​​FY 2026 Basic Center Program​
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The Administration for Children & Families, under the Family and Youth Services Bureau, is offering the Fiscal Year 2026 Basic Center Program grant to establish and strengthen community-based projects for runaway and homeless youth. Awarded organizations must provide emergency shelter for up to 21 days, food, clothing, individual and family counseling, comprehensive case management, and three months of post-shelter aftercare services to youth under the age of 18. Projects are required to utilize Positive Youth Development and trauma-informed care frameworks, conduct universal human trafficking screening, and establish formal partnerships with local law enforcement. Eligible public and nonprofit private agencies must provide a 10 percent non-federal cost match, and applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by August 17, 2026, for awards ranging from $100,000 to $350,000.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include public and non-profit private agencies and coordinated networks of such entities. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Private institutions of higher education must be non-profit entities. In selecting applicants to receive grants under this funding announcement, priority will be given to public and non-profit, private agencies that have experience in providing services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. 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. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.