Opportunity Listing - National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families

National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families

Agency: Administration for Children and Families - OFA

Assistance Listings: 93.647 -- Social Services Research and Demonstration

93.595 -- Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies

Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Description

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 build stable, married families while reducing their reliance 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:

1. Fellowship Program: Support in-residence fellows placed within ACF and other HHS offices to provide policy-relevant research expertise on work, earnings, family stability, and human services programs.

style="margin-left:0in;">2. Extramural Research Grants: Administer a competitive grant program to fund timely, actionable research aligned with ACF priorities, including promoting the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on public assistance, family formation and stability through marriage, child well-being, and program effectiveness.

3. Dissemination and Communication: Host in-person and virtual events and produce policy-focused materials to ensure research findings are accessible and actionable for federal, state, tribal, and local policymakers.

ACF anticipates making one cooperative agreement award for a five-year project period. 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.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Unrestricted
Other

Government

County governments
Public and Indian housing authorities
Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
State governments

Nonprofit

Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Other Native American tribal organizations
Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)

Education

Private institutions of higher education
Independent school districts
Public and state institutions of higher education

Business

For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Small businesses

Additional information

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.

Grantor contact information

Description

Amelia Popham (202) 401-5322

Email

amelia.popham@acf.hhs.gov

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Link to additional information

Forecasted

Estimated Post Date:

June 1, 2026

Estimated Application Due Date:

July 16, 2026

Estimated Due Date Description:

Not available

Estimated Award Date:

September 15, 2026

Estimated Project Start Date:

September 30, 2026

Fiscal Year:

2026

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$1,500,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$1,200,000

Award Minimum

$1,500,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-OFA-PG-0059

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Yes

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Income security and social services

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Forecast posted date:

May 1, 2026

Archive date:

August 15, 2026