hhs-2026-acl-aoa-eesc-0037-rev162626.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Administration on Aging

Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services

National Information and Referral Support Center Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-EESC-0037

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 9

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 19

Find the application package 20

Get registered 20

Step 3: Build Your Application 22

Application checklist 23

Application contents and format 24

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 36

Application review 37

Award notices 39

Step 5: Submit Your Application 40

Application submission and deadlines 41

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 42

Post-award requirements and administration 43

Contacts and Support 45

Before you begin 3

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 Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

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. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 9

Basic information Administration for Community Living (ACL)

Administration on Aging

Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services

The National Information and Referral Support Center will advance

ACL’s strategic priority by increasing the quality and professionalism of aging and disability information and referral field through national leadership, training, technical assistance, resource development, peer learning opportunities, promoting standards and certification, coordinating with information, referral, and assistance systems, and disseminating evidence-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Have questions?

See Contacts and

Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

National Information and

Referral Support Center

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-

EESC-0037

Federal assistance listing:

93.048

Cost sharing: 25%

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

July 22, 2026

Expected award date:

September 30, 2026

Expected project start date:

September 30, 2026

Summary The National I&R Support Center advances ACL’s strategic priority of Connecting People to Services by providing streamlined access to information, services, and support for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. The National I&R

Support Center achieves these priorities by supporting the ongoing implementation, operation, and enhancement of the Eldercare Locator, along with providing associated technical assistance. Additionally, this Center advances HHS strategic goal of Improving the Well-Being of Americans by providing Older Adults and their Family Caregivers with information to make informed decisions on services and supports to help them or their loved ones stay in their homes and communities longer.

As a trusted, nationwide entry point, the Eldercare Locator strengthens the aging and disability networks by promoting consistency, quality, and accessibility in information and referral services. It serves as a centralized gateway that connects individuals—regardless of geography to essential community-based resources, thereby supporting ACL’s commitment to a consumer-driven access system. Additionally, the National I&R Support

Center ensures that the I&R/A workforce is trained, certified, and grounded in nationally standardized benchmarks that govern quality service delivery.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding over the performance period: $675,000

Expected total program funding per budget period: $225,000

Total expected awards: 1

Funding range per applicant per budget period: $225,000

We plan to fund awards in three 12-month budget periods for a three-year period of performance from September 30, 2026 to September 29, 2029.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Eligible applicants Only these types of organizations may apply:

This is a full and open competition. All domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations

(American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply.

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

We won’t consider an application that:

• 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 ACL.

• The project’s proposed activities are not national in scope.

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.

Cost sharing

Includes cost sharing

Under this ACL program, ACL will fund no more than 75% of the project’s total cost, which means the applicant must cover at least 25% of the project’s total cost with non-federal resources. In other words, for every three (3) dollars received in federal funding, the applicant must contribute at least one (1) dollar in non-federal resources toward the project’s total cost.

This “three-to-one” ratio is reflected in the following formula which you can use to calculate the minimum required match.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

A common error applicants make is to match 25% of the Federal share, rather than 25% of the project’s total cost.

Types of cost sharing

You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• Cash contributed by your organization, partners, or other third parties.

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from partners or other third parties.

Cost-sharing commitments

If awarded, you must provide the amount of cost-sharing funds you promised, even if you promised more than the minimum required. We put these commitments in the Notice of

Award.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may decrease the amount of funding we give you or use other enforcement actions.

You’ll have to include your cost-sharing funds when you fill out your federal financial reports.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory authority The statutory authority for this notice of funding opportunity may be found in Sections

§102(28)-(29); §321(a); §306(a)-§307(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

Program description Overview The National I&R Support Center (NIRSC) advances ACL’s strategic priority of Connecting

People to Services by providing streamlined access to information, services, and support for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. The National

I&R Support Center achieves these priorities by supporting the ongoing implementation, operation, and enhancement of the Eldercare Locator, along with providing associated technical assistance. Additionally, this Center advances HHS strategic goal of Improving the Well-Being of Americans by providing Older Adults and their Family Caregivers with information to make informed decisions on services and supports to help them or their loved ones stay in their homes and communities longer.

