NCA: ACL Innovation Lab

Overview

_NOTE: Letter of Interest is required. Once you submit your LOI, you will receive an email notification that it has been received, and you are able to proceed to completing the full application._

National Council on Aging

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) delivers the resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy our nation needs to ensure that every person can age with health and economic well-being.

Vision

A just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security

Mission

Improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling

ACL Innovation Lab

Falls among older adults are common, costly, and deadly. Significant strides have been made in disseminating evidence-based falls prevention programs to reduce falls risk. But these efforts are not reaching or relevant for all populations and communities.

Recognizing these gaps, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Innovation Lab examined literature about evidence-based falls prevention programs and identified their key components, activities, or approaches that are associated with reduced falls risks among older adults.

This funding opportunity will award grants to up to 18 community-based organizations to test the identified falls prevention components, demonstrating if and how these activities and approaches offer flexible, adaptable, and relevant options for older adult falls prevention. Rooted in evidence and driven by community need, all projects will be developed by communities, for communities.

Project Goal

The goal of this funding opportunity is to test the implementation of falls prevention activities identified by the ACL Innovation Lab and demonstrate if and how this approach is feasible, acceptable, and offers flexible, adaptable, and relevant options to address communities’ falls prevention needs.

The award will fund up to 18 community-based organizations to:

* Select and offer community-driven falls prevention activities identified by the ACL Innovation Lab to older adults, especially those with the greatest risk of falls, and those with the greatest economic and social needs
* Document how they integrate the falls prevention activities into their existing aging and/or health promotion/disease prevention-related efforts and deliver them in their communities
* Measure the extent to which the activities are effective at reducing the risk of falls and/or other fall-related outcomes in their communities

