Centers for Independent Living Competition - American Samoa | HHS 2026 ACL AOD IL 0013

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to establish one new Center for Independent Living (CIL) in American Samoa.

2) What is the main purpose of funding a new Center for Independent Living (CIL) in American Samoa?

The purpose is to build out and strengthen the independent living network by creating a community-based organization that helps people with disabilities live, participate, and thrive in the community rather than in institutional settings. The funding is intended to provide, expand, and improve independent living services across American Samoa, especially in areas that are currently unserved or underserved.

3) How many awards does ACL expect to make?

ACL expects to make a single award under this announcement.

4) What is the estimated funding amount and award ceiling?

The estimated total funding amount, and the award ceiling, is $159,762.

5) What is the project period for this grant?

The project period is 24 months.

6) How is the budget period structured?

The 24-month project period is structured as two separate 12-month budget periods.

7) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.432 (Income Security and Social Services).

8) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is HHS 2026 ACL AOD IL 0013.

9) What is the application closing date?

The application closing date is 2026-08-03.

10) Where must the new Center for Independent Living (CIL) be established?

The grant is specifically to establish one new CIL in American Samoa.

11) What core services must the funded CIL provide at a minimum?

The funded center must, at a minimum, deliver the core independent living services required for CILs. These include:

• Information and referral: helping people find and access services and supports
• Independent living skills training: practical skills for living independently (for example, managing personal care, budgeting, navigating benefits, or using transportation)
• Peer counseling: support provided by people with lived disability experience
• Individual and systems advocacy: helping individuals address barriers and working on broader policy or community changes

12) What transition-related services must the CIL provide?

In addition to the core services, the center must provide services that support transitions, including:

• Helping people move from nursing homes or other institutions back into the community
• Helping individuals who are at risk of institutionalization remain in the community
• Helping youth with disabilities transition into postsecondary life (such as higher education, employment, independent housing, and adult services)

13) What kind of organization is eligible to apply (high-level description)?

Eligibility is tightly defined around the federal CIL model in Part C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 1329 (including subparts F and G). To qualify, an applicant must be a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential, private nonprofit organization.

14) What does "consumer-controlled" mean for this opportunity?

"Consumer-controlled" generally means people with disabilities must have meaningful decision-making authority, typically reflected through governance and staffing expectations consistent with the Rehabilitation Act standards and assurances.

15) Does the CIL have to be residential?

No. The eligible CIL model described for this opportunity is non-residential.

16) Does the applicant have to be a nonprofit?

Yes. The applicant must be a private nonprofit organization that meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for Centers for Independent Living.

17) Are organizations with 501(c)(3) status eligible?

Yes. The opportunity listing indicates domestic private nonprofit entities that meet the requirements include organizations with 501(c)(3) status, as long as they satisfy the CIL statutory and regulatory criteria.

18) Are community-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Community-based organizations may be eligible if they meet the required CIL statutory and regulatory criteria (including consumer control and other CIL requirements).

19) Are faith-based organizations eligible?

Yes. Faith-based organizations may be eligible if they meet the required CIL statutory and regulatory criteria.

20) Are Indian tribal organizations eligible?

Indian tribal organizations are listed as eligible where applicable, as long as they satisfy the CIL statutory and regulatory criteria.

21) Are foreign entities eligible to apply?

No. Foreign entities are explicitly not eligible to apply for or receive an award under this announcement.

22) Can an organization that is not currently receiving Part C CIL funding apply?

Yes. The competition is designed for organizations that are not currently receiving Part C CIL funding.

23) Can an existing CIL apply if it wants to expand?

Yes. The opportunity allows an expansion approach where an existing center proposes establishing a separate, complete new center in a different geographic location.

24) If an existing CIL establishes a new center, can it use the same governing board?

Yes. There is a notable allowance that the existing center's governing board may serve as the governing board of the new center.

25) What does it mean to establish a "separate, complete new center"?

Based on the opportunity description, an expansion approach must still result in a separate, complete new Center for Independent Living in a different geographic location, not simply added programming within the same center.

26) Are applicants required to serve specific geographic areas?

Yes. Applicants must propose to serve one or more geographic areas identified as unserved or underserved.

27) How does the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) relate to this grant?

Applicants must submit documentation showing the proposed new center aligns with the SPIL design for establishing a statewide network of centers in the relevant state or outlying area, which in this case is American Samoa.

28) What statutes and regulations govern eligibility and operation for this CIL grant?

Eligibility and required operations are tied to Part C of Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), implementing regulations at 45 CFR part 1329 (including subparts F and G), and the statutory standards and assurances in section 725(b) and (c) of the Rehabilitation Act.

29) What capabilities must an applicant demonstrate?

Applicants must demonstrate they can plan, conduct, administer, and evaluate a center in line with the statutory standards and assurances and the relevant federal regulations. The applicant also must have the authority and capacity to carry out the required CIL functions, including the ability to receive and administer federal CIL funds, funds from other public and private sources, and contributions that support the center.

30) What is ACL trying to accomplish in practical terms with this award?

In practical terms, this opportunity is meant to seed or expand a locally grounded, disability-led service organization in American Samoa that can deliver the federally required independent living core services and transition supports, while fitting into the broader independent living network envisioned by the SPIL.

31) Does this funding emphasize direct services, advocacy, or both?

Both. The required CIL model includes direct services (skills training, information and referral, peer counseling, transition supports) and advocacy work (individual and systems advocacy) that reduces barriers for people with disabilities in the community.

32) What does the size and structure of the award suggest about the scope of the project?

The single award and modest budget level signal a focused start-up or small-scale establishment effort over two years, centered on launching or establishing a new CIL that delivers the required services and fits within the SPIL network approach for American Samoa.