The Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (DARE) program, part of the Engineering Biology and Health cluster, supports fundamental engineering research that enhances the lives of individuals with disabilities. The program seeks to develop new theories, methodologies, technologies, and devices that address various disabilities, including developmental, cognitive, hearing, mobility, visual impairments, and more. Projects should advance knowledge in a specific disability or pathological motion and contribute to the characterization, restoration, rehabilitation, or substitution of functional ability or cognition. Areas of interest include neuroengineering, rehabilitation robotics, brain-inspired systems, theoretical or computational methods, and artificial physiological systems. The program emphasizes transformative outcomes and encourages high-risk, high-reward proposals. Participatory design and the inclusion of trainees with disabilities are also encouraged. Feasibility studies involving human volunteers may be supported, but clinical trials are not funded. Proposals centered on product commercialization should explore other funding options, such as the NSF SBIR/STTR program. It is advisable to contact the Program Director before submission to ensure alignment with program objectives.
