Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education

The Title V Competitive Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grant, offered by the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) under the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), aims to support educational projects that encourage youth to voluntarily refrain from non-marital sexual activity. Administered through the Division of Positive Youth Development, this federal opportunity is intended to reach underserved states and territories that did not accept FY 2025 allocations for the Title V State SRAE funding. With a statutory basis in 42 U.S.C. 710, the initiative provides organizations the means to implement medically accurate, culturally and age-appropriate sexual risk avoidance education programs. The grant promotes interventions that emphasize optimal health behavior, discourage high-risk behaviors such as underage drinking and drug use, and foster youth development skills like personal responsibility and goal setting. Programs must serve youth aged 10 to 19 and exclusively focus on sexual risk avoidance education without normalizing sexual activity outside of marriage. The funding prioritizes activities that are evidence-based or evidence-informed and must adhere strictly to six core curriculum areas as defined by the governing legislation. Applicants are limited to local organizations, including faith-based and community groups, located in eligible states and territories such as Alaska, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maine, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, and several Pacific Island territories. Individuals, foreign entities, and applicants outside these areas are not eligible. Organizations may apply as consortia serving multiple eligible territories, with budgets reflecting the cumulative floor and ceiling values accordingly. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the outlined criteria. The program expects to award approximately $3.68 million in FY 2025 across 16 recipients, with award amounts ranging from $13,501 to $450,000 per budget period. Projects will run for a two-year period, divided into two one-year budget phases. Year 2 continuation is contingent on satisfactory performance and compliance with reporting requirements. No matching funds are required. Use of funds is restricted from activities such as construction, major renovations, and abortion-related services or referrals. No more than 20% of the awarded funds may be used for optional local evaluations. Applications are due by July 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov unless a paper exemption is obtained in advance. Applicants must be registered and active in SAM.gov and Grants.gov, which may take several weeks. The expected project start date is September 29, 2025. The application package must include standard forms, a project narrative, budget documentation, and various supporting attachments such as proof of nonprofit status, organizational charts, and any applicable memoranda of understanding. Review criteria include demonstrated need, clarity of objectives and outcomes, the inclusion of positive youth development approaches, cultural and medical appropriateness, sustainability planning, and financial oversight capacity. Up to 100 points are awarded based on these criteria, with up to 45 points dedicated to the implementation approach and timeline. The primary contacts for this opportunity are Chéri Thompson (Program, 202-205-8173) and David Lee (Grants Management, 202-690-5811), both available at fysb.nofo.csrae@acf.hhs.gov.

Begin SAM.gov registration early, follow formatting rules, provide a logic model, and address all narrative components per NOFO instructions.