National Ombudsman Resource Center

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center funding opportunity is administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Administration on Aging and the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. This initiative is designed to strengthen the national infrastructure that supports State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, which are responsible for advocating for residents of long-term care facilities. The funding opportunity reflects the agency’s broader mission to protect the rights of older adults and individuals with disabilities and to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation in institutional care settings. The purpose of this grant is to establish and operate a national resource center that provides technical assistance, training, and capacity-building support to State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs. The selected grantee will enhance the knowledge and effectiveness of ombudsman staff and volunteers, promote innovative service delivery approaches, and facilitate collaboration among federal, state, and community partners. The center will also analyze data and research related to long-term care resident rights and support systemic advocacy efforts. Activities include hosting an annual national conference, delivering ongoing technical assistance, maintaining a comprehensive website with resources, and supporting peer-to-peer knowledge exchange across the network. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by the federal agency throughout the project. The total expected funding is 1549221 dollars over a three-year performance period, with approximately 516407 dollars awarded per year. Only one award is expected. The project period runs from September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2029. A cost sharing requirement of 25 percent applies, which may be met through cash or in-kind contributions from the applicant or partners. Funds may not be used for construction, basic research, or self-promotional marketing activities, and must align with federal cost principles and program priorities. Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities, including state and local governments, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, hospitals, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations. Applicants must demonstrate significant experience in providing national-level technical assistance and training, as well as familiarity with long-term care ombudsman programs and the Older Americans Act. A full-time project director with national expertise in long-term care advocacy is required. Applications from individuals or foreign entities are not eligible. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants must maintain active registrations with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Required application components include a project narrative limited to 20 pages, a budget narrative, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation such as resumes, organizational charts, and proof of nonprofit status. The project narrative must address problem statements, goals, objectives, intervention strategies, evaluation methods, and dissemination plans. Reviewers will score applications based on criteria including purpose and need, project approach, anticipated impact, and organizational capacity. Applications undergo an initial screening for eligibility and completeness, followed by a merit-based review process conducted by a panel. Final award decisions consider review scores, alignment with agency priorities, applicant performance history, and available funding. The expected award date is September 30, 2026. Award recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reporting, and adhere to all applicable regulations under 2 CFR 200. Ongoing collaboration with ACL is required throughout the project period, including regular communication and review of deliverables prior to publication. Key contacts for the opportunity include program and eligibility support via AoA.OAA@acl.hhs.gov and financial inquiries directed to tanielle.chandler@acl.hhs.gov. The funding opportunity is not explicitly stated as recurring, and applicants should treat this as a single-cycle competitive opportunity unless future announcements are issued.

Ensure strong measurable outcomes and detailed work plan aligned with review criteria; clearly demonstrate national technical assistance experience and ombudsman expertise