Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research | HHS 2024 ACL NIDILRR SFGE 0072

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

The Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through NIDILRR (the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). It provides fellowship support to help highly qualified doctoral candidates carry out original dissertation research in disability-related fields.

2) What is the main purpose of the fellowship?

The fellowship is intended to strengthen research capacity in disability-related fields by funding researchers (including researchers with disabilities) to complete doctoral-level dissertation research that produces new knowledge with clear relevance to rehabilitation, independent living, and life outcomes for people with disabilities.

3) What kinds of research topics are a fit?

The dissertation research must directly focus on the real-world experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities and align with at least one of NIDILRR's three outcome domains: (1) community living and participation, (2) employment, or (3) health and function.

4) Who is the funding agency?

The agency is the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the fellowship is administered through NIDILRR.

5) Is this an institutional research grant or a fellowship to an individual?

This is structured as a fellowship to the individual doctoral researcher rather than a typical institutional research grant. Applicants should approach it as direct support for the doctoral candidate to carry out a defined dissertation research plan within the project period.

6) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to individuals only. The applicant must be a doctoral candidate who is at the dissertation research stage and can formally document doctoral candidacy status.

7) Can a university, nonprofit, research center, or other organization apply on behalf of a student?

No. Universities, nonprofits, research centers, and other organizations are not eligible applicants and cannot apply on someone else's behalf. Only the individual doctoral candidate may apply.

8) Who must sign the application forms?

The application forms must be signed by the individual seeking the fellowship, not by institutional representatives.

9) How many awards does NIDILRR expect to make?

NIDILRR expects to make about five awards under this announcement.

10) What is the project period (length of the fellowship)?

Each fellowship has a single 12-month project period.

11) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $45,000 for the 12-month project period.

12) What is the $45,000 intended to support?

The award is meant to support the individual fellow's research activities during the one-year period, specifically to complete a defined dissertation research plan.

13) Are indirect costs (F&A/overhead) allowed?

No. Because the award is made to an individual rather than an institution, institutional indirect costs (often called overhead or F&A) cannot be taken out of the fellowship funds.

14) Are there tax implications for the fellowship funds?

Yes. Applicants should plan for tax implications, because the fellowship funds are treated as taxable income.

15) Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

U.S. citizenship is not stated as strictly required in the provided description. However, non-U.S. citizens must provide documentation showing they are eligible to receive research funding directly from a U.S. government agency.

16) Why does funding eligibility for non-U.S. citizens matter here?

This requirement matters because the award is made directly to an individual rather than being routed through an institution that might otherwise handle certain eligibility or compliance issues.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS-2024-ACL-NIDILRR-SFGE-0072.

18) What is the official title of the opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Title is Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research.

19) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA Number listed is 93.433.

20) What is the funding instrument type?

The Funding Instrument Type is a Grant.

21) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The Activity Category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

22) What was the application closing date?

The original application closing date was June 28, 2024.

23) When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record was created on April 29, 2024.

24) What stage of doctoral study is required?

This competition is designed exclusively for doctoral candidates who are at the dissertation research stage and who can formally document their doctoral candidacy status.

25) What does NIDILRR mean by aligning with its outcome domains?

Based on the provided information, alignment means the dissertation research should clearly fit within at least one of these outcome areas: community living and participation, employment, or health and function, with an emphasis on real-world experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities.