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.

What will ACL Innovation Lab grantees do?

Grantees will:

• Select at least two falls prevention activities identified by the ACL Innovation Lab from a menu provided.
• Deliver the falls prevention activities to older adults in their communities.
• Engage their community in decisions and activities throughout the project to ensure 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.
• 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.
• Participate in technical assistance offerings to support delivery of selected falls prevention activities and address any challenges encountered during the project period.

Eligibility

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
• County, city, or township governments
• Special district governments
• Community organizations
• Faith-based organizations

Individuals, for-profit organizations, and foreign entities are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

How do I apply for the ACL Innovation Lab funding opportunity? 

All applicants must electronically submit their application via the application portal.  

Applicants should log in to the application portal and familiarize themselves with the online application requirements well before the submission deadline. Please note that in the 24-hour period leading up to the application deadline, staff may not be able to assist all applicants with any system-related issues. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application well before the deadline so that any unforeseen difficulties or technical problems may be addressed in advance. 

While late submissions will not be accepted, NCOA may choose, at its sole discretion, to extend the application deadline for all applicants. NCOA strives to give all applicants any support needed to successfully submit their application prior to the deadline. Submission is defined as all sections completed, marked finished, the application “submit” button used, and the application status shows “Submitted.”

ACL Innovation Lab request for proposals (RFP)

The following RFP provides a detailed overview of the project background and goals, award information, and application process. All potential applicants should review the RFP in detail. 

 

Download the full RFP

 

Application materials

Applicants are required to use the templates below for the application attachments section. These forms are also available for download via the application portal.  

• Budget Template
• Budget Narrative Template
• Work Plan Template
• Application Narrative Worksheet (optional resource)

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find more information about this funding opportunity?

Please open the Request for Proposals (RFP) document on this webpage (above) to find more information about this funding opportunity. 

Our organization would like to apply. What should we do first? 

Review the above RFP document in detail, then visit the application portal here and submit your letter of interest by Feb. 10, 2025.

Do applications have to be submitted electronically? 

Yes, all applicants must submit their application electronically via the application portal. No hard copy applications or email attachments will be accepted.

Does the letter of interest have to be submitted before the application? 

Yes, the letter of interest must be submitted in the application portal to access and complete the full application. 

Are the application questions available outside of the application portal? 

The application questions are listed in the RFP document above for your reference and planning purposes. However, applicants must enter the application portal and complete the letter of interest form to access the application questions in the portal. 

Can I save my work while completing the application?

When writing your application, we strongly recommend that you draft your responses in a Word document and then copy and paste the responses into the online application form. You can save the application before submitting, and we advise that you save your application draft frequently.  

Can an organization submit more than one application?  

No, an applicant organization cannot submit more than one application.  

Can we propose an intervention that is not listed in the menu of options in the application?

No. Applicants may only propose to implement falls prevention activities listed in the application.

Can we use this funding to deliver or adapt an evidence-based falls prevention program? 

No, 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. Rather, this funding must be dedicated to testing and demonstrating the implementation of the falls prevention activities identified by the ACL Innovation Lab. These activities are listed in the RFP document linked to on this webpage (Appendices C and D).

Where can I learn more about the ACL Innovation Lab falls prevention activities that applicants can select?

Please refer to the RFP to view the list of falls prevention activities and guidelines for selection (Appendices C and D). This information is also available on the application portal.

Can grantees engage evidence-based falls prevention program participants in the falls prevention activities they implement as part of this funding opportunity? 

No. Participants must not have participated in an evidence-based falls prevention program within the 12 months prior to starting the ACL Innovation Lab falls prevention activities. 

Who meets the definition of older adult?

For the purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity and consistent with the definition in the Older Americans Act, we are defining an older adult as an individual who is 60 years of age or older. For tribes and tribal organizations, the age of older Indians is defined by the tribe and may vary.

Do we need to have experience with an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or experience collecting and reporting data? 

No, IRB and data collection and reporting experience is not required for this funding opportunity. Technical assistance will be provided to grantees by NCOA and partners to support these activities.

If selected as a grantee, what technical assistance will we receive to support our project?  

Selected grantees will receive comprehensive technical assistance from NCOA and partners across the full project period. Technical assistance will include one-on-one and group formats, and support grantees’ project implementation, community engagement, data collection, and other areas. 

I can’t join the informational webinar or office hours session. What can I do to access the information covered in these calls? 

The informational webinar and office hours session will both be recorded and made available on this webpage shortly after each takes place. Questions asked during the webinar and office hours will be added to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the webpage. 

Who can I contact if I have questions? 

Please email healthyaging@ncoa.org with any questions regarding this funding opportunity. 

How is NCOA involved in falls prevention?

NCOA is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to lead the National Falls Prevention Resource Center. The National Falls Prevention Resource Center (NFPRC) provides leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to the falls prevention network of partners, including ACL-funded falls prevention grantees, state and local aging and public health agencies, and community-based organizations to increase public awareness about the risk of falls and how to prevent them. The Resource Center also serves as a national clearinghouse to highlight and share best practices, resources, and information on evidence-based falls prevention programs, and other evidence-based programs and practices.

Since 2006, NCOA has led the State Falls Prevention Coalition Workgroup of state coalition leaders who are working together to promote effective state strategies to address falls. NCOA convenes the Workgroup quarterly to support the coalitions’ work and provide an opportunity for networking and resource sharing.

This funding opportunity will support the mission and efforts of the National Falls Prevention Resource Center by increasing the impact of collaborative falls prevention efforts statewide and at the community level, including implementing falls prevention interventions, leveraging resources, expanding awareness, and educating professionals, older adults, and caregivers about how they can reduce their risk of falling.

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 $2,5000,000 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.