Synopsis

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.
Response Date	Aug 31, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Posting Date	Aug 04, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Archive Date	Sep 30, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Award Ceiling	2,900,000
Award Floor	2,700,000
Cost Sharing	Yes

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Small businesses, 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, County governments, Private institutions of higher education, Special district governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, State governments, Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification), Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility", For profit organizations other than small businesses, City or township governments, Independent school districts

Additional Info on Eligibility:

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.

Additional Information

Agency Name	Administration for Children and Families - OFA
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)

• 93.239: Policy Research and Evaluation Grants
• 93.575: Child Care and Development Block Grant
• 93.595: Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies
• 93.647: Social Services Research and Demonstration