Synopsis

This program will fund projects focused on technology-enabled strategies that improve adoptive matching, placement, and permanency for children in foster care awaiting adoption. The funds, awarded to four regional centers, will be used to design, implement and evaluate these strategies.These centers will focus on children with an adoption permanency goal or who are legally free for adoption due to child welfare involvement. Centers will partner with state, territorial, tribal, and local child welfare agencies and courts to develop secure, accessible technology solutions that improve how families are matched with children in need of permanent homes. Proposed solutions must be interoperable with existing systems and may include tools such as data-informed recruitment support, AI-assisted matching, and predictive analytics.Each center will strengthen data infrastructure, support continuous quality improvement, and develop scalable resources that jurisdictions nationwide can adopt. ACF will define four national service regions to ensure full U.S. coverage. Centers will provide regional innovation support, training, technical assistance, and dissemination of best practices while collaborating nationally on shared learning.Applicants will be expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in match timeliness, placement stability, and adoption finalization outcomes.
Response Date	Aug 21, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Posting Date	Jul 22, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Archive Date	Sep 20, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Award Ceiling	2,674,000
Award Floor	1,500,000
Cost Sharing	No

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, State governments, County governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Additional Info on Eligibility:

This program requires applicants to demonstrate BOTH technology expertise AND child welfare practice expertise at the organizational level. 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.

Additional Information

Agency Name	Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
Link to Additional Information:	N/a
Grantor Contact Information:	If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: GrantSolutions Help Desk Phone: 202-690-7110

CFDA Program(s)

• 93.652: Adoption Opportunities