Eligibility

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Application Details

2025 ACL Innovation Lab Funding Opportunity
Request for Proposals
I. Background
Falls among older adults are common, costly, and often fatal. Roughly 36 million falls occur
across the nation each year, and they frequently negatively impact older adults’ health,
independence, and overall well-being. Over the last two decades, significant strides have been
made in increasing awareness about falls and access to evidence-based programs to prevent
falls and reduce falls risk. However, current efforts and evidence-based falls prevention
programs are not reaching or relevant for all populations and communities.
Recognizing these gaps, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Innovation Lab recently
examined literature about evidence-based falls prevention programs and identified components
of this existing suite of programs that are associated with reduced falls risks among older adults.
These components, or activities and approaches, may provide a more flexible, adaptable,
sustainable, and relevant pathway for organizations to integrate and sustain falls prevention
within their community, contexts, and existing services (see Appendices A and B for more
background on falls prevention in the aging network and the component identification process).
This funding opportunity is intended to support projects that test and demonstrate the
implementation of the falls prevention activities identified by the ACL Innovation Lab. Although
these projects are intended to build upon existing organizational and community supports for
older adults, grant funds cannot be used for the delivery or adaptation of evidence-based falls
prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-based health promotion, such as
programs listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool (see
Appendix I for more on adaptation). Rather, this funding must be dedicated to testing and
demonstrating the implementation of the falls prevention activities identified by the ACL
Innovation Lab, separately from the historical implementation of evidence-based falls prevention
programs.
II. Project Goal and Activities
Project Goal
The goal of this funding opportunity is to test the implementation of falls prevention activities
identified by the ACL Innovation Lab and demonstrate if and how this approach is feasible,
acceptable, and offers flexible, adaptable, and relevant options to address communities’ falls
prevention needs.
The award will fund up to 18 community-based organizations to:
a) Select and offer community-driven falls prevention activities identified by the ACL
Innovation Lab to older adults, especially those with the greatest risk of falls, and those
with the greatest economic and social needs;
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b) Document how they integrate the falls prevention activities into their existing aging and/or
health promotion/disease prevention-related efforts and deliver them in their
communities; and
c) Measure the extent to which the activities are effective at reducing the risk of falls and/or
other fall-related outcomes in their communities.
Project Activities
• Select at least 2 falls prevention activities from the ‘menu’ provided (see Appendix C) to
implement in your community. Selected activities should address your community’s
needs and complement, but not duplicate, your organization’s existing falls prevention-
related efforts (if any).
Your selected activities must be independent of evidence-based falls prevention
programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-based health promotion, such as
programs listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program
Tool. Therefore, selected activities cannot be added to or implemented in conjunction
with evidence-based falls prevention programs.
• Deliver falls prevention activities to older adults, especially those with the risk of falls
and the greatest economic and social needs (see Appendix H). This may include the
populations that you currently serve or new populations you plan to engage as part of
this project. Participants must not have participated in an evidence-based falls
prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls prevention activities
and should be advised not to participate in an evidence-based falls prevention program
such as those listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program
Tool until after they have completed this project’s final data collection.
• Engage the community in decisions and activities throughout the project to ensure your
efforts reflect the community’s needs, interests, values, and preferences. This should
include the formation or involvement of an existing Community Advisory Board or similar
group/committee, shared decision making, and consistent communication with the
community on progress and findings. Key community representatives/partners should be
involved in the development of your application submission for this funding opportunity.
• Obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval through the Innovation Lab’s IRB of
record. Tribal organizations applying for this funding opportunity may work with their
Tribal IRB, Indian Health Service (IHS) IRB, university IRB, or other IRB of their choice
and must obtain applicable Tribal authority approvals. Technical assistance will be
provided to support grantees’ IRB-related efforts (see Appendix J for considerations for
Tribal organizations).
• Collect and report a limited amount of de-identified data about: a) the people who
participate in the falls prevention activities; and b) how the activities are being
conducted, delivered, and the extent to which they are associated with reducing fall-
related risks (see Section XI. Reporting Requirements for more information on data
collection and reporting).
• Participate in technical assistance offerings to support your work and address any
challenges that you encounter during the project period.
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III. Award Information
A. Total Award Amount: $250,000-$290,000
B. Number of Awards: Up to 18 awards
C. Length of Project Period: Two years
D. Key Dates
• Letter of Interest Deadline: February 10, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
• Application Deadline: March 21, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
• Notification of Awards: May 15, 2025
• Award Start Date: June 1, 2025
E. Informational Webinar (optional): Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 pm
Eastern Time.
• This webinar will review the Request for Proposals (RFP), how to apply, and
question and answer (if time allows).
• To register, visit:
https://ncoa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__MzjXkJfQVmGTggU2bIPhg
F. Office Hours session (optional): Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 pm
Eastern Time.
• This session is dedicated to answering applicant questions.
• To register, visit:
https://ncoa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eYj5K_g3RMuNsGBkds702A
The informational webinar and office hours session will both be recorded and made available on
the funding opportunity webpage. Questions asked during the webinar and office hours will be
added to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the webpage.
Please email healthyaging@ncoa.org with any questions regarding this funding opportunity.
IV. Eligibility Information
Entities eligible to apply for this funding opportunity include domestic public or private non-profit
entities including:
• 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
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, independent school districts,
private institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• State governments
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• Special district governments
