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ClosedOpportunity HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CY-0160

National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program

Administration for Children & Families - ACYF/FYSB · Department of Health and Human Services

At a glance

National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program is a closed federal cooperative agreement opportunity from the Administration for Children & Families - ACYF/FYSB (Department of Health and Human Services). The application deadline was August 19, 2026. Individual awards are listed as $1M – $1.8M, with about 1 award expected and $1.8M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts and 8 more. Cost sharing or matching is required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 93.623 (Basic Center Grant).

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

  1. Jul 21, 2026Posted
  2. Aug 19, 2026Application deadline
  3. Aug 28, 2026 (est.)Est. award date
Posted
Jul 21, 2026
Close date
Aug 19, 2026
Est. award date
Aug 28, 2026
Award floor
$1,000,000
Award ceiling
$1,800,000
Est. total funding
$1,800,000
Expected awards
1
Cost sharing
Required
Funding instrument
Cooperative Agreement
Opportunity category
Discretionary

Who can apply

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public colleges & universities
  • Federally recognized tribal governments
  • Public & Indian housing authorities
  • Native American tribal organizations
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofits
  • Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
  • Private colleges & universities
  • Others (see notice)

Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)

In accordance with section 331 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Act, priority will be given to applicants demonstrating experience in providing communication services to vulnerable youth, youth at-risk, runaway and homeless youth, including telephone, Internet, mobile applications, and other technology-driven services. 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.

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.

​​The Division of Runaway and Homeless Youth will award one cooperative agreement on a competitive basis for a period of three years to operate the National Communication System (NCS) for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. The NCS is a dedicated toll-free, US national communication system that provides information, referral services, crisis intervention, prevention approaches, and other supportive services to vulnerable, at-risk, and runaway and homeless youth, and their families or legal guardians. The purpose of the NCS is to a) prevent youth from running away and becoming homeless, b) link youth with a family member or guardian, and/or an available resource that can provide and/or assist the youth in acquiring needed services, and c) increase prevention education to reduce runaway incidents and youth homelessness.​

Full announcement & documents

The full announcement has the complete rules — page limits, required attachments, evaluation criteria and any letter-of-intent dates. Files download directly from Grants.gov.

Assistance Listing

What is an ALN?

Reported obligations under ALN 93.623

Historical data · not a prediction
FY24$61.7M
FY25$67.8M
FY26$71.6M est.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 93.623. Program-wide totals, not awards from this specific opportunity.

Agency contact (as published)

Administration for Children & Families - ACYF/FYSB
timothy.joyce@acf.hhs.gov
202-690-7110

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program”?

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public colleges & universities, Federally recognized tribal governments, Public & Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, Private colleges & universities and 1 more. Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.

How much funding is available through “National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $1m – $1.8m, total estimated program funding is $1,800,000 and the agency expects to make about 1 awards.

How do I apply for “National Communication System for Runaway and Homeless Youth Program”?

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity HHS-2026-ACF-ACYF-CY-0160), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.

Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.