The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), is forecasting a grant opportunity titled Relationships, Education, Advancement, and Development for Youth for Life (READY4Life). This initiative aligns with Section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act and aims to promote healthy marriage and relationship education among youth. The program supports projects focused on equipping high school-aged and early adulthood individuals (ages 14 to 24), including pregnant or parenting youth, with essential life and relationship skills. The program also incorporates components such as parenting education, financial literacy, and job or career advancement training.

The READY4Life initiative intends to issue cooperative agreements to organizations capable of implementing activities that promote family formation and healthy marriages. These activities include Marriage and Relationship Education/Skills (MRES), particularly targeting young fathers and mothers, to help them establish stable and supportive family environments. Eligible activities also involve educational interventions to improve interpersonal communication, financial management, and employment readiness.

Approximately 26 awards are anticipated under this funding opportunity, with the total available funding projected at $23,100,000. Individual awards will range from a minimum of $400,000 to a maximum of $1,250,000. The cooperative agreement model indicates that substantial involvement from the awarding federal agency is expected in the implementation and oversight of funded projects. The grants will be issued for fiscal year 2025, with an estimated project start date of September 30, 2025.

The grant opportunity will officially open on April 25, 2025, and applications must be submitted electronically by June 24, 2025, no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced by August 29, 2025. This forecast does not currently operate on a rolling basis, and there is no indication of whether the program will be recurring in future years.

Eligible applicants span a broad spectrum of public and private entities, including but not limited to state, local, territorial, and quasi-governmental agencies, federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and others), independent school districts, institutions of higher education, and for-profit entities. However, individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility criteria and are protected under federal regulations against discrimination based on religious affiliation.

For further information, interested applicants can contact Toya Joyner at (202) 401-4716 or via email at toya.joyner@acf.hhs.gov.