Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program | HHS 2022 ACL CIP ATTF 0055

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2022 ACL CIP ATTF 0055

The Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program (AFP) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Community Living (ACL), designed to expand access to assistive technology (AT) by helping people finance the purchase of AT devices and related services. The core goal is to support financing programs that make AT more affordable and attainable in practical, consumer-friendly ways, especially for individuals who may not be able to pay upfront or qualify easily for traditional credit. The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2022 ACL CIP ATTF 0055 and CFDA 93.469, and it falls within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

Funding is intended to help establish or strengthen alternative financing mechanisms that directly result in consumers acquiring assistive technology. Examples of eligible approaches include low-interest loan funds, interest buy-down programs that reduce borrowing costs, revolving loan funds that replenish as loans are repaid, loan guarantee programs that reduce lender risk, and insurance-type programs or other strategies that effectively increase AT purchasing power. The emphasis is on building sustainable pathways to ownership and access, rather than one-time assistance, and on ensuring financing can support the full range of AT devices and services rather than only a narrow set of products.

A major requirement of this program is the clear prioritization of consumer choice and consumer control. Applicants must provide an assurance and a detailed explanation of how their AFP will expand and emphasize the ability of people with disabilities to make their own decisions about what technology they need, where they obtain it, and how it is used. This focus signals that the program is not just about financing tools, but also about protecting the individual’s autonomy in selecting solutions that fit their daily life, preferences, and goals.

Another key expectation is that funded programs incorporate credit-building activities as part of their financing model. That includes offering financial education, helping participants understand borrowing and repayment, and sharing information about other possible funding sources that might be available for AT. The intent is to make the program beneficial beyond the immediate purchase by improving long-term financial capability and expanding future options for participants.

Equity and broad accessibility are central to the program’s design. Successful applicants are expected to ensure that all people with disabilities can access the financing program regardless of disability type or health condition, age, income level, or where they live. In other words, the AFP should not be structured in a way that unintentionally screens out rural residents, people with lower incomes, or individuals with less conventional credit histories. The program is framed to serve diverse communities and to reduce gaps in access to technology that supports independence, participation, employment, education, communication, and daily living.

Eligible applicants include state governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, other tribal organizations, and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding higher education institutions in the nonprofit category). Awards under this opportunity had an award ceiling of $700,000, with an expectation of making around three awards. The opportunity was created on April 29, 2022, with an original closing date of June 28, 2022, and electronic submissions were due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the application deadline.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.469.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 29, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2022 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 $700,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for HHS 2022 ACL CIP ATTF 0055

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