hhs-2026-acl-aoa-ppnu-0003_v3.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (30 days after posting)

Administration on Aging

Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs

ACL National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-PPNU-0003

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 10

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21

Find the application package 22

Get registered 22

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Application checklist 25

Application contents and format 26

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 44

Application review 45

Award notices 47

Step 5: Submit Your Application 48

Application submission and deadlines 49

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 51

Post-award requirements and administration 52

Contacts and Support 54

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 (30 days after posting).

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 10

Basic information Administration for Community Living (ACL)

Administration on Aging

Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs

The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging will support the aging and disability network to scale senior nutrition programs nationwide in alignment with the Older Americans Act (OAA) and to advance ACL’s Whole Person Health strategic priority and the Make

America Healthy Again agenda.

Have questions?

See Contacts and

Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name: ACL

National Resource Center on

Nutrition and Aging

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-

PPNU-0003

Federal assistance listing:

93.045

Cost sharing: Yes

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

July 22, 2026

(30 days after posting)

Optional notice of intent deadline: Due on 7 days after posting of the NOFO.

Expected award date:

September 30, 2026

Expected project start date:

September 30, 2026

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary ACL prioritizes whole-person health and seeks to advance approaches that integrate health care and community-based health and social care interventions to support independence, improve health, and reduce costs. The National Resource Center on

Nutrition and Aging Center (Center) contributes to this priority by strengthening the aging and disability network’s ability to scale Older Americans Act senior nutrition program innovations nationwide and ensures a clear return on ACL’s investment. This funding opportunity advances HHS’ Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by empowering older adults to manage their own health, reducing clinical dependence, and building community infrastructure that sustains healthy behaviors.

The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (Center) supports the aging and disability networks to:

• Reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in older adults.

• Promote socialization of older adults.

• Promote the health and well-being of older adults by assisting them to gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services to delay the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior.

The Center provides tiered technical assistance (TA), expert-led trainings, and expert-developed tools to support grantees and partners in implementing and sustaining high-quality programs. It also collects and analyzes participant outcomes and performance data to drive accountability and continuous improvement.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

The Center promotes peer-to-peer learning, ensures fidelity to the Older Americans Act and nutrition program interventions, and supports compliance with cooperative agreement requirements. Through national events, targeted outreach, and leadership of initiatives such as the annual Celebrate the Senior Nutrition Program campaign, the

Center raises public awareness and advances the visibility of senior nutrition programs.

Ongoing quality improvement cycles are embedded in all activities to refine TA, strengthen resources, and respond to emerging needs across the network.

By improving efficiency, performance, and compliance, the Center safeguards federal resources and strengthens grantee capacity to manage complex awards effectively. It accelerates program implementation, reduces duplication and waste, and translates best practices into measurable outcomes, including improved health status and reductions in avoidable healthcare utilization. Serving as a strategic bridge between ACL and the field, the Center ensures consistent communication, accountability, and data-driven decision-making—maximizing impact and demonstrating a strong, quantifiable return on investment across the aging network.

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding over the performance period: $3,043,788

Expected total program funding per budget period: $1,014,596

Total expected awards: 1

Funding range per applicant per budget period: $1,000,000 to $1,014,596

We plan to fund awards in three 12-month budget periods for a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2029.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://acl.gov/snp/celebrate

Eligibility Eligible applicants Only these types of organizations may apply:

• 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.

• Institutions of higher education.

Other eligibility criteria None.

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.

• Does not follow the required format for project and budget narratives as outlined in the Application Contents and Format section of this NOFO, also listed below:

◦ 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.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

◦ Margins: 1-inch.

◦ Include page numbers.

• Has a Project Narrative that exceeds 20 pages. Applications with a Project Narrative that exceeds 20 pages will be screened out and will not be further reviewed or considered. Do not include a table of contents or cover page in your

Project Narrative.

• Does not include an individual Budget Narrative/Justification for each of years 1, 2, and 3 AND a combined Budget Narrative/Justification for the proposed 36-month budget period. Forms SF424 and SF424A of your application do NOT satisfy this requirement. The proposed combined Budget Narrative/Justification must not exceed the award ceiling of $1,014,596 per year.