As a trusted, nationwide entry point, the Eldercare Locator strengthens the aging and disability networks by promoting consistency, quality, and accessibility in information and referral services. It serves as a centralized gateway that connects individuals—regardless of geography to essential community-based resources, thereby supporting ACL’s commitment to a consumer-driven access system. Additionally, the National I&R Support

Center ensures that the I&R/A workforce is trained, certified, and grounded in nationally standardized benchmarks that govern quality service delivery.

ACL’s primary goal for the NIRSC is to measurably increase the capacity and effectiveness of states, territories, tribes/tribal organizations and nonprofit and other community-based organizations to serve and support older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and their families to access information, services and supports. As such, applicants will be expected to propose a set of specific and measurable outcomes against which to measure progress towards the stated goals. Over the course of this three-year project, ACL seeks outcomes that might include, but are not limited to:

• Measurable improvements in the ability of information and referral professionals’ ability to connect people to services through the information, referral, and assistance systems, services, and processes.

• Measurable increases in the number of information, referral, and assistance professionals who identify exposure to existing and new, evidence-based, evidence informed, and exemplary practices or programs in use nationwide.

• Measurable, sustained increases in the competency and capacity of information, referral, and assistance specialists in states, territories, tribes/tribal organizations, nonprofit and other community-based organizations to better serve and support access to information to older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and their families.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

I. Program objectives The NIRSC shall:

1. Provide training designed to strengthen the capacity and enhance the professionalism of aging and disability I&R/A programs through continued expansion of the use of standards as benchmarks and interest in Community

Resource Specialist-Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D) certification.

2. Provide technical assistance to aging and disability I&R/A programs and facilitate peer learning among programs.

3. Coordinate and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to represent and advance the interests of aging and disability I&R/A programs.

4. Promote knowledge and understanding of the landscape of I&R/A programs and of promising practices within the I&R/A field.

Applicants will address the following key functions of the Support Center and propose strategies that will:

1. Meet the training needs of aging and disability I&R/A. Activities should include examining and documenting the current state of aging and disability I&R/A programs and systems to determine priorities for training and technical assistance.

The Support Center will coordinate one national in-person training event in each project year to focus on foundational and trending issues in aging, disability, caregiving, and I&R/A. This event can be held in conjunction with another training event, such as the annual Inform USA Conference. The Support Center should look for opportunities to conduct trainings at national and regional conferences. The

Support Center should also provide virtual training opportunities utilizing a variety of modalities such as online courses, webinars, podcasts to support web-based learning solutions to design and deliver cost-effective training courses that expand the knowledge base of I&R/A professionals working in the aging and disability networks.

2. Develop technical assistance and consultation services to provide ongoing technical assistance to aging and disability networks on I&R/A and other related issues, to include product development.

3. Promote and train for national standards as benchmarks and professional credentialing in the CRS-A/D Certification.

4. Collect and promote replicable models and innovative practices in I&R/A and make them available on the Support Center website. Emphasis should be placed on how aging and disability I&R/A programs can effectively use technology to support operations; inform I&R/A programs of strategies that support operations for emergency preparedness.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10

5. Develop and enhance I&R/A programs to ensure services for those of greatest social and economic need to access aging and disability programs and services.

6. Represent the interests of aging and disability I&R/A with other national entities including national organizations and federal agencies representing older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers. The Support Center should work with the Eldercare Locator, serving on the Eldercare Locator Advisory Committee, promoting the service, and providing training as needed to service staff; work with

Inform USA on activities of mutual interest to enhance the professionalism of aging and disability I&R/A systems; collaborate with ACL Resources Centers, including the

SHIP Resource Center, LTC Ombudsman Resource Center, Alzheimer’s Call Center, and ACL grantees to support the advancement of I&R/A; coordinate among aging and disability I&R/A, ADRCs, NWD, CILS, and 211s.

7. Convene an Advisory Committee, in consultation with ACL, to provide insight and guidance on the direction of the Support Center. Committee should include representatives from State and Area Agencies on Aging, ADRCs, CILs and other organizations as appropriate to enhance the quality of I&R/A systems, service delivery and professionalism of personnel.

