Evaluating Innovative Community Based Nutrition Models that Improve Health Outcomes for Older Adults in Senior Nutrition Programs
🏛 Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations operating senior nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act (OAA). Eligible applicants typically include Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, and community-based nonprofits that serve older adults.
The program supports innovative, community-based nutrition and healthy aging models. Projects must develop, implement, and evaluate promising approaches. Activities include strengthening nutrition services through partnerships and increasing access to healthy foods.
Geographic scope is national. Projects should promote chronic disease prevention and develop resources that can be replicated across the Aging Network. All work must focus on improving health outcomes for older adults in existing nutrition programs.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Key dates
- Oct 19, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 30, 2027 Application deadline in 191 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to support innovative, community-based nutrition and healthy aging models that improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of participants in the Older Americans Act (OAA) Senior Nutrition Program. Projects are expected to develop, implement, and evaluate promising approaches that strengthen nutrition services through community partnerships, increase access to healthy foods, promote healthy aging and chronic disease prevention, and develop practical resources and best practices that can be replicated throughout the Aging Network to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of senior nutrition programs nationwide.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- 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 (describing innovation, implementation, evaluation plan)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support from community partners
- Evaluation plan with specific health outcome measures
Program contact
- 👤 Kari Benson
- 📧 AoA.OAA@acl.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-401-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.045 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$52,448,334
-
$51,128,441
-
$49,136,454
-
$49,084,291
-
$46,090,391
-
$45,265,676
-
$44,633,707
-
$44,544,156
-
$43,586,897
-
$42,475,698
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $756.6M
- FL 19 awards $513.7M
- NY 19 awards $446.0M
- TX 18 awards $440.8M
- PA 11 awards $209.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.045). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $946,684,000 | |
| 2025 | $946,684,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $946,684,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers, and community-based nonprofits operating OAA-funded senior nutrition programs are eligible. Organizations must have existing experience serving older adults through nutrition services.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is April 30, 2027. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling. Organizations should submit applications well before the cutoff date.
What types of projects are funded?
This grant supports innovative community-based nutrition models that improve health outcomes. Projects must develop, implement, and evaluate approaches that strengthen existing senior nutrition programs.
How much funding is available?
Individual awards range from $400,000 to $439,520. The total funding pool is approximately $2.2 million, supporting multiple projects nationally.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications demonstrate clear innovation, partnerships with community organizations, sustainability planning, and evaluation methods that measure health improvements for older adults.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start by clarifying which OAA senior nutrition programs your organization operates. Competitive applications build on existing program infrastructure.
- Develop partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and food suppliers early. Collaborative projects are more likely to be funded.
- Create a detailed evaluation plan that measures specific health outcomes for older adult participants. Include both quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback.
- Demonstrate how your model can be replicated and sustained beyond the grant period. Funders prioritize approaches that benefit the Aging Network nationally.
- Budget carefully for cost-sharing requirements and allow adequate time for both implementation and evaluation. Don't rush the evaluation design.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak evaluation plans that don't measure specific health outcomes. Vague partnerships lacking clear roles and funding commitments. Unrealistic timelines for developing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition innovations.
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