Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The Administration for Community Living is offering the Merit Switzer Research Fellowships for Doctoral Dissertation Research, aimed at supporting doctoral candidates conducting research on rehabilitation and independent living for individuals with disabilities. Applicants must be individuals who are doctoral candidates at the time of application, as institutional applications are not permitted; they must also demonstrate their academic status and provide documentation if they are not U.S. citizens. The fellowship provides funding between $40,000 and $45,000, with a total estimated program funding of $180,000 for four awards, and the application deadline is January 5, 2026. For further inquiries, interested candidates can contact Linda Vo at (202) 795-7469 or via email at Linda.vo@acl.hhs.gov.
Eligible Applicants
Only individuals are eligible to apply for NIDILRR Switzer Research Fellowship grants. Institutions and organizations may not apply. Applicants for this particular fellowship must be doctoral candidates at the time they submit their application. Because the individual person rather than the institution is the applicant for this Fellowship, the person who seeks the Fellowship must sign the forms included in the application. Representatives of institutions do not sign the application forms. Because the award is made to the individual rather than to the institution, institutional indirect costs may not be deducted from the award. Fellowship funds are taxable income. Applicants must demonstrate their formal academic status as doctoral candidates. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must provide documentation that they are eligible to receive research funding directly from an agency of the United States government. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must provide documentation that they are eligible to receive research funding directly from an agency of the United States government. No entities are eligible for this award, only individuals are eligible to apply. If you are a non-USA citizen, you must provide documentation that you are eligible to receive research funding directly from an agency of the United States government.