II. Required activities The successful applicant must:

A. National technical assistance

Provide individualized and group-based technical assistance to:

• State Units on Aging.

• Area Agencies on Aging.

• Tribal organizations.

• Native Hawaiian organizations.

• Urban Indian organizations.

• National and State Centers for Independent Living.

• Nonprofit and community-based organizations serving older adults, people with disabilities and their families.

B. Training and education

Develop and deliver:

• Webinars.

• Toolkits.

• Issue briefs.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

• Learning collaboratives.

• Peer exchanges.

• Conference presentations.

• Written guidance and implementation resources.

C. Tribal and native community engagement

Maintain dedicated strategies for engagement with:

• Indian tribes.

• Tribal organizations.

• Native Hawaiian organizations.

• Urban Indian organizations.

Activities must reflect culturally responsive and community-informed approaches.

D. Resource development

Develop and maintain publicly accessible resources focused on:

• Standards and certification.

• Information, referral and assistance systems coordination.

• Information, referral, and assistance skills development.

• Workforce development.

• Replicable models of best practice.

• Culturally responsive practices.

E. Evaluation and reporting

Collect and report performance data demonstrated:

• Reach.

• Technical assistance utilization.

• Stakeholder engagement.

• Systems improvements.

• Dissemination activities.

• Outcomes related to the information, referral, and assistance service capacity.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

III. Coordination requirements The recipient must coordinate, as appropriately, with:

• State Units on Aging.

• Area Agencies on Aging.

• Title VI Native American Aging programs.

• Resource centers funded by ACL.

• Lifespan respite programs.

• Aging and disability resource centers.

• Relevant federal technical assistance centers and initiatives.

IV. Priority considerations ACL encourages applications that demonstrate:

• Expertise in aging and disability I&R/A systems.

• Expertise in aging and disability I&R/A service delivery.

• Expertise in aging and disability I&R/A processes.

• Experience providing national technical assistance.

• Strong partnerships across aging and disability I&R/A systems.

• Experience serving Tribal and Native communities.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity and culturally responsive services.

V. Reporting Requirements Recipients will be required to submit:

• Semi-annual progress reports.

• Federal Financial Reports (SF-425).

• Performance and outcome data.

• Annual work plans.

• DIssemination and communications updates.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

Cooperative agreement terms Cooperative agreements require substantial ACL project involvement after an award is made. There are specific roles for both you and ACL.

Your responsibilities

• Fulfill all requirements of the grant initiative as detailed in this program announcement.

• Immediately inform, and collaborate with, the ACL on any in-scope modification of the work plan.

• As appropriate, and in collaboration with the ACL program officer, successfully complete a post-award planning period of no more than six (6) weeks.

• Participate in (at least) monthly meetings with the ACL program officer, and/or the other grantees and partners to this initiative (more frequent meetings will be expected during the post-award project planning and alignment period).

• Provide drafts of all press releases and social media announcements prior to release.

• Provide preliminary and other working drafts of all products and deliverables to the

ACL program officer for review.

• Ensure that all materials and products are fully accessible and developed in accordance with 508 compliance standards.

• Prior to dissemination, provide final drafts of all products and deliverables to the

ACL program officer for accessibility and 508-compliance review and remediate any issues identified.

• Collaborate with ACL on the identification and selection of steering committee members, if established, and any subject matter experts/advisory consultants to the project.

• Evaluate the impact of overall project activities and ensure quality assurance systems are in place.

• Share information with ACL, national and local organizations, and other entities as appropriate.

• Report semi-annually on project accomplishments, challenges, and progress towards measurable objectives.

• Work with the ACL program officer to assess the performance results reported semiannually and jointly develop strategies to address those areas requiring improvement.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Our responsibilities

• Perform the day-to-day federal responsibilities of grants management while working with the grantee to ensure that the requirements for the grant are met.

• Assist the grantee project leadership and partners in understanding the policy concerns and/or priorities of ACL by conducting periodic briefings and by carrying out ongoing consultations.

• Work cooperatively with the grantee to clarify the programmatic and budgetary issues to be addressed by the project.

• Provide guidance to the grantee, as necessary, in making sub-awards (i.e., subgrants/contracts) as permitted in this funding opportunity announcement.

