Advancing State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

The Advancing State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers opportunity is administered by the Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is rooted in the statutory authority of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and specifically advances Section 373(i), which authorizes demonstration activities to strengthen caregiver support systems. The initiative is designed to operationalize the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, a comprehensive federal framework aimed at improving recognition, services, and systemic coordination for family caregivers across the United States. The Administration for Community Living seeks to work closely with state agencies to translate this national strategy into actionable, sustainable programs at the state level. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable state units on aging to design and implement statewide initiatives aligned with the goals of the National Strategy. Applicants are required to select and address at least three of the five strategic goals, which include increasing awareness of caregivers, strengthening partnerships, enhancing services, improving financial and workplace supports, and expanding data and research. Projects must demonstrate a statewide approach and incorporate cross-agency collaboration, particularly with state developmental disabilities agencies and at least one additional state-level partner. The emphasis is on building integrated systems that can identify, support, and empower caregivers through coordinated public service delivery. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, indicating substantial involvement from the federal agency throughout the project lifecycle. Awards are expected to support a two-year period of performance, during which grantees may spend an initial period on planning and coordination before transitioning to full implementation. Funding can be used for program development, partnership building, service delivery enhancements, evaluation, and dissemination of results. However, there are explicit restrictions, including prohibitions on construction, basic research, and certain policy-related activities. Additionally, awardees must comply with federal cost principles and are subject to salary caps and reporting requirements. A cost-sharing requirement is mandatory under this program. Applicants must contribute at least 25 percent of the total project cost through non-federal resources, which may include cash or in-kind contributions. This requirement reflects a three-to-one federal-to-nonfederal funding ratio and must be clearly documented in the application and maintained throughout the project. Failure to meet cost-sharing commitments may result in reduced funding or enforcement actions. Applicants must also demonstrate sustainability by outlining how project activities will continue beyond the federal funding period. Eligibility is limited to state governments, specifically state units on aging that administer Title III-E of the Older Americans Act. Only one application per state is permitted, and foreign entities or individuals are not eligible. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation like partnership agreements and resumes. Applications must adhere to strict formatting and submission guidelines, including page limits and required attachments. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process that includes an initial responsiveness screening followed by a merit-based panel review. Evaluation criteria focus on project relevance, approach, impact, organizational capability, and budget justification. Successful applicants will be notified through a formal Notice of Award, with anticipated award decisions occurring approximately two months after the application deadline. The application deadline is July 22, 2026, and projects are expected to begin around late September 2026. Throughout the project, grantees must participate in regular coordination meetings, submit performance reports, and collaborate closely with federal program officers to ensure alignment with national priorities and program goals.

Ensure alignment with at least three goals of the National Strategy; demonstrate strong cross-agency partnerships; include measurable outcomes and sustainability planning; clearly justify budget and cost share