2026-AmeriCorps-State-and-National-Notice-of-Funding-Opportunity.pdf

NOTICE of FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps State and National

Competitive Grants Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Assistance Listing Number: 94.006

Summary Statement: This is a funding opportunity for Institutions of higher education; local governments, school districts; nonprofit organizations; State Service Commissions; States and US Territories; Indian Tribes; and public health departments to apply for AmeriCorps members to strengthen communities through service.

Disclosure: Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not obligate AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit any amount of funding. The actual amount, timing, and process of grant funding will be subject to the availability of annual appropriations.

Any award made under this Notice may be terminated by the agency if it no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.

AmeriCorps publishes this NOFO solely for the aforementioned purpose and does not consider this NOFO to meet the definition of a rule requiring publication or notice under Congressional Review Act (CRA) as codified at 5 U.S.C. §§801- 808, and any subsequent notification provided to Congress does not constitute waiver of this position.

Important Dates

• Applications are due no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Successful applicants will be notified by mid-June 2026.

• Successful applicants will be issued awards by mid-August 2026.

Note to applicants proposing service in a single state: Contact the Commission in the state or territory where you intend to apply as early as possible. State Service Commissions may set their deadlines for single states applicants well in advance of AmeriCorps deadlines The list of Commissions can be found on the AmeriCorps State Service Commissions' webpage.

https://americorps.gov/contact/state-service-commissions

Table of Contents

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

o A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Funding o A.2. Funding Priorities o A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes o A.4. Program Authority

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

o B.1. Estimated Available Funds o B.2. Estimated Award Amount o B.3. Period of Performance o B.4. Type of Award o B.5. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Reimbursement Grants Match Waiver Fixed Price Grants

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

o C.1. Eligible Applicants Types of Applicants Threshold Issues o C.2. Other Eligibility Requirements

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

o D.1. Ways to Request an Application Package o D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content D.2.b. Page Limits o D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) o D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline D.4.c. Late Applications o D.5. Intergovernmental Review o D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements D.6.b. Indirect Costs D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs o D.7. Other Submission Requirements D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents D.7.c. Coordination Among State Service Commissions and National Direct Applicants .. 17

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

o E.1. Selection Criteria E.1.a. Executive Summary, 0 percent:

E.1.b. Program Design, 50 percent:

E.1.c. Organizational Capability, 25 percent:

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, 25 percent:

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan, 0 percent:

Required for recompeting applicants:

E. 1. f. Amendment Justification, 0 percent:

E.1.g. Clarification Information, 0 percent:

E.1.h. Continuation Changes, 0 percent:

o E.2. Review and Selection Process E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review E.2.b. Application Review E.2.c. Pre-Award Risk Assessment E.2.d. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information E.2.e. Selection for Funding E.2.f. Applicant Resolution o E.3. Feedback to Applicants o E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

o F.1. Federal Award Notices o F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements o F.3. Use of Material o F.4. Continuation Funding Information and Requirements

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

o H.1. Technical Assistance o H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Funding AmeriCorps improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is a person who does community service through AmeriCorps.

Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

A.2. Funding Priorities For this funding opportunity, AmeriCorps will prioritize consideration from organizations that:

Faith-Based:

• Organizations that are faith-based.

Serve Communities:

• Serve communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, and tribal communities.

• Implement programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers. These may include individuals who have experienced substance use and mental health challenges.

• Focus on improving quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families through models that provide effective interventions or services or that are designed to recruit veterans, military spouses, and their older children into national service, e.g., veterans serving in mentorship roles.

• Focus on public safety, crime prevention, and/or partnerships between law enforcement and the community.

• Focus on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations by maintaining public lands; supporting wildland fire mitigation and sustainable forest management; and providing reforestation services.

• Create workforce pathways for AmeriCorps members, including deliberate training, such as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities, certifications, and hiring preferences or support.

• Focus on strengthening families, e.g., activities that aim to support low-income parents through parenting education, responsible parenting and healthy relationship skills.

https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award

Benefit AmeriCorps Members:

• Enhanced member experience by providing opportunities for skill attainment, personal growth and connection to the community they are serving in support of a lifetime of civic participation.

• Enhance and expand services to formerly incarcerated and at-risk youth and/or engage those youth as AmeriCorps members.