• County, city, or township governments
• Faith-based organizations
• Community organizations
Individuals, for-profit organizations, and foreign entities are not eligible for this funding
opportunity. If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact healthyaging@ncoa.org.
V. How to Apply
This funding opportunity has two parts:
1. Part 1 Letter of Interest
2. Part 2 Application
PART 1: LETTER OF INTEREST
All applicants must electronically submit a Letter of Interest via the application portal between
January 16 and February 10, 2025. The Letter of Interest is required and must be completed to
access the Application. Please note that responses to the Letters of Interest will be used to
support the implementation of this funding opportunity. No feedback will be provided.
When you first enter the application portal, you will be asked to create a user profile. After you
create your profile, you will be asked to submit a Letter of Interest.
The section below outlines the information that will be requested as part of the Letter of Interest.
Please email healthyaging@ncoa.org with any questions regarding your Letter of Interest or
Application submission.
Letter of Interest
A. Applicant Description
1. Provide your organization’s name; geographic location; service area; mission, vision,
and/or goals. (Maximum word count: 100)
2. Describe any population(s) and/or community(ies) of older adults with the greatest
economic and social needs that your organization serves, including the size of the
population/community or number of people served. (Maximum word count: 150)
• Greatest economic need, as stipulated in the Older Americans Act, means the
need resulting from an income level at or below the Federal poverty level and as
further defined by State and area plans based on local and individual factors,
including geography and expenses. Greatest social need, as described in the
Older Americans Act, means the need caused by noneconomic factors, which
include:
A. Physical and mental disabilities
B. Language barriers
C. Cultural, social, or geographical isolation, including due to:
i. Racial or ethnic status
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ii. Native American identity
iii. Religious affiliation
iv. Sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics
v. HIV status
vi. Chronic conditions
vii. Housing instability, food insecurity, lack of access to reliable and
clean water supply, lack of transportation, or utility assistance
needs
viii. Interpersonal safety concerns
ix. Rural location
x. Or any other status that:
1. Restricts the ability of an individual to perform normal or
routine daily tasks; or
2. Threatens the capacity of the individual to live
independently; or
D. Other needs as further defined by State and area plans based on local
and individual factors.
See Appendix H for more information on populations of the greatest social and
economic needs.
3. Describe the services/programs your organization offers and your organization’s
experience delivering health promotion/disease prevention/injury prevention, aging,
and/or falls prevention programs, services, or strategies. (Maximum word count: 200)
4. Describe your organization’s experience with program and participant data collection
and/or research-related activities (if any) (Note: research experience is not required, and
technical assistance will be provided to awardees to support their data collection and
research-related activities). (Maximum word count: 200)
B. Proposed Project
1. Select at least two (2) falls prevention activities you propose to implement from the three
categories below (see Appendix C for the menu of options in each category):
• Category 1: Physical Activity
• Category 2: Home Modification and Assistive Devices
• Category 3: Education and Behavior Change
Activities may be selected from the same category or across multiple categories;
however, you must select at least one (1) activity from Category 1: Physical Activity or
Category 2: Home Modification and Assistive Devices.
The quantity of activities selected will not be considered in the scoring of applications.
Selection Guidelines:
• Selected activities must not duplicate your existing falls prevention-related efforts
• Selected activities must not be added to, or implemented in conjunction with,
evidence-based falls prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-
based health promotion, such as programs listed in the National Council on Aging
(NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool
• Participants of your selected activities must not have participated in an evidence-
based falls prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls
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prevention activities. In addition, participants should be advised not to participate in
an evidence-based falls prevention program such as those listed in the National
Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool until after they have
completed this project’s final data collection
2. Describe any population(s) and/or community(ies) of older adults with the greatest
economic and social needs that you aim to reach in this project. (Maximum word count: 200)
• Greatest economic need, as stipulated in the Older Americans Act, means the
need resulting from an income level at or below the Federal poverty level and as
further defined by State and area plans based on local and individual factors,
including geography and expenses. Greatest social need, as described in the
Older Americans Act, means the need caused by noneconomic factors, which
include:
E. Physical and mental disabilities
F. Language barriers
G. Cultural, social, or geographical isolation, including due to:
i. Racial or ethnic status
ii. Native American identity
iii. Religious affiliation
iv. Sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics
v. HIV status
vi. Chronic conditions
vii. Housing instability, food insecurity, lack of access to reliable and
clean water supply, lack of transportation, or utility assistance
needs
viii. Interpersonal safety concerns
ix. Rural location
x. Or any other status that:
1. Restricts the ability of an individual to perform normal or
routine daily tasks; or
2. Threatens the capacity of the individual to live
independently; or
H. Other needs as further defined by State and area plans based on local
and individual factors.
See Appendix H for more information on populations of the greatest social and economic
needs.
3. Explain a) why you are applying for this funding opportunity, including the challenges,
gaps, and/or needs you aim to address related to infrastructure, service delivery,
coordination, and other related issues; and b) what you aim to achieve with this support.
(Maximum word count: 300)
4. Describe how you might integrate your selected falls prevention activities into your
existing aging and/or health promotion/disease prevention related efforts. Please note
that your falls prevention activities must not be added to or implemented in conjunction
with evidence-based falls prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-
based health promotion, such as programs listed in the National Council on Aging
(NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool. (Maximum word count: 300)
5. List the key partners you plan to engage in this work and briefly describe their anticipated
roles. (Maximum word count: 300)
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PART 2: APPLICATION
After you submit your Letter of Interest, you will receive a confirmation email that it has been
submitted. The section below outlines the information that will be requested as part of the
Application.
Application
A. Populations and Communities
1. Describe any population(s) and/or community(ies) of older adults with the greatest
economic and social needs that you aim to reach in this project. (Maximum word count: 200)
• Greatest economic need, as stipulated in the Older Americans Act, means the
need resulting from an income level at or below the Federal poverty level and as
further defined by State and area plans based on local and individual factors,
including geography and expenses. Greatest social need, as stipulated in the
Older Americans Act, means the need caused by noneconomic factors, which
include:
I. Physical and mental disabilities
J. Language barriers
K. Cultural, social, or geographical isolation, including due to:
i. Racial or ethnic status
ii. Native American identity
iii. Religious affiliation
iv. Sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics
v. HIV status
vi. Chronic conditions
vii. Housing instability, food insecurity, lack of access to reliable and
clean water supply, lack of transportation, or utility assistance
needs
viii. Interpersonal safety concerns
ix. Rural location
x. Or any other status that:
1. Restricts the ability of an individual to perform normal or
routine daily tasks; or
2. Threatens the capacity of the individual to live
independently; or
L. Other needs as further defined by State and area plans based on local
and individual factors.
See Appendix H for more information on populations of the greatest social and
economic needs.
B. Statement of Need
1. Provide a brief general history of falls prevention-related activities in your community to
the best of your knowledge, including your organization’s activities (applicants are
encouraged to do some research to determine their community’s history of falls
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prevention activities if this is not known). Include any gaps in existing services if
applicable. (Maximum word count: 300)
2. Describe any barriers to delivering falls prevention or other health promotion activities
that you have encountered related to infrastructure, service delivery, coordination, and
other related issues. (Maximum word count: 400)
3. Explain why you will focus on engaging your selected population(s) and/or
community(ies) of greatest economic and social needs for this project, including their
specific needs and/or gaps in service. Include any data you have on your selected
population(s) and/or community(ies). (Maximum word count: 300)
C. Proposed Project
1. Falls Prevention Activities: Select at least two (2) falls prevention activities you
propose to implement from the three categories below (see Appendix C for the menu of
options in each category):
• Category 1: Physical Activity
• Category 2: Home Modification and Assistive Devices
• Category 3: Education and Behavior Change
Activities may be selected from the same category or across multiple categories;
however, you must select at least one (1) activity from Category 1: Physical Activity or
Category 2: Home Modification and Assistive Devices.
The quantity of activities selected will not be considered in the scoring of applications.
Selection Guidelines:
• Selected activities must not duplicate your existing falls prevention-related efforts
• Selected activities must not be added to or implemented in conjunction with
evidence-based falls prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-
based health promotion, such as programs listed in the National Council on Aging
(NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool
• Participants must not have participated in an evidence-based falls prevention
program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls prevention activities and
should be advised not to participate in an evidence-based falls prevention program
such as those listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based
Program Tool until after they have completed this project’s final data collection
2. Project Goal(s), Objective(s), and Outcome(s): Describe what you aim to achieve in
this work, including your project goal(s), objective(s), and outcome(s) (see Appendix I
for definitions of goals, objectives, and outcomes). Include how many participants you
expect to reach during the two-year project period. (Maximum word count: 400)
3. Rationale for Selected Falls Prevention Activities: Explain why you selected your
chosen falls prevention activities including: a) why they are important to any
population(s) and/or community(ies) of older adults with the greatest economic and
social needs that you aim to reach, and b) how you expect the activities will complement
and/or improve your current falls prevention-related programming. (Maximum word count:
400)
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4. Falls Prevention Activity Implementation: Describe how you might implement your
selected falls prevention activities, including how many times you expect to offer the
activities during the two-year project period. If applicable, include how frequently
participants are expected to engage in the activities while they are being offered and for
how long (e.g., a two-hour educational class offered two times a week). (Maximum word
count: 1000)
• Include how you can integrate the activities into your existing aging and/or health
promotion/disease prevention-related efforts, if applicable. This does not include
evidence-based falls prevention programs. Selected falls prevention activities must
not be added to or implemented in conjunction with evidence-based falls prevention
programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-based health promotion, such as
programs listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program
Tool.
• To support your response to this question, consider the activity delivery and
organizational level strategies listed in Appendix D for inclusion in your description
of how you might implement the falls prevention activities.
Note: Grantees will receive technical assistance to more fully develop an
implementation plan for their falls prevention activities.
5. Approach to Reaching Your Identified Population(s) and Community(ies): Describe
how you intend to reach the population(s) and/or community(ies) of greatest economic
and social needs you identified to focus on in this project. (Maximum word count: 500)
6. Key Partners: Describe your key partners, their anticipated roles, and how you plan to
engage them in this work (e.g., monthly meetings, participation or collaboration with a
Community Advisory Board). (Maximum word count: 500)
7. Project Community Representation and Engagement: Describe how you will engage
your community in decisions and activities throughout the project to ensure your efforts
reflect the community’s needs, interests, values, and preferences. This should include
the formation or involvement of an existing Community Advisory Board or similar
group/committee, shared decision-making, and consistent communication with the
community on progress and findings. (Maximum word count: 500)
8. External Opportunities and Resources: Describe any opportunities and resources,
(e.g., initiatives, partnerships, related coalitions/task forces) in your area that you will
engage with to support this work. (Maximum word count: 300)
9. Potential Challenges and Barriers: Describe potential challenges and barriers you
anticipate encountering, and how your project will address them preemptively or as they
arise. (Maximum word count: 300)
10. Institutional Review Board: The University of Pittsburgh will serve as the multisite
Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record for the Innovation Lab grantees. Tribal
grantees may work with their Tribal IRB, Indian Health Service (IHS) IRB, or other IRB of
their choice and must obtain applicable Tribal authority approvals. Indicate below if you
plan to use the project’s IRB or a different IRB for this project.
 We plan to work with the project’s multisite IRB.
 We plan to work with a different IRB.
Note: Technical assistance will be provided to support grantees’ IRB-related efforts. See
