The Office of Head Start intends to award up to $7.2 million to establish early-childhood services in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The Aug. 12 notice proposes two sole-source grants of up to $3.6 million each. The grants would support Early Head Start, Head Start Preschool or a combination of the two; the notice does not yet identify enrollment totals or opening dates.
The proposed performance period is 60 months, subject to available funds. The agency plans an initial 12-month award followed by yearly supplements that depend on funding, satisfactory performance and compliance with federal requirements.
Congress provided $8 million in fiscal 2026 appropriations to extend Head Start eligibility and services in the Freely Associated States. The two awards announced in this notice total up to $7.2 million; the notice does not allocate the remaining appropriation.
Programs could provide early education, health, nutrition and family-support services while building local operating capacity. The two governments, or entities they designate, would plan and run the services.
The agency says the national governments are the only jurisdictions eligible for these funds under the new authority and their Compacts of Free Association with the United States. That statutory structure is the stated basis for using sole-source awards.
For the first 24 months, the recipients would be exempt from the Head Start Designation Renewal System's competition requirements. After that period, competition can be triggered if one or more conditions in that system are met.
The notice announces an intent rather than a completed award. Final amounts, annual supplements and the pace of service expansion remain contingent on funding, performance and grant administration.