 21 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 23

Get registered 24

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can search for it at

Grants.gov using opportunity number HHS-2026-ACL-AOD-PRRC-0029. Then select the

Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

You can also find materials at Applying for Grants on ACL’s website.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 23 https://grants.gov/search-grants https://acl.gov/grants/applying-grants https://www.grants.gov/support

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 24 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 26

Application contents and format 27

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms on

Grants.gov.

Narratives

Item Grants.gov form Page limit

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form. 50 pages

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form. None

Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Item Page limit

Indirect cost agreement None

Commitment letters None

Proof of nonprofit status None

Resumes and job descriptions None

Other required forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Item Page limit

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) None

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) None

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) None

Key Contacts form None

Grants.gov Lobbying form (Certification Regarding Lobbying) None

Project/Performance Site Location form None

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

Application contents and format This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 50 pages

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using

U.S. dollars.

Required format Required format for project and budget narratives.

Font: Times New Roman or Arial Format: PDF

Size: 11-point font

Footnotes and text in graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing for project narrative main content: Double-spaced

Spacing for budget narrative: As needed

Spacing for project summary, tables, footnotes: Single-spaced

Margins: 1-inch

Include page numbers.

Project narrative Page limit: 50

The project narrative is the most important part of the application. We use it as the primary basis to decide whether your project meets the statutory requirements and to review its merit. The project narrative should give a clear and concise description of your project.

Be sure to cite all your sources. Merit reviewers may lower your score if you do not.

Also study the merit review criteria under each section to make sure you answer all questions and cover all topics reviewers will look at.

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

Project summary

Provide a brief project summary of no more than 265 words. Write it for the general public. You will need to include:

• Goals: Broad overall purpose, like a mission statement that says what you want to do and where you want to be.

• Objectives: Narrow, specific, and clear steps toward the goals. These are the “hows” to achieve the goals.

• Overall approach: General overview of what you will do.

• Outcomes: These are the measurable results of a project. Include expected changes among those served, such as clients, systems, organizations, and communities.

These should tie directly to your goals and those of this funding.

• Products: The materials and other deliverables you expect to generate through the project.

• Duration: The anticipated start and end dates of the period of performance.

Project relevance and current need (15 ponts)

Problem statement (10 points)

When discussing the need for a national resource center for people with paralysis, include:

• Current information on the needs and challenges faced by people living with paralysis and their families using both numbers and other supporting documents.

• Information about how common paralysis is, its main causes, and it affects people, families, and support networks at different stages of life.

• Information about the barriers people face such as:

◦ Disconnected systems of care.

◦ Unreliable information.

◦ Difficulty navigating services.

◦ Gaps in community-based supports.

◦ Limited coordination among providers.

• An explanation of how these barriers can lead to inappropriate services, delayed support, preventable secondary conditions, and less independence.

• Information about how secondary conditions and co-occurring disabilities affect health, emotional well-being, and quality of life.

• An explanation of how these can worsen existing barriers and contribute to unequal access and outcomes.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

• Information about disparities affecting special and service-limited populations, including:

◦ Rural communities.

◦ Tribal communities.

◦ Veterans.

◦ People with co-occurring disabilities.

◦ People who are not connected to disability or aging service networks.

• A clear explanation of why a nationally coordinated resource center is needed to address these gaps in information, services, and community supports.

• Clearly define the target population or populations to be served.

◦ Explain why a nationally coordinated resource center is needed and how the proposed project will identify needs, respond to those needs and align with the six required activity areas in this funding opportunity.

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

• Clearly documents the current status of the field and key challenges faced by people living with paralysis and their families. (2 points)

• Identifies specific needs using current information and supporting documents. (2 points)

• Clearly defines the target population(s), including underserved and service-limited populations. (2 points)

• Demonstrates why a nationally coordinated resource center & outreach is necessary to address documented gaps. (2 points)

• Explains how the proposed project aligns with and supports all six required activity areas.

(2 points)

10 points

Goals and objectives (5 points)

The goals of the NPRC are to improve health, independence and quality of life for people living with paralysis.

• State at least one overall project goal.

◦ List specific, measurable objectives that support it.

◦ Your objectives will address all six required activity areas and support the purpose of the NPRC.

• You will describe how the NPRC will achieve the following results:

◦ Increase access to reliable information and support.

◦ Improve knowledge and self-advocacy.

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

◦ Improve independence and community participation.

◦ Strengthen community capacity to support people living with paralysis.

◦ Reduce barriers to services and community living.

◦ Expand reach to underserved populations.

◦ Provide data that shows whether these outcomes were achieved.

• You will want your objectives to be specific, time-bound, and measurable over the three-year project period.

• Describe how your goals and objectives support ACL priorities of promoting independence and improving access to services.

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

• Clearly states one overarching project goal aligned with the purpose of the NPRC.

(2 points)

• Identifies specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives. (2 points)

• Demonstrates alignment of objectives with all six required activity areas. (1 point)

5 points

Approach (35 points)

In this section, you will address:

• Proposed special target populations and organizations.