• Does not include an individual Project Work Plan for each of years 1, 2, and 3. Each year must be separate and clearly labeled.

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

25% cost sharing requirement

This program requires you to contribute 25% of the project’s total cost. You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement in two ways:

• Method 1: Start with the federal share.

Calculation: Divide the federal share by 3.

For example: $90,000 / 3 = $30,000.

• Method 2: Start with the total project cost.

Calculation: Multiply the total project cost by 25%.

For example: $120,000 x 25% = $30,000.

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.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

Examples of In-Kind contributions include:

• Volunteer services (a reasonable hourly rate applied to a volunteer’s time multiplied by the number of hours they work). Don’t forget advisory council members, support staff helping, medical/professional consultants, receptionists.

• Donated time of employees from other organizations (salaries or positions must not be supported by Federal funds).

• Donated IT and tech support time and supplies.

• Unpaid interns or fellows.

• Donated supplies and loaned equipment.

• Donated goods (i.e., food, incentives, give-a-ways).

• Marketing materials, flyers, etc.

• Donated utilities.

• Site location (donated or discounted space).

• Transportation.

Cost-sharing commitments

If awarded, you must provide the amount of cost-sharing funds you promised, even if you promised more than the required minimum. 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 42 USC 3030g-21; Older Americans Act, Title III-C; 93.048 Special Program for Aging

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=Special+Programs+for+the+Aging+Title+III+Part+C+Nutrition+Services&f=treesort&fq=true&num=17&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title42-section3030g-21

Program description The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (Center) advances ACL’s priority on

Whole-Person Health, which identifies nutrition as a cornerstone of community-based health promotion and reducing malnutrition as a key tracked outcome to measure ACL’s impact. The Center makes this priority actionable. It reflects ACL’s whole-person approach by addressing both nutritional health and socialization—recognizing that OAA nutrition services are essential community connections that reduce food insecurity, reduce isolation, support mental health, and sustain independent living. This directly advances ACL’s commitment to decreasing social isolation and integrating health and social care interventions.

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda calls for upstream intervention over reactive clinical care. By addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and sedentary behavior before they lead to costly chronic conditions, the Center builds capacity for the network to intervene where health returns are greatest—supporting older adults in accessing nutrition and disease prevention services that delay adverse outcomes, promote active living, and reduce dependence on the healthcare system.

Background

Administration for Community Living

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is an operational division with the US

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACL’s mission is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers. ACL is the principal agency of HHS designated to carry out the provisions of the Older Americans Act (OAA). This funding opportunity makes OAA funding available to support a National Nutrition and Aging Resource Center.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is implemented through the national aging network that includes State Units on Aging (SUAs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and local service providers. This network delivers a comprehensive and coordinated set of services to support older adults and their family caregivers.

Senior Nutrition Program

The OAA Senior Nutrition Program includes Congregate Nutrition Services, Home

Delivered Nutrition Services, the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) and nutrition screening, education, and counseling services. Designed to promote the general health and well-being of older individuals, these nutrition services are intended to:

• Reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://acl.gov/about-acl https://acl.gov/about-acl https://acl.gov/programs/health-wellness/nutrition-services

• Promote socialization of older individuals.

• Promote the health and well-being of older individuals by assisting such individuals to gain access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services to delay the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior.

Congregate and home delivered meals funded under the OAA must comply with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and meet 1/3 of the Dietary Reference Intakes for older adults to provide a nutrient profile that helps meet the unique nutrition needs of aging. The OAA encourages the use of locally grown foods in meal programs and partnerships with local producers, and NSIP allocations may only be used to purchase domestically produced foods, such as milk, fruit, vegetables, and protein products that are used in a meal. Improved overall diet quality for older adults can help maintain cognitive health and independence. Nutrition providers often serve as a gateway to additional services and evidence-based programs. This approach reflects the goals of age-friendly health systems, which emphasize coordinated whole person health.

Innovations in Nutrition Services and Programs

ACL’s Innovations in Nutrition Services and Programs (INNU) funding supports projects with broad implementation throughout the nation’s senior centers and dining sites.

Previous successful grants awarded under this program have demonstrated value, shown improvements in participant well-being, and scaled innovative service delivery approaches.

