hhs-2025-acf-acyf-ts-0007 - Full Announcement.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) Division of Positive Youth Development

Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

(SRAE)

Opportunity number: HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-TS-0007

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 8

Program description 11

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21

Get registered 22

Find the application package 23

Learn more 23

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 24

Application contents and format 25

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 38

Application review 39

Award notices 45

Step 5: Submit Your Application 46

Application submission and deadlines 47

Application checklist 49

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 50

Post-award requirements and administration 51

Contacts and Support 54

Before you begin 3

Modifications 61

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 8

Program description 11

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)

Division of Positive Youth Development

Provide funding to organizations to implement sexual risk avoidance education.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name: Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

(SRAE)

Opportunity number:

HHS-2025-ACF-ACYF-

TS-0007

Announcement type:

Initial

Federal assistance listing:

93.787

Statutory authority number: 42 U.S.C. 710

Key dates

Application submission deadline: July 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Expected project start date: September 29, 2025

Summary The Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) program funds projects that implement sexual risk avoidance education and teach youth to voluntarily refrain from nonmarital sexual activity.

Eligible projects must:

• Ensure that the unambiguous and primary emphasis of all content normalize the optimal health behavior of avoiding non-marital sexual activity.

• Use medically accurate and complete information referencing peer-reviewed publications by educational, scientific, governmental, or health organizations.

• Be age appropriate.

• Implement an evidence-based approach by integrating research findings with practical strategies that align with the needs and desired outcomes for the intended audience.

• Teach the benefits associated with personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision making, and a focus on the future.

• Include the physical, emotional, and financial advantages of avoiding nonmarital sexual activity.

• Discourage sexual coercion, dating violence, and other youth-specific risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illegal drug use.

• Consider culturally appropriate activities, recognizing the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:710%20edition:prelim)

Funding details Type: Grant Expected total program funding: $3,683,467 Total expected awards: 16 Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $13,501 Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $450,000

We plan to fund a 2-year project period. Each project period has two 1-year budget periods.

Table: Funding available for FY2025 Title V Competitive SRAE awards

State/Territory FY2025 Award Amounts

Floor Ceiling

Alaska $106,495 $106,495 $106,495

California $1,070,800 $300,000 $450,000

Connecticut $189,899 $189,899 $189,899

District of Columbia $109,495 $109,495 $109,495

Idaho $270,042 $270,042 $270,042

Maine $155,245 $155,245 $155,245

New Mexico $320,053 $320,053 $320,053

North Dakota $78,175 $78,175 $78,175

South Dakota $160,328 $160,328 $160,328

Vermont $51,465 $51,465 $51,465

Washington $1,006,515 $300,000 $450,000

Wyoming $14,335 $14,335 $14,335

American Samoa $71,778 $71,778 $71,778

Marshall Islands $13,501 $13,501 $13,501

Northern Mariana Islands $47,341 $47,341 $47,341

Palau $21,000 $21,000 $21,000

Total: $3,683,467

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Applicants that propose to serve more than one territory through a consortium may submit a year 1 budget based upon the cumulative annual award floors and ceilings for each of the territories to be served.

The estimated award amount is based upon FY 2025 funding available for Title V Competitive SRAE awards and is subject to change.

Year 2 funding will be based on approval of the non-competing continuation applications and satisfactory progress.

To determine satisfactory progress, we will use your semi-annual, performance progress reports and financial reports, site visit reports, audit reports, and other supporting documentation.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Eligibility Eligible applicants These types of organizations are eligible for an award:

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Independent school districts

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Faith-based organizations

• Private institutions of higher education

• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

• Small businesses

• Others (see other eligibility criteria for clarification)

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are not eligible.

Other eligibility criteria Locality restrictions Eligible applicants are limited to local organizations, including faith-based organizations or consortia, that have the capacity to develop and implement Title V Competitive SRAE projects in states and territories that did not accept FY 2025 allocations for Title V State SRAE.

As of the publication of this NOFO, organizations and consortiums located in the following states and territories are eligible to propose Title V Competitive SRAE projects:

• Alaska

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

• California

• Connecticut

• District of Columbia

• Idaho

• Maine

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

• South Dakota

• Vermont

• Washington

• Wyoming

• American Samoa

• Marshall Islands

• Northern Mariana Islands

• Palau

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

Disqualification factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual, including a sole proprietorship, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from

ACF.

