Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Thursday, August 27, 2026

Administration for Native Americans (ANA)

AI³ Action Institute – Artificial Intelligence for American Indians Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-NAI-0035

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Agency priorities 10

Program description 12

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 20

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Step 3: Build Your Application 23

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 39

Application review 40

Appeals 47

Award notices 48

Step 5: Submit Your Application 49

Application submission and deadlines 50

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 52

Post-award requirements and administration 53

Contacts and Support 55

Before you begin 3

Modifications 59

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up to date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 6

Agency priorities 10

Program description 12

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Administration for Native Americans (ANA)

Promoting socioeconomic and cultural success through artificial intelligence.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

AI3 Action Institute – Artificial Intelligence for American Indians

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-

NAI-0035

Federal assistance listing:

93.612

NOFO version: Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Expected project start date:

September 30, 2026

Summary The AI3 Action Institute – Artificial Intelligence for American Indians (AI3 Action Institute) is dedicated to advancing the social and economic self-determination and long-term prosperity of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders, including communities in American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The AI3 Action Institute will fulfill this mission by equipping Native communities with the knowledge, tools, and strategic support needed to make informed decisions, responsibly integrate artificial intelligence (AI), and leverage emerging technologies to drive sustainable socioeconomic progress.

Through a coordinated, community-centered approach led by the Institute and its staff, AI3 Action Institute will strengthen capacity, foster collaboration, and expand opportunity across the full socioeconomic spectrum, empowering Native communities to shape and lead their own futures in an AI-driven world.

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding: $3,500,000

Total expected awards: 1

Minimum award amount (award floor): $2,500,000

Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $3,500,000

This is full funding. We plan to fund a three-year project period with one budget period.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Eligible applicants These types of organizations may apply, based on 42 U.S.C. 2991b:

• Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

• Incorporated non-federally recognized tribes.

• Incorporated state-recognized Indian tribes.

• Consortia of Indian tribes.

• Incorporated, nonprofit multipurpose, community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29)).

• Urban Indian Centers.

• Native Community Development Financial Institutions.

• Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and nonprofit village consortia.

• Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects.

• Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations.

• Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations or Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects.

• Nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the BIA.

• Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians.

• National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives.

• Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

• Tribal colleges and universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that serve Native American Pacific Islanders.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section2991b&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0Mi1zZWN0aW9uMjk5MWItMg%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=1999&req=granuleid%3AUSC-1999-title25-section1603&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy0xOTk5LXRpdGxlMjUtc2VjdGlvbjE2MDM%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7C1999

Other eligibility criteria Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

Assurance of community representation on board of directors If you are not a federally or state-recognized tribe, Alaska Native village government, or public government agency in the U.S. territories, you must provide documentation showing that a majority of your board members represent the Native American communities that the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) serves.

If you do not include this documentation, your application will be disqualified. See the additional eligibility documentation in the attachments section.

Governing body documentation Include documentation demonstrating that the governing body of your organization approves the application’s submission to ANA. If we do not receive signed and dated documentation before we award funds, we will not fund your project. See the governing body documentation in the attachments section.

Disqualifying factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual (including a sole proprietorship), federal entity, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from ACF.

• Fails to meet or document the Assurance of community representation on the board of directors.

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Cost sharing This program requires you to contribute 20% of the project’s cost. You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement in two ways:

Method 1: Start with the federal share.

Calculation: Divide the federal share by 4.

For example: $3,500,000 / 4 = $875,000.

Method 2: Start with the total project cost.

Calculation: Multiply the total project cost by 20%.

For example: $4,375,000 x .20 = $875,000.

Please view ANA’s applicant resource page for additional ways to meet your cost-sharing requirements.

Types of cost sharing You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• Cash contributed by your organization, partners, or other third parties.

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from partners or other third parties.

Please view ANA’s applicant resource page for additional ways to meet your cost-sharing requirements.

Cost-sharing commitments If awarded, you must provide the amount of cost-sharing funds you promised, even if you promised more than the required minimum. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may decrease the amount of funding we give you or use other enforcement actions.

You’ll have to include your cost-sharing funds when you fill out your federal financial reports.

Cost-sharing waiver We waive cost sharing up to $199,999 for awards to the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands (except for the consolidated awards under 45 CFR part 97). You must meet any amount of cost sharing over $199,999. See 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d) Congressional declaration of policy respecting “Insular Areas.”

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://acf.gov/ana/applicant-resources https://acf.gov/ana/applicant-resources https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-97 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Other applicants may request a waiver of the requirement for a 20% cost-sharing match if they meet the criteria in 45 CFR 1336.50(b). Submit the waiver request as an attachment with your application.