Purpose The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the establishment of a National

Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (Center) to strengthen and support OAA Title III-

C Senior Nutrition Program efforts nationwide. The Center will provide leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to the senior nutrition program network and other relevant partners, in alignment with age-friendly frameworks.

The Center will work with the aging and disability network to promote coordination among health systems, public health agencies, stakeholders, and community-based organizations to improve access to screening, intervention, and whole person health. It will also build on existing nationwide efforts in older adult nutrition.

The Center will accelerate grantee effectiveness by sharing best practices, supporting scalability, replicating successful models, and providing one-on-one assistance. It will bridge the gap between program development and widespread, sustainable implementation.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/ https://odphp.health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/dietary-guidelines/dietary-reference-intakes https://acl.gov/programs/nutrition/innovations-nutrition-programs-and-services-0

The Center will provide technical assistance and data infrastructure to help the aging network (State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and local nutrition services providers) expand their reach, strengthen sustainability, and adapt programs to meet evolving community needs.

Target population Older adults are the primary end users and intended beneficiaries of the Center’s work.

Services will be delivered through grantees and the aging network partners that have established relationships with older adult populations. The Center will impact these primary end users/beneficiaries by strengthening the capacity of the two targeted populations.

For this project, there are two target populations:

• OAA-funded Innovations in Nutrition grantees.

• Aging network partners: State Units on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and local service providers. Throughout the rest of the announcement, the term “aging network” will be used to reference the above defined population.

Objectives For this project, there are ten objectives:

• Deliver tiered, risk-based TA to improve grantee performance and identify, promote, and share best practices and lessons learned from across grants, states, tribes, and territories that support replication, scalability, and improved program outcomes, leveraging strategic partnerships that clearly enhance grantee experience and impact.

• Supporting grantees to scale innovative nutrition program strategies nationwide and foster partnerships that advance age-friendly networks and cross-community coordination to help enhance grantee impact.

• Conduct expert-led training to ensure education and training sessions are appropriate to each grantee’s capacity, needs, and readiness.

• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities, leveraging networks and platforms to enhance grantee collaboration and share effective practices.

• Develop high-quality, Section 508 compliant resources and tools.

• Build and maintain a secure cloud-based database capturing participant-level data, risk assessment, and TA activities.

• Conduct unbiased, conflict of interest-free network surveys and evaluation to measure impact.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

• Lead the Malnutrition Awareness event, support promotion and activities for ACL’s

Celebrate the Senior Nutrition Program and additional events as applicable in coordination with ACL.

• Use QI cycles to conduct self-assessment focused on improving TA, identifying internal gaps, inefficiencies and opportunities for enhancement of resources, and processes.

• Respond promptly to ACL priorities and data insight inquiries.

Goals and measurable outcomes

Each applicant must propose at least three (3) goals with measurable outcomes that they will achieve if funded. The goals must articulate a direct impact (e.g., increased food security, reduced social isolation, improved physical function, independence, health outcomes) on older adults in need of preventive nutrition interventions through the

Senior Nutrition Program.

Additional requirements To be considered for funding and to meet the goals of this funding opportunity, your application must include the following components.

• A detailed explanation of the centralized cloud-based database and its ability to capture ACL funded grantee (discretionary and III-C where applicable) participant-level data: demographics, program participation, outcomes, and identifiers linking participants to ACL funded grantee. This database must:

◦ Meet applicable federal security and privacy standards and Section 508 compliance. Proposals must indicate how the database will comply with federal security standards, encryption, role-based access, automatic backups, and audit logging.

◦ Complement existing and future federal data collection efforts without duplicating or conflicting with systems operating under contracts.

◦ Use ACL-approved templates and standardized fields to ensure consistency with Title III-C and other Nutrition program metrics.

◦ Provide ACL with full access and ownership rights to all data collected under this award.

◦ Be designed to adapt to additional data points, import data, or changes in federal reporting requirements over the life of the cooperative agreement.

◦ Include secure export capabilities for integration with other ACL or Federal evaluation systems.

◦ Allow real-time reporting and dashboard creation for monthly and annual summaries.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13

• Detail of how you will produce monthly and overall yearly dashboard reports that show ACL funded grantees’ reach, program participation, participant demographics, and trends.

