Scaling Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), number HHS-2026-ACL-AOA-FPSG-0004, issued by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Administration on Aging (AOA), announces the availability of approximately $15.5 million in cooperative agreements to scale evidence-based falls prevention programs. The initiative aims to expand the in-person Stepping On program integrated with the CDC’s STEADI clinical intervention across states. This effort aligns with HHS’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, focusing on empowering older adults, reducing clinical dependence, and building community-level health promotion infrastructure. The three-year program intends to award approximately eight cooperative agreements, with first-year funding ranging from $600,000 to $740,162 per applicant. Eligible applicants include State Units on Aging, public or private non-profit entities, tribal governments, faith-based organizations, and community-based health providers. A primary goal of this grant is to increase statewide participation in falls prevention initiatives, specifically targeting adults aged 60–70, who must make up at least 50% of the program's participants. Programs must prioritize older adults with the greatest social and economic needs, though adults under 60 with disabilities may also be served. Key program components require establishing formal bi-directional referral partnerships between clinical providers and community organizations, incorporating technology-enabled tracking tools, elevating public awareness, and ensuring all project deliverables strictly comply with federal Section 508 accessibility standards. Applications are due by July 29, 2026, with projects expected to commence on September 30, 2026.