UPWARD for Youth: Unlocking Potential with Advocacy, Resources and Development for Youth Program

The UPWARD for Youth: Unlocking Potential with Advocacy, Resources and Development for Youth program is a competitive grant administered by the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, a state-level entity whose mission is to improve independence, productivity, and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council operates under federal authority and funding guidelines, specifically under provisions that support demonstration projects designed to create systemic change and improve service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities. This particular funding opportunity is aligned with federal priorities to develop innovative approaches that strengthen advocacy, leadership, and participation in decision-making among underserved populations. The purpose of this grant is to address a recognized gap in services for youth with developmental disabilities, particularly in the area of self-advocacy and leadership development. While many programs focus on adults or older high school students, this initiative seeks to expand access to advocacy training earlier in life. The program is designed to help youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain the skills necessary to advocate for themselves, participate in important life decisions, and engage in leadership roles within their communities. A core objective is that participants not only learn these skills but also apply them in real-world contexts such as Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Service Plan (ISP) meetings, as well as broader civic and legislative processes. Funding supports a wide range of activities intended to build both individual capacity and systemic change. These include outreach, training programs, research, technical assistance, community education, and collaboration across agencies. Projects are expected to incorporate considerations such as accessibility, transportation, use of technology, cultural diversity, and sustainability. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to design programs that can be replicated and scaled, either statewide or within targeted regions. The grant emphasizes measurable outcomes, including increases in advocacy participation, leadership roles, and participant satisfaction, with specific performance metrics established by the Council. The award provides up to 50,000 dollars in federal funding for a 12-month project period, with required matching contributions from the grantee. Matching funds may include both cash and in-kind contributions and are governed by federal cost principles under 2 CFR Part 200. Continued funding beyond the initial year is contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance, indicating that this opportunity may extend across multiple years through continuation applications. Applicants must submit detailed budget justifications outlining both federal and matching expenditures, demonstrating that all costs are reasonable, necessary, and aligned with project objectives. Eligibility for this grant is broad, with no restrictions on the type of entity that may apply. This includes nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and potentially individuals applying through an organizational structure. However, all applicants must meet federal compliance requirements, including registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and possession of a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Applicants must also obtain a State of Ohio Supplier ID prior to receiving an award. Failure to meet these administrative requirements may result in disqualification or reassignment of the award to another applicant. The application process is conducted through the DD Suite online platform and requires submission of several mandatory components. These include a detailed budget justification, three letters of recommendation, a resume for the project director, organizational board member information (if applicable), proof of nonprofit status where relevant, and multiple certification forms such as the Assurances form and Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act certification. Applications must be written in clear language and include a comprehensive work plan with defined objectives, activities, and performance measures. Missing required documents or incomplete submissions will result in removal from consideration. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a posting date of May 1, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The project period is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026, and end on September 30, 2027. Applicants may submit questions to designated Council staff prior to a specified cutoff date, after which general inquiry channels are provided. Awards are determined through a competitive review process involving evaluation of narrative quality, organizational qualifications, outreach strategies, budget justification, and alignment with program goals. Successful projects are expected to contribute to long-term outcomes where youth with developmental disabilities grow into effective self-advocates and leaders in their communities.

Ensure all required attachments are included as missing documents will result in disqualification; use clear language as proposals are reviewed by diverse audiences; align activities closely with required performance measures and outcomes; provide detailed and specific budget justification explaining each cost element