• Is received from entities located in ineligible states and territories.

• Is received from applicants located in or proposing to manage a project from an ineligible state.

• Is from entities that are not located in the eligible state or territory (in the case of consortia applying to serve an eligible state or territory).

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last, on-time submission.

You may submit multiple applications under this NOFO, but each one must propose a unique project with different service sites, populations, and core approaches.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during review. However, we will hold you accountable for any funds you add, including through reporting. If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

Program description Statutory authority The Title V SRAE Program is authorized and funded by section 510 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 710).

Program overview For a glossary of terms used in this NOFO, please see the appendix.

The goal of the Title V Competitive SRAE Program is to encourage youth to avoid non-marital sexual activity and other risky behaviors linked to adolescent sex.

The objectives of this program are to:

• Implement an educational curriculum with an unambiguous and primary emphasis that normalizes the optimal health behavior of avoiding nonmarital sexual activity.

• Implement an educational curriculum based on medically accurate information.

• Implement educational curriculum and strategies that are age appropriate i.e., designed to match the learning and developmental needs for the specific age group being targeted.

• Implement educational curriculum and strategies that are culturally appropriate, recognizing the experiences of youth from different communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

• Teach skills to help youth avoid risks without normalizing sexual activity outside of marriage.

• Serve youth ages 10 to 19.

Projects funded under this program must meet the requirements detailed in the following sections. Full program implementation of funded projects must start within 90 days of award.

Medically accurate; age and culturally appropriate Title V Competitive SRAE projects must be based on medically accurate and complete information and be culturally, and age appropriate.

• Medically accurate and complete: Project materials must be verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals, where applicable; or

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 comprising information that leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field recognize as accurate, objective, and complete.

• Age appropriate: Projects must provide age-appropriate information and activities. Topics, messages, and teaching methods must be suitable to particular ages or age groups of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.

• Culturally appropriate: Projects must use culturally appropriate interventions that recognize the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Title V Competitive SRAE programs must ensure that:

• Any information provided on contraception is medically accurate and ensures that students understand that contraception only offers physical risk reduction, not risk elimination.

• The education provided will not include demonstrations, simulations, or distribution of contraceptive devices.

• Youth participation is voluntary.

• Programs will be required to take appropriate action to correct any medically inaccurate or age-inappropriate information discovered by FYSB during the project period. As requested, curricula must be submitted for FYSB to conduct a medical accuracy review and respond to requests to make modifications to ensure curricula and other program implementation materials are medically accurate and complete.

Evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions and strategies: Core topics and curriculum requirements Title V Competitive SRAE programs must exclusively implement education in sexual risk avoidance, defined by statute as voluntarily refraining from non-marital sexual activity (42 U.S.C. 710(b)(1)).

In accordance with the Title V SRAE legislation (42 U.S.C. 710)(b)(3)), interventions must address the following A-F topics:

a. The holistic individual and societal benefits associated with personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, and a focus on the future.

b. The advantage of refraining from non-marital sexual activity to improve prospects and the physical and emotional health of youth.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

c. The increased likelihood that youth are more likely to avoid poverty if they become self-sufficient and gain emotional maturity before having sex.

d. The basics of healthy relationships and their impact on forming healthy marriages and safe, stable families.

e. How other risk behaviors (such as drug usage and underage alcohol usage) increase the risk for teen sex.

f. How to resist and avoid sexual pressure, and also how to seek and receive help with potential unwanted sexual situations including unwanted sexual pressure and dating violence. Recognition that even with consent, teen sex remains a youth risk behavior.

In furtherance of these statutory goals, we encourage you to incorporate promoting the Success Sequence for Poverty Prevention in your program. The Success Sequence teaches youth the importance and benefits of achieving three core steps to ensure successful financial, physical, and emotional outcomes in adulthood. The steps include

1) graduating high school, 2) getting a full-time job, and 3) getting married before having children.

You are not required to choose from a prescribed list of curricula, but you must, at minimum, implement evidence-based or evidence-informed projects that comply with the following requirements:

• Teach the benefits of personal responsibility, self-regulation, setting goals, healthy decision making, and planning for the future.

• Discourage sexual coercion, dating violence, and other risk behaviors such as underage drinking or illicit drug use.

• Encourage making choices that avoid sexual activity outside of marriage.

• Provide formal training for program leaders and educators on the program’s approach, and factors that affect youth’s sexual risk avoidance. This training must be led by experts and professionals who can give ongoing support to facilitators.