Use Evidence:

• Utilize reports from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange on programs assessed as having Moderate or Strong evidence to scale, replicate, or adapt the intervention.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes. Priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes National Performance Measures All applications must include at least one aligned performance measure, output and outcome, that corresponds to the proposed primary intervention. This may be a National Performance Measure or an applicant-determined measure. For more information, refer to the National Performance Measure Instructions.

A.4. Program Authority Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §12501 et seq.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds AmeriCorps expects a highly competitive AmeriCorps grant competition. Given limited funding, AmeriCorps may prioritize funding existing grantees instead of making new awards.

The actual level of funding depends on annual appropriations.

B.2. Estimated Award Amount Award amounts will be different depending on the scope of the projects.

B.3. Period of Performance AmeriCorps plans to make three-year grant awards. AmeriCorps generally makes an initial award for the first year of the three-year period of performance. Applicants must submit a one-year budget. Applicants may propose any project start date that fits their program design. The period of performance may not start before July 1, 2026. Continuation awards for future years are not guaranteed; they depend upon future appropriations and satisfactory performance.

https://www.americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/2026-01/AmeriCorps_Evidence_Exchange_Catalogue.pdf https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title42/html/USCODE-2010-title42-chap129.htm

B.4. Type of Award AmeriCorps makes available different types of grants. The chart below summarizes these grant types and their distinct characteristics.

Grant Types Cost Reimbursement

Fixed Amount

Available Subtypes

Traditional Full- Cost

Education Award

Program, EAP

Professional Corps***

No Cost Slots

Maximum Cost per MSY*

$25,000 $25,000 $800 or

$1,000*** $1,000 $0

Type of Slots in the National Service Trust

All slot types All slot types

All slot types

FT Only All slot types Matching Funds Required

Yes No

Budget Submission Required

Yes No

Availability of Funds Linked to Enrollment / Retention of Awarded MSYs

No Yes No

Special Requirements

N/A N/A

Must place qualified professionals in communities with an inadequate # of such professionals.

Member salaries / benefits must be paid entirely by organization where member serves

N/A

Financial Reporting Requirements

Yes No

Available to New Applications

Yes No Yes

* Member Service Year (MSY): One MSY is equivalent to a full-time AmeriCorps position, at least 1,700 service hours. Multiple positions at less than full-time can be combined to equal one MSY.

** For the Education Award Program, AmeriCorps may provide a maximum of $800 per individual enrolled in an approved national service position. If at least 50 percent of a program’s enrollees are disadvantaged youth, AmeriCorps may provide $1,000 per enrollee, 42 U.S.C. § 12581a.

***Use Mandatory Supplemental Information (MSI) for further requirements

B.5. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Reimbursement Grants

Applicants are required to match funds provided by AmeriCorps. The applicant’s match can be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants must show that they can meet the match requirement when they submit the application. Applicants must say in their application if they have already secured the match funding.

A first-time successful applicant is required to match at 24 percent for the first three-year funding period. Starting with year four, the match requirement gradually increases every three years to 30 percent by year ten.

AmeriCorps Funding Year Years 1,2, and 3 Years 4,5, and 6 Years 7,8, and 9 Years 10 + Grantee Share Requirements 24% 26% 28% 30%

Match Waiver Please use the Match Waiver information for AmeriCorps State and National Grantees located on the AmeriCorps.gov Manage Your Grant webpage. AmeriCorps encourages Tribal Nations to request match waivers to reduce barriers. Every effort will be made to reduce the match requirements to improve accessibility to funding.

Fixed Amount Grants There is no cost share or matching requirement for Fixed Amount grants. AmeriCorps does not provide all the funds necessary to operate the program. Organizations should raise the funds needed to operate the program.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section12581a&num=0&edition=prelim https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/manage-your-grant

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants The following non-Federal organizations are eligible to apply:

• Indian Tribes;

• institutions of higher education;

• local governments, including school districts;

• nonprofit organizations;

• State Service Commissions (submit sub-applicants but not operate programs); and

• states and US Territories.

In addition to Indian Tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, Tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply. If an entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or more Indian Tribes [and the organization does not meet any of the other applicant eligibility types], the organization must provide copies or links to documentation which demonstrates that the organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe. If an entity applies as an organization authorized by a federally recognized Tribe, or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a resolution or other authorization adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The authorization(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal organization that is authorized by the Indian Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds generally).