• Provide guidance to the grantee as needed on associated tasks related to the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of this grant.

• Review and provide technical advice to the grantee on all work products and other project deliverables and processes.

• Provide consultation to the grantee in identifying emerging issues as they relate to the goals and objectives of this grant program.

• Work with the grantee on the development and implementation of evaluation and quality assurance systems to ensure that performance is measured, and continuous improvement occurs.

• Attend and participate in major project events as appropriate.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

Funding policies and limitations

Changes in HHS regulations

As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in

2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

Policies

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations, and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate: racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety.

If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

• 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.

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

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

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

• You may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

• Under this NOFO, you can’t continue existing projects without expansion or new and innovative approaches.

• Meals are allowed only in limited circumstances linked to program activities, like during travel or when approved in advance by ACL. See Allowable Costs and

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

Activities, Exhibit 4: Selected Items of Cost, Meals in the HHS Grants Policy

Statement.

• There are restrictions on certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment. See 2 CFR 200.216 to make sure this does not apply to any proposed equipment in your application.

Unallowable costs

• Construction or major rehabilitation of buildings.

• Basic research, such as scientific or medical experiments.

• For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General

Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.420.

Program-specific limitations and policies

Pre-award costs are allowed with prior approval from the Administration for

Community Living.

Indirect costs

Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

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

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Subawards

As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

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

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/grants-policies-regulations/index.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.216 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/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-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332

All subrecipients must have 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 the Office of Personnel Management information 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 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 organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACL grant or cooperative agreement.

Program income

If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 20

Get registered 20

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can search for it at

Grants.gov using opportunity number HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-TAKG-0033. Then select the

Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

You can also find materials at Applying for Grants on ACL’s website.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. 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.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations

[PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20 https://grants.gov/search-grants https://acl.gov/grants/applying-grants https://www.grants.gov/support https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf

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. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 23

Application contents and format 24

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in

Grants.gov.

Narratives

Item Grants.gov form Page limit

Project narrative Use the Project Narrative Attachment form. 20 pages

Budget narrative Use the Budget Narrative Attachment form. None

Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments Form.

Item Page limit

Indirect cost agreement None

Proof of nonprofit status None

Resumes and job descriptions None

Other required forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Item Page limit

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) None

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) None

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) None

Key Contacts form None

Grants.gov Lobbying form (Certification Regarding Lobbying) None

Project/Performance Site Location form None

Step 3: Build Your Application 23

Application contents and format This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 20 pages

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using

U.S. dollars.

Required format Required format for project and budget narratives.

Font: Times New Roman or Arial

Format: PDF

Size: 11-point font

Footnotes and text in graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing for project narrative main content: Double-spaced

Spacing for budget narrative: As needed

Spacing for project summary, tables, footnotes: Single-spaced

Margins: 1-inch

Include page numbers.

Project narrative Page limit: 20

The project narrative is the most important part of the application. We use it as the primary basis to decide whether your project meets the statutory requirements and to review its merit. The project narrative should give a clear and concise description of your project.

Be sure to cite all your sources. Merit reviewers may lower your score if you do not.

Also study the merit review criteria under each section to make sure you answer all questions and cover all topics reviewers will look at.

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Project summary

Provide a brief project summary of no more than 265 words. Write it for the general public. You will need to include:

• Goals: Broad overall purpose, like a mission statement that says what you want to do and where you want to be.

• Objectives: Narrow, specific, and clear steps toward the goals. These are the “hows” to achieve the goals.

• Overall approach: General overview of what you will do.

• Outcomes: These are the measurable results of a project. Include expected changes among those served, such as clients, systems, organizations, and communities.

These should tie directly to your goals and those of this funding.

• Products: The materials and other deliverables you expect to generate through the project.

• Duration: The anticipated start and end dates of the period of performance.

Project relevance and current need

Problem statement

1. Does the application adequately and appropriately describe and document the key problem(s) and/or need(s) to be addressed?

2. Does the applicant clearly describe the need for a National Information and Referral

Support Center?

