A Demonstration to Scale Innovative Person-Centered Approaches to Falls Prevention through Clinical-Community Partnerships | HHS 2026 ACL CIP AAFP 0017

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title and identifier of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "A Demonstration to Scale Innovative Person-Centered Approaches to Falls Prevention through Clinical-Community Partnerships." The funding opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL CIP AAFP 0017.

2) Which federal agency is offering this funding?

This opportunity is offered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

3) What is the overall purpose of the grant?

The purpose is to move proven falls prevention strategies from smaller pilots into scalable, real-world systems by connecting healthcare providers with community-based aging services. The emphasis is on demonstrating and evaluating how person-centered, evidence-based falls prevention approaches can be expanded effectively through strong clinical-community partnerships supported by modern data and technology tools.

4) What does "person-centered" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, "person-centered" refers to approaches that are designed around the needs and circumstances of older adults and that support real participation and follow-through (for example, engagement, adherence, home safety actions, or exercise routines), rather than only delivering a standardized program without considering individual barriers and preferences.

5) How is falls prevention connected to chronic disease management in this program?

The announcement explicitly links falls prevention with related chronic disease management efforts, recognizing that fall risk is often tied to broader health conditions, functional status, and care transitions.

6) How many awards does ACL expect to make?

ACL plans to fund one cooperative agreement and expects to make a single award total.

7) What is the project period (duration) for the award?

The project period is three years.

8) What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $4,700,000 for the cooperative agreement.

9) What type of award mechanism is used, and why does it matter?

This is a cooperative agreement. That matters because it indicates an active partnership between ACL and the recipient. The grantee is expected to work closely with ACL on design and implementation, including how demonstrations are set up, what outcomes are tracked, and how scaling decisions are made over time.

10) What will the primary grantee be expected to do beyond running its own project?

The primary grantee is expected to fund up to three demonstration projects, likely through sub-awards, and to manage a multi-site scaling effort that is heavy on partnerships and coordination.

11) How many demonstration projects can be supported through sub-awards?

Up to three demonstration projects are expected to be funded by the primary grantee.

12) Where are the demonstrations expected to take place?

The demonstrations are intended to occur through approximately three advanced community care hubs and their clinical partners and community-based organizations within the aging services network.

13) What is the role of community care hubs in this opportunity?

Community care hubs are positioned as the organizing infrastructure for scaling. They coordinate service delivery across multiple community providers, support care transitions, and help operationalize screening and referral workflows for fall risk.

14) Is the focus only on operating a falls prevention program?

No. The focus is on building repeatable, scalable pathways that connect screening in clinical settings to timely community interventions that older adults can access and stick with. The demonstrations are meant to strengthen the system that connects clinical screening, referrals, service delivery, and outcome measurement.

15) What does ACL mean by "scalability" in this funding announcement?

Scalability is described as taking approaches that have proven effective in smaller pilots and expanding them into real-world systems across multiple sites. The goal is to create repeatable pathways and infrastructure so the work can expand effectively over time.

16) What is "rapid cycle evaluation," and is it required?

Applicants are expected to have the capacity for rapid cycle evaluation, meaning the ability to measure what is happening in near real time, learn quickly what is or is not working, and iteratively adjust implementation to improve impact as interventions expand.

17) Does the opportunity emphasize evaluation only at the end of the project?

No. The emphasis is on practical, implementation-focused evaluation that supports continuous improvement while programs are scaling, not evaluation only at the end.

18) What role do data systems and technology play in the proposed work?

Technology and data infrastructure are central. The expectation is that demonstrations may use tools such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, assistive technology, and virtual delivery models, along with systems that track referrals, engagement, outcomes, and coordination across partners.

19) What kinds of technology-enabled supports are mentioned for participants (consumers)?

The description mentions tools that support consumer behavior, including tools that encourage participation and adherence, promote home safety actions, or support exercise routines.

20) What kinds of operational workflows are expected to be strengthened?

The work aims to reduce friction and improve the "connective tissue" between clinical screening, community referrals, service delivery, and outcome measurement. This includes improving screening and referral workflows for fall risk across clinical and community partners.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education.

22) Are faith-based and community organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based and community organizations are explicitly noted as eligible if they meet the standard requirements.

23) Are foreign entities eligible to apply?

No. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply for or receive awards under this announcement.

24) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.048.

25) What type of funding opportunity is this described as?

It is described as a discretionary health-related funding opportunity offered by ACL.

26) When was the opportunity posted and when is the application due?

The posting/creation date is 2026-06-26. The original application closing date is 2026-07-27.

27) What kind of organization does ACL appear to be looking for as the lead applicant?

ACL is aiming to select one capable lead organization that can manage a multi-site scaling effort, distribute and oversee sub-awards to up to three demonstration hubs, collaborate closely with ACL under a cooperative agreement, and generate credible evidence about what it takes to expand person-centered falls prevention and related chronic disease management interventions through integrated clinical and community delivery systems.