Applicants must have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an award.

New Applicants: AmeriCorps encourages organizations that have not received funding from AmeriCorps before to apply, e.g., small community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, etc.

New applicants can apply for Cost Reimbursement, Education Award Program (EAP), and Professional Corps grants but cannot apply for Full Cost Fixed Amount grants.

Types of Applicants

1. State and Territory Service Commissions, for Single-State Applicants Organizations that plan to operate in only one state must apply through the state or territory commissions. Each Commission has its own state-based selection process and submits applications to compete for funding directly to AmeriCorps. The list of Commissions can be found on the AmeriCorps State Service Commissions' webpage.

2. National Direct Applicants

Multi-State: Organizations that plan to operate AmeriCorps programs in more than one state or territory apply directly to AmeriCorps.

States and Territories without State Service Commissions: Applicants in South Dakota, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1

Virgin Islands apply directly to AmeriCorps because they do not have an established Commission.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes: Applicants that are Indian Tribes apply directly to AmeriCorps.

In addition to Indian Tribes, as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply directly to AmeriCorps.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes will also be eligible to apply for operating or planning grants under a separate Notice of Funding Opportunity for Indian Tribes at the AmeriCorps.gov Funding Opportunities webpage with an application deadline in the spring.

Threshold Issues Specific types of applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Professional Corps must show that the community where it will place AmeriCorps members has a shortage of professionals in the relevant area, e.g., teachers, medical professionals, etc.

• If service activities require special member qualifications and/or training, such as tutoring programs, the applicant must describe how these requirements will be met.

• All applicants must propose program designs that are either evidence-based or evidence-informed (See section E.1.b (2) Evidence Base). Applicants rated as insufficient evidence are removed from funding consideration. Insufficient evidence is determined by:

o An applicant being assessed as in the pre-preliminary evidence tier AND o providing inadequate responses to the Evidence Quality review standards below.

• FY 2026 new and recompeting competitive applicants must submit an application that proposes to enroll a minimum of 20 AmeriCorps members. New and recompete competitive applications with less than 20 members will be deemed noncompliant and will not be reviewed. The minimum of 20 AmeriCorps members does not apply to FY 2026 continuation competitive applicants in Year 2 or Year 3, Indian Tribe applicants, Tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes, or formula applicants.

C.2. Other Eligibility Requirements Even if an organization is otherwise eligible under C.1, an organization is not eligible if:

• It has violated a federal criminal statute.

• It proposes activities that are not allowed under AmeriCorps’ laws, rules, or terms and conditions.

• It has any unpaid federal taxes that are not being paid through an agreement with the relevant tax authority. However, this does not apply if a federal agency decided that a suspension or debarment for the corporation is not necessary.

• It is described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(4) and lobbies https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indian%20tribe) https://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2522/subpart-F https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopici03.pdf

D. Application and Submission Information This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps regulations, Application Instructions, Performance Measure Instructions, and Mandatory Supplemental Information.

D.1. Ways to Request an Application Package All information from this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps Funding Opportunities webpage. Applicants can also send an email to americorpsgrants@americorps.gov for a printed copy of the Notice, Guidance, and Application Instructions.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content Complete applications must include the following elements:

• Standard Form 424 FACE Sheet: Automatically generated when applicants complete the data elements.

• Narrative Sections:

o Executive Summary;

o Program Design;

o Organizational Capability;

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy; and o Evaluation Plan Summary.

• Performance Measures.

• Logic Model.

• Standard Form 424A Budget.

• Continuation Changes.

• Clarification.

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications.

D.2.b. Page Limits Page counts are determined by the number of pages that print out from the grant system.

AmeriCorps strongly encourages applicants to print out the application from the grant system prior to submission to confirm that the application does not exceed the page limit.

• Narratives o Applications must not exceed 11 double-spaced pages for the Narrative.

o The application sections that count towards the page limit include:

SF-424 FACE Sheet;

Executive Summary;

Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness and

Budget Adequacy narratives.

o The application page limit does not include:

Evaluation Plan Summary;

Clarification Summary;

Continuation Changes;

https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities http://www.americorps.gov/partner/funding-opportunities mailto:americorpsgrants@americorps.gov https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM

Budget, Performance Measures; and Any required additional documents.

• Logic Model o The Logic Model may not exceed eight pages when printed with the application from the “Review” tab in AmeriCorps’ web-based management system.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a grant, it must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the life of the award. Use the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees for more information.

AmeriCorps suggests that applicants finalize a new registration or renew an existing one at least three weeks before the application deadline, to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use their SAM-registered legal name and physical address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps. The legal applicant’s name and physical address in the grant system must match exactly the applicant’s SAM-registered information.

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of the SAM registration process. AmeriCorps will not make awards to entities that do not have a valid SAM registration and UEI.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The UEI and EIN must be entered by the organization’s Grantee Administrator as an organization attribute, and this will apply the information to all applications for the organization.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline

• Applications are due no later than

• Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

AmeriCorps may extend the submission deadline. If the deadline is extended, then AmeriCorps will post information on the AmeriCorps’ webpage.

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline.

D.4.c. Late Applications All applications received after the submission deadline are late. AmeriCorps will determine whether to accept a late application on a case-by-case basis. To request consideration of a late application, an organization must:

• Submit a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that caused the delay, including:

o Timing and specific cause(s) of the delay;

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0029897 o Ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps Hotline;

o Information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline; and o Other documentation or evidence that supports the justification.

• Ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation and any other relevant evidence, via email to LateApplications@americorps.gov no later than 24 hours after the application deadline.

Communication with AmeriCorps staff, including an applicant’s regional office staff or applicant’s AmeriCorps Regional Mailbox, is not a substitute for a written explanation.

Applicants are required to continue working in the web-based system and with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the application.

AmeriCorps will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Please carefully review and follow the Late Application guidance and submit your application as soon as possible.

D.5. Intergovernmental Review This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

D.6. Funding Restrictions

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements

1. Member Living Allowance A living allowance is not considered a salary or a wage. Programs are not required to provide a living allowance for members serving in less than full-time terms of service. If a program chooses to provide a living allowance to a less than full-time member, it must follow the limits in the table below. Organizations applying for Cost Reimbursement grants must include the living allowance in the budget, either as AmeriCorps share or match.

Fixed Amount grant applicants must give members a living allowance that follows the minimum and maximum amounts in the chart below and should indicate that amount in the application.

Table: Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance for FY 2026 New and Recompete Competitive and Formula Applicants

Slot Types Minimum # of

Hours

Minimum Living

Allowance

Maximum Total Living Allowance

Full-time 1,700 $20,400 $40,800 Three Quarter-time 1,200 n/a $28,560 Half-time 900 n/a $20,400 Quarter-time 450 n/a $10,608 Minimum-time 300 n/a $8,568 mailto:LateApplications@americorps.gov https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html

Table: Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance for FY 2026 Competitive and Formula

Continuation Applicants in Year 2 or Year 3 of Funding Slot Types Minimum

# of Hours

Minimum Living

Allowance

Maximum Total Living Allowance

Full-time 1,700 $20,400 $40,800 Three Quarter-time 1,200 n/a $28,560 Half-time 900 n/a $20,400 Reduced Half-time 675 n/a $15,504 Quarter-time 450 n/a $10,608 Minimum-time 300 n/a $8,568 Abbreviated-time 100 n/a $2,448

Exceptions to the Living Allowance Requirements

a. Programs existing prior to September 21, 1993, do not have to offer a living allowance.

If an organization chooses to offer a living allowance, it does not have to pay its members the minimum but cannot exceed the maximum.

b. Education Award Program (EAP) Grantees are not required to provide a living allowance. If an organization chooses to offer a living allowance, it does not have to pay its members the minimum but cannot exceed the maximum.

c. Professional Corps Grantees must provide members a living allowance or salary.

Organizations must pay members the minimum and can exceed the maximum. Professional Corps member salaries and benefits including childcare cannot be included in the federal share budget request to AmeriCorps.

2. Maximum Cost per Member Service Year The AmeriCorps cost per MSY is determined by dividing the AmeriCorps share of budgeted grant costs by the number of MSYs requested. It does not include childcare or the value of the education award a member may earn.