• Connect program participants to other services, local community partners, and agencies that support the health, safety, and well-being of program participants.

The partnering agencies should share a commitment to optimal health outcomes that do not normalize sexual activity outside of marriage. Partnering agencies must:

• Choose programs and/or program elements that research shows are effective in achieving positive behavior changes, such as preventing unmarried teen pregnancies, STIs, and non-marital sexual activity, for the group being served.

• Select curricula that are medically accurate, age-appropriate, culturally appropriate.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

• Select curricula that address healthy relationships, life skills, and decision-making with a positive youth development (PYD) approach.

• Make sexual risk avoidance education the focus of their SRAE funded project.

We encourage you to review evidence-based programs and their components (activities that make up programs) to see if they can be adapted, as long as copyright rules allow. Make sure interventions can be faithfully implemented and follow the key curriculum elements required for this award.

Using a positive youth development approach Projects must incorporate a positive youth development (PYD) approach. Key principles of PYD include:

• Providing positive opportunities and support to youth within the context of positive relationships.

• Consulting with young people and giving them chances to provide input on how programs are carried out.

You can learn more about the key principles of PYD and the role of PYD in adolescent pregnancy prevention [PDF] in ACF’s fact sheet “Building on Strengths.” You can also use the checklist for putting PYD into action in your program [PDF].

Reaching youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences Your program must provide services to youth between the ages of 10 and 19. It must be culturally appropriate, meaning it recognizes the experiences of youth from diverse communities, backgrounds, and experiences. The implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that prioritize services for one race, color, or national origin of youth participant over any other is not allowed. Your program must ensure there is no prioritization of any race, color, or national origin of youth when accessing Title V Competitive SRAE funded services.

Referrals and connections to youth-friendly health care and other services Connections and referrals to health care and other services should be easy for youth to access. Your program should include referrals and service documentation to youth-friendly services that do not normalize sexual activity outside of marriage, such as:

• Local faith-based organizations.

• Health care providers.

• Educational services (such as tuition for formal K-12 or General Education Diploma classes).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/building-on-strengths.pdf https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/building-on-strengths.pdf https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/pyd-tpp-checklist.pdf

• Career development.

• Counseling services (such as substance use disorder treatment, tobacco cessation, mental health counseling, and intimate partner violence counseling).

We encourage you to build partnerships to help with these referrals and keep records of them. When possible, you should track when services are started.

Prohibition on abortion referrals or services Funds awarded under this NOFO may not be used to fund abortion-related services, including referrals. Programs must ensure that all referrals and services provided are consistent with this prohibition.

Performance measurement Performance measures are a set of indicators that reflect program performance.

Recipients report on performance measures through semi-annual reporting. These performance measures provide information based upon these three categories of data collection:

• Structure, cost, and support for program implementation.

• Attendance, reach, and dosage.

• Participant entry and exit surveys (which capture characteristics, behaviors, program experiences, and perceptions of effects).

Recipients are expected to:

• Check local and state laws, policies, and procedures to ensure the practical collection of data, and obtain any necessary permissions (e.g., formal agreements with partners, Institutional Review Board approval, copies of school district approvals).

• Ensure all subrecipients and implementation sites collect and submit the SRAE performance measures data. FYSB will provide training on how to conduct data collection and submission.

While FYSB has specific indicators to be collected, recipients may:

• Develop additional OMB approved questions relating to program performance, including adding items to the end of the entry or exit surveys that are non-OMB approved.

• Collect additional service satisfaction feedback from youth participants entry and exit surveys.

For more information about the SRAE performance measures, including definitions, survey instruments, and data collection tools, please see the SRAE Performance Analysis Study website.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://acf.gov/opre/project/sexual-risk-avoidance-education-performance-analysis-study-2027 https://acf.gov/opre/project/sexual-risk-avoidance-education-performance-analysis-study-2027

Local evaluation (optional) You have the option to conduct a program evaluation, referred to as a local evaluation, of your project.

SRAE local evaluations are:

• Separate from performance measurement.

• Designed to answer recipient-driven research questions that assess the program’s effectiveness, impact, implementation, and participant outcomes.

• An opportunity to assess areas of improvement.

• A way to contribute to the evidence base for SRAE programming.

The local evaluation must answer one or more recipient-specific research questions related to your program. In accordance with the legislation, the Title V Competitive SRAE evaluation that you opt to conduct must be:

• Rigorous.

