Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund – Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to improve access to dental services specifically for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community health centers, dental schools, dental practices operating as nonprofits, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and state/local health agencies. Activities supported include developing and implementing programs that remove barriers to dental care, training dental providers to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders, creating accessible dental facilities, expanding telehealth dental services, and establishing coordination mechanisms between dental and developmental disability services. The grant supports quality improvement initiatives, pilot programs, and evidence-based approaches to increase dental access for this vulnerable population. Geographic scope is nationwide, with no restrictions by state or region.
Key dates
- May 6, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 1, 2026 Application deadline in 29 days
- Sep 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for organizations seeking to improve access to dental services specifically for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community health centers, dental schools, dental practices operating as nonprofits, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and state/local health agencies. Activities supported include developing and implementing programs that remove barriers to dental care, training dental providers to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders, creating accessible dental facilities, expanding telehealth dental services, and establishing coordination mechanisms between dental and developmental disability services. The grant supports quality improvement initiatives, pilot programs, and evidence-based approaches to increase dental access for this vulnerable population. Geographic scope is nationwide, with no restrictions by state or region.
Program description
The purpose of fiscal year (FY) 2026 Quality Improvement Fund: Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD) is to increase access to preventive dental and additional dental services and improve dental health outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including children with autism spectrum and developmental disorders. Through this one-time investment, health centers will build upon existing evidence-based models to pilot innovative approaches to increase access to dental services for children with NDDs, advance the skills and knowledge of your workforce to support access to services, and improve patient outcomes.
Applicants for this funding must propose project work plans that include:
- Specific evidence-based models and innovative approaches that will increase access to dental services and improve patient outcomes for children with NDDs.
- Plans to advance the skills and knowledge of the health center workforce to support access to dental services for children with NDDs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations seeking to improve access to dental services specifically for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community health centers, dental schools, dental practices operating as nonprofits, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and state/local health agencies. Activities supported include developing and implementing programs that remove barriers to dental care, training dental providers to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders, creating accessible dental facilities, expanding telehealth dental services, and establishing coordination mechanisms between dental and developmental disability services. The grant supports quality improvement initiatives, pilot programs, and evidence-based approaches to increase dental access for this vulnerable population. Geographic scope is nationwide, with no restrictions by state or region.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative (typically 15–20 pages) describing the need, specific aims, methodology, and evaluation plan
- Budget and budget narrative (Form SF-424C or HHS budget form)
- Organizational capacity documentation (resumes of key staff, organizational chart, job descriptions)
- Letters of support or commitment from partner organizations
- Data on target population and dental access barriers in your service area
- Evaluation plan with specific, measurable outcomes
- Sustainability plan
- Proof of nonprofit status (Form 990, IRS determination letter, or equivalent)
- DUNS number and SAM.gov registration
Program contact
- 👤 Health Resources and Services Administration
- 📧 bphcfunding@hrsa.gov
- 📞 301-594-4300
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.224 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$170,931,942
-
$160,570,789
-
$151,511,940
-
$132,010,302
-
$122,438,575
-
$121,469,702
-
$120,911,859
-
$119,853,092
-
$117,279,445
-
$114,092,355
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $1,617.3M
- FL 10 awards $731.4M
- NY 7 awards $642.4M
- TX 7 awards $471.1M
- CO 6 awards $461.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.224). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $5,401,144,000 | |
| 2025 | $5,408,524,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $5,342,179,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically 501(c)(3) nonprofits, FQHCs, community health centers, dental schools, state/local health agencies, and other healthcare organizations. Fiscal sponsors and some for-profit dental practices operating within nonprofit healthcare systems may also be eligible—check the full NOFO.
What kinds of activities does this grant support?
Quality improvement projects that increase dental access for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, provider training, facility modifications, telehealth expansion, care coordination, and pilot programs demonstrating evidence-based approaches.
What is a typical funding range for this grant?
HRSA quality improvement grants often range from $100,000–$500,000 per award, though amounts vary. Check the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific funding caps and project period length.
How competitive is this grant?
HRSA programs are moderately to highly competitive. Success depends on clearly demonstrating how your project addresses unmet dental needs, your organization's capacity, and strong partnerships with dental and disability-focused organizations.
What is the application timeline?
The application portal opens May 6, 2026. Deadlines typically fall 60–90 days after the open date for HRSA grants. Monitor grants.gov and the HRSA website for the exact deadline announcement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a coalition including pediatric dental providers, developmental disability specialists, and patient advocacy organizations; HRSA values strong partnerships and sustainability planning.
- Use data from your region showing the gap in dental access for children with neurodevelopmental disorders—surveys, waiting lists, or referral denial rates strengthen your case.
- Emphasize workforce development: include provider training, competency standards, and cultural competency around autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and other conditions.
- Align your project with national oral health priorities and existing initiatives (e.g., Healthy People 2030 objectives); reference relevant literature on barriers and best practices.
- Plan for sustainability beyond the grant period—describe revenue streams, billing model improvements, or partnerships that will maintain services after federal funding ends.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they lack specific, quantifiable data about the target population and existing gaps in their region. Applicants often underestimate the complexity of serving children with sensory sensitivities or behavioral needs, proposing generic access improvements rather than specialized, disorder-informed approaches. Additionally, weak partnerships with both dental and neurodevelopmental disability organizations signal limited feasibility and are frequently a reason for lower scores.
Similar grants
- 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
- OPEN FY27 Event Sponsorship Program Round 2: Funds Events Held November 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 — Virginia Housing Development Authority
- ROLLING Application to Become a Participating HUD Housing Counseling Agency — Virginia Housing Development Authority
- OPEN 2026 JAG/SCIP Innovation — Iowa Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy