Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023
The Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the Administration on Disabilities (AoD), is offering a single discretionary cooperative agreement to build and test sustainable peer support models for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), as well as people who could benefit from AAC, across the full lifespan. The focus is on creating practical, lasting peer-based supports that help individuals with speech disabilities, including many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), access community services and individualized assistance in ways that strengthen self-determination, independence, productivity, and full community inclusion.
This opportunity is structured as a 3-year cooperative agreement, meaning the federal agency expects an active partnership role with the awardee rather than a hands-off grant relationship. The project is expected to intentionally include and engage a broad mix of partners and participants, including individuals who use AAC, nonprofit community-based service provider organizations, self-advocacy organizations, youth and adults with I/DD, families, and other members of an individual’s support system. In other words, the work is not meant to be designed only by professionals; it is meant to be built with AAC users and their communities at the center.
The program is responding to a large, well-defined need: an estimated five million people in the United States experience speech disabilities, and many either rely on AAC now or could benefit from AAC tools, strategies, and supports. A core aim is to reduce the real-world barriers that can prevent AAC users from participating fully in community life. That includes barriers to getting services, being understood and taken seriously in service settings, learning about AAC options, building confidence using AAC in different environments, and navigating the social and practical challenges that come with communication differences.
A key expected outcome is the creation of a safe, supportive community space where people who use or need AAC can connect with peers to share both positive and negative experiences. The peer model is intended to increase knowledge, practical use, and overall awareness of AAC, helping people find communication approaches that match their interests and preferences rather than forcing one-size-fits-all solutions. The long-term vision is that peer support will make AAC use more sustainable in everyday life and will strengthen the ability of people with speech disabilities to lead self-directed lives.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed as “Peer Supports for Augmentative and Alternative Communication,” Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023, within the Income Security and Social Services activity category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.631). ACL expects to make one award total. The award ceiling is $775,000 for the project, and the original application closing date is July 22, 2026. Eligibility is broadly framed as “Others,” and faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive an award under this announcement.
Overall, this funding opportunity is centered on building peer-driven infrastructure around AAC: connecting people, sharing strategies and lived experience, strengthening supports around individuals (including families and service systems), and making sure AAC users can more consistently access the services and community participation that lead to independence and inclusion.Apply for HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023
- The Administration for Community Living in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Peer Supports for Augmentative and Alternative Communication" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.631.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-22. (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 $775,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Peer Supports for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)".
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This funding is offered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), through the Administration on Disabilities (AoD).
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The main goal is to build and test sustainable peer support models for people who use AAC, as well as people who could benefit from AAC, across the full lifespan. The emphasis is on practical, lasting, peer-based supports that strengthen self-determination, independence, productivity, and full community inclusion for people with speech disabilities.
Who is this project intended to benefit?
The project is intended to benefit people with speech disabilities, including many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), who use AAC or could benefit from AAC tools, strategies, and supports.
Does the project focus only on a certain age group?
No. The opportunity explicitly covers the full lifespan, meaning it is intended to include people who use or need AAC at different ages (youth through older adulthood).
What kind of award is being offered (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This is a discretionary cooperative agreement, not a standard hands-off grant.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means the federal agency expects an active partnership role with the awardee during the project period, rather than a more distant relationship.
How long is the project period?
The project is expected to run for 3 years.
How many awards does ACL expect to make?
ACL expects to make one award total under this announcement.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $775,000 for the project.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2026 ACL AOD DNSA 0023.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 93.631.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
It is listed under the Income Security and Social Services activity category.
When is the application due?
The original application closing date is July 22, 2026.
Who can apply for this funding?
Eligibility is broadly framed as "Others". The announcement also notes that faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet all eligibility requirements.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive an award under this announcement.
What kinds of partners and participants are expected to be involved?
The project is expected to intentionally include and engage a broad mix of partners and participants, including:
- Individuals who use AAC
- Nonprofit community-based service provider organizations
- Self-advocacy organizations
- Youth and adults with I/DD
- Families
- Other members of an individual's support system
Is this project supposed to be designed primarily by professionals?
No. The description emphasizes that the work is not meant to be designed only by professionals. It is meant to be built with AAC users and their communities at the center.
What need is this program responding to?
The program is responding to a large, well-defined need: an estimated five million people in the United States experience speech disabilities, and many either rely on AAC now or could benefit from AAC.
What barriers is the project trying to address for AAC users?
The opportunity highlights real-world barriers that can prevent AAC users from fully participating in community life, including barriers related to:
- Getting access to services
- Being understood and taken seriously in service settings
- Learning about AAC options
- Building confidence using AAC in different environments
- Navigating social and practical challenges connected to communication differences
What is a key expected outcome of the project?
A key expected outcome is the creation of a safe, supportive community space where people who use or need AAC can connect with peers and share both positive and negative experiences.
How is "peer support" expected to help AAC users in this program?
The peer model is intended to increase knowledge, practical use, and overall awareness of AAC. It also aims to help people find communication approaches that match their interests and preferences, rather than pushing one-size-fits-all solutions.
What is the long-term vision for the peer support models?
The long-term vision is that peer support will make AAC use more sustainable in everyday life and strengthen the ability of people with speech disabilities to lead more self-directed lives.
What is meant by "peer-driven infrastructure around AAC" in this opportunity?
In this context, peer-driven infrastructure refers to building supports that are organized around lived experience and connection between peers. The opportunity describes this as connecting people, sharing strategies and lived experience, strengthening supports around individuals (including families and service systems), and improving consistent access to services and community participation.
Does the opportunity include people who do not currently use AAC but could benefit from it?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes people who use AAC and people who could benefit from AAC.
Is the program focused on community inclusion?
Yes. A central emphasis is helping AAC users access community services and individualized assistance in ways that strengthen full community inclusion, along with independence, productivity, and self-determination.
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