We will consider a waiver only if you meet the requirements in 45 CFR 1336.50(b)(3). A waiver is not guaranteed.

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Statutory authority This program is authorized under section 803(a) of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (NAPA) (42 U.S.C. 2991b(a)).

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim%40title42/chapter34/subchapter8&edition=prelim

Agency priorities Required alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with ACF’s vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles when authorized. Funded activities must advance ACF’s vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities, and support ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being through effective, accountable, and compassionate human services when awarded in any programs that authorize these priorities.

Consistent with ACF’s values, in carrying out any project that is funded under this NOFO, the recipient is required to adhere to the following principle:

1. Program Integrity and Fiscal Stewardship: Administer funds in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions; maintain strong internal controls; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The recipient is also required to adhere to the following principles when consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

2. Evidence-Based and Outcome-Focused Practices: Design and deliver services using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, establish measurable performance goals, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership and Local Leadership: Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, local, and community partners, as appropriate, and tailor services to meet community-identified needs while respecting local decision-making authority.

In addition, in keeping with ACF’s priorities, the recipient must administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives when consistent with the scope of the award and its activities in programs that are authorized to advance them:

4. Family Stability and Child Well-Being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

5. Work, Self-Sufficiency, and Economic Mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

6. High-Quality Early Care and Learning:Where applicable, invest in high-quality early childhood programs that support school readiness, healthy development, and long-term success.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

Program description AI is rapidly reshaping economic development, governance, and the delivery of public services. Yet many tribal governments and Native-serving organizations face significant obstacles to understanding, adopting, and governing these technologies. Obstacles include limited technical capacity, insufficient training opportunities, and a lack of access to trusted, culturally aligned implementation partners. Without targeted support, these obstacles risk deepening the divide, leaving Native communities on the margins of an increasingly digital and AI-driven economy. As such, these obstacles threaten to limit access to powerful tools that could otherwise help address persistent socioeconomic challenges and advance community-driven priorities.

Establishing a long-term institution dedicated to advancing Native American leadership and advocacy in AI promotes outcomes that include supporting economic growth, innovation, and improvement in governance across multiple sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. The AI3 Action Institute can work toward these goals through services such as:

AI resource hub for Native communities:

• Provide current information on AI technology developments and identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery.

• Facilitate information sharing and technology deployment to Native communities.

• Act as a knowledge manager to capture lessons learned, share best practices, and develop resources.

• Serve as a central resource for Native communities’ AI activities.

Stakeholder engagement and coalition building:

• Build key industry, government, academic, and nonprofit relationships.

• Establish a public presence, including pathways to advance the mission.

• Maintain a broad view of activities to identify and support partnerships and coordination.

You can use grant funds to:

• Pay for short-to-medium-term staff costs, including the Institute’s director.

• Furnish and equip the Institute’s physical location and online presence.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

Purpose The AI3 Action Institute is designed to strengthen tribal governance and community capacity by supporting AI readiness and effective adoption of AI technologies across Native communities. The Institute will provide education, assistance, analysis, resource information, and partnership development to help tribal governments and Native-serving organizations use and govern AI in ways that align with tribal priorities and Native community needs.

The primary beneficiaries of the program are tribal governments, Native organizations, and Native communities across the U.S. that seek to improve governance systems, expand economic development opportunities, and enhance community services through responsible use of emerging technologies.

Project Requirements The objectives of the AI3 Action Institute are to:

Establish a national Native AI leadership and advocacy hub that elevates Native perspectives in the development, governance, and ethical deployment of AI technologies serving tribal governments, Native organizations, and intergovernmental partners across all regions of the United States.

Reduce barriers to AI adoption for tribal governments and Native organizations by providing phased services including assessment, planning, and implementation support; training; and educational resources designed to increase AI literacy and implementation readiness over a 36-month project period, beginning with pilot cohorts and scaling nationally.

Monitor and assess emerging AI technologies and trends through ongoing analysis, briefings, products, or reports about relevant tools, risks, and opportunities.

Develop strategic partnerships with industry, federal agencies, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations to expand coordinated, sustained access to expertise, technology resources, and collaborative innovation opportunities.

• A suggested partnership could come through the National Science Foundation (NSF) AI-Ready America program.

Facilitate knowledge exchange and technology deployment by sharing best practices, use cases, and implementation models through communities of practice, and convenings that support responsible AI adoption in tribal governance and community programs.

Establish a knowledge management and learning system that captures lessons learned, builds institutional expertise, and supports continuous improvement across

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 all phases of assessment, planning, and implementation, including a centralized repository and shared learning platform accessible to the general public.

Strengthen tribal governance and institutional capacity by promoting AI-enabled solutions that increase cost savings and improve decision-making, program management, and service delivery with measurable outcomes tracked through defined performance metrics and evaluation frameworks.

To achieve these objectives, the AI3 Action Institute will:

• Conduct engagement activities with Native communities.

• Analyze emerging technologies.

• Develop partnerships.

• Share tools and best practices tailored to Native communities.

• Provide AI education and training.

Expected program outcomes include:

• Increased AI literacy and technical capacity among tribal governments and Native organizations.

• Expanded access to AI tools, technical expertise, and collaborative innovation opportunities.

• Strengthened tribal governance systems through data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making.

• Increased knowledge sharing and coordination across Native communities regarding responsible AI adoption.

• Development of a sustainable knowledge base and network of partners supporting AI capacity building in Native communities.

By supporting these outcomes, the AI3 Action Institute will help ensure that Native communities are equipped to successfully leverage AI technologies to address complex socioeconomic challenges, improve governance capacity, and advance long-term community resilience and self-determination.

This program aligns with the following ACF priorities:

• Ensuring Value Alignment in Funding – ANA recipients will ensure they are good stewards of all grants related funds (federal and nonfederal) to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14

Cooperative agreement—Description of ACF’s involvement A cooperative agreement is a method of awarding federal assistance in which substantial federal involvement is anticipated. The agreement clearly defines ANA’s and the expected awardee’s responsibilities. The cooperative agreement will be developed as a Memorandum of Understanding between ANA and the recipient after the award is made.

ANA’s involvement and collaboration will include:

• Reviewing and providing input on work plans, timelines, implementation strategies, and key milestones.

• Participating in regular project meetings (e.g., quarterly or monthly check-ins) to review progress and address challenges.

• Reviewing and providing feedback on major project deliverables, curricula, training materials, outreach strategies, or other key products prior to finalization.

• Supporting problem-solving efforts when implementation barriers or risks arise.

• Supporting or facilitating, as appropriate, a possible partnership with NSF AI- Ready America program.

• Facilitating coordination with other ANA-funded projects or relevant federal initiatives when appropriate.

Participating in site visits (virtual or in-person) to assess project implementation and provide support.

Federal evaluation Under section 811 of NAPA (42 U.S.C. 2992), ANA must evaluate funded projects, including by describing and measuring their success, their effectiveness in achieving stated goals, their impact on related programs, and their structure and mechanism for service delivery. You must agree to participate fully in the federal evaluation.

We will complete this evaluation in a manner that is respectful of cultural protocols and community-based evaluation, using participant observations and interviews.

As much as possible, the evaluation will include community interviews with project staff and beneficiaries, and review of documentation including, but not limited to, the

Ongoing Progress Reports (OPR), which is approved under Office of Management and

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter34/subchapter8&edition=prelim

Budget (OMB) control number 0970-0452 (current expiration date February 29, 2028).

We will conduct a site visit at the end of the project period to observe your project outcomes and community benefits.

Federal project evaluations are completed when evaluators use a structured information collection tool approved under OMB control number 0970-0379 (current expiration date February 29, 2028) during end-of-project site visits from ANA. The site visit includes first-hand accounts of project outcomes and community benefits as well as reviews information provided through the recipient’s initial application and OPRs to evaluate the progress toward achieving the project’s goal and objectives by project staff throughout the project period.

Attendance at events At least two project staff must attend an ANA Grant Recipient Conference and an Economic Development Summit each year for your ANA award. You must budget for all related expenses. See more information in the budget narrative section of this NOFO.

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

General policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate or show preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Any efforts that promote a “discriminatory equity ideology.”

◦ To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, ACF will also not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any services or activities that inculcate or promote gender ideology.

For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR part 200.

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Additionally, based on 45 CFR 1336.33(b), you cannot conduct the following projects or activities with funding from this NOFO:

◦ Third-party training and technical assistance to other tribes or Native American organizations or to people who are not members of your organization.

◦ Feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, or written materials such as manuals that are not an essential part of your long-range development plan.

◦ Ongoing administrative functions that are not related to the proposed project.

◦ Ongoing service delivery programs or expanding or continuing existing social service delivery programs.

◦ Projects that do not further socioeconomic development.

◦ Projects from consortia of tribes that do not include documentation from each member specifying their role and support. See Third Party Agreements in the attachments.

◦ Projects from consortia that duplicate activities for which members already receive funding from ANA.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XIII/subchapter-D/part-1336/subpart-C/section-1336.33

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Subawards As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role is primarily a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

All subrecipients must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II.

For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/

Program income If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

Use of E-Verify All funded grantees and subgrantees are encouraged to use the national E-Verify system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Social Security Administration, to ensure their employees are American citizens or are eligible to work in the United States.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307 https://www.e-verify.gov/ https://www.e-verify.gov/

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 21

Get registered 22

Learn more 22

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it at this NOFO’s Grants.gov opportunity page. Then select the Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 21 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362270 https://www.grants.gov/support

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants page.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 22 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 24

Application contents and format 26

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in Grants.gov.

Narratives Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Component Included in page limit?

Table of contents Yes

Project summary Yes

Project narrative Yes

Line-item budget and budget narrative Yes

Attachments Component Included in page limit?

ACF priorities alignment attestation No

Indirect cost agreement Yes

Legal proof of nonprofit status Yes

Additional eligibility documentation Yes

Organizational capacity supporting information (including organization chart) Yes

Third-party agreements Yes

Maintenance of effort certification No

Governing body documentation Yes

Cost share waiver request (optional) Yes

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

Standard forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Component Included in page limit?

Project Abstract Summary No

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) No

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) No

(SF-424B) Assurances for Non-Construction Programs No

Key Contacts No

Grants.gov Lobbying form No

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) No

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

Application contents and format You will submit the narratives and attachments, plus the standard forms in the application package.

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

Required format Page limit for application: 100 pages

File format: Portable Document Format (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment form and the Other Attachments form:

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches Margins: 1 inch all around Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman Color: Black Size: 12-point font Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced Project summary: Must be single-spaced Project narrative: Must be double-spaced Line-item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced Attachments: Can be single-spaced Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

See disqualifying factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

Narratives To submit the narratives, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

Table of contents At the beginning of narratives, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content within the narratives.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of your application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address, your proposed services or research questions.

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores.

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length.

We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Purpose and need

Objectives

State your main objectives and any sub-objectives. Address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of this program and describe how you will achieve the objectives.

Describe how each objective supports the overall program purpose, including increasing AI literacy, strengthening governance, and expanding technology adoption.

Please refer to Program Description above for more information.

Identify baseline conditions, where available, and the anticipated changes resulting from project implementation.

Response

Approach

Outline your action plan. Describe the scope of your proposed project and describe in detail how you will accomplish it. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Describe the methods and strategies that will be used to implement project activities, including delivery of AI specific services and knowledge-sharing resources.

Explain how tribal leaders and Native community leaders, community members, and other stakeholders will be engaged throughout project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

Describe the target population(s) to be served, including the types of tribal governments, Native organizations, and geographic areas, and explain how identified needs inform the proposed project.

Clearly describe proposed activities and service delivery methods to demonstrate how the project will operate in practice.

Describe how the project incorporates culturally responsive and community-informed approaches that align with tribal and Native priorities and values.

Project timeline and milestones

Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for tasks you plan to complete and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete by a specific date.

• Provide target dates for activities you cannot quantify.

Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Impact

Project performance evaluation plan

Describe how you will evaluate your project’s performance and how it will contribute to continuous quality improvement. This plan must describe:

• How you will monitor ongoing activities and progress toward the project’s goals and objectives.

• The inputs, key activities, and expected outcomes of the funded activities. Inputs might include your collaborative partners, key staff, budget, service processes, or other resources.

• How you will measure the inputs, activities, and outcomes.

• How you will use the resulting information to improve your funded activities.

• Any processes that support overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes you will use to track performance outcomes.

• How your organization will collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes. This might include assigned skilled staff, data management software, and data integrity.

• Any potential obstacles to implementing the project performance evaluation and how you will address them.

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• A timeline for how you will review information from the performance evaluation and apply it to your ongoing project.

Expected outcomes

Identify the outcomes you plan to achieve from the project. Outcomes should relate to the overall program as described in the program description section. If research is part of the proposed work, outcomes must include hypothesized results and implications of the proposed research.

Describe how proposed outcomes will contribute to reducing barriers to AI adoption and increasing access to technology resources.

Describe broader anticipated impacts, including strengthened partnerships, improved governance capacity, and enhanced service delivery.

Resources and capabilities

Organizational capacity

Provide the following information for your full project team, including the applicant organization and any cooperating partners, contractors, and subrecipients:

• Provide evidence that your team has the relevant experience and expertise needed to carry out your project.

• Describe your team’s experience (including any partnering organizations) with administering, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating similar projects.

• Provide evidence that your team, including partnering organizations, has the organizational capability to fulfill their roles and functions effectively.

• You must disclose your plan to enter into subaward agreements. If planning subawards, describe the work each subrecipient will complete.

• Describe the organization’s experience working with tribal governments and Native communities, including approaches to culturally appropriate engagement.

• Identify key personnel and their qualifications, including expertise in AI, training, technical assistance, and project management.

• Provide some supporting information in the organizational capacity supporting information section of your attachments.

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Plan for oversight of federal award funds and activities

You must ensure proper award oversight. The regulation that governs this oversight is 2 CFR part 200. It includes standards for:

• Financial and program management.

• Property management.

• Procurement.

• Performance and financial monitoring and reporting.

• Subrecipient monitoring and management.

• Record retention and access.

• Remedies for noncompliance.

• Prior written approval.

Describe your framework to make sure that your federal funds and activities have proper oversight. Include:

• A description of the governance, policies and procedures, and systems you use for record-keeping and financial management.

• A description of the procedures you use to identify and mitigate risks and issues.

These might include audit findings, continuous performance assessment findings, and monitoring.

• The key staff who will be responsible for maintaining oversight of program staff and any partners or subrecipients.

Project sustainability plan

You must propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends. We expect you to sustain key elements of your project. These elements can include strategies or services and interventions that have improved practices and outcomes.

• Provide an approach to project sustainability that is effective and feasible.

Describe:

◦ The key people and organizations whose support you will require.

◦ The types of alternative support you will require to maintain the project.

• If the proposed project involves key project partners, describe how you will maintain their cooperation or collaboration after the federal funding ends.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 31 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-D

Protection of sensitive or confidential information

Describe how you will collect and safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information that is considered sensitive. Make sure your approach is consistent with applicable federal, state, local, and tribal laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality. Provide:

• The methods and systems you will use to make sure that you properly handle confidential and sensitive information, including information from any subrecipients or contractors.

• A plan for the disposition of such information at the end of the period of performance.

For more information, see 2 CFR 200.303(e).

Dissemination plan

Propose a plan to disseminate reports, products, and project outputs to key target audiences. Include:

• Dissemination goals and objectives.

• Strategies to identify and engage with target audiences.

• Your plan to allocate enough staff time and budget for dissemination.

• A preliminary plan to evaluate whether target audiences receive project information and use it as intended.

• The dissemination timeline.

• Your plan to disseminate information to Native communities.

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget justification support the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424A.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supplies in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

Justify the costs you ask for and provide detail, including calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form. You will provide this information for the full period of performance. See information on funding periods.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.303 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.1

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• How you calculate your costs in ways that are clear and repeatable.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See the funding policies and limitations.

• Including travel and office start-up costs to attend ANA required meetings in your budget.

Please also review the Standard Form instructions.

To create your line-item budget and justification, see detailed budget instructions on our website.

In general, you must:

• Indicate the method you will use for your indirect cost rate. See the indirect costs section for further information.

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail necessary for the calculation to be duplicated.

• For any cost sharing, include a detailed listing of any funding sources identified in Block 18 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

• For applicants planning to use subawards, if your subaward budget is more than 50% of total direct costs, justify why you are subawarding that portion of the project. Explain:

• How you plan to maintain a substantive role in the project.

• Why you cannot achieve your goals without the subrecipients’ participation.

Proprietary or personally identifiable information Clearly identify any salary or other proprietary information or personally identifiable information within your application. Identification will ensure this information is not shared with reviewers. Note in the attachments where the information to be redacted is located.

If you have an exemption for a paper submission, you can protect salary information and any proprietary information by placing that information only in the original application. You can remove the information from the copies, keeping summary information.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 3: Build Your Application 33 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/prepare-budget

Attachments You will submit the following Attachments, using the Other Attachments form as appropriate, found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

ACF priorities alignment attestation

Not included in the page limit. This should be submitted with the application or before award.

You must self-certify that you will align with the ACF priorities that are relevant to this funding opportunity, as identified in both the Program description and Step 4, under Merit review process, Scoring criteria, Alignment with ACF Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles, elements 2 and 3. You must provide the following on your organization’s letterhead.

I hereby attest and certify that:

_____________________ (Applicant Name) affirms its commitment to supporting and advancing ACF’s published Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), consistent with applicable federal statutes, regulations, and Administration priorities.

Insert Date of Signature:

Print Name and Title of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR):

Signature of AOR:

Indirect cost agreement If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

See the indirect costs section for more information.

Legal proof of nonprofit status If your organization is a nonprofit, you need to attach proof. We will accept any of the following:

• A reference to your listing in the IRS’s most recent list of tax-exempt organizations.

• A copy of a…