OpenFederal grantHHS-2026-ACF-ECD-TP-0039

Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant

Administration for Children and FamiliesCloses Nov 20, 2026(38 days left)$500,000 – $15,000,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a federal grant for state governments and territories to build one-year early childhood data and technology infrastructure, with awards from $500,000 to $15,000,000 and cost sharing required. Small businesses, sole proprietors, and nonprofits should not bother applying: only specific states and territories named in the NOFO are eligible, and individuals and foreign entities are explicitly disqualified.

Best for
State governments, US territories, State early childhood agencies building statewide ECE data and technology systems
Not for
Small businesses and for-profit companies, Nonprofits, Individuals and sole proprietorships, Foreign entities
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Technology, Data systems, Planning, Technical assistance
Who can apply
State and local governments
Award range
$500,000 – $15,000,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
November 20, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $500,000 to $15,000,000. The total program funding is $224,000,000, with about 25 awards expected.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only specific states and territories identified in the NOFO can apply. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities are ineligible and will be disqualified.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review and funding.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. This program does not accept nonprofit applicants; only specific states and territories identified in the NOFO are eligible.

Summary

One-year grants to states and territories for targeted investments in statewide early care and education technology and data infrastructure to improve coordination, quality, access, and data-driven decision-making for children birth through five. Individuals and foreign entities are ineligible.

About this grant

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), seeks applications for the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) SMART Grant: Strategic Measurement, Analytics, and Results using Technology. This funding opportunity will support states and territories to make targeted, one-year investments in statewide early care and education (ECE) technology and analytic data infrastructure that advance PDG B-5 purposes, including strengthening coordination across the mixed-delivery system, improving program quality and access, supporting informed family choice, and using data to better understand and address the needs of children from birth through age five. Applicants will propose a focused, feasible investment that strengthens the state's ability to generate actionable information for decision-making and produces a measurable result by the end of the project period.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Specific states and territories are eligible and will be identified in the NOFO. 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.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Education
  • Technology
  • Early childhood

Program contact

Administration for Children and FamiliesRichard.Gonzales@acf.hhs.gov202-690-5840

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