UIC ENGAGED Pilot Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity
Introduction
ENGAGED: The Center for Disability Community-Engaged Research, supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, invites applications for pilot research grants to advance community-engaged research in medical rehabilitation with, for, and by people with disabilities, including those from medically vulnerable communities.
This program is designed to support innovative, collaborative projects that meaningfully involve people with disabilities, care partners, and community stakeholders in the research process to improve rehabilitation access and outcomes, reduce disparities, and address social determinants of health that impact participation, well-being, and health.
The pilot funding mechanism aims to:
• Foster equitable partnerships between rehabilitation researchers and community stakeholders, including people with disabilities
• Support early-stage, high-impact projects that can lead to larger NIH grant submissions
• Promote translation of rehabilitation research into real-world settings and disability communities
• Enhance health equity in rehabilitation outcomes
Applications are encouraged in (but not limited to):
• Reducing disparities in rehabilitation access, quality, or outcomes
• Identifying and addressing social determinants of health that influence access to rehabilitation and participation in everyday life of disabled people, including community-driven and/or culturally tailored rehabilitation interventions designed and delivered in collaboration with disabled people and community partners.
• Rehabilitation for medically vulnerable populations
• Technology-enabled rehabilitation developed with end-user engagement throughout design, delivery, and evaluation
• Caregiver and family engagement in rehabilitation
Award amount is up to $30,000 for up to 12 months.
Letter of Intent Due: July 6, 2026
Full Application Due: July 27, 2026
See the full RFP here.
Please contact Dr. Tanvi Bhatt, Professor of Physical Therapy, with any questions.