• Thoroughly describe a national approach to reach the aging network as defined above and be inclusive of those serving American Indian/Alaska Native/Native

Hawaiian elders, and how you will engage in advocacy and education to Congress and other federal audiences about programs, best practices, and grantee needs, while strictly adhering to federal anti-lobbying restrictions.

• Clearly address your ability to ensure that resources and forms will be Section 508 compliant and accessible to all users.

Section 508 compliance This is a core requirement. All materials and products created as part of this project shall comply with government accessibility standards, known as Section 508.

For example:

• Webinars must include live captioning, and American Sign Language interpreters must be available, if requested.

◦ If a webinar is jargon-heavy or highly technical, captioning should be done by professional captioners. If automatic captioning tools are used, captions must be edited in the final recording to correct errors.

◦ Videos must include accurate captions.

• All files, such as PDFs, Word documents, and PowerPoint slide decks, must be navigable by screen readers and have sufficient contrast.

• All information and products should meet linguistic needs of your intended audience. ACL will review and approve products before you share them with the public. At agreed-upon time frames, you will provide resources created under this grant to ACL.

This is a specialized requirement. Product development can be time intensive and costly.

You should factor this work into each year of your work plan and budget. Details of how you will meet this requirement should be clear in the dissemination section, work plan, and budget justification of your application.

For more details about Section 508 compliance, please visit Accessibility on the ACL website.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://acl.gov/Site_Utilities/Accessibility.aspx https://acl.gov/Site_Utilities/Accessibility.aspx

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 as outlined in this program announcement, and carry out project activities as reviewed, approved, and awarded.

• The Principal Investigator/ Project Director (PI/PD) must attend all regularly scheduled calls and communicate with the ACL Project Officer monthly, or other agreed-upon times, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

• Participate in relevant ACL TA education (e.g., webinars, workgroups) if ACL provides reasonable notice of the subject, date, and time of the event.

• Comply with all other reporting requirements, as outlined in Step 6 (Award

Administration Information) of this Funding Opportunity and the Notice of Award.

• If sub-awarding, the grantee is expected to use a transparent and open process for soliciting, reviewing, selecting, and making required sub-awards to organizations.

Applicants should describe how the process will be designed, administered, and monitored.

• Include the following disclaimers on all products produced using this grant funding:

◦ HHS Grant or Cooperative Agreement that is NOT funded with other non-governmental sources:

▪ “This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling

$XX with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.”.

◦ HHS Grant or Cooperative Agreement that IS partially funded with other nongovernmental sources:

▪ “This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling

$XX with XX percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $XX amount and XX percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.”.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

• When provided, use ACL template and forms, including for database entry.

• Provide tiered TA delivery, defined as Tier 1 (universal)—webinars, newsletters, FAQs, Tipsheets; Tier 2 (targeted)—small group workshops, TA plans, peer collaboratives; and Tier 3 (intensive)—one-on-one coaching, site-specific action plans/visits, etc.

• Build and maintain database which includes configuring fields for ACL grantee participant data such as demographics, program participation, and outcomes; train staff and ACL grantees on accurate data entry and database use; conduct quarterly data quality review for completeness and accuracy; and produce real time dashboards for ACL showing reach, program use, and trends.

• Provide accurate and timely documentation and analysis that captures all TA events, call summaries, risk assessments, and progress reports within 10 days. Ensure cross-checking grantee reports against database records and TA liaisons knowledge for accuracy.

• Each year, create a strong set of new resources based on grantee needs and ACL priorities, as described in the proposed workplan. Submit these resources to ACL for approval and posting on ACL.gov.

• Monitor peer-to-peer list servs for compliance and consult with ACL on regulation and legal guidance.

• Lead the Malnutrition Awareness event, support promotion and activities for ACL’s

Celebrate the Senior Nutrition Program, and additional events as applicable in coordination with ACL. Record participation, participant feedback, and highlights for ACL.

• Provide administrative coordination and communication to include scheduling and facilitating regular TA calls with ACL grantees, preparing and distributing agendas and summaries; performing site visits, ensuring timely follow-up on actions;

maintaining accurate, analyzed notes to give ACL a picture of performance, use templated forms provided by ACL for consistency; and coordinate ACL monitoring calls.

