NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research

Appendix A

NIH Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Funding Levels for Disability Research by Institute, Center, or Office

These data are generated from RePORT: Funding of various research, condition, and disease categories (RCDC). The Disability Research area was a new category beginning in FY24.

Appendix B: Contributors to the Strategic Plan

NIH Disability Health Research Coordinating Committee

NIH Disability Health Research Working Group

Individuals and Organizations

NIH would like to express its gratitude to the many members of the public and external organizations who contributed to the development of this strategic plan. The input and feedback they contributed via NIH’s disability health research community engagement events and request for information was vital to the development of this plan and is sincerely appreciated.

Appendix C: Strategic Planning Process

1. Developed Strategic Plan Framework

   SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER 2024

   The Disability Health Research Program (DHRP) led the development of the framework for the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26–FY30 in partnership with the National Institutes of Health Disability Health Research Coordinating Committee (DHRCC). The DHRCC served as the strategic plan working group and met monthly to review progress and provide input and feedback.

   DHRP staff conducted a landscape analysis to understand the current disability health research environment and determine how NIH resources could best be utilized to promote the health and well-being of people with disabilities. This analysis was informed by (1) a review of scientific literature and relevant reports; (2) input from NIH subject matter experts and Directors of institutes, centers, and offices; (3) analysis of the existing disability research portfolio; and (4) input from members of the public and external organizations at NIH community engagement events.

   The DHRCC co-chairs established a DHRCC writing team under their leadership to draft the strategic plan framework. The writing team generated a draft framework that was informed by the DHRP’s landscape analysis and its data sources. Subsequently, the DHRP held a town hall on the draft framework and published a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain public feedback on the draft framework and inform the development of the full strategic plan.

2. Developed Draft Strategic Plan

   JANUARY–MAY 2025

   The DHRCC writing team met biweekly to draft the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26–FY30. Utilizing the results and recommendations of the landscape analysis and the RFI, the writing team used an iterative process to develop the draft strategic plan.

3. Refined Draft Strategic Plan

   JUNE–NOVEMBER 2025

   The full draft of the strategic plan was presented to the DHRCC for multiple rounds of review
   and feedback. The revised strategic plan was then shared with the NIH Council of Councils Disability Health Research Working Group to obtain input and feedback from external subject matter experts. Final revisions to the plan were made by the DHRCC co-chairs and shared with the DHRCC. A federal contractor provided support for copyediting, graphics and layout, and Section 508 compliance.

4. Finalized Strategic Plan

   DECEMBER 2025–MARCH 2026

   The NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26–FY30 was presented to leadership from the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives and NIH for review and approval.

Appendix D: Endnotes

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16. In 2024, NIH created a new spending reporting category titled “Disability Research.” This category as currently defined is considered a subset of Disability Health Research. Thus, the $619 million in funding reported for “Disability Research” for FY24 is considered a floor for NIH investments in Disability Health Research. For additional details regarding the Disability Research category, please visit: https://grants.nih.gov/funding/explore-data-on-funded-projects/rcdc-categories-at-a-glance and enter “Disability Research” in the keyword filter.
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20. Factors related to clinical care and the health care system are considered subsets of the environmental and sociocultural domains. For additional discussion, please refer to the NIA and NIMHD Health Disparities Research Frameworks: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4671408; https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304883.
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33. Baumgartner J. Leveling up: using multilevel interventions to address whole person health. 2024 Mar 25 [cited 2025 Sep 1]. In: NCCIH Research Blog [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/research/blog/leveling-up-using-multilevel-interventions-to-address-whole-person-health.
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35. Health conditions caused or aggravated by a person’s disability(ies) are known as secondary conditions and may include physical or mental conditions, such as migraines, pressure sores, pain, and depression. For additional information, please refer to: Rimmer JH, Chen MD, Hsieh K. A conceptual model for identifying, preventing, and managing secondary conditions in people with disabilities. Phys Ther. 2011 Dec;91(12):1728–39. doi:10.2522/ ptj.20100410.
36. Department of Justice. Guide to Disability Rights Laws [Internet]. Washington, DC: DOJ; 1996 Oct 1. Updated 2020 Feb 28 [cited 2025 Sep 1]. Available from: https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide.