National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families
🏛 Administration for Children and Families - OFA
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations that conduct policy-relevant research on work, family stability, and human services programs. Eligible applicants are likely universities, research institutions, and nonprofits with strong research capacity and federal grant experience. The Center will operate as a cooperative agreement with ACF, requiring close collaboration with policymakers and federal agencies. Geographic scope is national, supporting research that informs federal and state policies.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Key dates
- May 1, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 16, 2026 Application deadline in 45 days
- Sep 15, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2026 Project start
This grant is for organizations that conduct policy-relevant research on work, family stability, and human services programs. Eligible applicants are likely universities, research institutions, and nonprofits with strong research capacity and federal grant experience. The Center will operate as a cooperative agreement with ACF, requiring close collaboration with policymakers and federal agencies. Geographic scope is national, supporting research that informs federal and state policies.
Program description
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) anticipates soliciting applications for a National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families.
The Center aims to improve the effectiveness of federal and state policies that promote the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and build stable, married families while reducing their reliance on public assistance. The Center will support rigorous, policy-relevant research and build stronger connections between researchers and policymakers in human services programs.
The Center will carry out three core activities:
1. Fellowship Program: Support in-residence fellows placed within ACF and other HHS offices to provide policy-relevant research expertise on work, earnings, family stability, and human services programs.
2. Extramural Research Grants: Administer a competitive grant program to fund timely, actionable research aligned with ACF priorities, including promoting the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on public assistance, family formation and stability through marriage, child well-being, and program effectiveness.
3. Dissemination and Communication: Host in-person and virtual events and produce policy-focused materials to ensure research findings are accessible and actionable for federal, state, tribal, and local policymakers.
ACF anticipates making one cooperative agreement award for a five-year project period. The recipient must be able to show, and ACF must be able to monitor, that funds appropriated were spent on activities that can be directly attributed to those required and allowed by each funding source.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for organizations that conduct policy-relevant research on work, family stability, and human services programs. Eligible applicants are likely universities, research institutions, and nonprofits with strong research capacity and federal grant experience. The Center will operate as a cooperative agreement with ACF, requiring close collaboration with policymakers and federal agencies. Geographic scope is national, supporting research that informs federal and state policies.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application narrative describing the Center's research agenda and strategy
- Budget and budget narrative justifying five-year costs
- Organizational capacity documentation (staffing, infrastructure, grants management)
- Letters of support from ACF and federal partners
- Curriculum vitae for key research personnel
- Evaluation plan for Center activities
Program contact
- 👤 Amelia Popham
- 📧 amelia.popham@acf.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 401-5322
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.595 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$8,119,370
-
$4,049,998
-
$1,401,132
-
$500,000
-
$499,965
-
$499,514
-
$499,453
-
$494,812
-
$467,585
-
$400,000
Top States by Funding
- PA 1 awards $8.1M
- CO 2 awards $4.3M
- VA 6 awards $3.2M
- MI 5 awards $2.0M
- NJ 6 awards $2.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.595). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,336,351 | |
| 2025 | $2,848,797 | |
| 2026 est. | $644,873 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and nonprofits with demonstrated expertise in family policy, work, or human services research. Applicants must have capacity to manage a federally-funded research center and collaborate with policymakers.
What is the deadline and project duration?
The deadline is July 16, 2026. Awards are for a five-year project period.
What activities does the Center fund?
Three core activities: in-residence fellowship program, extramural competitive grants for research, and dissemination events and materials for policymakers.
What is the funding amount?
Awards range from $1,200,000 to $1,500,000 over five years. Cost-sharing is required.
Is this competitive?
Yes, this is highly competitive. ACF anticipates one cooperative agreement award. Your application must demonstrate strong research capacity and policy relevance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Show clear connections between your research agenda and ACF priorities: work dignity, economic self-sufficiency, marriage and family stability, and reduced public assistance dependence.
- Demonstrate capacity to manage a research center, including fellowship administration, grants management, and policy dissemination.
- Include letters of support from ACF offices and other federal agencies showing commitment to collaboration.
- Design a realistic fellowship program that attracts high-quality researchers to in-residence positions.
- Plan concrete dissemination strategies that reach federal, state, tribal, and local policymakers with actionable findings.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak demonstration of policy relevance or lack of alignment with ACF's specific focus areas. Insufficient detail on fellowship recruitment, placement, and oversight processes. Underestimating the administrative complexity of managing a research center with multiple funding sources.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING Annual Agency Threshold Application Applicants for Funding Start Here — Texas City of Austin - Austin Public Health
- CLOSED Virginia’s Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Grant – FY26 — Virginia The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- ROLLING RTAP Grant Program (Rolling) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- ROLLING Rail Industrial Access Grant (RIA) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation