FY 2026 CN Technology Innovation Grant for Child and Adult Care Food Program Integrity

The Technology Innovation Grant for Child and Adult Care Food Program Integrity is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Food and Nutrition Administration. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support State agencies that administer the Child and Adult Care Food Program in strengthening program integrity through modernization of information technology systems. The program reflects a broader federal priority to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in nutrition assistance programs while improving operational efficiency and accountability. The initiative is authorized under federal appropriations legislation and is positioned as a competitive grant program specifically targeting innovation in technology systems that support CACFP administration. The primary purpose of the grant is to enable State agencies to design, implement, or improve IT systems that manage CACFP operations. These systems may address areas such as eligibility determination, claims processing, monitoring, reporting, and compliance tracking. The program encourages solutions that enhance data accuracy, automate validation processes, and improve interoperability between State and local systems. Applicants are expected to propose projects that not only modernize infrastructure but also support oversight strategies such as fraud detection, onboarding safeguards, and improved reimbursement monitoring. The grant emphasizes implementation-focused projects rather than planning-only initiatives. Funding under this program totals approximately 8.7 million dollars, with individual awards ranging from 100000 to 2000000 dollars. The anticipated number of awards is between five and ten. Funds may be used for personnel, contractors, equipment, software, training, and related implementation costs, provided they are necessary, reasonable, and allocable. However, routine maintenance costs, ongoing system operations, and pre-award expenses are explicitly unallowable. The grant also permits subawards to local sponsoring organizations, provided oversight and compliance requirements are met. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity. Eligibility is limited to State agencies that administer CACFP. These agencies may collaborate with other State-level entities, but the CACFP administering agency must serve as the primary applicant and assume responsibility for compliance and reporting. Applicants must meet federal registration requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier, maintaining active registration in the System for Award Management, and submitting applications through Grants.gov. Applications must include required federal forms, a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation that demonstrates technical feasibility and alignment with program objectives. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline, with no acceptance of late or incomplete applications. Applicants must prepare detailed narratives describing project scope, technical approach, staffing, and evaluation metrics. The application is evaluated based on a structured scoring system that includes criteria such as project design, technical feasibility, management approach, sustainability, and alignment with program goals. Additional emphasis is placed on measurable outcomes and the ability to implement within the grant period. Pre-award risk assessments are conducted using federal systems and questionnaires to evaluate applicant capacity and financial integrity. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date in late June, with applications due at the end of July. Awards are anticipated to be announced in September, with a period of performance extending through September 2029. During this period, grantees are required to submit regular financial and performance reports and ultimately deliver a final presentation summarizing project outcomes, best practices, and lessons learned. This presentation is intended to support knowledge sharing across State agencies and may be disseminated nationally. Overall, this grant represents a strategic federal investment in modernizing the technological infrastructure of CACFP administration. By focusing on innovation, data integrity, and system integration, the program aims to strengthen oversight capabilities and ensure that nutrition assistance reaches eligible populations efficiently and transparently. The initiative also promotes collaboration and knowledge transfer among State agencies, contributing to long-term improvements in program integrity across the nation.

Focus on implementation not planning align activities with measurable indicators ensure strong project management and technical feasibility