Skip to main content
Independent federal grant matching. Not affiliated with any government agency. Get free access and see which open grants fit your organization.
Closed on Aug 31, 2026

National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families

Administration for Children and Families - OFA · Opportunity number HHS-2026-ACF-OFA-PG-0059

Details summarized from the official notice as of Sep 1, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

Independent platform. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Data from public federal sources.

This opportunity is closed as of Aug 31, 2026. It is kept here for reference. See the related open opportunities below, or check the official listing in case the agency posts a new cycle.

Key facts

Opportunity numberHHS-2026-ACF-OFA-PG-0059
AgencyAdministration for Children and Families - OFA
Department of Health and Human Services
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)93.647, 93.575, 93.239, 93.595
PostedAug 4, 2026
DeadlineAug 31, 2026
Award ceiling$2,900,000
Award floor$2,700,000
Expected number of awards1
Estimated total program funding$2,900,000
Cost sharing or matching requiredYes
Funding typeCooperative agreement
CategoryIncome security and social services
Last updated hereSep 1, 2026

Summary from the notice

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) anticipates soliciting applications for a National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families.The Center aims to improve the effectiveness of federal and state policies that promote the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and family stability through marriage, responsible fatherhood, child care, and reduced dependency on public assistance. The Center will support rigorous, policy-relevant research and build stronger connections between researchers and policymakers in human services programs.The Center will carry out three core activities to achieve its goals:Fellowship program: Support in-residence fellows placed within ACF and other HHS offices to provide policy-relevant research expertise on work, earnings, family stability, child care, and human services programs.Extramural research grants: Oversee a competitive grant program to fund timely, actionable research aligned with ACF priorities. These priorities include: promoting the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and family stability.Knowledge building and communication: Host in-person and virtual events. Produce policy-focused materials to make sure that research findings are accessible and actionable for federal, state, tribal, and local policymakers.The Center will emphasize research that promotes the dignity of work as a means to economic self-sufficiency and strong and stable families. This research will ideally help identify redundancies across government welfare programs and make sure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to help individuals and families rely less on public assistance. Activities must align with ACF"s statutory authorities and may not support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI/DEIA) activities, consistent with General Policies in this NOFO.ACF anticipates making one cooperative agreement award for a five-year project period. Activities must align with the statutory authorities supporting this NOFO. The recipient must be able to show, and ACF must be able to monitor, that funds appropriated were spent on activities that can be directly attributed to those required and allowed by each funding source.

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • State governments
  • Other Native American tribal organizations
  • City or township governments
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • County governments
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Public and state colleges and universities
  • Special district governments
  • Public and Indian housing authorities
  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
  • Unrestricted (open to any type of entity, check the notice)
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than colleges)
  • Small businesses
  • Private colleges and universities
  • Federally recognized tribal governments
  • Independent school districts

Eligibility details from the notice

The statutory authority for this funding opportunity does not limit eligible entities to receive this funding. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

Cost sharing: this notice requires cost sharing or matching funds. Check the notice for the required share and what counts toward it.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

Related open opportunities

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · PAR-25-370

Deadline: Nov 16, 2026 (31 days left) Up to: $50,000 Income security and social services

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · PAR-25-369

Deadline: Nov 18, 2026 (33 days left) Income security and social services

Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant

Administration for Children and Families · HHS-2026-ACF-ECD-TP-0039

Deadline: Nov 20, 2026 (35 days left) Up to: $15,000,000 Income security and social services

HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) (R15 Clinical Trial Optional)

National Institutes of Health · RFA-AT-25-003

Deadline: Nov 23, 2026 (38 days left) Up to: $375,000 Income security and social services

OVC FY 2026 Specialized Human Trafficking Assistance: Task Forces and Legal Services

Office for Victims of Crime · O-OVC-2026-172790

Deadline: Dec 1, 2026 (46 days left) Up to: $3,000,000 Income security and social services