Office of Planning Research and Evaluation

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families is a civilian sub-agency that funds research, evaluation, and service-delivery programs supporting child welfare, foster care, adoption, and family services nationwide. The Administration for Children and Families operates grant programs that advance evidence-based practices and federal child-protection policy across state and local systems.

The Administration for Children and Families has awarded 644 federal grants totaling $697.1 million in federal obligations since 2011. Recent award volume has been volatile: 96 awards in 2022, 204 in 2023, 132 in 2024, 4 in 2025, and 68 year-to-date in 2026, with the most recent award dated September 30, 2026. Combined federal and non-federal share across all grants stands at $710.4 million.

Grant recipient concentration is highly fragmented. Over the last five years, the top five recipients account for only 7 percent of recent awards by count and 9 percent of federal dollars obligated. The Urban Institute leads by federal dollars with 7 awards worth $29.7 million, followed by Child Trends, Incorporated with 10 awards valued at $14 million, and Public Policy Associates LLC with 8 awards valued at $9.2 million. The remaining portfolio is distributed across 444 distinct recipients, with no single organization commanding a material share.

Grant awards are predominantly Project Grants, which comprise 495 awards or 77 percent of the portfolio. Cooperative Agreements account for 144 awards or 22 percent. Block Grants represent a minimal share at 5 awards or 1 percent.

No recent federal contract opportunities or contract award activity is recorded against the Administration for Children and Families or its descendant offices. The agency operates exclusively through federal grant mechanisms. No recent grant opportunities are visible in the source material; prospective applicants should monitor the Administration for Children and Families grants portal and Grants.gov for open notices of funding opportunities.