Evaluations of Practices for Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention

The Evaluations of Practices for Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention program is administered by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the integrity of programs funded through the Child Care and Development Fund by supporting research partnerships that examine strategies to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse. The program reflects a broader federal priority to ensure that public funds are used effectively while improving outcomes in child care systems across states, territories, and Tribal communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support collaborative evaluation projects between Child Care and Development Fund Lead Agencies and qualified research partners. These partnerships are expected to identify, test, and evaluate promising practices that enhance program integrity. The program emphasizes the generation of rigorous evidence that can inform policy decisions and operational improvements, particularly in the administration of child care subsidies and related services. A key objective is to produce findings that are transferable and can guide other jurisdictions in implementing effective fraud prevention strategies. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cooperative agreements, indicating that the federal agency will have substantial involvement throughout the project period. The total estimated program funding is 5,100,000 dollars, with individual awards ranging from 125,000 to 425,000 dollars. Projects must be structured to support collaborative research activities, including data analysis, evaluation design, and dissemination of findings. Awardees are expected to participate in a research consortium, attend federally sponsored meetings, and actively share results to contribute to a national evidence base. Eligibility for this program is broad but structured around the requirement for partnership. Eligible applicants include state, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit entities, provided they are part of a collaborative team with a Child Care and Development Fund Lead Agency. Applications must not be submitted by individuals or foreign entities, as these are explicitly excluded. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements and participate in the required partnerships. The application process is anticipated to open on June 22, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 3, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the due date. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent specified in the forecast. Applicants should prepare comprehensive proposals that outline their research approach, partnership structure, and methods for evaluating program integrity interventions. Evaluation criteria are expected to focus on the rigor of the research design, relevance to policy priorities, and the strength of the partnership. Awards are expected to be announced by September 15, 2026, with project start dates projected for September 30, 2026. The timeline indicates a relatively rapid transition from application to implementation, requiring applicants to be prepared for immediate project initiation. While the forecast does not explicitly state recurrence, similar federal research funding opportunities are often offered periodically, suggesting potential future rounds. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare early due to the collaborative and technical nature of the program.

Focus on strong CCDF partnerships and rigorous evaluation design