Disability Employment Policy Development
Active
- Assistance listing
- 17.720
- Agency
-
Office of Disability Employment Policy
Department of Labor
- Grant awards
- 126 $358,574,016 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 16-0166-0-1-505
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) funds demonstration projects, policy development centers, and technical assistance initiatives focused on employment policy for people with disabilities, with the most recent grant award on April 1, 2025 (CFDA 17.720).
The program has awarded 126 grants totaling $358.6 million in federal dollars over its 24-year history, with a slower cadence in recent years: one award in 2025, four in 2024, two in 2023, one in 2022, and five in 2021. Grant awards are split predominantly between Project Grants (67 percent) and Cooperative Agreements (33 percent). The Department of Labor Office of the Solicitor dominates funding by dollar volume at $270.5 million across 27 awards, while ODEP itself accounts for 97 awards totaling $69.1 million federal dollars, and two additional Department of Labor awards contributed $19 million.
Recent awards illustrate the program's scope. ODEP funded the Job Accommodation Network with a $12.4 million cooperative agreement through June 30, 2026, extending its continuous operation since 1983. Three Equitable Transition Models (ETM) Demonstration Grants—cooperative agreements valued at $13.5 million, $16.8 million, and $17.1 million—support low-income youth and young adults with disabilities ages 14 to 24 in underserved communities through comprehensive workforce services, case management, and transition-to-employment programming. A $9 million cooperative agreement funds research and policy analysis identifying disability-inclusive recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement practices for employers of all sizes, with deliverables including research tools, policy briefs, and technical assistance to intermediary organizations.
The program advances evidence-based employment policies and practices through demonstration projects testing early intervention strategies for injured workers, policy development centers focusing on youth transition outcomes and employer engagement, and multi-stakeholder technical assistance networks. Funded activities include research on disability employment barriers, policy development targeting competitive integrated employment, professional development for workforce professionals, and capacity building in higher education and workforce systems.
No grant opportunities remain open. The most recent solicitations closed in 2023: the Equitable Transition Models Demonstration Grants (FOA-ODEP-23-12, closed November 7, 2023, restricted to state and tribal governments) and the Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (FOA-ODEP-23-10, closed July 12, 2023, open to higher education and nonprofit organizations). ODEP operates competitive selection based on alignment with disability employment policy priorities, performance achievement metrics, and data-driven reporting requirements.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy to the Department of Labor and other Federal agencies. ODEP develops and fosters the adoption and implementation of comprehensive and inte
- Description
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is committed to funding programs designed to improve access to jobs for all American workers. The agency works to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Nonprofit and for-profit organizations, State and local government agencies, academic institutions, and other entities are typically eligible. Eligibility requirements are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreements or grant applications.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Beneficiary eligibility is detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreements or grant applications.
- Uses of assistance
Uses and use restrictions are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreement or grant applications.
- Use restrictions
Uses and use restrictions are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreement or grant applications.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Length of time and phasing of assistance are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreements or grant applications.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Criteria for selecting proposals are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreement or grant application. Criteria always include the availability of ODEP funds, alignment with ODEP's mission to develop national policy to reduce barriers to employment for people with disabilities, performance achievement, and provision of data to support performance reporting.
- Award procedure
Awards are made based on a panel review to ensure adherence to the funding opportunity requirements and Federal principles. Awards are made on approval of the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the subject to availability of funds and performance achievement.
- Deadlines
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides applicable application deadlines, as appropriate for application deadlines.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Timeframes are detailed in each funding opportunity for cooperative agreement or grant applications.
- Renewals
All awards are based on single-year budget authority. The award of all increments will be contingent upon receipt of a complete incremental funding application package, availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the project to date, and adequate stewardship of federal funds.
- Appeals
Appeal information and contact procedures are contained and detailed within the funding opportunity for cooperative agreement or grant application.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 126 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MN Department Of Employment & Economic Development | $37,183,706 | 10% |
| 2 | State Of Kansas Department Of Commerce | $36,207,763 | 10% |
| 3 | West Virginia University Research Corporation | $27,894,604 | 8% |
| 4 | Cornell University | $25,056,132 | 7% |
| 5 | State Of Connecticut Labor Dept | $24,899,030 | 7% |
| 6 | Department Of Workforce Development | $23,933,706 | 7% |
| 7 | Ohio Department Of Job & Family Services | $23,812,442 | 7% |
| 8 | Vermont Department Of Labor | $23,729,582 | 7% |
| 9 | Department Of Labor New York | $17,094,282 | 5% |
| 10 | The Viscardi Center, Inc. | $11,258,100 | 3% |
10 of 29 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $48,873,647 |
| FY2024 | $44,163,192 |
| FY2023 | $2,968,445 |
| FY2022 | $5,426,595 |
| FY2021 | $72,807,526 |
| FY2020 | $15,143,028 |
| FY2019 | $6,824,800 |
| FY2018 | $22,639,771 |
| FY2017 | $10,840,452 |
| FY2016 | $9,213,671 |
| FY2015 | $10,337,634 |
| FY2014 | $12,184,408 |
| FY2013 | $9,328,860 |
| FY2012 | $8,947,489 |
| FY2010 | $5,207,530 |
| FY2009 | $2,950,000 |
| FY2008 | $200,000 |
| FY2007 | $4,156,066 |
| FY2004 | $30,340,450 |
| FY2002 | $1,662,593 |
Show all 20
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 17.720?
Assistance Listing 17.720 is Disability Employment Policy Development, a federal grant program run by Office of Disability Employment Policy (Department of Labor).
What is the CFDA number for Disability Employment Policy Development?
Its CFDA number is 17.720: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 17.720 awarded?
126 grant awards under 17.720 have obligated $358,574,016 in federal funds to 29 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 17.720?
The recipients obligated the most under Disability Employment Policy Development are MN Department Of Employment & Economic Development ($37,183,706), State Of Kansas Department Of Commerce ($36,207,763) and West Virginia University Research Corporation ($27,894,604).
How much did 17.720 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 17.720 obligated $48,873,647 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 17.720?
No opportunity listed under 17.720 is open now. The latest, Equitable Transition Models Demonstration Grants (ETM) project, was posted on August 10, 2023.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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