Social Services Research and Demonstration

The Social Services Research and Demonstration program (SSRD) was authorized to promote research and demonstration projects related to the prevention and reduction of dependency, or to improve the administration and effectiveness of programs intended

Projects funded under SSRD include the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot. The objectives of the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot are to evaluate the ability of community action agencies, social services agencies, and other non-profit community organizations to provide diapers and diapering supplies on a consistent basis through diaper distribution programs while also providing wraparound support services for families with low incomes.

Awards eligibility is limited to CSBG state associations, tribes that were funded directly by CSBG in FFY 2025, and CSBG-funded territories.

Children, youth, and families, especially low-income families, will benefit.

Awards are made for innovative research, demonstrations, and evaluations that are responsive to the ACF program priorities. Funding provided through the DDDRP grant may be used primarily to procure diapers and diapering supplies, with up to 10% of awarded funds allowable for activities such as coordinating wraparound services, facilitating participant enrollment, and conducting data collection. All applications must meet standards of excellence in research, demonstration, or evaluation design.

Construction or the purchase of real estate is not allowable.

Funds are awarded on a 1- to 5-year basis, with support beyond the first year contingent upon acceptable evidence of satisfactory progress, continuing program relevance, and availability of funds.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

From 60 to 365 days. Generally, solicited grants and cooperative agreements will be acted upon within 120 days.

Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with grant terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals regarding disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.