Head Start/Early Head Grants in Multiple States
🏛 Administration for Children and Families - OHS
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing early childhood education and care services to low-income families. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and public agencies with experience operating Head Start or Early Head Start programs. The funding covers Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services in 37 specified states and territories. This is a competitive award for organizations demonstrating capacity to deliver high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services.
Geographic scope includes Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, US Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Service areas are subject to change before the Notice of Funding Opportunity is published. Organizations should verify their target service area meets current requirements.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Sep 2, 2026 Applications open
- Dec 15, 2026 Application deadline in 57 days
- Jul 30, 2027 Award announced
- Aug 2, 2027 Project start
Program description
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS), announces a competitive notice of funding opportunity to provide high-quality Head Start Preschool (HSP) and Early Head Start (EHS) services for low-income children and families. This funding opportunity advances ACF’s mission to promote the economic and social well-being of children, families, and communities, and reflects OHS’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services that strengthen family stability and community prosperity. Approximately $818.3 million in federal funding will be awarded in multiple communities in AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VI, VT, WA, and WI.
These service areas are subject to change until a Notice of Funding Opportunity is published.
Applicants may also email the OHS Operations Center at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com for additional information.
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)
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Program Description
- Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification
- Organizational Background and Capacity Documentation
- Evidence of Cost-Share/Matching Funds Commitment
- Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel
- Letters of Support/Commitment from Community Partners
Program contact
- 👤 Nicole Stoakley
- 📧 OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com
- 📞 (888) 242-0684
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.600 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$839,927,303
-
$607,779,021
-
$427,896,331
-
$395,120,164
-
$358,501,261
-
$355,204,337
-
$321,695,165
-
$321,573,170
-
$304,236,922
-
$284,417,299
Top States by Funding
- CA 30 awards $6,799.7M
- TX 12 awards $1,756.5M
- FL 8 awards $1,177.1M
- AZ 7 awards $989.9M
- NY 6 awards $952.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.600). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $12,144,413,680 | |
| 2025 | $12,000,267,372 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,001,716,254 |
FAQ
Who can apply for Head Start/Early Head Start grants?
Nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and public agencies with demonstrated capacity to operate Head Start or Early Head Start programs can apply. Applicants must show experience serving low-income families and children.
What geographic areas are eligible?
The grant covers 37 states and territories listed in the announcement. Service areas may change before the Notice of Funding Opportunity is published, so applicants should confirm eligibility.
What services can be funded?
Grants support Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start services, including comprehensive early childhood services that strengthen family stability and community prosperity.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, cost-sharing/matching funds are required. The exact match percentage will be specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
What is the funding range and timeline?
Individual awards range from approximately $1 million to $79.6 million. The deadline is December 15, 2026. The Notice of Funding Opportunity will provide specific project duration requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity carefully when published to confirm your service area remains eligible. Geographic coverage may change before the official announcement.
- Prepare strong evidence of your organization's capacity to operate quality Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Reviewers prioritize experience and track record.
- Document your cost-sharing plan early. Required matching funds must be secured and clearly budgeted before submission.
- Build your application around ACF's mission of promoting economic and social well-being for children, families, and communities.
- Contact the OHS Operations Center at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com with questions about service areas, eligibility, or technical requirements before the deadline.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to secure matching funds before submission. Applications with unclear or unfunded cost-share plans are significantly disadvantaged in federal early childhood grant competitions.
Underestimating the complexity of Head Start compliance requirements. Weak applications often lack clear plans for meeting quality standards, staffing credentials, and family engagement components.
Submitting without confirmation that your service area remains eligible. This grant's geographic scope may change before final publication, and applications for excluded areas will be rejected.
Similar grants
- OPEN Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership Grants in Multiple States — Administration for Children and Families - OHS
- OPEN Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Development and Implementation Grants — Administration for Children and Families
- OPEN Children’s Advocacy Center Start-up Funds — Ohio Department of Children and Youth
- OPEN EI27 Early Intervention Services Solicitation — Ohio Department of Health
- CLOSED Family Support Programs — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services