• Evidence-based.

• Designed and conducted by independent researchers who have experience in conducting and publishing research in peer-reviewed journals or other outlets.

Opting not to include a local evaluation will not decrease your funding level. If you do conduct a local evaluation, you must set aside a maximum of 20% of your annual funding allocation for evaluation activities.

Methodology If you opt to conduct a local evaluation, you can use any of these methodologies:

• Impact evaluations: Effectiveness studies that have a control group that receives no services or different, distinctive services from the intervention group. These studies should also evaluate behavioral outcomes beyond the period directly following the end of programming.

• Comprehensive needs assessments: Systematic investigations that identify needs and challenges around a given issue; determine root causes, identify current barriers to addressing the need and set priorities for future actions.

• Descriptive studies: Studies that document and link program implementation and participant outcomes. Descriptive evaluations generate knowledge or understanding about the programs and populations served and do not have a control group.

Planning your evaluation Well-conducted evaluations require time for planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities. We advise you to carefully consider, based on

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 the study selected, whether you have enough time and resources to conduct your evaluation. We also recommend that you review the current SRAE evaluation resources to inform your evaluation plan.

The independent, local evaluators who design and conduct the local evaluation must have experience in conducting evaluations of youth-focused programs in the community. They should match the type of methodology to the proposed local evaluation. Local evaluators may be from universities, research organizations, evaluation consultancies, or other institutions with experience in conducting high-quality evaluations of community programs.

Technical assistance If you conduct a local evaluation, we will provide technical assistance and training to you and your local evaluator. This support will focus on planning, implementation, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. You may have to complete standardized forms and templates, describe your evaluation plans, and submit evaluation updates.

We will review your evaluation plan before you start evaluation activities. We may suggest improvements including revisions to the evaluation design and funding.

National evaluation We will conduct a national, descriptive study with recipients. We may invite a subset of program projects to participate in a rigorous federal evaluation. Federal evaluations are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, and ACF/FYSB will receive all approvals prior to launching any evaluations.

Project sustainability Recipients should collaborate with their subrecipients and partners to implement a sustainability plan that ensures the continuation of the project after the period of federal funding ends. For additional information please see the Sustainability of Your Project Tip Sheet.

Funding policies and limitations General policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://acf.gov/opre/toolkit/sraene-implementation-evaluation-toolkits https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/Sustainability%20of%20Your%20Project%20Tip%20Sheet%20Updated_02.22.21_Final.Images.pdf https://teenpregnancy.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/Sustainability%20of%20Your%20Project%20Tip%20Sheet%20Updated_02.22.21_Final.Images.pdf

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

◦ Whether a state chooses to accept the state allotment making funds unavailable for SRAE.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

ACF does not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any costs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, including research in support of such initiatives, and any other initiatives that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or another protected characteristic. This also includes any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, and any discriminatory equity ideology in violation of a Federal anti-discrimination law. The definition of “discriminatory equity ideology” is in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14190 of January 29, 2025, which can be found here: 2025-02232.pdf.

For guidance on additional types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 45 CFR part 75 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR part 200).

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Service provision, including those arranged through the program.

You must also abide by the following rule:

• No more than 20% of the allocated funds can be used for evaluation.

Funds under this NOFO cannot be used for the following purposes:

• To replace current public or private funding.

• To replace existing, ongoing, or usual activities of any organization involved in the project.

• To pay for referral services for youth.

See 2 CFR 200.420-200.434 for detailed guidance and clarification on the allowability and restrictions of specific cost items. (*Effective October 1, 2025.)

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-03/pdf/2025-02232.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project and cannot be easily separated by project.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1—Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2—De minimis rate. Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), if you do not have a current negotiated indirect cost rate (including a provisional rate), you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs. This rate is 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC).

See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Subawards As the prime award recipient, you must maintain a substantial role in the project. We define a substantive role as conducting funded activities and providing services that are necessary and integral to completing the project. Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 45 CFR 75.352 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 200.332) is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role primarily serves as a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

If they do not have one, all subrecipients must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II. For the Executive Level II salary, please see guidance from the Office of Personnel Management on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid for with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant’s organization. This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use any program income you generate from awarded funds for approved project-related activities. Find more about program income at 45 CFR 75.307 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 200.307).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.307 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 22

Find the application package 23

Learn more 23

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

When you register or update your SAM.gov registration, you must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations. You must agree to those for financial assistance specifically, as opposed to contracts, because the two sets of agreements are different. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2025-ACF- ACYF-TS-0007. Then select the Package tab.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you select the Subscribe button to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials, you may request them from the grants management contact.

