Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0041
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Children’s Bureau (ACYF/CB), is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement titled "A Network for Connection, Healing, and Ongoing Resources" (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0041; CFDA 93.652). The purpose is to fund a single demonstration project that designs, puts into practice, and rigorously evaluates post-adoption support services specifically for birth parents who voluntarily placed their children for private domestic adoption. The opportunity is grounded in the idea that adoption outcomes are stronger when the well-being of everyone involved is taken seriously, including birth parents, who can face grief, isolation, stigma, and long-term emotional and practical challenges after placement.
At the center of the project is the creation of a structured support network for birth parents after adoption placement. Services are expected to include support groups and other supportive services and resources, with flexibility for the grantee to build a comprehensive, responsive model. The program’s practical focus is on helping birth parents achieve healthier adjustment and improved well-being over time, while also reducing barriers to getting help, strengthening connection to peer and professional supports, and ensuring participants can access ongoing resources rather than one-time or short-term assistance.
A major emphasis of the grant is evaluation. The funded organization is expected not only to provide services but also to measure whether those services work, using a rigorous evaluation approach. The goal of that evaluation is to determine which elements of post-adoption support are most effective for birth parents and to translate the findings into a model that other organizations across the country can replicate. In other words, the project is designed to produce both direct benefits for participating birth parents and a transferable, evidence-informed framework that can improve practice nationally.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, the federal government anticipates substantial involvement in the project beyond standard grant oversight. This typically means closer collaboration with ACF during planning, implementation, continuous improvement, and evaluation activities, with an expectation that the work will align closely to federal priorities around adoption-related services and capacity-building. The work also supports ACF’s broader mission of promoting the social well-being of families and individuals and aligns with Children’s Bureau interests in strengthening adoption-related programs, technical assistance, and leadership development, including attention to minority communities and minority professional leadership in the adoption field.
Eligibility is limited to certain organizational applicants. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and certain other eligible entities listed under “Others.” Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible, and foreign entities are also not eligible; applications from these groups will be disqualified from merit review and funding consideration.
The funding parameters indicate an anticipated single award, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-07, and the original application deadline is 2026-08-06. Overall, the grant is aimed at building a credible, well-evaluated demonstration of post-adoption supports for birth parents in private domestic adoption settings, with the explicit intent of generating lessons and a replicable approach that can strengthen services nationwide.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0041
- The Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "A Network for Connection, Healing, and Ongoing Resources" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.652.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The cooperative agreement is titled "A Network for Connection, Healing, and Ongoing Resources."
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Children’s Bureau (ACYF/CB).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CO 0041.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 93.652.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The purpose is to fund a single demonstration project that designs, implements, and rigorously evaluates post-adoption support services specifically for birth parents who voluntarily placed their children for private domestic adoption.
Who is the primary population this project is intended to serve?
The project is specifically focused on birth parents who voluntarily placed their children for private domestic adoption, and who may experience grief, isolation, stigma, and long-term emotional and practical challenges after placement.
What type of project is being funded (demonstration, services, research, etc.)?
This is a demonstration project with a strong service-delivery component and a major emphasis on rigorous evaluation to determine what works and to produce a model others can replicate.
What core activities are expected under the project?
At the center of the project is the creation of a structured support network for birth parents after adoption placement. Services are expected to include support groups and other supportive services and resources, with flexibility for the grantee to build a comprehensive, responsive model.
Are support groups required, or are they optional?
Support groups are explicitly expected as part of the service approach, alongside additional supportive services and resources that the grantee designs as part of a comprehensive model.
Is the program limited to one-time assistance, or is ongoing support expected?
Ongoing support is a key practical focus. The project is intended to ensure participants can access ongoing resources rather than one-time or short-term assistance.
What outcomes is the program trying to improve for participating birth parents?
The program’s practical focus is on helping birth parents achieve healthier adjustment and improved well-being over time, reducing barriers to getting help, and strengthening connection to peer and professional supports.
How important is evaluation in this opportunity?
Evaluation is a major emphasis. The funded organization is expected not only to provide services, but also to measure whether those services work using a rigorous evaluation approach.
What is the goal of the evaluation component?
The evaluation is intended to determine which elements of post-adoption support are most effective for birth parents and to translate the findings into a model that other organizations across the country can replicate.
Is this award expected to produce a model other organizations can use?
Yes. A stated intent of the project is to generate a transferable, evidence-informed framework that can strengthen services nationwide.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, the federal government anticipates substantial involvement beyond standard grant oversight. This typically means closer collaboration with ACF during planning, implementation, continuous improvement, and evaluation, with the expectation that work aligns closely with federal priorities around adoption-related services and capacity-building.
How many awards does ACF anticipate making under this opportunity?
The funding parameters indicate an anticipated single award.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-07.
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is 2026-08-06.
Which organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to: nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and certain other eligible entities listed under "Others."
Can faith-based or community organizations apply?
Yes. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Are individuals allowed to apply (including sole proprietorships)?
No. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible.
Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are not eligible, and applications from foreign entities will be disqualified from merit review and funding consideration.
What happens if an ineligible applicant applies?
Applications from ineligible groups (including individuals/sole proprietorships and foreign entities) will be disqualified from merit review and funding consideration.
What adoption context is this opportunity focused on?
The opportunity is specifically focused on private domestic adoption where birth parents voluntarily placed their children.
How does this opportunity connect to ACF and the Children’s Bureau mission?
The work supports ACF’s broader mission of promoting the social well-being of families and individuals. It also aligns with Children’s Bureau interests in strengthening adoption-related programs, technical assistance, and leadership development.
Does the opportunity mention any particular communities or leadership priorities?
Yes. The opportunity notes attention to minority communities and minority professional leadership in the adoption field as part of aligned Children’s Bureau interests.
What is the intended national impact of this project?
Beyond direct benefits for participating birth parents, the project is intended to produce lessons and a replicable approach that can improve post-adoption support practice across the country.
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