Appendix J for considerations for Tribal organizations.
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11. Plan for Sustainability: Describe your proposed or anticipated sustainability plan to
ensure the activities can continue beyond the project period, including how you might
embed the work into your organization’s and your partners’ ongoing efforts. (Maximum
word count: 400)
E. Organization Capacity
1. Explain how this project fits within your organization’s mission, vision, and/or goals.
(Maximum word count: 200)
2. Describe your organization’s capacity to implement your selected falls prevention
activities as you described in your Proposed Project section responses. (Maximum word
count: 500)
• Include your organization’s experience delivering health promotion/disease
prevention/injury prevention, aging, and/or falls prevention programs, services, or
strategies.
• Identify the staff that will comprise the project team and briefly describe their
experience, expertise, and proposed roles and responsibilities for the project.
Note: Applicants must upload a resume, cv, or statement of experience for all project key
personnel, including your organization’s staff and key partner representatives, in the
attachments section of the application.
3. Describe your capacity to reach your identified population(s) and/or community(ies) of
greatest economic and social needs. Include how you promote access to services for
these populations and communities in your current work. Provide specific examples that
demonstrate this capacity. (Maximum word count: 400)
4. Describe your organization’s experience with engaging the community in your planning
and/or delivery of programs, data collection, and/or other research-related activities.
Provide specific examples. (Maximum word count: 400)
5. Describe your organization’s experience with program and participant data collection
and/or research-related activities (if any). Note: Research experience is not required,
and technical assistance will be provided to awardees to support their data collection
and research-related activities. (Maximum word count: 400)
6. Indicate whether your organization has experience working with an Institutional Review
Board (IRB). (Yes/No). Technical assistance will be provided to support grantees’ IRB-
related efforts. See Appendix J for considerations for Tribal organizations.
F. Safety Agreement
Applicants must indicate their agreement to develop a safety plan should they be awarded
funding. This plan will put measures in place to reduce the risk of harm or injury; for
example, teaching participants how to utilize appropriate structural support for falls
prevention exercises/physical activity. Technical assistance will be provided to grantees to
support the development of their safety plan. Please check the box to indicate your
understanding of and agreement to this requirement of the project.
G. Budget
Upload a budget for your proposed project that reflects the resources required to carry out
the activities described in the application and work plan. The budget minimum is $250,000
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and it must not exceed $290,000. Applicants must provide separate budgets for Year 1 and
Year 2 as well as a combined budget for Years 1 and 2 using the budget template provided
in Appendix E. Note: Home modifications and assistive devices can be covered by grant
funds, but expenses may not exceed a total of $1,000 per participant.
H. Budget Narrative
Upload a budget narrative that provides descriptions of the items included in the budget.
Applicants must provide a separate budget narrative for Year 1 and Year 2 using the budget
narrative template and instructions provided in Appendix F.
I. Work Plan
Upload a work plan that includes goal(s), objective(s), outcome(s), key activities, lead
personnel responsible for carrying out activities, and a timeline for the two-year project
period broken down into a Year 1 (months 1-12) work plan and a Year 2 (months 13-24)
work plan. Ensure that the work plan reflects the activities described in the application,
budget, and budget narrative. Applicants must use the work plan template provided in
Appendix G.
J. Letters of Commitment from Key Partners
Upload letters of commitment to the project from key collaborating groups, organizations,
and agencies. Any organization that is specifically named to have a significant role in
carrying out the project should be considered a key collaborator.
• Applicant organizations must include a letter that demonstrates that they have their
organization’s endorsement for this project.
• If you are a Tribal organization defined in 24 CFR 1003.5(b) or are partnering with a
Tribe for this application, you are required to include a resolution from the Tribal
governing authority that states their approval and support for the submission of the grant
application.
• The quality of the letter content (i.e., specificity with respect to the role of that partner) is
more important than the quantity of letters submitted with your application.
• Signed letters of commitment must be uploaded via the application portal – hard copies
will not be accepted.
K. Key Personnel Resumes/CVs
Upload a resume or cv for all key personnel involved in the project, including your
organization’s staff and key partner representatives. If you encounter barriers to submitting a
resume or cv, you may submit a statement or list of the individual’s background, experience,
and expertise.
L. Audited Financials
Upload a PDF version of your most recent:
• Audited Financials or 990 Tax Form
• Agency W-9 Form
• SAM.gov Registration Verification
• Organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
M. Proof of Nonprofit Status (as applicable)
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Non-profit applicants must upload proof of non-profit status. Any of the following constitutes
acceptable proof of such status:
• A copy of a currently valid IRS tax exemption certificate
• A statement from a state taxing body, State attorney general, or other appropriate State
official certifying that the applicant organization has a non-profit status and that none of
the net earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals
• A certified copy of the organization’s certificate of incorporation or similar document that
clearly establishes non-profit status
N. Indirect Cost Agreement (as applicable)
Applicants that have included indirect costs in their budgets must upload a copy of the
current indirect cost rate agreement approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services or another federal agency. This is optional for applicants that have not included
indirect costs in their budgets.
VI. Screening Criteria
Applications must meet all the following screening requirements:
1. Letters of interest must be submitted via the application portal by February 10, 2025, by
11:59 pm Eastern Time
2. Applications must be submitted via the application portal by March 21, 2025, by 11:59
pm Eastern Time
3. Applicants are required to complete all sections of the application and upload a two-year
work plan, budget, budget narrative, letters of commitment, financial documentation, and
resumes/CVs for key personnel
4. The two-year budget must not exceed $290,000
5. If applicable, any costs budgeted for home modification and assistive devices do not
exceed $1,000 per participant
6. The Work Plan must not exceed 24 months
7. Applicants’ selected activities must not be added to, or implemented in conjunction with,
evidence-based falls prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-
based health promotion, such as programs listed in the National Council on Aging
(NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool
8. Participants of your selected falls prevention activities must not have participated in an