AmeriCorps is keeping the maximum cost per MSY at the same amount as FY 2025 as a safeguard to ensure the number of members serving remains the same or grows.

Table: Maximum Cost per MSY Grant Program Maximum

Individual Competitive State/Territory Program (cost reimbursement)

$25,000

Multi-state competitive (cost reimbursement) $25,000 Professional Corps competitive Fixed Amount Applicants/Grantees

$1,000*

Full-cost competitive Fixed Amount Grant $25,000

Education Award Program (EAP) Fixed Amount Grant (competitive and formula)

$800 or $1,000**

All non-EAP formula subgrants $25,200***

*AmeriCorps requires Professional Corps programs to cover the operating expenses associated with the AmeriCorps program through non-AmeriCorps resources. AmeriCorps will only consider operating funds of up to $1,000 per MSY if an applicant is able to show significant organizational financial need.

** For the Education Award Program, AmeriCorps may provide a maximum of $800 per individual enrolled in an approved national service position. If at least 50 percent of a program’s enrollees are disadvantaged youth, AmeriCorps may provide $1,000 per enrollee, 42 U.S.C. § 12581a.

***$18,000 adjusted for inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (As of September 2025 CPI was 0.3).

AmeriCorps may: 1) treat an applicant as a Professional Corps if they meet the legal requirements for a Professional Corps (even if they did not submit a Professional Corps application); and 2) decide not to provide a grant to an organization that it determines cannot operate effectively without AmeriCorps operating funds.

3. Costs Associated with Evidence Building Activities e.g. performance data collection and management, foundational research, program evaluation, etc.

As noted in 2 CFR § 200.455, costs associated with evidence building activities are allowable expenses or match under AmeriCorps grants. This includes costs related to performance data collection and management, foundational research, program evaluation, and related activities.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to award applications in an amount less than the requested level of funding.

D.6.b. Indirect Costs Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may use a Federally approved indirect cost rate if they have one and if not, may use either –

i. the AmeriCorps-Fixed Percentage method (five/ten percent fixed administrative cost option) outlined in AmeriCorps’ Indirect Cost Guidance;

ii. a 15 percent de minimis rate of modified total direct costs; or

iii. may claim certain costs directly.

All methods must be applied consistently across all Federal awards. No more than five percent of award funds may be used to recover indirect costs on AmeriCorps State and National grants under section 121(d) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended and AmeriCorps’ regulations at 45 CFR 2521.95 and 2540.110.”

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section12581a&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.455 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Famericorps.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocument%2FOADR-Indirect-Cost-Guidance-022124-508.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CAHetrick%40americorps.gov%7C93eeebb90fd5412bf9bb08dcc086277c%7Cd2f850a78dce4fb3a79c6867f9514312%7C0%7C0%7C638596929621515352%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=B5njZ%2FQdGZZ3Z3HOoZYRm0%2FveotKlNdj2daM2WrBcDY%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.413 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2521/subject-group-ECFR30615c285e05d4c/section-2521.95 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/part-2540/subpart-A/section-2540.110

Use the eGrants Indirect Cost Rate (IDCR) User Instructions to enter the organization’s Federal negotiated indirect cost rate or the de minimis rate information. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the cost rate agreement via email.

Please note: To request a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, when AmeriCorps is the applicable cognizant agency for an organization’s indirect costs, the applicant must submit a request to IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov. The applicant may also obtain instructions and additional information by contacting the email address above.

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs Applicants funded under this Notice are approved for pre-award costs for one month prior to the start of their program. See the Mandatory Supplemental Information for more detail.

D.7. Other Submission Requirements

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission Applicants must submit applications electronically via AmeriCorps' web-based application system.

The applicant’s authorized representative must be the person who submits the application.

The authorized representative must use their own account to sign and submit the application.

Applicants should contact the AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the application. Information about the AmeriCorps Hotline hours are also posted on the AmeriCorps Hotline webpage.

When contacting the AmeriCorps Hotline, be prepared to provide the application ID, organization name, and the name of the Notice to which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be fixed by the deadline, applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps Hotline to submit via the grant system.

If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in the grant system, applicants may send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier to this address below.

AmeriCorps ATTN: FY 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Application 250 E Street, SW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20525

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. Applicants must include an explanation and related documents about why they could not submit their application electronically. Applications must be received by the deadline.

