Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0005
Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation (HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CF-0005) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within ACYF/Children's Bureau, designed to expand the number of state and tribal child welfare systems that are operating an evidence-based Kinship Navigator Program (KNP). The central aim is straightforward: help more Title IV-E agencies put proven kinship navigation models into practice so kin caregivers can more easily find and use the services, supports, and benefits that help keep children safe and stable in family settings.
The program specifically requires applicants to replicate and implement a KNP model that has already been reviewed and rated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse as "promising," "supported," or "well-supported." In other words, this is not a funding stream for inventing a brand-new navigator model from scratch. Instead, it is about taking an approved evidence-based model listed on the Clearinghouse website and building the infrastructure, staffing, partnerships, and workflows needed to deliver that model with fidelity. The funding also recognizes that tribal communities may need programs that fit their own governance, culture, and service systems, so tribal child welfare agencies are allowed to adapt program manuals and materials to align with tribal policies, practices, and culture, as long as the core components of the evidence-based model are maintained. Tribal consortia are explicitly encouraged to apply, which signals a preference for collaborative tribal approaches when that makes sense for service coverage and capacity.
Applications must choose one of two priority areas, and these priorities are competed separately. The first priority is replication of an existing Clearinghouse-rated kinship navigator model without a tribal adaptation focus. The second priority is developing a tribal adaptation of an existing Clearinghouse-rated model, which still starts from an approved model but formally adapts it for tribal implementation while protecting the model's essential elements. This structure makes it clear that "tribal adaptation" is not a side activity; it is a distinct track with its own competition, likely evaluated in light of culturally grounded implementation plans and the applicant's readiness to carry out the adapted model responsibly.
Priority in award consideration is expected to go to agencies that do not already operate a Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program as defined in Section 427(a)(1) of the Social Security Act. The practical takeaway is that this opportunity is meant to grow the national footprint of Title IV-E KNPs, not to primarily fund places that already have a qualifying program in operation. At the same time, the eligible applicant list is broad and includes many organization types (state, local, and tribal governments; tribal organizations; nonprofits; for-profits; higher education institutions; small businesses; and others). However, if the applicant is not itself a state or tribal child welfare Title IV-E agency, the application must include documentation showing a partnership with the relevant Title IV-E agency for implementation. That requirement is important because Title IV-E alignment and agency buy-in are foundational to implementing a navigator program as a Title IV-E service and to meeting the expectations that come with Clearinghouse-aligned models.
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal awarding agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, supporting implementation, monitoring fidelity, or coordinating evaluation and reporting expectations). The assistance listing is CFDA 93.605 under the Income Security and Social Services activity category. The anticipated scale is up to 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per award. The opportunity was created on July 8, 2026, and the application deadline is August 7, 2026.
Eligibility is limited in two key ways that can disqualify applicants. First, individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible and will be disqualified during merit review. Second, foreign entities are not eligible and will also be disqualified. For all other eligible entity types, the most critical compliance point is selecting one of the two priority tracks and, when the applicant is not the Title IV-E agency, providing clear documentation of a formal partnership with the Title IV-E agency to implement the Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CF 0005
- The Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.605.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within ACYF/Children's Bureau, to expand the number of state and tribal child welfare systems operating an evidence-based Kinship Navigator Program (KNP). The goal is to help more Title IV-E agencies put proven kinship navigation models into practice so kin caregivers can more easily access services, supports, and benefits that help keep children safe and stable in family settings.
2) What is the official funding opportunity number and name?
The opportunity is titled Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation and the funding opportunity number is HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CF-0005.
3) Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within ACYF/Children's Bureau.
4) What is the central purpose of this program?
The central aim is to increase the number of jurisdictions and tribal child welfare systems that are operating an evidence-based KNP, helping kin caregivers more easily find and use services, supports, and benefits that promote safe and stable family placements.
5) Is this opportunity for creating a brand-new kinship navigator model?
No. This opportunity is not intended for developing a new model from scratch. Applicants are required to replicate and implement a KNP model that has already been reviewed and rated by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse as "promising," "supported," or "well-supported."
6) What kind of kinship navigator model must applicants use?
