The FY 2026 CN Technology Innovation Grant for Child and Adult Care Food Program Integrity (TIG-CACFP) provides competitive grants to State agencies to strengthen the integrity of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through modernized information technology solutions. Administered by the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this grant opportunity supports the design and implementation of IT systems that improve program operations, enhance accountability, and drive lasting improvements in CACFP integrity.

Overview

The TIG-CACFP is authorized under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4). The program invests grant funds to strengthen CACFP integrity and ensure that eligible children and adults receiving care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers receive the full benefit of the program. Recent high-profile fraud cases have demonstrated the need for stronger safeguards to restore and maintain public confidence in CACFP. FNA is committed to supporting State agency efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse through this initiative.

State agencies administering CACFP maintain automated systems at the State level that rely on operational data from local levels, including program applications, eligibility certifications, verification, meal counting and claiming, menu planning, program monitoring, and program reporting. Many local agencies use multiple software systems or manual methods, creating duplication of effort, increasing the risk of errors, and reducing visibility for monitoring purposes. The TIG-CACFP can be used to bridge such gaps by modernizing automation and minimizing risk of fraud, waste, and abuse.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $8,700,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 10
• Award Minimum: $100,000
• Award Maximum: $2,000,000
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FNA-CN-TIG-2026

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: State governments. In FY 2026, 57 State agencies administering CACFP are eligible to apply. The term "State agency" means the State educational agency or any other agency of the State designated by the Governor or other appropriate executive or legislative authority and approved by USDA to administer CACFP. In States with more than one State agency, the CACFP agency must be the primary applicant and will be responsible for submitting an application and meeting grant requirements if awarded. Entities that do not meet the eligibility definition will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration.

Research Areas and Activities

The program objective is to strengthen CACFP integrity by developing, implementing, and improving information technology systems used to operate and manage the program. Examples of activities that may be supported include:

• Enhancing automated edit checks to validate data accuracy and consistency across program applications, meal claims, and monitoring reports
• Developing seamless interfaces connecting Sponsoring Organizations (SOs) systems with State systems
• Improving State and SO systems to better comply with USDA/FNA, State, and local requirements through automated compliance checks, standardized reporting formats, and real-time validation tools
• Providing sub-grants to SOs for software to implement automated electronic systems for CACFP
• Enhancing systems to upload documentation for applications and reimbursement claims, bank records, support disaggregated data, review meal claim forms electronically, improve edit checks, and improve record keeping
• Creating a virtual statewide training system where the State agency provides SOs and sites access to program modules
• Expanding existing State systems to allow routine monthly collection, maintenance, and analysis of facility-level CACFP participation and meal claim records

System planning activities such as current IT systems evaluations, feasibility studies, hiring project managers, and stakeholder consultation are allowed, but the focus of the project should be on implementing an innovative technology solution. Planning-focused projects will not receive full scores. Routine maintenance and ongoing operations activities are not allowable costs.

Grantees are required to deliver a final project overview presentation virtually, to be shared nationwide and potentially posted on CN PartnerWeb.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants should review the Request for Applications (RFA) thoroughly to ensure full understanding of the updated requirements and procedures. Proposed activities should be clearly aligned to the program objective, and grantees will be required to report on progress using the FNA-908 Performance Progress Report.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 31, 2026
• Posted Date: June 25, 2026
• Archive Date: August 30, 2026

Contact Information

Grant Officer: Carla Garcia
Email: carla.garcia@fns.usda.gov