Thank you for your interest in applying for the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Grant. The submission window for all applications ended on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 6 p.m. (ET). We thank you for the work that you are doing to make a healthier, safer world for older adults and persons with disabilities. We will be spending this time reviewing applications submitted up until March 8, 2023 at 6 p.m. (ET).

Nearly nine in 10 deaths from COVID are among people 65 and over, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID vaccine uptake has slowed among older adults. In a coordinated effort to promote COVID and flu vaccinations, NCOA is enlisting its national network of senior centers and community-based organizations to make it as easy as possible for older adults and people with disabilities to get their shots and protect their health.

With $50 million in federal funding from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the largest grant in its history, NCOA will provide funding and technical assistance to hundreds of diverse community-based organizations, enabling them to conduct tailored outreach, host vaccine clinics, and offer services many older adults need to get vaccinated, such as transportation and assistance in scheduling appointments.

About the COVID-19 and flu vaccine uptake funding opportunity 

NCOA will award grants for 6- and 12-month projects. Grant awards will support a larger national vaccination program, funded under the ACL's COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Notice of Funding Opportunity (HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-HDRC-0043), under which NCOA was funded. This funding opportunity has a main goal to increase the number of older adults and people with disabilities receiving COVID-19 and Influenza vaccinations.

Where is the full funding opportunity announcement and the FAQ?

in English

en Español

When are grant applications due?

The submission window for all applications ended on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 6 p.m. (ET). Project start dates can begin in early January 2023 and close out as late as April 15, 2024. Applications must be submitted through the application portal. 

Who is eligible to apply for grant funding?

Organizations that are eligible to apply for grants under this program are limited to those listed below: 

  1. Senior centers
  2. Community centers
  3. Local community organizations that serve, support, and include older adults and people with disabilities
  4. Faith-based organizations that serve, support, and include older adults and people with disabilities
  5. Governmental agencies
  6. Other federally recognized nonprofit organizations

Area agencies on aging (AAAs), No-Wrong Door Systems (NWDS)/aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs), centers for independent living (CILs), other ACL-funded disability networks, and other aging and disability community-based organizations (CBOs) have the opportunity to apply under a different call for proposals.

Do organizations need to submit a notice of intent?

Organizations wishing to apply for funds under this program are required to submit a notice of intent to NCOA via the application portal. This notice is non-binding and does not need to describe the proposed project. 

This COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Uptake Initiative for Older Adults and People with Disabilities Notice of Funding Opportunity (HHS-2023-ACL-AOA-HDRC-0043) 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 $50 million with 100% funding by ACL/HHS. The content 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.