All deadlines and requirements in this Notice also apply to paper applications.

AmeriCorps does not accept applications submitted via fax or email.

https://www.americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/AmeriCorps-eGrants-IDCR-User-Instructions.pdf mailto:IndirectCostRate@americorps.gov https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents Your application might not receive funding if you do not upload your documents by the application deadline or do not correctly label your documents.

Additional documents for all applicants:

1. Evidence documents. Please refer to the Evidence Base section and Mandatory Supplemental Information for detailed instructions by evidence tier.

2. Labor union concurrence, if applicable.

3. Operational and Financial Management Survey. Submit electronically using the online form. Forms submitted as a PDF, or any other document format may not be accepted.

Additional documents for applicants proposing projects previously funded by AmeriCorps:

Evaluation Plan Summary Form. Applicants who have received three or more years of competitive funding for the same project being proposed should also provide an:

Evaluation plan summary form using the template provided in the NOFO page. If applicable, fill the Alternative Evaluation Approach (AEA) request section. Evaluation plan summary forms are not scored and will not be assessed. Applicants approved for funding will be responsible for confirming they meet all evaluation requirements. Only AEA requests (if applicable) will be reviewed for approval after funding decisions are made.

Evaluation Report. Applicants who have received six or more years of competitive funding for the same project being proposed should also provide an Evaluation report. Please submit in Microsoft Word. The evaluation report should include a title page with:

• the AmeriCorps grant number for the project that was evaluated,

• the name of the project,

• the date of completion of the report,

• the evaluator name(s),

• evaluator organization name and,

• evaluator type (internal or external).

If any of this required information is missing, the applicant may not receive credit for meeting their evaluation requirements.

Additional documents for entities applying on behalf of a Federally Recognized Tribe, new and recompeting:

Tribal organization eligibility documentation

Guidance for submitting additional documents:

• All documents must be submitted by the Prime Applicants (State Service Commissions or National Directs). Subapplicants cannot submit documentation on behalf of the Commission in the Notice.

• Additional documents must be emailed to AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov with the following subject line: “Legal Applicant Name” – “Application ID Number.”

Emails should include:

https://www.americorps.gov/funding-opportunity/fy-2026-americorps-state-national-grants mailto:AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov o Legal applicant name and its point of contact information.

o Application ID number.

o List of documents that are attached to the email by filename, labeling each document type according to the above numbered list.

o Individually attached files that are clearly labeled, and that include the application

ID number and legal applicant name within the file name and heading of each document.

To ensure that all required additional documents are considered, please provide each document as a separate single file, labeled appropriately. Please do not send multiple documents in one combined file, and do not send a single document in multiple files.

The email size limit is 35 MB. This limit is inclusive of all attachments associated with each email. Emails that are larger than 35 MB will not be received or reviewed.

If the size of an applicant’s files requires multiple emails, please also include an ordering system in the subject line, such as “(1 of 3)”.

• Prime applicants should send separate emails with each subapplicant’s materials, referencing the subapplicant’s Application ID.

• Applicants that do not have any documents to submit must send an email to AdditionalDocuments@Americorps.gov indicating that they are not submitting any additional documents.

Applicants must enter into the web-based application submission system the quantity of each document type that was emailed to AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov. After the application deadline, all applicants that have a difference between the number of documents emailed and the number of documents reported in the web-based system will receive an email. This email will request proof that the missing documents were emailed on time to the correct email address. If applicants do not reply to this email, then their evidence documents might not be reviewed.

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice or Application Instructions.

AmeriCorps will not review or return them.

D.7.c. Coordination Among State Service Commissions and National Direct Applicants AmeriCorps expects new/recompete Commission and National Direct applicants to consult and coordinate activities at the local level, as specified in 42 U.S.C. § 12583. This consultation is to ensure coordination and the effective use of national service resources. The list of Commissions can be found on the State Service Commissions webpage.

To ensure coordination before application submission:

National Direct applicants, except Federally recognized Indian Tribes, must:

• Consult with the Commission of each state and/or territory in which the organization plans to operate and describe this consultation in their applications. Contact the Commissions for details about the consultation process. Provide information that mailto:additionaldocuments@americorps.gov mailto:AdditionalDocuments@AmeriCorps.gov https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section12583&num=0&edition=prelim connects the proposed activities to the current State/Territory Service plan and/or State Logic Model.

