Advancing State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers

This funding opportunity, issued by the Administration for Community Living under the Department of Health and Human Services, aims to advance state-level implementation of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers through a cooperative agreement authorized under Section 373(i) of the Older Americans Act of 1965. Only State Units on Aging, as authorized under the Act, are eligible to apply, and each state may submit only one application. The project period spans two years, from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028, with a total program funding of up to $3,000,000 available for up to five awards. Applicants must propose a comprehensive plan that implements at least three of the five goals outlined in the National Strategy, establishes cross-agency partnerships at the state level, and includes a six-month planning phase followed by implementation. A sustainability plan detailing how activities will continue after federal funding ends is mandatory. All proposals must align with federal regulations, including 2 CFR 200, which governs administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit standards, and the HHS Grants Policy Statement, Appendix D. Budgets must be submitted via SF-424A with a detailed narrative justifying all costs, and salary expenditures are capped at the Executive Level II rate. Applications must adhere to strict formatting guidelines, including Times New Roman or Arial font at 11-point size, one-inch margins, and double-spacing in the project narrative, which is limited to 20 pages within a total 30-page application cap. Required attachments include SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, Key Contacts, Lobbying Certification, Project/Performance Site Location forms, commitment letters from key partners, proof of nonprofit status if applicable, resumes of key personnel, and an indirect cost agreement if not using a de minimis rate. All materials must comply with Section 508 accessibility standards, and final drafts must be submitted for review and remediation by the ACL program officer. Applicants must maintain an active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier throughout the award period, and subrecipients must also have a UEI. Proposals are evaluated on approach (40 points), project impact (20), budget (20), relevance and need (10), and capability and expertise (10), with responsiveness and page limits serving as pass/fail gates. Final award decisions are