Foster Parents Network Analytics Hub (HUB)
🏛 Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations supporting the foster care system through data analytics, research infrastructure, and support services. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, foster parent associations, child welfare organizations, state and local child welfare agencies, and universities with child welfare research programs. The program supports activities that enhance foster family support, data collection and sharing, analytics capabilities, and technical assistance to improve outcomes for foster children and families. Geographic scope covers the United States, and priority is often given to applicants demonstrating capacity to serve multiple states or regions. Organizations must have experience in foster care support, data management, or child welfare services.
Key dates
- Apr 20, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 14, 2026 Application deadline in 42 days
- Sep 29, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 30, 2026 Project start
This grant is for organizations supporting the foster care system through data analytics, research infrastructure, and support services. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, foster parent associations, child welfare organizations, state and local child welfare agencies, and universities with child welfare research programs. The program supports activities that enhance foster family support, data collection and sharing, analytics capabilities, and technical assistance to improve outcomes for foster children and families. Geographic scope covers the United States, and priority is often given to applicants demonstrating capacity to serve multiple states or regions. Organizations must have experience in foster care support, data management, or child welfare services.
Program description
To support the Administration for Children and Families’ initiative, A Home for Every Child, the Children’s Bureau will award one grant to establish the Foster Parents Network Analytics Hub (HUB) to achieve a foster home-to-child ratio of more than 1:1 in every state by 2029. The HUB will advance the goal by providing states with advanced analytics tools and intensive technical assistance to optimize their foster parent networks.
This national demonstration project under Section 426 of the Social Security Act, the HUB will develop a secure, accessible analytics platform integrated with state Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System and Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (SACWIS/CCWIS). It will also deliver rapid technical assistance to help states analyze foster home dynamics, identify capacity gaps, develop targeted retention strategies, and improve placement matching. This initiative exemplifies ACF’s commitment to results and evidence by focusing on measurable outcomes, using data and proven practices to improve performance, and ensuring efficient use of taxpayer dollars through rigorous performance monitoring.
This five-year cooperative agreement will establish the HUB, prioritizing immediate deployment, measurable impact, and sustainable capacity building.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations supporting the foster care system through data analytics, research infrastructure, and support services. Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, foster parent associations, child welfare organizations, state and local child welfare agencies, and universities with child welfare research programs. The program supports activities that enhance foster family support, data collection and sharing, analytics capabilities, and technical assistance to improve outcomes for foster children and families. Geographic scope covers the United States, and priority is often given to applicants demonstrating capacity to serve multiple states or regions. Organizations must have experience in foster care support, data management, or child welfare services.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative/statement of work (typically 10-20 pages)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (organizational chart, staff resumes, audit reports)
- Letters of commitment or memoranda of understanding from partner agencies and organizations
- Timeline for project milestones and deliverables
- Data management and security plans
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Catherine Heath
- 📧 cb@grantreview.org
- 📞 cb@grantreview.org
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.648 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$28,626,203
-
$16,173,579
-
$9,341,400
-
$6,007,525
-
$3,750,000
-
$3,750,000
-
$3,747,698
-
$3,745,588
-
$3,741,662
-
$2,283,340
Top States by Funding
- NY 2 awards $30.9M
- PA 2 awards $19.9M
- ME 1 awards $9.3M
- CA 2 awards $7.0M
- KY 1 awards $3.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.648). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,198,400 | |
| 2025 | $2,198,400 | |
| 2026 est. | $2,198,400 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants typically include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state and local child welfare agencies, foster parent associations, universities, and organizations with demonstrated expertise in foster care support or data analytics. Some funding may be restricted to specific organizational types.
What types of activities does this grant support?
Common supported activities include developing analytics platforms for foster parent networks, data collection and analysis infrastructure, technical assistance to foster parents and agencies, research on foster family outcomes, and capacity-building for foster care providers.
Is there a matching funds requirement?
Many ACF grants require cost-sharing or matching funds, typically 10-25% of total project costs. Check the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity for exact requirements.
How competitive is this grant?
ACF grants are moderately to highly competitive. Successful applications typically demonstrate strong organizational capacity, clear data or analytics innovation, partnerships with foster care agencies, and measurable outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
ACYF grants typically range from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars depending on scope and project type. Check the NOFO for specific funding amounts and whether they vary by applicant type.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's technical capacity and experience working with foster care data, child welfare agencies, or foster parent networks; strong partnerships with state/local agencies significantly strengthen applications.
- Develop a clear logic model showing how your analytics hub will improve outcomes for foster parents, children, or the foster care system as a whole.
- Include concrete examples of how data insights will be disseminated and used by foster care providers, foster parents, and policymakers.
- Budget for both technology infrastructure and human resources (data managers, analysts, training specialists) to ensure sustainability beyond the grant period.
- Align your proposal with national child welfare priorities such as preventing unnecessary removals, supporting kinship care, improving permanency, or enhancing foster family retention.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they focus too heavily on building technology without demonstrating clear connections to improved foster care outcomes or foster parent support. Another common issue is underestimating the importance of partnerships with actual foster care agencies and practitioners who will use the data or analytics tools. Weak sustainability plans—failing to show how the hub will operate after grant funding ends—are frequently cited as reasons for rejection.
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