Head Start/Early Head Grants in Multiple States

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families Office of Head Start, forecasts a competitive federal grant opportunity titled Head Start/Early Head Grants in Multiple States. The opportunity is intended to provide high-quality Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services for low-income children and families. It advances the Administration for Children and Families mission of promoting the economic and social well-being of children, families, and communities and reflects the Office of Head Start commitment to expanding access to comprehensive early childhood services that strengthen family stability and community prosperity. The funding instrument is a grant, the opportunity is discretionary, and the Assistance Listing is 93.600, Head Start. Approximately $818.3 million in federal funding is expected to be awarded for services in multiple communities across Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, the Virgin Islands, Washington, and Wisconsin. These service areas remain subject to change until the Notice of Funding Opportunity is published. The estimated total program funding is $818,390,366, with an award floor of $1,005,287 and an award ceiling of $79,657,340. The agency expects approximately 255 awards. Cost sharing or matching is required, although the forecast does not provide the required match amount, percentage, or ratio. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status other than institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, state governments, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, city or township governments, county governments, independent school districts, for profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses, and other applicants subject to additional eligibility clarification. Faith-based and community organizations that satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements may also receive awards. Individuals, sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible. The forecast specifically cautions that eligibility requirements differ for Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start and that further information will be provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The opportunity is currently forecasted rather than open for application. The estimated posting date is October 14, 2026, which is treated as the anticipated application opening date based on the information currently available. The estimated application deadline is December 15, 2026. Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on that date. No letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, initial application, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified in the forecast. Detailed application forms, narrative questions, required uploads, and evaluation criteria have not yet been provided and should not be inferred before publication of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants should use the forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity to verify the final service areas, program-specific eligibility requirements, required application components, evaluation standards, allowable costs, restrictions, and the exact cost-sharing or matching obligation. The forecast indicates that the competitive funding will support high-quality Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services and emphasizes access to comprehensive early childhood services for low-income children and families. Because the service areas and additional eligibility requirements remain subject to change, prospective applicants should rely on the published Notice of Funding Opportunity for final application requirements. The estimated award date is July 30, 2027, and the estimated project start date is August 2, 2027. The source does not provide a project end date or complete period of performance. It also does not state that this specific opportunity recurs annually, biennially, quarterly, or on another regular schedule, so recurrence is not inferred. For additional information, applicants may contact the Office of Head Start Operations Center at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com or by telephone at (888) 242-0684. Nicole Stoakley is identified as the grantor contact. The forecast was issued and last updated on September 2, 2026.

Applicants should align proposals with high-quality Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services for low-income children and families and with the stated goals of expanding access to comprehensive early childhood services that strengthen family stability and community prosperity. Applicants should verify program-specific eligibility because requirements differ between Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start and may change when the notice is published.