3. Is the proposed project justified in terms of the most recent, relevant, and available information and knowledge?

4. Does the applicant provide appropriate information with respect to the current status of the field of information, referral, and assistance systems, services, and supports?

Goals and objectives

1. Does the proposed project clearly and adequately respond to the priority areas, as described in this funding opportunity announcement, in relation to current needs?

2. Does the project, as proposed, align with and advance the ACL mission, vision, and strategic priority of quality and professionalism of I&R/A professionalism in its goals and objectives desired by ACL?

3. Does the proposed project reflect an overall coherent and feasible approach for successfully addressing identified problems and achieving the identified goals and outcome(s)?

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

Project Narrative & Current Need – Problem Statement 5 points

Project Narrative & Current Need – Goals and Objectives 5 points

Approach

Proposed intervention

This section should clearly and concisely describe:

1. Proposed interventions to address the problem described in the “Problem

Statement.”

2. The rationale for using the intervention, including factors such as lessons learned from similar projects, factors that have created the right conditions for the intervention.

3. Major barriers anticipated, and how the Center will be able to overcome those barriers.

4. The role and makeup of any strategic partnerships the applicant plans to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups.

Project management

This section should explain the applicant’s organizational structure, staffing, and expertise to manage the Center. The narrative should include:

1. Delineation of the roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants and partner organizations, and how they will contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and outcomes.

2. Who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as leadership of project, monitoring the project’s on-going progress toward the goals stated in the funding opportunity announcement and for your specific intervention/activities, preparation of reports, communication with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

Work plan

You must provide a work plan for your project. The work plan connects your period of performance outcomes, strategies and activities, and measures. It provides more detail on how you will measure outcomes and processes.

To create your work plan:

1. Use the Project Work Plan Sample Template on our website.

2. Include the project’s overall goal, expected outcomes, key objectives, and the major action steps needed to achieve them.

3. For each major action step, include start and end dates and the lead responsible person.

Additionally:

1. Does the application include a clear and comprehensive work plan for each year of the project (if “no,” score the work plan section as “zero”)?

2. Does it include sensible and feasible timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks presented?

3. Does the work plan include specific objectives and tasks that are linked to measurable outcomes?

4. Has the applicant described a coherent approach to implementing a National

Technical Assistance Center capable of addressing the needs described?

5. Based on the information provided by the applicant, is it likely the proposed approach will achieve specified goals?

6. Does the project take into account barriers and opportunities that exist in the larger environment that may impact the project’s success?

7. Technical assistance activities and delivery methods for target population(s).

8. Resources developed (must be Section 508-compliant), dissemination, and events, incorporating where feasible ACL’s strategic priorities including.

◦ Website maintenance and analytics, incorporating information that connects people to services in keeping with ACL’s strategic priorities.

◦ Evaluation processes.

◦ Reporting (responsiveness to ACL requirements).

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 27 https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Facl.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fgrants%2Fwork%2520plan%2520template.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK https://acl.gov/about-acl

Table: Scoring criteria

1. Clearly defined intervention that reflects a coherent and feasible approach for successfully addressing identified problems and achieving the identified outcome. (5 pts)

2. Consideration of barriers and opportunities that exist in the larger environment that may impact the project’s success. (2 pts)

3. Optimized use of potential partnerships with other organizations and/or consumer groups, as appropriate. (2 pts)

4. Clear, comprehensive work plan and sensible and feasible timeframes for the accomplishment of tasks presented. (8 pts)

5. Specific objectives and tasks that are linked to measurable outcomes. (2 pts)

6. A clear and coherent management plan including roles and responsibilities of project staff, consultants, and partners linked to specific objectives and tasks. (2 pts)

7. Qualifications of staff, consultants, and/or partners, with proposed effort that is adequate for carrying out the project. (4 pts)

8. The role and makeup of any strategic partnerships the applicant plans to involve in implementing the intervention, including other organizations, supporters, and/or consumer groups. (2 pts)

9. Identification of who would have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as leadership of project, monitoring the project’s on-going progress toward the goals stated in the funding opportunity announcement and for specific intervention/activities, preparation of reports, communication with other partners and ACL. It should also describe the approach that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives. (3 pts)

