Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance
Active
- Assistance listing
- 93.631
- Agency
-
Administration for Community Living
Department of Health and Human Services
- Grant awards
- 527 $208,045,880 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Block Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 75-0142-0-1-506
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living awards grants under CFDA 93.631, Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance, to support national projects that expand community participation, self-determination, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with the most recent award disbursed on September 1, 2023.
Program activity remains steady. The portfolio spans 527 awards issued since 1998, with federal dollars obligated totaling $208 million. The past five years show variable award volume—4 awards in 2019, 2 in 2020, 11 in 2021, 1 in 2022, and 3 in 2023—reflecting selective, project-based funding cycles. The most recent awards include national data collection and information dissemination projects: the National Residential Information Systems Project ($2.3 million), State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities research ($2.8 million), and Access to Integrated Employment data collection ($2.3 million), all as cooperative agreements extending through 2028. Oregon Health & Science University received $15.9 million for a Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (2022–2027).
The program funds concrete capacity-building and systems-change work: employment and transition initiatives for youth with developmental disabilities; peer support networks and self-advocacy technical assistance; national data collection on residential and employment services; health care transition support; guardianship alternatives; and policy advocacy infrastructure. Recent awards reflect emphasis on employment systems change, family planning, supported decision-making, and health equity.
The assistance-type mix is dominated by Project Grants (437 awards, 83 percent), with smaller shares of Cooperative Agreements (58 awards, 11 percent) and Block Grants (32 awards, 6 percent). All funding concentrates within the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living. Recent grant awards range from roughly $300 thousand to $16 million in federal obligation.
Multiple grant opportunities are currently open. HHS-2026-ACL-AOD-DFLA-0025 seeks a cooperative agreement on expanding awareness and use of ABLE accounts (tax-advantaged savings for individuals with disabilities), with application due August 3, 2026, open to nonprofits, state and local governments, higher education institutions, and tribal applicants. HHS-2026-ACL-AOD-DNSA-0023 seeks one 3-year cooperative agreement to develop peer support models for individuals who use or could benefit from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), due July 22, 2026. Several opportunities from 2024 remain listed but carry past due dates: Projects of National Significance tracks focusing on protecting rights and preventing abuse (May 28, 2024), achieving economic mobility (May 28, 2024), empowering individuals, and health equity.
Applicants must be nonprofit organizations or public/private agencies, with project proposals demonstrating non-profit status, measurable objectives, evaluation components, and non-supplantation of federally funded activity. Nonfederal entities expending $750 thousand or more in federal awards annually require a single audit under 45 CFR Part 75.500.
Objective and description
- Objective
To provide for grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for projects of national significance that create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to directly and fully contribute to, and participate in, all
- Description
To provide for grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for projects of national significance that create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to directly and fully contribute to, and participate in, all facets of community life; and support the development of national and State policies that reinforce, promote the self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
In general, any State, local, public or private nonprofit organization or agency may apply.
- Beneficiary eligibility
In general, any State, local, public or private nonprofit organization or agency may apply.
- Uses of assistance
PNS Uses and Restrictions: Project grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements are approved for personnel, equipment, travel, supplies, etc. Duplicative Federal assistance is precluded. Uses include: (1) Family support activities; (2) Projects that educate policy makers; (3) projects that conduct data collection and analysis; (4) projects that provide technical assistance for developing information and referral systems; (5) Federal interagency initiatives; (6) technical assistance to self-advocacy organizations of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; (7) projects that enhance opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds; (8) projects that address the needs of aging individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities; (9) projects concerning the transition of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities from school to work and to adult life; and (10) other projects of national significance. Funds are not awarded solely for direct service delivery, construction, or for the continuation or expansion of existing projects, but rather for projects which are considered innovative and likely to have significant national impact.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Project periods for grants are specified in each published funding opportunity announcement.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
No application can be approved unless it shows/provides evidence of its non-profit status. Project's proposed design is complete and feasible, and includes measurable objectives and an evaluation component. Project does not supplant activities that are funded under other Federal programs. Competing grant applications will be reviewed and evaluated against criteria that are specified in each published funding opportunity announcement.
- Award procedure
Applications are reviewed and recommendations made by the Central Office, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Successful applicants are notified through the issuance of a Financial Assistance Award which sets forth in writing the amount of funds granted, the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the award, the budget period for which support is given and the total grantee participation. The initial award, when applicable, also specifies the project period for which support is contemplated.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Varies, from 60 to 180 days according to the type of program being requested.
- Appeals
Appeals are processed in accordance with HHS regulations in 45 CFR 16.
Grant opportunities
Show all 27
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 527 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Health & Science University | $15,895,641 | 8% |
| 2 | University Of Mass At Boston | $14,750,210 | 7% |
| 3 | Regents Of The University Of Minnesota | $9,209,399 | 4% |
| 4 | National Association Of Councils On Developmental Disabilities | $7,291,309 | 4% |
| 5 | University Of Kansas Center For Research Inc. | $6,349,365 | 3% |
| 6 | Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, Inc. | $6,050,000 | 3% |
| 7 | The Regents Of The University Of Colorado | $4,902,102 | 2% |
| 8 | State Of Alaska Department Of Health | $4,839,335 | 2% |
| 9 | Board For People With Developmental Disabilities | $4,802,170 | 2% |
| 10 | Family Voices | $4,365,000 | 2% |
10 of 105 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$50,031 |
| FY2025 | $11,963,023 |
| FY2024 | $10,390,139 |
| FY2023 | $16,536,607 |
| FY2022 | $20,665,914 |
| FY2021 | $10,594,876 |
| FY2020 | $9,514,901 |
| FY2019 | $10,985,398 |
| FY2018 | $9,396,119 |
| FY2017 | $7,336,173 |
| FY2016 | $6,659,506 |
| FY2015 | $6,680,633 |
| FY2014 | $6,686,621 |
| FY2013 | $6,359,633 |
| FY2012 | $5,711,219 |
| FY2011 | $11,222,514 |
| FY2010 | $9,156,315 |
| FY2009 | $10,157,451 |
| FY2008 | $7,679,203 |
| FY2007 | $1,069,363 |
| FY2006 | $1,500,000 |
| FY2005 | $8,285,509 |
| FY2004 | $7,689,618 |
| FY2003 | $10,217,598 |
| FY2002 | $19,291,127 |
| FY2001 | $8,660,623 |
Show all 26
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 93.631?
Assistance Listing 93.631 is Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance, a federal grant program run by Administration for Community Living (Department of Health and Human Services).
What is the CFDA number for Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance?
Its CFDA number is 93.631: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 93.631 awarded?
527 grant awards under 93.631 have obligated $208,045,880 in federal funds to 105 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 93.631?
The recipients obligated the most under Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance are Oregon Health & Science University ($15,895,641), University Of Mass At Boston ($14,750,210) and Regents Of The University Of Minnesota ($9,209,399).
How much did 93.631 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 93.631 obligated $11,963,023 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 93.631?
No opportunity listed under 93.631 is open now. The latest, Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities, was posted on March 3, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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