National Resource Center for Women and Retirement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living, has forecasted a discretionary funding opportunity for fiscal year 2026 titled National Resource Center for Women and Retirement. This initiative is authorized under Section 216 of the Older Americans Act and is structured as a cooperative agreement. The purpose of the award is to support the development and administration of the National Resource Center on Women and Retirement. The program aims to provide financial literacy tools and resources designed to prevent financial exploitation, particularly for women approaching or in retirement. The National Resource Center for Women and Retirement will be responsible for delivering user-friendly consumer information, producing public educational materials, and conducting targeted outreach. In addition, the grantee will be tasked with fostering collaborations and partnerships with state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other relevant public bodies. Technical assistance is also a key element of the program’s scope, ensuring that partner agencies and organizations have the support necessary to extend program impact at the community level. The grantee will be expected to provide annual reports summarizing outreach activities and program results. Funding for the program will be distributed through up to four awards, with a total program funding pool of $250,000. Individual awards will range between $239,000 and $250,000, with a required cost-sharing or matching component. Applicants should note that foreign entities are not eligible to participate. However, eligibility remains open to all other qualified organizations within the United States, including faith-based and community organizations that meet the outlined requirements. This ensures that a broad range of organizations may contribute to strengthening retirement security and financial literacy for women nationwide. Applications are expected to open on January 6, 2026, with a submission deadline of March 9, 2026. Award announcements are projected for June 15, 2026, and successful applicants will begin project activities on July 1, 2026. The grant has been forecasted as of September 5, 2025, and will follow a recurring cycle aligned with federal funding for special programs for the aging. The opportunity falls under Assistance Listing 93.048, Special Programs for the Aging, Title IV, and Title II, Discretionary Projects, which underscores its alignment with national goals for income security and social services. Applicants should prepare to demonstrate both organizational capacity and a strong understanding of the issues facing women in retirement. Submissions will be evaluated based on their ability to provide outreach, education, and technical support effectively. Because this program requires cost-sharing, applicants should be ready to provide clear documentation of matching funds and to demonstrate sustainability of activities beyond the federal award period. The application process is managed through Grants.gov, and applicants must ensure all standard federal registrations are completed prior to submission. For further information, interested parties may contact the designated program officer, Kari Benson, at 202-401-4634. Additional updates and guidance will be made available through the Administration for Community Living’s official grant opportunities page at https://acl.gov/grants/open-opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to monitor this site for the official Notice of Funding Opportunity, which will provide complete application instructions and evaluation criteria. As a forecasted opportunity, applicants should begin preparations early to ensure readiness when the official announcement is posted.