If you are also unable to apply through Grants.gov, see the section on exemptions for paper submissions.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants page.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 23 https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 25

Application contents and format Application components You will submit two files plus the standard forms in the application package.

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

File one To submit file one, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

File two To submit file two, you will use the Other Attachments form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes all attachments.

Standard forms The Grants.gov application package for this NOFO includes forms beyond those required for file one and file two. Complete all of these forms and submit through Grants.gov.

See the list of standard forms.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 100 pages.

File format: Portable Document Format (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment form and the Other Attachments form:

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 25

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Color: Black

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced

Project summary: Must be single-spaced

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Logic model: Must be single-spaced

Line-item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: Can be single-spaced

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

See disqualification factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26

Table of contents At the beginning of file one, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in file one.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of your application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address, and your proposed services.

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length. We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Geographic location Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve. If you will include any subrecipients in your project that will serve the geographic areas include their locations as well. Please see locality restrictions for guidance.

Need for assistance Identify the problems you plan to solve. These problems could be physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, etc. To do so:

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 27

• Demonstrate the need, including the nature and scope of the problem.

• Provide, as appropriate, supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in your attachments.

• Include any relevant data based on planning studies or needs assessments. You may refer to them in the endnotes or footnotes.

• Use demographic data and participant or beneficiary information where you can.

Objectives State your main objectives and any sub-objectives, if applicable. Address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of this program and describe how you will achieve the objectives.

Expected outcomes Identify the outcomes you plan to achieve. Outcomes should be related to the overall program as described in the program description section. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomes must include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.

Approach Outline your action plan. Describe the scope of your proposed project and describe in detail how you will accomplish it. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Referrals and connections to youth-friendly health care and other services

• Describe how your program will include referrals and other connections to youth-friendly services.

• Include details about the referral resources you will use, how you make referrals to other services, and how you will follow-up on and track referrals, when needed.

Project timeline and milestones Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly estimates of what you plan to achieve and by when.

For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete by a specific date.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 28

• Provide target dates for activities you can’t quantify.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Organizational capacity Provide the following information for your full project team, including the applicant organization and any cooperating partners, contractors, and subrecipients:

• Provide evidence that your team has the relevant experience and proficiency needed to carry out your project.

• Describe your team’s experience (including any partnering organizations) with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

• Provide evidence that your team, including partnering organizations, has the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and functions effectively.

• You must disclose your plan to enter into subaward agreements. If planning subawards, describe the work each subrecipient will complete.

• Describe the recruitment, retention, professional development, and training plan for staff throughout the project period. Describe how each proposed position is appropriate and relevant to the successful implementation of the proposed project.

• Describe the organizational executive leadership and the existing staffing structure or a proposed staffing plan that will support full program implementation within 90 days of award.

• Provide a succinct plan to monitor the effective management and coordination of activities by any partners, contractors and subcontractors, and consultants, if applicable

• Provide some supporting information in the organizational capacity supporting information section of your attachments.

Current and pending funding support Provide a list of your current and pending funding support for ongoing projects and proposals. Include all sources such as federal, state, and local governments, public or private foundations, and for-profit organizations.

Indicate which projects and proposals require committed time from the project director, principal investigator, or other key personnel of the project you are proposing in this application.

Show the total award amount, awarding entity, and the amount of time each key staff member will devote to each project.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29

Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 45 CFR part 75 (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR part 200). It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management.

• Property management.

• Procurement.

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting.

• Subrecipient monitoring and management.

• Record retention and access.

• Remedies for noncompliance.

• Prior written approval.

Describe your framework to make sure that your federal funds and activities have proper oversight. Include:

• A description of the governance, policies and procedures, and systems you use for record keeping and financial management.

• A description of the procedures you use to identify and mitigate risks and issues.

These might include audit findings, continuous performance assessment findings, and monitoring.

• The key staff who will be responsible for maintaining oversight of program activities staff and any partners or subrecipients.

Project performance evaluation plan Describe a plan for how you will monitor your project’s performance and how it will contribute to continuous quality improvement. This plan must describe:

• How you will monitor ongoing activities and the progress toward the project’s goals and objectives.