10. For each project year:

• Technical assistance activities and delivery methods for target population(s).(4 pts)

• Resources developed (must be Section 508-compliant), dissemination, and events incorporating where feasible ACL’s strategic priorities including, but not limited to, protecting rights and preventing abuse. (1 pt)

• Website maintenance and use of analytics incorporating information that connects people to services in keeping with ACL’s strategic priorities. (1 pt)

• Evaluation processes. (1 pt)

37 points

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

Project impact

Special target populations and organizations

The Center’s work with National Aging Services Network aims to improve the connection of people to services, whereby improving the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and families. The Center’s work will impact these populations through its support of:

1. The National Aging Services Network.

2. Tribal organizations serving American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian populations.

The application must include:

1. How the applicant plans to involve organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed Center projects.

2. Challenges in achieving impact for the target population, as defined in Section I.

Funding Opportunity Description, and your plan to address those challenges.

3. How you will identify and prioritize resources, training, and technical assistance to aging network to achieve outcomes for the target population, with priorities relating to applicable ACL strategic priorities.

Outcomes

This section of the narrative must clearly identify the measurable outcomes that will result from the Center’s work. List and describe expected outcomes that match measurable outcomes in the Work Plan and address the goals of this NOFO. Outcomes are the observable end results that describe, for example, how an intervention benefits consumers.

Defined specific, measurable outcomes should include at a minimum:

1. Demonstrated impact of technical assistance and training on grantee performance.

2. Utilization rates and measurable impact of resources.

3. Evidence of continuous evaluation activities.

A measurable outcome reflects a change or result. Counting activities or services delivered shows outputs not outcomes. ACL will not fund any project that does not include measurable outcomes. Reviewers will score applications on the clarity and nature of your proposed outcomes, not on the number of outcomes cited.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

Evaluation

In this section, describe:

1. The techniques and tools you will use to evaluate the effectiveness of activities through measurable outcomes.

2. How you will measure reach and participation.

3. How you will document lessons learned – both positive and negative - and how that will influence technical assistance and training provided.

Dissemination

This section should:

1. Describe the method that will be used to disseminate results in a timely manner in easily understood formats, consistent with the work plan and budget justification.

2. Ensure the materials created are easy to understand and accessible to target populations in compliance with Section 508.

3. Describe how results will reach intended users, including the partnerships and outreach channels you will use.

4. Identify the method to publicize your role and resources available to raise awareness of the Center nationwide.

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

1. How the applicant plans to involve organizations in a meaningful way in the planning and implementation of the proposed Center projects. (1 pt)

2. Challenges in achieving impact for the target population and a plan to address those challenges. (1 pt)

3. How the applicant will identify and prioritize resources, training, and technical assistance to achieve outcomes for the target population with priorities relating to applicable ACL strategic priorities. (3 pt)

4. Expected results clear, realistic, and consistent with the objectives and purpose of the project. (3 pts)

5. Anticipated outcomes likely to be achieved and will significantly benefit the populations affected by the intervention, and the network as a whole. (2 pts)

6. Proposed outcomes quantifiable and measurable, consistent with the definition of a project outcome contained in the NOFO. (2 pts)

7. Project evaluation that reflects a thoughtful and well-designed approach that will be able to successfully measure whether the activity achieved its proposed outcome(s). (2 pts)

8. Qualitative and/or quantitative methods necessary to reliably measure outcomes. (2 pts)

31 points

Step 3: Build Your Application 30

9. Evaluation designed to capture lessons learned from the overall effort that might be of use to others in the aging and disability network. (2 pts)

10. Evidence of lessons learned – both positive and negative – and how that will influence technical assistance and training provided to the Aging Services Network. (3 pts)

11. A description of the method that will be used to disseminate results in a timely manner in easily understood formats, consistent with the work plan and budget justification. (3 pts)

12. A plan to ensure the materials created are easy to understand and accessible to target populations in compliance with Section 508 (2 pts)

13. How results will reach intended users, including the partnerships and outreach channels the applicant will use. (3 pts)

14. Method to publicize their role and resources available to raise awareness of the Center nationwide. (2 pts)

Step 3: Build Your Application 31

Capability and expertise

Organizational capability

1. Clear description of the organization, the nature and scope of work, and capability to implement the Center for national impact.

2. Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to handle high-volume tasks such as call coordination, follow-through, and capacity to rapidly respond to requests.

3. Include an organizational chart as an appendix to the application.

4. Provide information about any contractual organization(s) that will have a significant role in implementing the project and achieving project goals.

Experience of the project team

Describe the qualifications of the Project Director and key personnel who will have day-to-day responsibility for key tasks such as website updates, previous experience managing nationally scoped technical assistance for the network and providing targeted technical assistance with knowledge of the Older Americans Act program requirements.

Resumes will be included as attachments.

Table: Scoring criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

1. A clear description of the organization, the nature and scope of work, and capability to implement the Center for national impact. (5 pts)

2. Evidence of the applicant’s ability to handle high-volume tasks such as call coordination, follow-through, and capacity to rapidly respond to program requests. (4 pts)

3. Qualifications of the Project Director and key personnel. (2 pts)

4. Evidence of the applicant’s previous experience managing nationally scoped technical assistance for the network and providing targeted technical assistance. (4 pts)

5. Evidence of the applicant’s knowledge of program requirements. (2 pts)

17 points

Step 3: Build Your Application 32

Budget narrative Page limit: None

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard Form-424A.

It includes added detail and justifies the costs you ask for. As you think about your budget, consider:

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

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

When you develop your budget narrative:

• We encourage you to use the ACL Budget Narrative Sample Format [PDF]. This format shows the level of detail we are looking for in your application.

• Justify all the costs and show how you calculated them.

• You will need to create a budget narrative that shows all years combined along with separate, detailed budget narratives for each year.

Reviewers will assess your budget (SF-424A) and your budget narrative to score this section.

Table: Scoring criteria for budget and budget narrative

Reviewers will evaluate the extent to which the applicant provides: Point value

Detail, cost justification, and alignment with the work plan. 5 points

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 33 https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/grants/Budget%20Justification%20Sample%20Template%20%20Instructions.pdf

Attachments You will upload attachments in Grants.gov using the Other Attachments Form.

Indirect cost agreement

If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

Proof of nonprofit status

If your organization is a nonprofit, you need to attach proof. We will accept any of the following:

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the IRS.

• A letter from your state’s tax department, attorney general, or another state official saying that your group is a nonprofit and that none of your net earnings go to private shareholders or others.

• A certified copy of your certificate of incorporation. This document must show that your group is a nonprofit.

• Any of these documents for a parent organization. Also include a statement signed by an official of the parent group that your organization is a nonprofit affiliate.

Resumes and job descriptions

For key personnel, attach resumes for positions that are filled. For positions that aren’t filled, attach the job descriptions with qualifications.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 34 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XI/subchapter-A/part-1108/subpart-B/section-1108.85

Other required forms You will need to complete some other forms in Grants.gov. You can find them in the

NOFO application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Form Submission requirement

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) None

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) None

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) None

Key Contacts Form None

Grants.gov Lobbying Form (Certification Regarding Lobbying) None

Project/Performance Site Location Form None

Important: Public information

When filling out your SF-424 form, pay attention to Box 15: Descriptive Title of Applicant’s

Project.

We share what you put there with USAspending. This is where the public goes to learn how the federal government spends their money.

Instead of just a title, insert a short description of your project and what it will do.

See instructions and examples [PDF].

Pre-award requirements Allowed, with prior approval of the agency.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 35 https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 37

Award notices 39

Application review Initial review We will review your application to make sure that it meets the responsiveness requirements listed in the disqualifying factors section. If your application does not meet these criteria, we will disqualify it and we will not move it to the merit review

(scoring) phase.

We will not review any pages over the page limit.

Scoring process A panel reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use the merit review scoring criteria in the project narrative and budget narrative sections of this

NOFO. You can find the specific criteria in each section of the project narrative and in the budget narrative section.

Criteria summary

Heading Points

Project Summary 0 points

Purpose and need 10 points

Response 37 points

Impact 31 points

Resources and capabilities (including budget narrative) 22 points

Risk review Before making an award, we review the risk that…