FY 2026 Basic Center Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CY-0016
- Agency
-
Administration for Children and Families
Department of Health and Human Services
- Applications due
- Award size
- $100,000 to $350,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 93.623 Basic Center Grant
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Income Security and Social Services
- Eligible applicants
-
- Special District Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- City/Township Governments
- County Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- State Governments
- Independent School Districts
- Other
- Public or Indian Housing Auth.
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Points of contact
-
- Gloria Watkins gloria.watkins@acf.hhs.gov (202) 205-9546
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families is soliciting applications for the Basic Center Program to fund emergency shelter and counseling services for runaway and homeless youth under age 18, with an application deadline of August 17, 2026. Applicants must contribute 10% cost-sharing of the project's total cost. The program will distribute $27 million across 77 expected awards, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $350,000 for the first budget period.
Eligible applicants include public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal entities, higher education institutions, and other nonprofit organizations. Federal entities and for-profit organizations are ineligible.
The program funds three-year project periods consisting of three one-year budget periods, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. Awards are made for 12- to 21-bed emergency shelters providing outreach, up to 21 days of temporary shelter, counseling, case management, food, clothing, and health care referrals. Key requirements include operating licensed facilities, providing 24/7 services, implementing trauma-informed care, conducting outreach and screening, providing three months of aftercare, establishing formal partnerships with local law enforcement, and incorporating human trafficking identification and response protocols. Applicants must utilize positive youth development frameworks, demonstrate compliance with ACF priorities including family stability and work and self-sufficiency promotion, and employ evidence-based practices.
Applications are reviewed first for eligibility, deadline compliance, electronic submission requirements, and award ceiling compliance. Applications meeting these threshold criteria proceed to merit review by panels of subject-matter experts. Geographic distribution of federal funds may be considered in award decisions. Successful applicants may receive funding at amounts lower than requested.
The program is listed under Assistance Listing 93.623.
Synopsis
The Basic Center Program (BCP) provides temporary, emergency shelter; and counseling services to youth who have left home without permission of their parents or guardians, have been forced to leave home, or other homeless youth who might otherwise end up in the law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems. BCPs work to establish or strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families. BCPs provide youth under 18 years of age with food, clothing, counseling and referrals for health care. BCPs can provide up to 21 days of shelter for youth and seeks to reunite young people with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate alternative placements.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| hhs-2026-acf-acyf-cy-0016.pdf |
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