• The inputs, key activities, and expected outcomes of the funded activities. Inputs might include your collaborative partners, key staff, budget, service processes, or other resources.

• How you will measure the inputs, activities, and outcomes.

• How you will use the collected data to inform improvements of the funded activities.

• Any processes that support the overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes that will track performance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 30 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75/subpart-D https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-D

• How your organization will collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes. This might include assigned skilled staff, data management software, and data quality.

• Any potential obstacles to implementing the project performance evaluation and how you will address them.

• A timeline for how you will review information from the performance evaluation and apply it to your ongoing project.

• How you will collect and report on OMB-approved program performance measures.

Local evaluation (optional)

• Clearly state whether you plan to conduct an optional local evaluation or not. If you propose to conduct a local evaluation, you must provide a plan to implement the evaluation in the 24-month project period.

• Your plan should:

◦ Explain how your evaluation will answer important questions of interest to you, to the community, and to the larger SRAE field.

◦ Address sexual risk avoidance outcomes—specifically, sexual activity or other sexual behaviors, to include preventing pregnancy among youth.

◦ Address key program outcomes.

◦ Meet expectations of rigorous evaluation design that ACF provides through a system of technical assistance.

◦ Include an appropriate evaluation design. Include a reliable measurement plan, detailed timeline, and sound methodological design.

◦ Describe the use of viable methods to determine if the project outcomes were achieved.

◦ Describe how you will procure an independent evaluator. Include the independent evaluator’s experience and proposed evaluation infrastructure.

◦ Describe the details about the proposed data collection activities, the participants, data management, data integrity, and analyses plans.

◦ Describe any potential obstacles in implementing the evaluation and how you will address them.

◦ If multiple waves of data collection need to be conducted, describe their timing and how respondents will be tracked over time for later data collection.

• Modifications to your evaluation plan may be required after an evaluator is officially hired and/or federal government-sponsored technical assistance is provided.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 31

Logic model You must submit a logic model for designing, managing, and evaluating the project. A logic model is a diagram that:

• Presents how inputs drive activities to produce outputs, outcomes, and the ultimate goals of the proposed project.

• Explains the links among project elements.

• Targets the identified objectives and goals of the project.

While there are many versions of logic models, for the purposes of this funding opportunity, the logic model may include the connections between:

• Inputs such as additional resources, organizational profile, collaborative partners, key staff, and budget.

• Target population, such as the individuals to be served or identified needs.

• Activities, mechanisms, and processes such as evidenced-based practices, best practices, approaches, key intervention and evaluation components, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

• Outputs, which include the immediate and direct results of program activities.

• Outcomes, which include the short- and long-term results you expect the project to achieve. These are typically described as changes in people or systems.

• Project goals, such as overarching objectives and reasons for proposing the project.

Your logic model should provide up to six outcomes that clearly state expected results or benefits of the intervention proposed and link with them with the goals. Proposed outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-framed.

Project sustainability plan You must propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends. We expect you to sustain key elements of your project. These elements can include strategies or services and interventions that have improved practices and outcomes.

• Provide an approach to project sustainability that is effective and feasible.

• Describe:

◦ The key people and organizations whose support you will require.

◦ The types of alternative support you will require to maintain the project.

◦ If the proposed project involves key project partners, how you will maintain their cooperation or collaboration after the federal funding ends.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 32

Protection of sensitive or confidential information Describe how you will collect and safeguard protected, personally identifiable information and other information that is considered sensitive. Make sure your approach is consistent with applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality.

Provide:

• The methods and systems you will use to protect confidential and sensitive information, including that of subrecipients and contractors.

• A plan for the disposition of such information at the end of the period of performance.

For more information, see 45 CFR 75.303(e) (or, starting October 1, 2025, 2 CFR 200.303(e)).

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification support the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424A.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000, and the threshold for supplies to less than that amount.

Justify the costs you ask for and provide detail, including calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form. You will provide this information for the initial budget period only. See information on funding periods.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• How you calculate your costs in ways that are clear and repeatable.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See the funding policies and limitations.

Please also review the Standard Form instructions.

To create your line-item budget and justification, see detailed budget instructions on our website.

In general, you must:

• Indicate the method you will use for your indirect cost rate. See the indirect costs section for further information.

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative details necessary for the calculation to be duplicated.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.303(e)…