Applicants must select an existing evidence-based KNP model that is listed on the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse website and has been rated as promising, supported, or well-supported.
7) What does "replication" mean in this grant context?
Replication means taking a Clearinghouse-rated evidence-based KNP model and building the infrastructure, staffing, partnerships, and workflows needed to deliver that model with fidelity (i.e., in alignment with its core requirements).
8) What does "tribal adaptation" mean under this opportunity?
Tribal adaptation means starting from an approved Clearinghouse-rated KNP model and adapting program manuals and materials to align with tribal policies, practices, and culture, while maintaining the model's core components (the essential elements of the evidence-based model).
9) Are tribal applicants allowed to modify the program model?
Yes, tribal child welfare agencies are allowed to adapt program manuals and materials for tribal fit, as long as they maintain the core components of the evidence-based model.
10) Are tribal consortia allowed or encouraged to apply?
Yes. Tribal consortia are explicitly encouraged to apply, indicating support for collaborative tribal approaches when that is appropriate for service coverage and capacity.
11) What are the two priority areas, and do applicants have to choose one?
Applicants must choose one of two priority areas, and these priorities are competed separately:
- Priority 1: Replication of an existing Clearinghouse-rated kinship navigator model (without a tribal adaptation focus).
- Priority 2: Development of a tribal adaptation of an existing Clearinghouse-rated model (adapting it for tribal implementation while protecting the model's essential elements).
12) Are the priority tracks reviewed together or separately?
The two priorities are competed separately, meaning applications are evaluated within the priority area they choose.
13) Which applicants are expected to receive priority in award consideration?
Priority in award consideration is expected to go to agencies that do not already operate a Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program as defined in Section 427(a)(1) of the Social Security Act. The intent is to grow the national footprint of Title IV-E KNPs rather than primarily funding places that already operate a qualifying program.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant list is broad and includes (as described in the opportunity):
- State, local, and tribal governments
- Tribal organizations
- Nonprofits
- For-profit organizations
- Institutions of higher education
- Small businesses
- Other eligible entity types described in the announcement
15) Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals (including sole proprietorships) are not eligible and will be disqualified during merit review.
16) Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified.
17) What if the applicant is not the state or tribal Title IV-E child welfare agency?
If the applicant is not itself a state or tribal child welfare Title IV-E agency, the application must include documentation showing a partnership with the relevant Title IV-E agency for implementation. This is a key compliance requirement.
18) Why is a partnership with the Title IV-E agency important?
The opportunity emphasizes Title IV-E alignment and agency buy-in as foundational to implementing a navigator program as a Title IV-E service and meeting expectations associated with Clearinghouse-aligned evidence-based models. For non-Title IV-E agency applicants, this is addressed through documented partnership with the relevant Title IV-E agency.
19) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal awarding agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, supporting implementation, monitoring fidelity, or coordinating evaluation and reporting expectations).
20) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 93.605, under the Income Security and Social Services activity category.
21) How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates up to 10 awards.
22) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $500,000 per award.
23) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 8, 2026.
24) What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is August 7, 2026.
25) What are the biggest "watch outs" that could disqualify an application?
Based on the information provided, major disqualifiers and critical compliance points include:
- Applying as an individual (including a sole proprietorship)
- Applying as a foreign entity
- Failing to select one of the two priority tracks
- If not the Title IV-E agency, failing to include documentation of a formal partnership with the relevant Title IV-E agency for implementation
26) What is the program trying to expand nationally?
It is designed to expand the number of state and tribal child welfare systems operating an evidence-based Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program, thereby increasing access for kin caregivers to supports and benefits that help maintain safe and stable family settings for children.
27) Does the opportunity emphasize fidelity to the chosen evidence-based model?
Yes. The description highlights implementing the Clearinghouse-rated model with fidelity, and (for tribal adaptation) maintaining the core components of the evidence-based model while adapting manuals/materials for tribal alignment.
28) Is "tribal adaptation" treated as optional within a general competition?
No. Tribal adaptation is described as a distinct priority track that is competed separately, signaling it is evaluated as its own approach rather than as a minor add-on to replication.
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