Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CY 0016
The FY 2026 Basic Center Program (BCP) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). Its purpose is to support community-based efforts that provide short-term, emergency shelter and supportive services for runaway and homeless youth under age 18. The program targets young people who have left home without parental permission, have been forced to leave, or are otherwise experiencing homelessness and are at risk of involvement with law enforcement or deeper entry into child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems.
BCP-funded projects are designed to meet immediate basic needs while also stabilizing a youth's situation and improving safety. Core services include temporary shelter for up to 21 days, food and clothing, crisis intervention and counseling, and referrals for health care and other needed supports. A central program goal is family reunification whenever it is safe and feasible. When reunification is not appropriate, the program emphasizes helping the youth connect to suitable alternative placements and longer-term supports. In practice, this means shelters and service providers are expected to combine urgent, practical assistance with active case management and counseling that can move a youth out of crisis quickly and into a safer, more stable environment.
Eligible applicants are limited to public and nonprofit entities, including coordinated networks of such organizations. This includes state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status). Private institutions of higher education may apply only if they are nonprofit. For-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible. Applications from individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not allowed and will be disqualified, and foreign entities are also ineligible. Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements.
In making award decisions, the funding announcement indicates a priority for public and nonprofit private agencies that already have experience serving runaway, homeless, and street youth. That emphasis signals that applicants should be prepared to demonstrate a track record of effective youth-centered services, strong community partnerships, and the operational capacity to deliver 24/7 crisis shelter and supportive programming consistent with BCP expectations.
The opportunity is listed as HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CY 0016 under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 93.623, with an application deadline of August 17, 2026. The award ceiling is $350,000, and the agency expects to make about 77 awards. Overall, the program funds organizations that can provide safe, short-term shelter and counseling while working quickly toward family reunification when possible or other appropriate, stable arrangements when it is not.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CY 0016
- The Administration for Children Families - ACYF/FYSB in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 Basic Center Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.623.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-23.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 77 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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FY 2026 Basic Center Program (BCP) Grant FAQs
What is the FY 2026 Basic Center Program (BCP)?
The FY 2026 Basic Center Program (BCP) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) and the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). It supports community-based projects that provide short-term, emergency shelter and supportive services for runaway and homeless youth.
What is the purpose of the BCP grant?
The purpose of BCP is to support local efforts that meet immediate basic needs and improve safety for runaway and homeless youth under age 18. The program is designed to stabilize a youth's situation and help move them out of crisis quickly and into a safer, more stable environment.
Who is the target population served by BCP-funded projects?
BCP focuses on runaway and homeless youth under age 18, including young people who have left home without parental permission, have been forced to leave, or are otherwise experiencing homelessness. It also targets youth at risk of involvement with law enforcement or deeper entry into child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems.
What types of services are BCP-funded projects expected to provide?
BCP-funded projects are expected to provide short-term, emergency shelter and supportive services that address immediate needs and promote stabilization and safety. Core services include temporary shelter, food and clothing, crisis intervention and counseling, and referrals for health care and other needed supports.
How long can a youth stay in a BCP-funded shelter?
BCP includes temporary shelter for up to 21 days.
Does BCP require counseling and case management, or is it only shelter?
BCP is not only shelter. Projects are expected to combine urgent, practical assistance with active case management and counseling to help a youth move out of crisis and into a safer, more stable situation.
Is family reunification a required goal of the program?
A central program goal is family reunification whenever it is safe and feasible.
What happens when family reunification is not safe or feasible?
When reunification is not appropriate, BCP emphasizes helping the youth connect to suitable alternative placements and longer-term supports.
Which federal agencies and offices are associated with this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by ACF, within ACYF and FYSB.
Who is eligible to apply for the FY 2026 BCP grant?
Eligible applicants are limited to public and nonprofit entities, including coordinated networks of such organizations. Eligible applicant types include various levels of government and public entities, certain educational institutions, tribal entities, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status).
Are state, county, and city governments eligible to apply?
Yes. State, county, and city or township governments are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are special district governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Special district governments are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are school districts eligible to apply?
Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are colleges and universities eligible to apply?
Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are eligible. Private institutions of higher education may apply only if they are nonprofit.
Are federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicant types.
Are public housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicant types.
Do nonprofit organizations need to have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible?
No. Nonprofit organizations are eligible with or without 501(c)(3) status, based on the eligibility information provided.
Are faith-based organizations eligible to apply?
Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. For-profit organizations are explicitly ineligible.
Can an individual apply (including a sole proprietor)?
No. Applications from individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not allowed and will be disqualified.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are ineligible.
Does the funding announcement indicate any applicant priorities?
Yes. The announcement indicates a priority for public and nonprofit private agencies that already have experience serving runaway, homeless, and street youth.
What does the priority for experienced agencies suggest applicants should be ready to show?
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate a track record of effective youth-centered services, strong community partnerships, and the operational capacity to deliver 24/7 crisis shelter and supportive programming consistent with BCP expectations.
What is the opportunity number and Assistance Listing (CFDA) for this program?
The opportunity is listed as HHS 2026 ACF ACYF CY 0016 under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 93.623.
What is the application deadline for the FY 2026 BCP grant?
The application deadline is August 17, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?
The award ceiling is $350,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency expects to make about 77 awards.
What kinds of outcomes is BCP intended to support?
BCP is intended to support immediate safety and stabilization for youth through short-term shelter and supportive services, while working quickly toward family reunification when possible or other appropriate, stable arrangements when reunification is not appropriate.
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