Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems SEED Project: Scaling Effective Early Childhood Systems Development (ECCS SEED)

The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems SEED Project, officially titled "Scaling Effective Early Childhood Systems Development (ECCS SEED)," is an initiative by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is part of HRSA's broader commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes across the nation. The ECCS SEED project is specifically housed within the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s Division of Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems. The agency focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of America’s mothers, children, and families, particularly those who are economically or medically vulnerable. The core purpose of this grant opportunity is to address the root causes of chronic disease during early childhood by fostering systemic improvements in the accessibility and quality of early childhood health services. The ECCS SEED initiative seeks to support the scaling of effective, evidence-based strategies and system-level interventions that improve health care access and service coordination for families with children from the prenatal stage through age five. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating services that promote early screening for physical and mental health conditions, facilitate family support, and strengthen community and state-level infrastructure for early childhood development. The program will fund cooperative agreements with selected awardees, who will be expected to work collaboratively with HRSA and local stakeholders to build, expand, or replicate early childhood systems that enhance care coordination and improve developmental outcomes for young children. Allowable uses of funds may include program implementation, workforce development, data and systems infrastructure enhancement, community partnership building, and evaluation. Though the specific spending restrictions are not detailed in the forecast, cooperative agreement structures typically imply ongoing federal involvement and oversight to ensure alignment with intended outcomes. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is inclusive, encompassing a wide range of organizations such as nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, federally recognized and non-federally recognized tribal organizations, for-profit entities including small businesses, and independent school districts. The program is intended for domestic applicants, defined as entities based in any of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The application process for this funding opportunity is anticipated to open on May 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 18, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The estimated award date is July 1, 2026, and selected projects are expected to begin on August 1, 2026. No pre-application requirements such as a Letter of Intent or concept paper are indicated in the current forecast. As a forecasted opportunity, final application instructions and eligibility conditions may be further clarified in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) once published. The ECCS SEED initiative will make available approximately $7 million in total program funding, with up to eight awards expected. Each award may provide up to $875,000, though the forecast does not establish a minimum floor amount. The program does not require any cost-sharing or matching funds. Applicants or interested parties may contact the Maternal and Child Health Bureau - Division of Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems at (301) 443-2170 for further inquiries regarding the program. The grant is associated with Assistance Listing Number 93.110 under Special Projects of Regional and National Significance and is part of HRSA’s continued effort to improve early childhood outcomes at scale.