State/Territory Service Commissions must:

• Consult in a timely manner with the new/recompete National Direct applicants, except Indian Tribes, that contact them prior to application submission.

AmeriCorps will ask for Commission input on National Direct applicants, except Indian Tribes, proposing to operate in their state/territory via the AmeriCorps’ web-based management system. Commissions can select support, do not support, or neutral, and provide comments. Commissions are strongly encouraged to provide this input. AmeriCorps reviews and considers Commission input on multi-state applicants proposing to operate in their state.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria Each applicant must describe a project that will use AmeriCorps members effectively to solve a significant community problem.

Applications must have a well-designed plan with clear justification for the requested funds.

Reviewers will assess the quality of applications by using the selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly.

Prior to issuance, and annually thereafter, awards will be subject to review by one or more AmeriCorps senior officials, or their designees, according to the process described in Executive Order 14332, “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.”

Do not assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

Categories/Subcategories Percentage Executive Summary 0 Program Design 50

• Community and Logic Model 20

• Evidence Tier 12

• Evidence Quality 8

• Notice Priority 4

• Member Experience 6

Organizational Capability 25

• Organizational Background and Staffing 15

• Member Supervision 10

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 25

• Member Recruitment 8

• Member Retention 9 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/12/2025-15344/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking

E.1.a. Executive Summary, 0 percent:

Please fill in the blanks of these sentences to complete the Executive Summary. There are two options for the second paragraph; please choose the appropriate language for your application. Do not deviate from this template:

“The [Name of the organization] will have [Number of] AmeriCorps members in [the locations the AmeriCorps members will serve, e.g. – City, State or State(s)]. AmeriCorps members will [service activities the members will do]. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for [anticipated outcome of project]. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage [number of leveraged volunteers, if applicable] who will be engaged in [what the leveraged volunteers will be doing].

Cost Reimbursement grant applicants:

The AmeriCorps investment will be matched with $[amount of projected match], $[amount of local, state, and Federal Funds] in public funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding.”

Fixed amount grant applicants e.g., EAP, Full-Cost Fixed, No Cost Slots:

In addition to the AmeriCorps investment, $[amount of local, state, and Federal Funds] in public funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding will support the project.”

E.1.b. Program Design, 50 percent:

1. Community and Logic Model, 20 points

• The applicant will provide a detailed summary of the community problem, and an explanation of how the applicant’s intervention(s) will lead to the outcomes identified in the Logic Model.

The applicant must describe in the Logic Model

The inputs or resources that are necessary to deliver the intervention, including but not limited to:

o Locations or sites in which members will provide services.

o Setting and community condition where the intervention is delivered.

o Number of AmeriCorps members who will deliver the intervention.

o Characteristics of AmeriCorps members, including specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required to implement the intervention.

The core activities that members will deliver as part of the intervention including:

o Length of each activity (e.g., the total number of weeks, sessions, or months of the intervention).

o Dosage of each activity (e.g., the number of hours per session or sessions per week).

• Data Collection 8 o Target population for the intervention (e.g., disconnected youth, third graders at a certain reading proficiency level).

The measurable outputs that result from delivering the intervention (i.e., number of beneficiaries served, types and number of activities conducted). If applicable, identify which National Performance Measures will be used as output indicators.

Outcomes that result from the intervention, including meaningful changes in knowledge/skill, attitude, behavior, or condition. If applicable, identify which National Performance Measures will be used as outcome indicators.

Programs should include short, medium, or long-term outcomes. Applicants are not required to measure all components of their Logic Model. The applicant’s performance measures should be consistent with the program’s Logic Model and should represent significant program activities.

Applicants with multiple interventions should include the above information for each intervention in the logic model.

2. Evidence Base, 20 points The assessment of an applicant’s evidence base has two parts. First, the applicant will be assigned to an evidence tier. Second, the quality of the applicant’s evidence, how the evidence aligns with funding priorities (A.2 Funding Priorities section), and how the evidence supports the proposed program.

Evidence Tier, 12 points Each applicant will receive an evidence tier assessment. This is based on the relative strength of the applicant’s evidence base and the likelihood that the proposed intervention will lead to the outcomes identified in the Logic Model narrative.