• Information and referrals.

• Subaward strategies.

• Peer support.

• Promotional activities and outreach.

• Collaboration and partnerships.

Special target populations and organizations (3 points)

• You will identify underserved, unserved, hard-to-reach and service-limited populations the project will serve. These may include:

◦ Rural communities.

◦ Veterans.

◦ Children and youth.

◦ Older adults.

◦ Tribal communities.

◦ People with limited English proficiency.

Step 3: Build Your Application 30

◦ People with co-occurring disabilities.

▪ Others not currently connected to disability or aging service networks.

• You will describe the specific strategies you will use to reach and engage these populations.

• Explain how your project design and implementation will respond to community cultural and language needs.

• In this section, focus on outreach strategies for these priority populations.

The broader national visibility and outreach strategies will be addressed in the promotional activities and outreach section.

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

• Clearly identifies underserved, hard-to-reach and service-limited populations. (1 point)

• Describes specific strategies to reach and engage those populations. (1 point)

• Shows how the project will respond to community, cultural and language needs in its design and implementation. (1 point)

(3 points)

Strengthen nationwide access to reliable information, tools, and real-time help (8 points)

You will operate the NPRC as a national information and referral center that provides timely, accurate, and accessible information for people living with paralysis, their families, caregivers, and other members of their support networks.

• Explain how you will provide information in multiple formats and languages and how you will ensure that materials are easy to understand and responsive to user needs.

In your response, address all of the following:

• Information and referral center operations.

◦ You will operate a national information and referral center that provides timely access to reliable information, tools, and support.

◦ Explain what communication channels you will use, such as website, phone, email, chat, or other methods.

◦ Explain how you will ensure accessibility, timeliness, and national reach.

• Information specialist model.

◦ Describe your staffing model for trained information specialists and other experts.

Step 3: Build Your Application 31

◦ Include staff qualifications, training, supervision, and language capacity.

◦ Describe how you will provide real-time support.

◦ Explain how you will ensure staff can respond effectively to a wide range of questions, including questions about:

▪ Community living.

▪ Services and supports.

▪ Benefits.

▪ Rehabilitation.

• Related resources.

◦ Informational products and research-to-practice materials.

▪ Describe how you will develop, update, and share informational products, resource guides, navigation tools, and research-to-practice materials.

◦ Explain how you will:

▪ Identify user needs.

▪ Turn complex information into practical content people can understand and use.

▪ Gather feedback from people with lived experience to improve these materials over time.

◦ Website, accessibility, partnerships, and branding:

▪ Describe how you will maintain a Section 508-compliant national website that is easy to use.

▪ Explain how the Independent Living philosophy will guide website content and broader project activities.

▪ Describe how you will work with partner organizations to strengthen content and reach.

▪ Explain how the NPRC brand and website will remain clearly distinct from the applicant organization while appropriately acknowledging ACL support.

Step 3: Build Your Application 32

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

• A clear approach to operating a national information and referral center that provides timely, accessible information in multiple formats and languages. (2 points)

• A clear information specialist model, including staffing, qualifications, training, and real-time service delivery. (2 points)

• Describes how it will develop and share informational products, navigation tools and research-to-practice materials that people can understand and use. (2 points)

• A plan to maintain a section 508-compliant national website that reflects the independent living philosophy, works with partner organizations, clearly distinguishes the

NPRC brand from the applicant organization and appropriately acknowledges ACL support. (2 points)

8 points

Strengthening community capacity through state and local investments that improve quality of life (8 points)

You will use at least 35% of the total annual federal funds award for an open and competitive national quality-of-life subaward program.

• Explain how you will structure, manage and oversee this program.

• Explain how the program will:

◦ Strengthen community capacity.

◦ Promote independence.

◦ Expand access to long-term services and supports.

◦ Address national needs and priority areas.

You will allocate at least 35% of the total annual federal award to the subaward program each year.

• Explain how the subaward program will support community-based organizations.

• Explain how funded activities will improve quality of life, reduce barriers to health and community living, and promote independence, choice, and community integration.

You will publicize the subaward opportunity nationally to reach eligible applicants.

• Explain your:

◦ Outreach strategies.

◦ Eligibility standards.

◦ Selection criteria.

◦ Review procedures.

Step 3: Build Your Application 33

◦ Decision-making process.

◦ Steps to ensure the process is open, fair, transparent, and inclusive. You will monitor the subrecipients after the award.

• Include your approach to:

◦ Financial oversight.

◦ Performance tracking.

◦ Reporting.

◦ Technical assistance.

◦ Ongoing support to help subrecipients carry out funded activities successfully and achieve lasting results.

You will ensure that subawards comply with all program rules and federal requirements.

• This includes ensuring that subawards funds:

◦ Are spent within 12 months.

◦ Are not used for medical services or fundraising.

◦ Are managed in accordance with applicable federal subrecipient monitoring…