Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Centers for Independent Living: Operationalizing Independent Living Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082; CFDA 93.432). The purpose of the award is to take what was learned through the Native American Independent Living Demonstration (NAILD) project and turn those lessons into practical, ready-to-use tools that improve how federal disability and independent living programs serve American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on strengthening the work of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
This is structured as a two-year grant, with ACL expecting to make one award up to a ceiling of $368,440. The application window for the original competition opened June 28, 2021, with an original closing date of August 27, 2021, and electronically submitted applications required by 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date. Eligibility is listed as "Others" and refers applicants to the funding announcement text for details, which usually signals that ACL may allow a range of organization types but wants applicants to confirm specific eligibility conditions directly in the full notice.
The funded project is expected to do three core things that build on each other. First, it must conduct a comprehensive analysis of the services and activities that were carried out under NAILD. That analysis is not meant to be a general summary; it is intended to identify the specific components that made services more effective for AI/AN individuals with disabilities. In practice, that means pinpointing what worked, under what conditions, and what elements are essential when CILs or other programs are serving Native communities, including approaches that reflect community context and improve accessibility and outcomes.
Second, the project must translate those findings into concrete tools and then disseminate them. The emphasis on "operationalizing" is important: ACL is looking for products that can be adopted and implemented, not just recommendations. These tools could take many applied forms (for example, implementation guides, training curricula, assessment checklists, planning templates, service delivery models, partnership frameworks, or culturally responsive engagement practices), as long as they directly reflect lessons from NAILD and are designed to increase effectiveness in real-world settings.
Third, the grantee must provide technical assistance to support uptake and correct use of the tools. This technical assistance requirement signals that ACL expects more than passive publication; the project should help CILs and relevant programs understand how to use the tools, troubleshoot barriers, and adapt them appropriately while keeping fidelity to the practices that drive results. The goal is successful implementation, meaning the tools should result in observable improvements in how services are delivered and how well they fit AI/AN communities.
Another key expectation is that the project will identify measurable capacities within CILs that should be improved. This adds an evaluation and performance improvement dimension: the work should define what capacity looks like in measurable terms (for example, the ability to engage AI/AN communities effectively, staff competency in culturally responsive service delivery, strength of partnerships with tribal entities, accessibility of independent living services, or improved processes for outreach and consumer engagement). By requiring measurable capacities, ACL is pushing the project to set clear targets that CILs can assess and work toward, rather than leaving improvement goals vague.
Finally, collaboration is built into the design of the opportunity. The grantee is required to work with existing technical assistance and resource centers across ACL and other identified federal programs. The point of this coordination is to align strategies, avoid duplicating existing efforts, and use established dissemination channels so that the tools and lessons learned have staying power. ACL is explicitly prioritizing long-term utilization, meaning the project should plan for adoption beyond the two-year grant period by embedding products and practices into the broader ecosystem of independent living and disability service supports that interact with AI/AN communities.
Overall, this opportunity is focused on converting the NAILD demonstration experience into scalable, evidence-informed, culturally grounded tools and technical assistance that measurably strengthen CIL capacity and improve independent living services for American Indian and Alaska Native people with disabilities across federally supported programs.Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Centers for Independent Living: Operationalizing Independent Living Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.432.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 28, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2021 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 $368,440.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Centers for Independent Living: Operationalizing Independent Living Services to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities".
2) Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082.
4) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 93.432.
5) What is the main purpose of the award?
The purpose is to take what was learned through the Native American Independent Living Demonstration (NAILD) project and convert those lessons into practical, ready-to-use tools that improve how federal disability and independent living programs serve American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people with disabilities, with a specific emphasis on strengthening the work of Centers for Independent Living (CILs).
6) What does "operationalizing" mean in the context of this grant?
In this notice, "operationalizing" means turning NAILD lessons into products that can be adopted and implemented in real-world settings. ACL is signaling that it wants implementable tools (not just high-level recommendations) that programs can use to improve service delivery for AI/AN communities.
7) How long is the grant period?
This is structured as a two-year grant.
8) How many awards does ACL expect to make?
ACL expects to make one award.
9) What is the maximum funding amount (ceiling) for the award?
The award is expected to be made up to a ceiling of $368,440.
10) When did the application window open and close for the original competition?
The application window for the original competition opened on June 28, 2021 and had an original closing date of August 27, 2021.
11) What was the submission deadline time for electronically submitted applications?
Electronically submitted applications were required by 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date.
12) Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligibility is listed as "Others", and applicants are referred to the funding announcement text for details. This typically suggests ACL may permit a range of organization types, but applicants are expected to confirm the specific eligibility conditions in the full notice.
13) What population and communities are the focus of this project?
The focus is on improving independent living and disability-related services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people with disabilities, and strengthening how CILs and related federally supported programs serve those communities.
14) What are the three core project requirements described in the opportunity?
The project is expected to complete three connected tasks:
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of services and activities carried out under NAILD to identify the components that made services more effective for AI/AN individuals with disabilities.
- Translate findings into concrete tools and disseminate those tools so they can be adopted and implemented.
- Provide technical assistance to support uptake, correct use, troubleshooting, and appropriate adaptation while maintaining fidelity to the practices that drive results.
15) What kind of analysis is ACL looking for regarding the NAILD project?
The analysis is not intended to be a general summary. It is meant to identify specific components that made services more effective for AI/AN individuals with disabilities, including what worked, under what conditions, and which elements are essential when CILs or other programs serve Native communities in ways that reflect community context and improve accessibility and outcomes.
16) What types of tools does ACL expect the grantee to create?
