University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service | HHS 2025 ACL AOD DDUC 0057

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACL AOD DDUC 0057

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) within the Administration on Disabilities, is forecasting the availability of FY 2025 funding for University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs). The intent of this opportunity is to support a small number of existing UCEDDs with five-year grant awards so they can continue operating as interdisciplinary hubs that strengthen services, systems, and outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. These centers are typically based within universities or are public or nonprofit entities formally affiliated with universities, and they function as long-term capacity builders in their states and communities rather than short-term project teams.

The grants are designed to support UCEDDs in carrying out four required core functions. First, they must provide interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education, meaning they help train students and professionals across fields (for example, health, education, social services, public health, psychology, rehabilitation, and related disciplines) so the workforce is better prepared to support individuals with disabilities. Second, they must deliver community services, which can include training, technical assistance, demonstrations, and model activities that help communities and service systems adopt practical, evidence-informed approaches. Third, they must conduct research that is relevant to developmental disabilities and that can inform policy and practice, often with an applied or community-engaged focus. Fourth, they must disseminate information so that knowledge, tools, and findings reach practitioners, families, policymakers, self-advocates, and community partners in usable forms.

Programmatically, UCEDDs may address one or more emphasis areas connected to quality of life and community living. The opportunity description points to a broad range of topics, such as quality assurance; education and early intervention; child care; health; employment; housing; transportation; recreation; and other formal and informal community supports. In practice, this gives centers flexibility to align their work with state and local needs while still meeting the federal expectation that they contribute to stronger community services and more inclusive systems for people with developmental disabilities.

Funding under this notice is intended to cover the federal share of the costs associated with administering and operating UCEDD programs over the five-year project period, consistent with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). The notice specifically references Section 151(a), which directs that appropriations authorized under Section 156(a)(1) be used to make five-year grants to designated UCEDDs in each state to carry out the four core functions. In other words, the grant authority and structure are grounded in the DD Act framework that has historically supported a nationwide network of these centers.

In terms of competitiveness and eligibility, this forecasted funding is limited: eligible applicants are the UCEDD grantees that were awarded in FY 2020, indicating this is essentially a continuation or recompetition among currently funded centers rather than an open competition for new institutions. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible. At the same time, the notice clarifies that faith-based and community organizations may be eligible if they meet the requirements, which generally matters when such organizations are part of, or affiliated with, the university-based UCEDD structure.

Key administrative details from the listing include the opportunity number HHS-2025-ACL-AOD-DDUC-0057 and CFDA (Assistance Listing) 93.632. The agency is ACL, the instrument type is a discretionary grant, and the activity category is Income Security and Social Services. The application closing date is listed as February 24, 2025. The expected number of awards is up to 3, with an award ceiling shown as $636,192. The opportunity record was created on November 27, 2024.

• The Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.632.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-11-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $636,192.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for HHS 2025 ACL AOD DDUC 0057

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