Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Competitive Grants

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that supports national service, volunteering, and civic engagement across the United States. Through a wide array of programs, AmeriCorps invests in community-based solutions that address some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. The AmeriCorps State and National program provides grants to organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in service activities aimed at strengthening communities and improving lives. These grants help nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, local governments, and tribal entities implement evidence-informed or evidence-based interventions through structured service opportunities. The Fiscal Year 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Competitive Grants represent an opportunity for eligible entities to secure funding to support new or continuing AmeriCorps programs. The primary purpose of these grants is to enable organizations to recruit and place AmeriCorps members in communities across the country to carry out service projects aligned with AmeriCorps' priorities. These priorities include serving rural, tribal, and high-poverty communities; addressing youth mental health and substance use recovery; enhancing public safety and law enforcement partnerships; supporting veterans and military families; maintaining public lands; expanding workforce pathways including pre-apprenticeship programs; and strengthening families. Programs are expected to provide high-quality member experiences that foster skill development and lifelong civic engagement. AmeriCorps will give funding preference to applicants whose program focus aligns substantially with these priority areas, though such preference does not guarantee funding. Funding is available through several grant types, including cost reimbursement and fixed amount grants, each with unique requirements. For cost reimbursement grants, applicants must provide matching funds that begin at 24% for new grantees and gradually increase over time. Fixed amount grants do not require matching funds but are limited in how funds are allocated and used. Applicants must adhere to strict budgetary guidelines, including caps on cost per member service year (MSY), living allowance minimums and maximums for AmeriCorps members, and rules governing indirect costs. Award amounts are variable and depend on program design, scope, and type of grant requested. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, institutions of higher education, state and local governments (including school districts), nonprofit organizations, and U.S. territories. Faith-based and small community-based organizations, particularly those new to AmeriCorps funding, are encouraged to apply. Applicants proposing programs in only one state must apply through their State Service Commission. Multi-state, tribal, and U.S. territory applicants apply directly to AmeriCorps. New and recompeting applicants must propose enrolling at least 20 AmeriCorps members, with exceptions for continuation and tribal applicants. To apply, organizations must submit a complete application package through AmeriCorps’ web-based grants management system no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on March 31, 2026. Required components include a narrative (executive summary, program design, organizational capability, and budget justification), a logic model, performance measures, a detailed budget, and various certifications. Additional documentation such as evaluation reports and eligibility documentation for tribal entities must also be submitted. AmeriCorps strictly enforces submission deadlines and formatting requirements, and late applications are only considered under exceptional documented circumstances. Applications will be reviewed through a multi-step process including an initial compliance check, peer and staff review based on selection criteria (program design: 50%, organizational capability: 25%, cost-effectiveness and budget adequacy: 25%), and a pre-award risk assessment. The review considers alignment with AmeriCorps' priorities, performance data, past compliance, and overall feasibility. Final award decisions are expected by mid-June 2026, with awards issued by mid-August 2026. The period of performance for awarded projects may not begin before July 1, 2026, and is generally three years, with annual continuation contingent on satisfactory performance and future appropriations.

Include detailed evidence for your intervention; align Logic Model to performance measures; provide strong member support and retention strategies.