Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood (TPEC) Program

The Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood (TPEC) Program is a forthcoming initiative administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Aligned with the federal Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities, the TPEC program seeks to address chronic disease prevention from the earliest stages of life. It also aims to enhance child development by embedding early childhood development (ECD) experts into pediatric primary care environments. These efforts are designed to improve the quality, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of pediatric care, particularly for families served by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). At the core of the TPEC model is the integration of ECD professionals into local pediatric practices. These specialists will be responsible for identifying family needs in areas such as mental health, housing, nutrition, and developmental progress. They will work collaboratively with primary care teams to educate caregivers on developmental milestones and to build safe, nurturing relationships between children and caregivers. Another key component is ensuring that families have access to further support through referrals and connections to specialized services. This approach reflects a holistic view of child health, encompassing social determinants and family environments. TPEC funding recipients are expected to deliver a statewide or tribal model for this comprehensive care approach. In addition to direct service delivery, awardees will be responsible for building the capabilities of pediatric primary care staff across their region. This involves disseminating knowledge and practices that ensure consistent, high-quality early childhood developmental services. The program is also designed to impact administrative and financial policy, helping to scale and sustain the team-based care model within pediatric settings. These strategic outcomes aim to raise the overall standard of care for young children in the United States. The program anticipates providing approximately 10 awards, each with an estimated ceiling of $950,000. The total funding pool for this cycle is $9.5 million. TPEC awards will be issued as cooperative agreements, which implies a significant level of involvement from HRSA in project implementation. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations with operations in the United States and its territories. These include tribal entities, higher education institutions, independent school districts, and governmental bodies at all levels. Applications are expected to be due by July 15, 2026, with an anticipated start date for projects of September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. As this opportunity is currently forecasted, the estimated post date is May 15, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements such as Letters of Intent or concept papers noted in the source material. The administering office for this opportunity is the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, specifically the Division of Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems. Inquiries may be directed to the program contact at (301) 443-1440. At this stage, no formal application documents or PDF guidelines have been made available on the listing page. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the Grants.gov page for the official posting and additional documentation upon release.