evidence-based falls prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls
prevention activities. In addition, participants should be advised not to participate in an
evidence-based falls prevention program such as those listed in the National Council on
Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based Program Tool until after they have completed this
project’s final data collection.
9. Applicants must check the Safety Agreement box to indicate their agreement to create a
safety plan for this project should they receive funding
10. If you are a Tribal organization defined in 24 CFR 1003.5(b) or are partnering with a
Tribe for this application, you are required to include a resolution from the Tribal
governing authority that states their approval and support for the submission of the grant
application.
Applications that do not meet these requirements may not be reviewed.
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VII. Criteria for Selection
Applications will be scored from 1 to 100 points. Each section of the application will be allocated
a maximum potential number of points based on the point totals listed below. These scores will
provide a primary, but not exclusive, basis for determining final selection. NCOA reserves the
right to approve grantees based on a composite of factors, including meetings and/or written
correspondence with applicants, a review of the most recent Audited Financials and/or 990 Tax
Form.
A. Populations and Communities (10 points): Scoring will be based on your descriptions
of your identified population(s) and/or community(ies) of the greatest economic and
social needs.
B. Statement of Need (10 points): Scoring will be based on your descriptions of:
• The history of falls prevention activities in your community (applicants are
encouraged to do some research to determine your community’s history of falls
prevention activities if this is not known)
• Barriers to delivering falls prevention or other health promotion activities that you
have encountered
• Why you will focus on engaging your selected population(s) and/or community(ies) of
greatest economic and social needs for this project, including their specific needs
and/or gaps in service
C. Proposed Project and Work Plan (30 points): Scoring will be based on your
descriptions of:
• What you aim to achieve in this work, including your project goal(s), objective(s), and
outcome(s) including how many participants you expect to reach during the two-year
project period
• Why you selected your chosen falls prevention activities including: why the activities
are important to the population(s) and/or community(ies) of older adults with the
greatest economic and social needs that you aim to reach, and how you expect the
activities will complement and/or improve your current falls prevention-related
programming (if any)
• How you might implement your selected falls prevention activities, including how
many times you expect to offer the activities during the project period, and if
applicable; how frequently participants are expected to engage in the activities while
they are being offered and for how long (e.g., a two-hour educational class offered
two times a week); how you can integrate the activities into your existing aging
and/or health promotion/disease prevention-related efforts, if applicable; and your
inclusion of any activities from Appendix D
• How you intend to reach your identified population(s) and/or community(ies) of older
adults with the greatest economic and social needs
• Key partners, their anticipated roles, and how you plan to engage your partners in
this work
• How you will engage your community in decisions and activities throughout the
project to ensure your efforts reflect the community’s needs, interests, values, and
preferences. This should include the formation or involvement of an existing
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Community Advisory Board or similar group/committee, shared decision-making, and
consistent communication with the community on progress and findings
• Opportunities and resources in your area you will engage to support your work
• Potential challenges and barriers you anticipate encountering, and how your project
will address them preemptively or as they arise
• Your proposed or anticipated plan to sustain the work after the funding ends,
including how you will embed the work into your and your partners’ ongoing efforts
• Completeness and feasibility of the Work Plan (with separate plans for Year 1 and
Year 2 including project goals, objectives, key activities, key personnel responsible
for carrying out activities, a timeline for the two-year project period), and alignment to
the activities described in the application and budget narrative
D. Organization Capacity (30 points): Scoring will be based on your descriptions of:
• How this project fits within your organization’s mission, vision, and/or goals
• Your capacity to implement your selected falls prevention activities as described in
your Proposed Project section responses, including your experience delivering
health promotion/disease prevention, aging, and/or falls prevention programs,
services, or strategies, as well as staff members’ experience, expertise, and
proposed roles and responsibilities for the project
• Your capacity to reach your identified population(s) and/or community(ies) of older
adults with the greatest economic and social needs that you aim to reach, including
how you promote access to services for these populations and communities in your
current work, if applicable
• Your organization’s experience with engaging the community in your planning and/or
delivery of programs, data collection, and/or other research-related activities (if any).
• Your organization’s experience with program and participant data collection and/or
research-related activities (if any) (research experience is not required, and technical
assistance will be provided to all awardees to support their data collection and
research-related activities)
E. Letters of Commitment (10 points): Scoring will be based on the quality of the letter
content, including specificity of partner roles and history of the partnership (if applicable),
and whether you have endorsement from your organizational leadership or Tribal
leadership (if applicable) for this project. Applicants should make a strong effort to
secure letters of commitment from all key partners that will be involved in the project.
F. Budget and Budget Narrative (10 points): Scoring on the budget will be based on
whether the budget reflects expenses for both years of the project, its feasibility, and
how well it adheres to the budget instructions. Scoring on the budget narrative will be
based on whether the budget narrative reflects the resources necessary to carry out the
activities described in the application and work plan and how well it adheres to the
budget narrative instructions.
VIII. Review and Selection Process
An independent review panel will evaluate applications that pass the screening criteria
described above. These reviewers are experts in their field and are drawn from academic
institutions, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and federal government
agencies. Based on the Criteria for Selection as outlined under Section VII, the reviewers will
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comment on and score the applications, focusing their comments and scoring decisions on the
identified criteria.
Final award decisions will be made by NCOA. In making these decisions, NCOA will take into
consideration recommendations of the review panel, the likelihood that the proposed project will
result in the benefits expected, and representation of a range of applicant organization types
and falls prevention activity types.
IX. Grantee Expectations
If funded, grantees will be expected to fulfill the responsibilities outlined below:
Note: Comprehensive technical assistance will be provided to support grantees’ work
throughout the life of the project.
• Implement the selected falls prevention activities with your identified population(s) and/or
communities with the greatest economic and social needs.
• Engage participants in your falls prevention activities who have not participated in an
evidence-based falls prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls
prevention activities and advise them not to participate in an evidence-based falls prevention
program such as those listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based
Program Tool until after they have completed this project’s final data collection.
• Collect and report data on the extent to which the activities are effective at reducing the risk
of falls in your community(ies).
• Document how you integrate the falls prevention activities into falls prevention-related efforts
in your community(ties).
• Develop a safety plan for your project with support from the project’s technical assistance
team.
• Submit programmatic and financial reports as outlined in Section XI of this funding
opportunity in a timely manner.
• Participate in technical assistance (TA) activities including:
o A virtual kickoff event for all grantees in the first month of the award
o Group TA (including webinars and a peer-to-peer Learning Community)
o Bi-monthly (every other month) one-on-one TA meetings with NCOA and partners
o Bi-monthly (every other month) group TA meetings with NCOA and partners
• Work with the Innovation Lab’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record (Tribal
organizations may work with their Tribal/IHS or other IRB) and follow IRB protocols).
Grantees may not start their falls prevention activities until they have gone through IRB
onboarding and received IRB approval. Technical assistance will be provided to support
grantees’ IRB efforts.
• Include one of the following disclaimers on all products produced using this grant funding:
For the HHS Grant or Cooperative Agreement that is NOT funded with other non-
governmental sources, include this statement:
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"This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by the Administration for
Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of
a financial assistance award totaling $XX with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The
contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor
an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
For the HHS Grant or Cooperative Agreement that IS partially funded with other
nongovernmental sources, include this statement:
"This [project/publication/program/website, etc.] [is/was] supported by the Administration for
Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of
a financial assistance award totaling $XX with XX percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $XX
amount and XX percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by
ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
X. Use of Grant Funds (Funding Restrictions)
Organizations must use the full amount of the award for the purposes set forth in their
application. These funds may not be used for the following purposes:
• To influence any member of Congress, State, or local legislator to favor or oppose any
legislation or appropriation with respect to this agreement.
• For publicity or propaganda purposes, for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit,
pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film presentation designed to support or
defeat legislation pending before the Congress or state and local legislatures.
• To pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such
recipient, related to any activity designed to influence legislation or appropriation pending
before Congress or state and local legislatures.
• For construction and/or rehabilitation of buildings.
XI. Reporting Requirements
Data Collection and Reporting
Grantees will be required to report: a) a limited amount of de-identified data about the people
who participate in the falls prevention activities; and b) information about how the activities are
being conducted (implementation data). The project technical assistance team will work with
each grantee to provide training and develop a tailored data collection plan.
NCOA is committed to upholding Tribal sovereignty by ensuring the required permissions are in
place for working with Tribal organizations and communities from Tribal leadership and other
officials (see Appendix J).
Progress and Financial Reports
Grantees will be required to provide financial reports, semi-annual reports, and a final report to
the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The semi-annual and final reports must be accompanied
by a financial report.
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• Semi-annual reports will be due on Dec. 31, 2025; June 30, 2026; and Dec. 31, 2026
• The final report will be due on July 31, 2027
XII. Appendices
A. Falls Prevention in the Aging Network
B. The ACL Innovation Lab’s Taxonomy Development and Analysis Process
C. Falls Prevention Activity Selection Guidance
D. Activity Delivery and Organizational Level Strategies
E. Budget Template
F. Budget Narrative Template
G. Work Plan Template
H. Populations of the Greatest Social and Economic Need
I. Key Definitions
J. Information for Tribal Organizations
K. Grant Writing Resources
L. Application Narrative Worksheet
M. Application Checklist – Am I Ready to Apply?
N. Funding Acknowledgement
Appendix A
Falls Prevention in the Aging Network
This work builds upon a foundation of initiatives to reduce falls, falls risks, and falls related
injuries among older adults. Learn more about how the ACL Innovation Lab advances this work
by providing a new approach to delivering falls prevention interventions to historically
underserved communities here: https://generations.asaging.org/evidence-aging-services-
dynamic-world
The Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Since 2014, ACL has awarded more than $43 million in grants through the Prevention and
Public Health Fund for falls prevention programs. These grants have been awarded to domestic
public and private nonprofit entities, state agencies, community-based organizations,
universities, and tribal organizations. ACL also funds a nonprofit organization to serve as an
ACL National Falls Prevention Resource Center. The purpose of the ACL Falls Prevention
program is to bring to scale and sustain evidence-based falls prevention programs that have
been proven to reduce falls, fear of falling, and fall related injuries in older adults. Learn more
here: Falls Prevention Program | ACL Administration for Community Living
The National Council on Aging
The Falls Free® Initiative is a national effort led by NCOA to address the growing public health
issue of falls-related injuries and deaths in older adults. It conducts advocacy, awareness, and
educational initiatives, including building community infrastructure to reduce falls among older
adults. A key aspect of this work is the National Falls Prevention Action Plan, which will be
launched with updated priorities and recommendations in 2025.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also played a key role in older adult falls
prevention, providing data, information, tools, and resources for consumers, providers, and
professionals to reduce the risk of falls.
Appendix B
The ACL Innovation Lab’s Taxonomy Development and Analysis Process
The falls prevention activities that will be implemented by grantees in this funding opportunity
come from a falls prevention taxonomy developed by Impact Genome (IG) with input from a
Research Advisory Collaborative (RAC) of subject matter experts, the National Council on
Aging, and the Administration for Community Living as part of the ACL Innovation Lab. This
