Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps VISTA Program

The Fiscal Year 2026 AmeriCorps VISTA Request for Concept Paper invites eligible organizations to propose new projects that align with the core principles of the VISTA program—anti-poverty focus, community empowerment, sustainable solutions, and capacity building. Administered by AmeriCorps, a U.S. federal agency dedicated to improving lives through service and volunteering, the VISTA program continues its long-standing mission to alleviate poverty across the nation. This opportunity is not a direct funding award but rather a resource provision program, where selected organizations may receive AmeriCorps VISTA members to support the implementation of their anti-poverty initiatives. Eligible organizations include nonprofit entities, tribal governments, tribal organizations, and state and local government agencies. Applicants do not need to be designated as 501(c)(3); other nonprofit types are acceptable if their mission aligns with anti-poverty work. Proposed projects must be based in the United States or U.S. territories and focus on creating sustainable systems to address poverty. AmeriCorps strongly emphasizes that all projects must be designed with meaningful community input and engagement throughout their planning and implementation phases. Applications must fall within one or more of four key programming areas: Economic Opportunity, Healthy Futures, Education, and Veterans and Military Families. Specific priorities under these themes include housing access, workforce development, food security, health care access, educational attainment for low-income students, and support for veterans experiencing poverty. Additional priority will be given to projects serving rural areas, communities experiencing deep poverty, and Native Nations or tribal communities. The application framework favors those that demonstrate clear alignment with these thematic and population priorities. The application process is structured in two stages. The first step is the submission of a Concept Paper, which serves as a screening tool to determine an organization's eligibility and fit. If the concept paper is approved, applicants are invited to submit a full Project Application that includes detailed narratives, performance measures, and other required documentation. Applications are submitted via the eGrants system. For FY 2026, the concept paper deadline is March 26, 2026. Target decisions will be made in April 2026, and final project awards are expected by July 2026. All applicants must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which is obtained through registration on SAM.gov. Registration with SAM.gov must be active throughout the application process and maintained during the life of the award, should the project be approved. AmeriCorps provides technical assistance and encourages applicants to reach out to their Regional Office for support in project development. A Request for Concept Papers webinar will also be hosted, and participation is encouraged. Organizations selected through this process will receive access to AmeriCorps VISTA members to support their anti-poverty work. These members commit to a year of full-time service, with some opportunities for summer service through the Summer Associate program. Sponsors are responsible for member recruitment, training, supervision, and data reporting. Projects must demonstrate a plan for sustainability beyond the VISTA resource period and will be assessed based on performance measures, capacity building outcomes, and alignment with program priorities.

Ensure project sustainability, involve community in planning, and align with anti-poverty core principles.