Innovative Rehabilitation Training
Active
- Assistance listing
- 84.263
- Agency
-
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Department of Education
- Grant awards
- 25 $30,491,457 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 91-0301-0-1-506
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services funds development and demonstration of innovative training programs for rehabilitation personnel through Assistance Listing 84.263, with the most recent grant awards made on October 1, 2025.
The program develops new types of training curricula and delivery methods for vocational rehabilitation professionals, paraprofessionals, and Client Assistance Program personnel serving individuals with disabilities. Recent awards fund projects such as employer engagement strategies in vocational rehabilitation, transition services certificate programs, self-employment and business ownership training, vocational evaluation forensic certification, and STEM workforce readiness training for rehabilitation professionals. Work emphasizes preparing VR personnel to understand evolving labor markets and effectively serve individuals with diverse disabilities including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities.
Program activity is robust and accelerating. The portfolio shows 25 total awards since 2003, with 12 awards disbursed in fiscal 2025 alone—a marked increase from historical pace (1–7 awards per year in prior years shown). Combined federal dollars obligated total $30.5 million, with non-federal cost-sharing contributing an additional $4.6 million. Awards are exclusively Project Grants, ranging from approximately $309 thousand to $3.1 million per award. Recent 2025 awards cluster around $560 thousand to $720 thousand, while multiyear projects from prior years exceeded $3 million.
All funding comes through the Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Eligible applicants include states, territories, Indian tribes, and public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education.
A recent grant opportunity (ED-GRANTS-062625-001) closed July 28, 2025 with a 120–160 day application-to-award timeline. The program operates under 34 CFR Parts 385 and 387, with peer review and staff approval determining awards. Multi-year project periods are available with annual performance review and continued funding contingent on appropriations.
Objective and description
- Objective
This program is designed to: (a) Develop new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel in providing rehabilitation services to ind
- Description
Innovative Training is designed to: (a) develop new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel and to demonstrate the effectiveness of these new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel in providing rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; (b) develop new and improved methods of training rehabilitation personnel so that there may be a more effective delivery of rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities by designated State rehabilitation units or other public or non-profit rehabilitation service agencies or organizations; and (c) develop new innovative training programs for vocational rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals to have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities so they can more effectively provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
States (includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and institutions of higher education may apply.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Individuals preparing for or employed in positions relating to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities will benefit.
- Uses of assistance
Training grants are provided in fields directly related to the vocational rehabilitation and independent living of individuals with disabilities.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Projects may generally be supported for a maximum of 5 years. Funds are granted on a 12-month basis. Renewals are subject to the availability of funds and are available only through the new application process.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
See above.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Criteria for evaluating applications are published in program regulations 34 CFR Parts 385 and 387 and include consideration of an application's relevance to the State-Federal vocational rehabilitation service program and the nature and scope of the curriculum.
- Award procedure
New awards are made based upon the results of a peer review process and the review and approval of applications by staff in various offices within the Department.
- Time to approval or disapproval
From 120 to 160 days.
- Renewals
Renewals are available only through the new application process. Projects with an approved multi-year project period may be continued based on the availability of appropriated funds and an annual review of accomplishments to determine satisfactory performance.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 25 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Of Mass At Boston | $6,675,821 | 22% |
| 2 | George Washington University (The) | $3,339,991 | 11% |
| 3 | South Carolina State University | $2,700,000 | 9% |
| 4 | University Of Wisconsin System | $2,612,075 | 9% |
| 5 | West Virginia University Research Corporation | $2,459,344 | 8% |
| 6 | University Of Memphis | $2,319,421 | 8% |
| 7 | The Center For Social Capital Inc. | $2,250,000 | 7% |
| 8 | Auburn University | $2,069,649 | 7% |
| 9 | Emporia State University | $1,104,290 | 4% |
| 10 | The University Of Kentucky Research Foundation | $640,000 | 2% |
10 of 18 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$168,113 |
| FY2025 | $6,583,940 |
| FY2024 | $3,543,191 |
| FY2023 | $3,363,131 |
| FY2022 | $3,203,787 |
| FY2021 | $3,048,564 |
| FY2020 | $5,128,235 |
| FY2019 | $3,191,797 |
| FY2018 | $500,000 |
| FY2016 | $300,000 |
| FY2015 | $1,500,000 |
| FY2003 | $296,925 |
Show all 12
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 84.263?
Assistance Listing 84.263 is Innovative Rehabilitation Training, a federal grant program run by Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (Department of Education).
What is the CFDA number for Innovative Rehabilitation Training?
Its CFDA number is 84.263: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 84.263 awarded?
25 grant awards under 84.263 have obligated $30,491,457 in federal funds to 18 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 84.263?
The recipients obligated the most under Innovative Rehabilitation Training are University Of Mass At Boston ($6,675,821), George Washington University (The) ($3,339,991) and South Carolina State University ($2,700,000).
How much did 84.263 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 84.263 obligated $6,583,940 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 84.263?
No opportunity listed under 84.263 is open now. The latest, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Rehabilitation Training: Innovative Rehabilitation Training Program; ALN 84.263G, was posted on June 26, 2025.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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