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Grants / Social services

Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant

Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services

Deadline
November 20, 2026Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed…
Award size
$500,000 to $15 millionAbout 25 awards
Matching funds
RequiredYou must contribute some of the cost
Fit for small groups
Better for larger organizations

In plain language

This grant helps states and territories improve early care and education systems by investing in technology and data tools. It supports better coordination, quality, and access for children from birth to age five. The money can be used for technology and data infrastructure.

The money can pay for

  • Technology for early care and education systems
  • Data tools to improve decision-making
  • Improving access to early care and education
  • Strengthening coordination across programs

Who can apply

Only state governments and some other entities are eligible to apply.

Is it a fit for a small group?

Better for larger organizations. This grant is only for state governments and specific other entities, not for small community nonprofits.

Before you apply

  • Matching funds are required
  • Only specific states and territories are eligible
  • Applications from individuals or foreign entities are not allowed
  • Federal applicants need an active registration at SAM.gov and a Grants.gov account. Registration can take several weeks, so start early.

This summary was written by GrantGather with AI, based on the official listing. It can contain mistakes. Check the official listing on Grants.gov before you apply.

From the official listing

This NOFO is modified. The webinar link was changed and the ECD website address changed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), seeks applications for the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant: Strategic Measurement, Analytics, and Results using Technology. This funding opportunity will support states and territories to make targeted, one-year investments in statewide early care and education (ECE) technology and analytic data infrastructure that advance PDG B-5 purposes, including strengthening coordination across the mixed-delivery system, improving program quality and access, supporting informed family choice, and using data to better understand and address the needs of children from birth through age five. Applicants will propose a focused, feasible investment that strengthens the state's…

Read the full description

This NOFO is modified. The webinar link was changed and the ECD website address changed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), seeks applications for the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant: Strategic Measurement, Analytics, and Results using Technology. This funding opportunity will support states and territories to make targeted, one-year investments in statewide early care and education (ECE) technology and analytic data infrastructure that advance PDG B-5 purposes, including strengthening coordination across the mixed-delivery system, improving program quality and access, supporting informed family choice, and using data to better understand and address the needs of children from birth through age five. Applicants will propose a focused, feasible investment that strengthens the state's ability to generate actionable information for decision-making and produces a measurable result by the end of the project period.

Opportunity number
HHS-2026-ACF-ECD-TP-0039
Posted
September 21, 2026
Total funding
$224 million
Eligible applicants
State governments
Others (see eligibility details)
Eligibility details
Specific states and territories are eligible and will be identified in the NOFO. 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.
Assistance listing
93.434 Every Student Succeeds Act/Preschool Development Grants
Agency contact
Administration for Children and Families
Richard.Gonzales@acf.hhs.gov
202-690-5840
Open the official listing on Grants.gov

Nonprofits are eligible here through the “Others” category. Read the eligibility details carefully.