AmeriCorps values and funds programs at all points along the evidence continuum and expects programs to progress along the evidence continuum over time. Thus, applicants should not be deterred from applying for funding due to their current evidence level.

In 2025, the evidence tiers of competing applicants recommended for AmeriCorps State and National funding were as follows: 57% Strong, 11% Moderate, 25% Preliminary, 7% Pre- Preliminary.

To qualify for the Preliminary, Moderate, or Strong evidence tier, applicants may submit up to two evidence documents, plus the evaluation report from their last three-year grant cycle, if applicable. If multiple evidence documents are submitted by the applicant, the most recent – as measured by the date of completion or publication– will be reviewed first, and any documents submitted beyond the allowable number will not be reviewed.

The intervention evaluated in the submitted evidence documents must match the intervention proposed by the applicant in the Community and Logic Model sections of the application. (Use the Mandatory Supplemental Information for a definition of same intervention). Applicants must meet all requirements of an evidence tier to be considered for that tier.

Submitted evidence documents that do not sufficiently match the intervention will not be reviewed or receive any points.

In the Evidence Tier section of the application narrative, applicants must:

• Summarize the study design and key findings of the evidence documents submitted, plus, if applicable, the evaluation report from their last three-year grant cycle; and

• Describe any other evidence that supports their program, including past performance measure data and/or other research studies that inform their program design.

Applicants should provide citations for the studies they describe.

Evidence Quality, 8 points Reviewers will score the quality of an applicant’s evidence and the extent to which it supports the proposed program design.

Standards for scoring in the Preliminary, Moderate, or Strong evidence tiers:

Submitted evidence documents:

• Are of satisfactory methodological quality and rigor for the type of evaluation conducted e.g., adequate sample size and statistical power, internal and/or external validity, appropriate use of control or comparison groups, etc.;

• Describe evaluations that were conducted relatively recently, preferably within the last six years; and

• Show a meaningful and significant positive effect on program beneficiaries or AmeriCorps members in at least one key outcome of interest.

Standards for scoring in the Pre-Preliminary evidence tier:

• The applicant uses relevant evidence, including past performance measure data and/or cited research studies, to inform their proposed program design;

• The described evidence is relatively recent, preferably from the last six years; and

• The evidence described by the applicant indicates a meaningful positive effect on program beneficiaries or AmeriCorps members in at least one key outcome of interest.

3. Notice Priority, 4 points

• Describe whether one or more of the AmeriCorps funding priorities is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes. Refer to A.2. for list of Funding Priorities.

4. Member Experience, 6 points

• Describe how AmeriCorps members will be provided opportunities for skill attainment, personal growth and connection to the community they are serving in support of a lifetime of civic participation.

E.1.c. Organizational Capability, 25 percent:

1. Organizational Background and Staffing, 15 points

• Describe the roles, responsibilities, and structure of the staff that will implement and provide oversight of the program, including but not limited to demonstrating the organization has sufficient policies, procedures, and controls to effectively implement a federal grant.

2. Member Supervision, 10 points

• Describe how AmeriCorps members will receive sufficient guidance and support from their supervisor to provide effective service. That could include but is not limited to structure for member supervision: cadence and format of supervisor/member check-ins, member and supervisor opportunities to assess strengths and opportunities for growth, member training plan, etc.

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, 25 percent:

1. Member Recruitment, 8 points

• Provide a description of budget expenses to support recruitment of AmeriCorps members best suited to serve the community.

2. Member Retention, 9 points

• Provide a description of budget expenses to support retention of AmeriCorps members. E.g., additional member benefits such as paying above the minimum living allowance, supporting workforce pathways, certifications, coaching for members, resume building, individual benefit as well as community building, network building, member recognition, alumni programming, etc.

3. Data Collection, 8 points

• Provide a description of budget expenses that support data collection and evaluation, including the process for collecting and maintaining high-quality performance data from your organization and community partners, how data will be analyzed, and how this will ensure timely and accurate reporting to AmeriCorps.

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan Summary, 0 percent:

• Required for recompeting applicants:

If the applicant has previously received three or more years of competitive funding for the same project being proposed, the applicant must submit an evaluation…