Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) - Research

Overview

The purpose of the Field Initiated (FI) Projects program is to develop knowledge, methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self sufficiency of individuals with disabilities, especially those with the highest support needs. 

Another purpose of this particular is to improve the capacity of minority entities to conduct high quality disability and rehabilitation research. Minority entities may apply, consistent with section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act. Section 21 of the Act authorizes NIDILRR to make awards to minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out authorized activities under Title II of the Act. 

In carrying out a research activity under a FI Projects research grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new scientific knowledge or (2) better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge.

Invitational Priority: In FY 2026, there are eight invitational priorities of interest to the agency (see below). NIDILRR does not give applications that address these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications. 

1. Research projects that address chronic conditions, and promote healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and physical activity among people with disabilities. This invitational priority corresponds with Executive Order 14212, on Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission.
2. Research projects that address family caregiving as a factor that shapes the experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities.
3. Research projects that address the experiences and outcomes of people who are aging with disability, or aging into disability.
4. Research projects that focus on making airline travel accessible for people with disabilities.
5. Research projects that focus on improving the extent to which emergency and disaster preparedness plans and systems are accessible to, and responsive to the needs of, people with disabilities.
6. Research projects that focus on social and built environments that facilitate full inclusion and community participation among people with disabilities.
7. Research projects that focus on school experiences among children with disabilities.
8. Research projects that focus on workplace experiences, including skills development and job training, among adults with disabilities. 

FI Projects research applicants must define the stage or stages of research that they propose to conduct. Any rigorous quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research can be appropriate, depending on the hypothesis or research question being addressed by the applicant. NIDILRR does not have an absolute preference for one methodological approach or research stage. If the FI Projects grant 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. These stages are: exploration and discovery, intervention development, intervention efficacy, and scale-up evaluation.

Parties eligible to apply for FIP-MSI Projects grants are limited to minority entities and Indian tribes as authorized by section 21(b)(2)(A) of the Act. A minority entity is defined as a historically black college or university (a part B institution, as defined in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended), a Hispanic-serving institution of higher education, an American Indian tribal college or university, or another IHE whose minority student enrollment is at least 50 percent. NIDILRR is especially interested in applications from individual minority entities that have historically been underrepresented in the federal research arena. In addition, NIDILRR is particularly interested in receiving applications from Indian tribes, or American Indian tribal colleges or universities. 

Due Date for Letter of Intent: 03/17/2026 
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.

Performance period: up to three years (36 months).