National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families

National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families is sponsored by Administration for Children and Families (ACF). This Center aims to improve the effectiveness of federal and state policies that promote the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and family stability. It will support rigorous, policy-relevant research and build stronger connections between researchers and policymakers in human services programs.

Activities include extramural research grants to fund timely, actionable research aligned with ACF priorities, including workforce development.

Opportunity Listing - National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families Agency: Administration for Children and Families - OFA Assistance Listings: 93. 647 -- Social Services Research and Demonstration 93. 595 -- Welfare Reform Research, Evaluations and National Studies 93.

575 -- Child Care and Development Block Grant 93. 239 -- Policy Research and Evaluation Grants Last Updated: August 4, 2026 View version history on Grants. gov The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) anticipates soliciting applications for a National Research Center for Promoting Work and Strong Families.

The Center aims to improve the effectiveness of federal and state policies that promote the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and family stability through marriage, responsible fatherhood, child care, and reduced dependency on public assistance. The Center will support rigorous, policy-relevant research and build stronger connections between researchers and policymakers in human services programs.

The Center will carry out three core... activities to achieve its goals:Fellowship program: Support in-residence fellows placed within ACF and other HHS offices to provide policy-relevant research expertise on work, earnings, family stability, child care, and human services programs. Extramural research grants: Oversee a competitive grant program to fund timely, actionable research aligned with ACF priorities.

These priorities include: promoting the dignity of work, economic self-sufficiency, and family stability. Knowledge building and communication: Host in-person and virtual events. Produce policy-focused materials to make sure that research findings are accessible and actionable for federal, state, tribal, and local policymakers.

The Center will emphasize research that promotes the dignity of work as a means to economic self-sufficiency and strong and stable families. This research will ideally help identify redundancies across government welfare programs and make sure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to help individuals and families rely less on public assistance.

Activities must align with ACF"s statutory authorities and may not support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI/DEIA) activities, consistent with General Policies in this NOFO. ACF anticipates making one cooperative agreement award for a five-year project period. Activities must align with the statutory authorities supporting this NOFO.

The recipient must be able to show, and ACF must be able to monitor, that funds appropriated were spent on activities that can be directly attributed to those required and allowed by each funding source.

City or township governments Special district governments Public and Indian housing authorities Federally recognized Native American tribal governments Other Native American tribal organizations Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3) Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3) For-profit organizations other than small businesses Public and state institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts The statutory authority for this funding opportunity does not limit eligible entities to receive this funding.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity. Grantor contact information amelia.

popham@acf. hhs. gov amelia.

popham@acf. hhs. gov amelia.

popham@acf. hhs. gov File name Description Last updated HHS-2026-ACF-OFA-PG-0059.

pdf HHS-2026-ACF-OFA-PG-0059. pdf Link to additional information Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.

Funding opportunity number : Cost sharing or matching requirement : Funding instrument type : Opportunity Category Explanation : Category of Funding Activity : Income security and social services Your account requires additional identity verification.