• Implement QI cycles based on evaluation and database insights.

• Respond to ACL promptly for additional insights and data requests.

• Funds may not be used to market and self-promote the Center’s success. Any communication products must be evidence-based, directly tied to TA or grantee support outcomes and approved by ACL where required.

• Partnerships pursued under this cooperative agreement must enhance the grantee experience and outcomes. Partnership should not be primarily for the Center’s promotion or financial benefit.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16

Our responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day Federal responsibilities of managing a Cooperative Agreement and work with the grantee to ensure that minimum grant requirements are met.

• Provide templates and forms for uniform implementation.

• Work cooperatively with the grantee to clarify the programmatic and budgetary issues to be addressed by the grantee project (e.g., QA, evaluation, risk assessment metrics) and negotiate with grantee to achieve a mutually agreed upon solution and plan to address any programmatic, budgetary, or technical assistance needs identified by the grantee or ACL.

• Assist the grantee project leadership in understanding the strategic goals and objectives, policy perspectives, and priorities of AoA, ACL, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and about other Federally sponsored projects and activities relevant to activities funded under this announcement.

• Attend and participate in major project events, as appropriate.

• Host, facilitate, and upload resources on assigned websites.

• Conduct biannual monitoring and communicate with the PI/PD monthly, or at such other times as are agreed upon, to improve the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this Agreement.

• Provide consultation in identifying TA and resource needs such as understanding the OAA.

• Connecting with the network of aging and human services agencies.

• Offer ACL-led training for Center staff.

• Review and provide feedback on dashboard, progress reports, and QI summaries.

Once a Cooperative Agreement is in place, requests to modify or amend the agreement or the work plan may be made by ACL or the awardee at any time if the request stays within the scope of work. ACL reserves the right to require modifications to the approved scope of work. The recipient may also request changes to the scope of work. However, any such changes require written approval by ACL in accordance with 45 CFR 75.308.

Major changes may affect the integrity of the competitive review process. Modifications and/or amendments of the Cooperative Agreement or work plan shall be effective upon the execution of an award notice. Unless ACL is authorized under the Terms and

Conditions of award, 45 CFR Part 75, or other applicable regulation or statute to make unilateral amendments, when an award is issued the Cooperative Agreement terms and conditions from the program announcement are incorporated by reference.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2025-09-30/title-45/section-75.308

Managing disagreements

Where questions involving differing interpretations arise, the recipient must follow all applicable requirements and guidance outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity

(NOFO), approved project documentation (including the work plan and budget), and federal direction provided under this cooperative agreement. ACL will work collaboratively with the recipient to resolve disagreements related to programmatic, administrative, or budgetary matters. Final determinations made by ACL regarding the interpretation of federal requirements, award terms and conditions, and cooperative agreement expectations will govern the administration of the award.

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.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

• 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

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

• Grantees must abide by intent of the Older Americans Act.

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 current negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate is 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.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 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))

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.

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 20 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/ 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 22

Get registered 22

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-PPNU-0003. 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 22 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 23 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 25

Application contents and format 26

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

Letters of commitment None

Proof of nonprofit status None

Resumes and job descriptions None

Organizational chart None

Work plan 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 25

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

Application page limit: No limit to 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 26

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

Describe the current and unique challenges the aging network faces when implementing senior nutrition programs. Demonstrate your understanding of gaps in TA, resource availability, and limitations in current data collection and reporting processes. Explain why the lack of a centralized database, robust TA, and relevant resources create barriers for the network and why these components are critical to improve program quality, reach, and sustainability

Goals and objectives

Applicants shall provide SMART goals and specific objectives aligned with the award’s purpose as outlined above.

Measurable targets shall include:

• At least 80% of ACL competitive grantees meet program goals annually.

• At least 95% database completeness and timely data entry and reporting.

• Develop and publish at least twelve tangible resources with 100% reviewed annually for readability and accuracy.

• Increase resource downloads by 25%, measured through website analytics and distribution tracking.

In addition, applicants must also propose and articulate at least three (3) goals with direct impact (e.g., increased food security, reduced social isolation, improved physical

Step 3: Build Your Application 27 function, independence, health outcomes) older adults in need of preventive nutrition interventions through the Senior Nutrition Program. Applicants will determine goals based on their approach.