ACL emphasizes implementable products derived from NAILD lessons. Examples mentioned include:
- Implementation guides
- Training curricula
- Assessment checklists
- Planning templates
- Service delivery models
- Partnership frameworks
- Culturally responsive engagement practices
The key requirement is that the tools directly reflect NAILD lessons and are designed to increase effectiveness in real-world settings.
17) What does "dissemination" mean for this project?
Dissemination means actively distributing and sharing the developed tools so they are accessible and usable by CILs and relevant programs. The notice also highlights coordination with existing centers and channels to support long-term utilization rather than one-time publication.
18) Why is technical assistance (TA) required as part of the grant?
ACL expects more than passive publication of tools. The grantee must provide technical assistance to help CILs and relevant programs understand how to use the tools, troubleshoot barriers, and adapt appropriately while maintaining fidelity to the practices that drive results. The goal is successful implementation and observable improvements in service delivery and fit with AI/AN communities.
19) What does ACL mean by "measurable capacities" within Centers for Independent Living?
This refers to defining capacity improvements in ways that can be assessed rather than described vaguely. The opportunity indicates that the project should identify capacities that CILs should improve and express them in measurable terms. Examples provided include:
- Ability to engage AI/AN communities effectively
- Staff competency in culturally responsive service delivery
- Strength of partnerships with tribal entities
- Accessibility of independent living services
- Improved outreach and consumer engagement processes
20) Is evaluation or performance improvement part of the project design?
Yes. By requiring the identification of measurable capacities within CILs that should be improved, ACL is building an evaluation/performance improvement expectation into the work. The project is expected to define clear targets that CILs can assess and work toward.
21) What collaboration requirements are included in this opportunity?
The grantee is required to work with existing technical assistance and resource centers across ACL and other identified federal programs. The intent is to align strategies, avoid duplication, and use established dissemination channels so the tools and lessons have longer-term staying power.
22) Why does ACL emphasize coordination with existing technical assistance and resource centers?
The notice indicates three main reasons: to align strategies, avoid duplicating existing efforts, and leverage established dissemination channels. This is tied to ACL's priority for long-term utilization of the tools beyond the two-year grant period.
23) What does "long-term utilization" mean in this grant description?
It means ACL wants the tools and practices developed through this project to continue being used beyond the two-year grant period, by embedding them into the broader ecosystem of independent living and disability service supports that interact with AI/AN communities.
24) What is the expected end result or outcome of this grant?
The expected outcome is a set of scalable, evidence-informed, culturally grounded tools plus technical assistance that measurably strengthens CIL capacity and improves independent living services for AI/AN people with disabilities across federally supported programs.
25) Is the focus limited only to Centers for Independent Living (CILs)?
The opportunity places particular emphasis on strengthening CIL work, while also describing a broader goal of improving how federal disability and independent living programs serve AI/AN people with disabilities. The tools and technical assistance are intended to support CILs and other relevant programs involved in service delivery.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Income Security and Social Services
Next opportunity: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Effective Educator Development (EED) Division: Teacher and School Leader (TSL) Incentive Program Assistance Listing Number 84.374A
Previous opportunity: Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2021 Request for Applications for Strategic Communication and Media Support
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Centers for Independent Living – Washington Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0102 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0102 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $286,411 |
| OVC FY 2021 Invited to Apply Santa Fe Texas - Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Crime Victim Compensation and/or Assistance Apply for O OVC 2021 49001 Funding Number: O OVC 2021 49001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $643,020 |
| Centers for Independent Living Competition - Guam Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0079 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0079 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $110,326 |
| Human Services Interoperability Innovations Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OPRE PD 1915 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OPRE PD 1915 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OPRE Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| OVC FY 2021 Invited to Apply - Transforming America's Response to Elder Abuse: Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams (E-MDTs) for Older Victims of Abuse and Financial Exploitation Training and Technical Assistance Apply for O OVC 2021 51001 Funding Number: O OVC 2021 51001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Poverty Research Center Apply for AE 21 001 Funding Number: AE 21 001 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,615,000 |
| Centers for Independent Living – Michigan Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0113 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACL AOD IL 0113 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $142,635 |
| Lifespan Respite Care Program: State Program Enhancement Grants- Reposting Opportunity to Apply Apply for HHS 2021 ACL AOA LRLI 0115 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACL AOA LRLI 0115 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $275,000 |
| U.S. Repatriation Program Apply for HHS 2021 ACF OHSEPR RR 1960 Funding Number: HHS 2021 ACF OHSEPR RR 1960 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,850,000 |
| OVC FY 2021 Invited to Apply - Tribal Set-Aside Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for O OVC 2021 163001 Funding Number: O OVC 2021 163001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| OVC FY 2021 Invited to Apply Glendale AZ - Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Crime Victim Compensation and/or Assistance Apply for O OVC 2021 171002 Funding Number: O OVC 2021 171002 Agency: Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,884,714 |
| Disaster Assistance for State Units on Aging (SUAs) and Tribal Organizations in Major Disasters Declared by the President Apply for HHS 2022 ACL AOA DASG 0068 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACL AOA DASG 0068 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Delaware Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R3 0138 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R3 0138 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $8,247,417 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Georgia Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R4 0139 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R4 0139 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,871,953 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Oklahoma Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R6 0141 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R6 0141 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,626,908 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Texas Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R6 0143 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R6 0143 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $5,200,163 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Kansas Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R7 0144 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R7 0144 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,226,206 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Missouri Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R7 0145 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R7 0145 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,605,815 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Indiana Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R5 0140 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R5 0140 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,659,034 |
| Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in Puerto Rico Apply for HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R2 0137 Funding Number: HHS 2022 ACF OHS CH R2 0137 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $14,463,492 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HHS 2021 ACL AOD ILNA 0082", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.