section outlines the taxonomy development and analysis process.
Guided by input from the RAC, IG conducted a review of existing literature on falls prevention
interventions, including peer-reviewed and grey literature sources, and coded the literature to
draft four frameworks: outcomes, core intervention components, intended recipients, and
contextual elements. The frameworks were reviewed by the RAC and iterated.
Next, IG reviewed the bibliography of falls prevention literature and refined it for coding. IG
researchers applied the four frameworks listed above to the evidence base to build a coded and
structured dataset. IG conducted a taxonomic meta-synthesis to identify ‘core’ components
based on their relationship to falls prevention outcomes. The falls prevention activities that
grantees will implement as part of this funding opportunity come from this larger set of identified
core components.
Appendix C
Falls Prevention Activity Selection Guidance
In your Letter of Interest and Application, you will be asked to select at least two (2) falls
prevention activities that you propose to implement for this funding opportunity.
The falls prevention activities are grouped into three categories:
• Category 1: Physical Activity
• Category 2: Home Modification and Assistive Devices
• Category 3: Education and Behavior Change
Activities may be selected from the same category or across multiple categories; however, you
must select at least one (1) activity from Category 1: Physical Activity or Category 2: Home
Modification and Assistive Devices.
The quantity of activities selected will not be considered in the scoring of applications.
Selection Guidelines:
• Selected activities must not duplicate your existing falls prevention-related efforts
• Selected activities must not be added to, or implemented in conjunction with, evidence-
based falls prevention programs that meet the ACL definition of evidence-based health
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promotion, such as programs listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-
Based Program Tool
• Participants of your selected activities must not have participated in an evidence-based
falls prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the falls prevention
activities, and must be advised not to participate in an evidence-based falls prevention
program such as those listed in the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Evidence-Based
Program Tool until after they have completed this project’s final data collection.
In the Application, after you select your falls prevention activities, you will be asked to describe
how you might implement the activities during this project. Please note that, if funded, you will
have the opportunity to develop a more robust implementation plan with technical assistance
provided by project partners and consultants. Technical assistance will be provided throughout
the project to support all aspects of the grantee’s work.
The falls prevention activity menus are as follows:
CATEGORY 1: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
1. Aerobic and Exercises that are sustained, rhythmic activities that elevate heart rate and
Endurance Exercises breathing (e.g., exergaming, stationary cycling, hula, dance).
Movements aimed at enhancing coordination and control such as weight
shifting, reactive balance training, center of gravity manipulation (e.g.,
standing marches, standing on one leg, foot taps, sit/stand exercises,
2. Balance and Stability
walking with basket balanced on head). Some activities may include
Exercises
exercises that integrate deliberate physical movements with mental
engagement, cognitive focus, and relaxation techniques (e.g., yoga, Tai
Chi, dual-task activities such as walking and counting backwards).
3. Strength Exercises Exercises that involve dynamic movements that strengthen muscles for
and Functional enhanced performance in daily tasks. Examples include strength training,
Movement resistance training, reaching exercises, and sit/stand exercises.
Any form of walking exercises (e.g., normal walking, heel-toe walking,
4. Walking Exercises or
stepping) or training on how to walk correctly (e.g., gait training or speed
Training
adjustments).
**If you select an activity from Category 1: Physical Activity, additional recommended
activities to be considered for implementation alongside your selected activity(ies) will be
provided for selection. These activities are optional and may only be conducted in
conjunction with an activity from Category 1: Physical Activity. They include:
 Flexibility and Stretching Exercises: Exercises that involve deliberate movements aimed
at increasing the range of motion and elasticity of muscles and joints.
 Warm-Up and/or Cool-Down Exercises: Exercises that gradually increase heart rate,
circulation, and flexibility before engaging in more intense physical activity, and/or
exercises that gradually lower heart rate and ease muscles back to their resting state.
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 Physical Health Education: Content that focuses on physical health and well-being,
including chronic disease management, the importance of nutrition and exercise, the
impact of alcohol consumption, and other related topics.
CATEGORY 2: HOME MODIFICATION AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Teaches participants about common home hazards, solutions and
1. Home Safety and
modifications to remove hazards and barriers, strategies to add supports
Home Modification
in the home, and use of home modifications for increased safety and
Education
reduced risk of falls.
2. Home Environment Completion of a home hazard and safety assessment. This may be done by
Assessment/ the facilitator or the participant. *Selection of this activity requires the
Evaluation concurrent implementation of #3 and #4 within this category.
3. Recommendations for Provision of suggestions for appropriate adaptive devices and/or home
Adaptive Devices modifications (e.g., recommending grab bars or the removal of rugs).
and/or Home *Selection of this activity requires the concurrent implementation of #2 and
Modifications #4 within this category.
Direct provision of adaptive devices to the participant and/or making the
4. Provision of Adaptive
recommended home modifications (e.g., installing equipment or fall-
Devices and/or Makes
proofing their living area). *Selection of this activity requires the
Home Modifications
concurrent implementation of #2 and #3 within this category.
Direct provision of assistive devices to the participant (e.g., wheelchairs,
walkers, hearing aids, reachers, orthopedic shoes) as well as proper fitting
5. Provision of Assistive
for the user and education on proper use. This must be conducted by a
Devices
qualified professional (e.g., physical therapist). *Selection of this activity
requires the concurrent implementation of #6 within this category.
Focuses on the assessment or correct use of tools, equipment, or
technologies designed to help participants perform tasks, activities, or
6. Education on Assistive
movements they might otherwise find challenging or impossible to
Devices
accomplish independently (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids,
reachers, orthopedic shoes).
Home Modification and Assistive Devices Guidelines
As part of the activities listed in Category 2: Home Modifications and Assistive Devices, grantees
may provide minor home modifications that aim to increase general safety, reduce falls risks,
increase home accessibility, and improve the functional abilities of the participant to make
tasks easier.
Home modification and assistive devices can be covered by grant funds, but expenses may
not exceed a total of $1,000 per participant.
Examples:
• Grab bars and interior/exterior handrail installations
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