Table: Scoring criteria

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

A Problem Statement that addresses all three of the following:

• Describes current and unique challenges that the aging network and INNU grantees face when implementing evidence-based programs.

• Demonstrates the applicant’s understanding of gaps in TA, resource availability, and limitations in current data collection and reporting processes.

• Explains why the lack of a centralized database, robust TA, and relevant resources create barriers for the network, and why these components are critical to improve program quality, reach, and sustainability.

1 point

A Goals and Objectives section that provides SMART goals and specific objectives aligned with the award’s purpose as outlined.

1 point

A Goals and Objectives section that includes measurable targets such as:

• At least 80% of ACL competitive grantees meet program goals annually.

• At least 95% database completeness and timely data entry and reporting.

• Develop and publish at least twelve tangible resources with 100% reviewed annually for readability and accuracy.

• Increase resource downloads by 25%, measured through website analytics and distribution tracking.

2 points

A Goals and Objectives section that proposes and articulates at least three goals that directly impact older adults in need of preventive nutrition interventions through the Senior

Nutrition Program.

2 points

Approach

Proposed intervention

This section should adequately describe:

• Your methods and strategies to deliver tiered TA (universal, targeted, and intensive) with structured training, webinars, site visits and educational resources/ opportunities as part of your tiered TA approach, ensuring accessibility and alignment with grantee needs (i.e. wide audience with various needs). As part of this approach, the Center will assist grantees in strengthening community clinical linkages to increase access to nationally recognized, validated nutrition risk screening, referral pathways, and coordinated intervention delivery.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

• How the Center will assess grantee activities to identify successful and less effective practices, promote alignment with age-friendly frameworks, and how it will share these insights broadly across states and territories to enhance adoption, efficiency, and impact of programs.

• How partnerships or collaborations will directly advance grantee performance, amplify best practices, promote alignment with age-friendly frameworks, or improve outcomes, and how you will ensure partnerships are mission-aligned and benefit grantees and/or the network.

• How you will support grantees across varying funding levels, approaches, and program models designed to address evolving needs across cohorts. You should describe how you will strengthen the adaptability, scalability, sustainability, and measurable impact of senior nutrition programs, while advancing collaboration

(e.g., peer learnings), and dissemination of best practices (e.g., webinars).

• How you will organize and manage TA call schedules, monitor follow-ups, and support ACL-led monitoring. You should describe tools/processes (e.g., calendars, dashboards, note taking systems) to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency.

• The centralized database you will build and maintain to capture participant level data, produce dashboards, and conduct data validation. Address how your database will align with and complement federal data collection efforts, including Title III-C metrics, while ensuring ACL can integrate or compare data across systems. Include how you will conduct periodic reconciliation with ACL to update or modify data elements if federal requirements change, and your plan to produce a monthly dashboard and annual summary that incorporates complementary metrics for

ROI analysis.

• How you will ensure national coverage, including effective engagement with tribal communities serving those in greatest social need and/or greatest economic need across various geographic locations in the U.S. and its territories. Include how you will provide educational briefings or materials to federal audiences, state, tribal partners, or other stakeholders while ensuring these activities are informative and not lobbying.

• How your external evaluation partners will develop and deploy unbiased and conflict of interest-free surveys to include formal evaluation surveys and brief, ad-hoc polls of the network to inform risk assessment, adjust TA strategies, or verify emerging trends.

• How you will develop Section 508-compliant tangible resources, lead special events, and monitor peer-to-peer networks.

• How you will implement risk assessments, QI cycles, and integrate evaluation findings. Structured QI processes should focus on evaluating and improving your own performance, TA delivery, and resource accuracy. Findings from QI must be

Step 3: Build Your Application 29 translated into specific documented improvements to TA practices, resource quality, and administrative processes that are reported to ACL in dashboard and annual summaries.

Project management

This section should include a clear 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.

It should specify:

• Who would have day-to-day responsibility for key facts such as leadership of project.

• Monitoring the project’s on-going progress, preparation of reports.

• Communications with other partners and ACL.

It should also describe the plan that will be used to monitor and track progress on the project’s tasks and objectives.

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:

• Use…