For several years, ACL has supported a formal Evidence-Based Program (EBP) Review Process to identify disease prevention and health promotion programs that are based on scientific evidence and demonstrated to improve the health of older adults. These evidence-based programs are essential tools for helping older adults maintain their independence in the community.

The purpose of the Evidence-Based Program Review Process is to identify new community programs that meet the criteria established by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for evidence-based programs funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-D, and other discretionary funding. 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting the 2025 program review process in partnership with the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (UW).  NCOA and UW will establish a Review Council made up of national leaders with expertise in program research, evaluation, and implementation to assess adherence to the ACL criteria. 

2025 Application schedule

Why is evidence-based program review important?

The evidence-based program review process provides several benefits:

• Programs will be reviewed for potential inclusion on the national ACL Title III-D approved list in a timely, unbiased manner;
• More programs that address historically underrepresented risk factors, populations, settings, and other contexts will be available for dissemination; and
• Community, state, and tribal organizations/agencies can use the recommendations of the Review Council to reference programs that have been deemed to be appropriate for inclusion for ACL Title III-D, or other ACL future evidence-based program discretionary funding.

Note: State units on aging have the discretion to review programs for adherence to the ACL evidence-based criteria and utilization with OAA Title IIID funding at the state level. The evidence-based program review process supported by ACL and hosted by NCOA and UW provides a pathway to collectively approve programs nationally.

ACL evidence-based program criteria

Health promotion and disease prevention programs are reviewed based on the following criteria established by the Administration for Community Living:

• Demonstrated through evaluation to be effective for improving the health and well-being or reducing disease, disability and/or injury among older adults; and
• Proven effective with older adult population, using Experimental or Quasi-Experimental Design;* and
• Research results published in a peer-review journal; and
• Fully translated** in one or more community site(s); and
• Includes developed dissemination products that are available to the public.

See detailed Review Council criteria.

Application process

The Review Council conducts a two-stage program application process:

• Stage 1: The first stage application addresses the effectiveness, evidence, and evaluation details related to the program. Once evaluated by Review Council members with expertise in research and program evaluation, applicants will be notified whether or not they will be invited to complete the Stage 2 application to review program supports.

If a program is not approved to move to the second stage, applicants will be eligible to receive technical assistance provided by UW and may be able to re-apply during a subsequent review, depending on the recommendations of the Review Council.

• Stage 2 (by invitation only): The second stage will require information about the program implementation, training, dissemination materials, supports available, and other elements essential for successful implementation.

For further questions about ACL evidence-based criteria and funding, please contact Patricia Keane, National Nutritionist, Administration for Community Living. For questions about the evidence-based review process, please contact Kathleen Zuke, Director, NCOA.

This project is 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 $10,000,000 with 100%  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.