The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Technical Assistance (TA) Center grant opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). This grant aims to fund a single cooperative agreement to operate the SHIP National Technical Assistance Center (SHIP TA Center), a centralized resource supporting SHIP grantee projects across the United States. SHIP provides outreach, counseling, and training to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers to help them make informed decisions about health insurance, optimize access to care, and better utilize their benefits. There are currently 54 active SHIP grants that serve all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The SHIP TA Center will serve as a national hub of expertise, providing technical assistance, resources, and guidance to ensure SHIP grantees are equipped to meet program goals effectively. This opportunity is for a cooperative agreement, meaning the ACL will play a substantial role in managing and overseeing the funded project. The total estimated funding available is $1,350,000 per year, and the award will be for a five-year project period, contingent on the availability of federal funds. Only one award is expected to be granted, and there is no minimum award floor or cost-sharing requirement.

Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted, allowing applications from domestic public or private entities, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, state and local governments, Indian tribal governments, faith-based organizations, hospitals, and community-based organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must comply with the relevant program regulations, which can be found through the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

Applications will need to align with SHIP’s mission and focus on supporting the technical assistance needs of SHIP grantees nationwide. Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully review the funding opportunity announcement, which will include detailed application submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and project objectives. ACL emphasizes the importance of providing clear and effective strategies for technical assistance, training, and outreach to SHIP programs.

The estimated application due date is May 30, 2025, with an expected post date of March 28, 2025. The anticipated award date and project start date are both set for September 1, 2025. This timeline allows applicants to prepare and submit comprehensive proposals that address the program's scope and priorities.

For additional details and updates on this funding opportunity, applicants can visit the Administration for Community Living's open grants page at [https://acl.gov/grants/open-opportunities](https://acl.gov/grants/open-opportunities). For specific questions, applicants can contact Maggie Flowers at 202-795-7315.