FY 2025 Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Systems-Building Grant

The Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Systems-Building Grant is administered by the Office of Early Childhood Development within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This grant program is designed to support eligible state and territorial governments in strengthening their early care and education (ECE) systems. It is part of a national effort to improve coordination, access, and quality in early childhood services from birth through age five. The PDG B-5 grant aims to advance comprehensive, equitable, and sustainable systems of early childhood care by leveraging needs assessments and strategic planning across participating states and territories. The grant supports the creation of mixed delivery systems that empower families with more informed choices, enhance provider collaboration, and improve service efficiency. It prioritizes the integration of diverse program types and governance structures under a shared strategic vision to better meet community and family needs. Funding under this grant may be used for system-building activities such as stakeholder engagement, workforce development, data infrastructure, and quality improvement initiatives. The grant strongly emphasizes evidence-based planning and the use of robust data systems to guide policy and practice. Funding may not be used for construction or renovation activities. The awards are intended to be flexible yet strategic, supporting states in creating sustainable infrastructure for coordinated service delivery. Eligibility is limited to state governments and certain U.S. territories, which will be specified in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications from individuals and foreign entities are not permitted. Cost-sharing or matching is required, and specific match ratios or amounts must be addressed in the application package. Applicants are advised to thoroughly review all eligibility and compliance requirements in the official NOFO. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1, 2025. The application package should include a detailed narrative aligned with the updated evaluation criteria in Step 4, addressing system-building plans, use of data, coordination strategies, and stakeholder involvement. All submissions will undergo a merit review, and awards will be based on responsiveness to the scoring criteria, feasibility, and alignment with federal objectives. The PDG B-5 grant is a recurring opportunity. While this cycle’s application closes on December 1, 2025, future cycles are anticipated annually, with the next cycle likely opening in Fall 2026. For technical issues with application access, contact Richard Gonzales at pdgb5@acf.hhs.gov. Award announcements and the start of the performance period are expected several months post-deadline, typically by mid-2026, pending final review and federal processing.