hhs-2026-ihs-tmd-0001_v5.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Friday, August 28, 2026

Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs

Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program Opportunity number: HHS-2026-IHS-TMD-0001

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Summary 5

Funding details 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 18

Step 3: Build Your Application 19

Application checklist 20

Application contents and format 22

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 33

Application review 34

Step 5: Submit Your Application 37

Application submission and deadlines 38

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 40

Post-award requirements and administration 41

Contacts and Support 43

Before you begin 3

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 Friday, August 28, 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

Summary 5

Funding details 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Basic information Indian Health Service (IHS)

Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs

Providing support so Tribes and Tribal organizations can assume IHS services and improve health management.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts Opportunity name:

Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-IHS-

TMD-0001

Assistance listing:

93.228

NOFO version: Original

Key dates Application submission deadline:

August 28, 2026

Expected award date:

October 1, 2026

Expected earliest start date:

October 1, 2026

Summary The TMG Program offers capacity building and developmental support for federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TOs). The program helps T/TOs prepare to assume some or all of the existing IHS programs, functions, services, and activities and further develop and improve Tribal health management capabilities.

Funding details Type: Grant

Competition Type: New

Expected total program funding: $2,761,000

Expected number of awards: 14 to 16 awards

Funding range per applicant for the first budget period: $75,000 to $150,000

The period of performance varies based on the project type selected, from 2 to 3 years. Please see the project type section for additional details.

• Feasibility study: Maximum funding $70,000; 24-month project period

• Planning: Maximum funding $50,000; 24-month project period

• Evaluation study: Maximum funding $50,000; 24-month project period

• Health management structure:

◦ Average funding $100,000; 24-month project period

◦ Maximum funding $300,000; 36-month project period

Continuation funding depends on the availability of funds and agency budget priorities.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Eligibility Eligible applicants Only these types of organizations may apply.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes An Indian Tribe as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14).

The term “Indian Tribe” means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group, or regional or village corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

Tribal Organizations A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26), which refers to the definition in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)):

“Tribal organization” means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe;

any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities:

provided that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.”

You must submit Tribal resolutions or letters of support from the Tribes you will serve.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title25/html/USCODE-2023-title25-chap18-other-sec1603.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title25/html/USCODE-2023-title25-chap18-other-sec1603.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title25/html/USCODE-2023-title25-chap46-sec5304.htm

Eligibility exceptions

• Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign organizations are not eligible.

• We do not fund concurrent projects under this program. If you get an award under this announcement, we cannot later fund you under a subsequent opportunity for the same program while this award is active.

• Tribes prohibited under the Alaska Moratorium from receiving funds pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) may not apply.

See statutory authority.

Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these requirements:

• Is from an organization that meets all eligibility criteria.

• Does not exceed the page limits for the project narrative or budget narrative.

• Does not exceed the amount of the funding range.

• Is not submitted after the deadline.

• Includes a draft or final Tribal resolution.

• Does not have any missing or delinquent audits in the audit documentation.

If your application does not meet all of these requirements, we will not consider it.

Application limits You may apply for one project type only. Your application must state the project type selected. Any application that addresses more than one project type will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement, meaning you do not need to contribute to the costs of this project.

If you choose to include cost-sharing funds, we won’t consider it during our review. If you receive an award, we will include your voluntary commitment in the award, and you must report on the funds.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Program description Background The TMG Program provides competitive grants to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TOs) to:

• Establish goals, performance measures, and expected outcomes for current health programs.

• Assess current management capacity to determine whether new components are appropriate.

• Analyze programs to determine if a T/TO’s management is practicable.

• Develop infrastructure systems to manage or organize IHS programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs).

Purpose The purpose of this program is to:

• Enhance and develop health management infrastructure.

• Help T/TOs take on all or part of IHS PFSAs through a Title I ISDEAA contract.

• Help established Title I ISDEAA contractors and Title V ISDEAA compactors to further develop and improve management capability.

Tribal management grants are available to T/TOs under the authority of 25 U.S.C.

5322(e) for:

• Obtaining technical help from providers that the T/TO designates for program planning and evaluation. This includes developing:

◦ Management systems needed for contract management.

◦ Cost allocation plans for indirect cost rates.

• Planning, designing, monitoring, and evaluating federal programs serving T/TOs, including federal administrative functions.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8

Project types The TMG Program consists of four project types:

• Feasibility study.

• Planning.

• Evaluation study.

• Health management structure.

The maximum funding levels noted must include both direct and indirect costs.

Application budgets may not exceed the maximum funding level or period of performance identified for a project type. Any application with a budget or period of performance that exceeds the maximum funding level or period of performance will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed.

1. Feasibility study Maximum funding: $70,000

Project period: 24 months

A feasibility study must include a study of a specific IHS program or segment of a program to determine whether Tribal management of the program is possible. The study will present the planned approach, training, and resources required for the Tribe to assume management of the program.

The study must include these four components:

• Assessments of health needs and health care services that identify:

◦ Existing health care services and delivery systems.

◦ Program divisibility issues with applicant and other Tribes/Tribal Organizations.

◦ Health status indicators.

◦ Unmet needs.

◦ Volume projections.

◦ Demand analysis.

• Management analysis of:

◦ Existing management structures.

◦ Proposed management structures.

◦ Implementation plans and requirements.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

◦ Staffing requirements.

◦ Recruitment barriers.

• Financial analysis of:

◦ Historical trends data.

◦ Financial projections.

◦ New resource requirements for program management costs.

◦ Potential revenues from federal and nonfederal sources.

• A report that incorporates:

◦ Decision statement.

◦ Findings (for example, sustainability).

◦ Conclusions.

◦ Recommendations.

The study and recommendations report will be presented to the Tribal governing body so it can determine whether the Tribe should administer the program.

2. Planning Maximum funding: $50,000

Project period: 24 months

Planning projects involve collecting data to establish goals and performance measures for health programs operation or anticipated PFSAs under an ISDEAA Title I contract.

Planning projects will specify the design of health programs and the management systems to accomplish the T/TO’s health priorities. This includes policies and procedures. For example, planning projects could include developing a Tribe-specific health plan or a strategic health plan.

Please note that updated Healthy People information and Healthy People 2030 objectives are available. The U.S. Public Health Service encourages strategic health plans to address specific objectives of Healthy People 2030.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/leading-health-indicators https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/leading-health-indicators

3. Evaluation study Maximum funding: $50,000

Project period: 24 months

In an evaluation study, you systematically collect, analyze, and interpret data to determine the impact of a program.

The evaluation study could involve:

• Evaluating the goals and objectives, policies and procedures, or programs regarding targeted groups. This could include developing or testing the program’s theory of change.

• Determining the effectiveness and efficiency of a T/TO’s program operations, such as:

◦ Direct services.

◦ Financial management.

◦ Personnel.

◦ Data collection and analysis.

◦ Third-party billing.

• Determining whether new components of a T/TO’s program operations will help efforts to improve Tribal health care delivery systems.

4. Health management structure Average funding: $100,000

Average project period: 24 months

Maximum funding: $300,000

Maximum project period: 36 months

The first-year funding level is limited to $150,000.

The health management structure component enables award recipients to implement systems to manage or organize PFSAs. This includes designing, improving, and correcting management systems that address weaknesses identified through quality control measures, internal control reviews, and audit report findings under required financial audits and ISDEAA requirements.

Management structures include:

• Health department organizations.

• Health boards.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

• Financial management systems, including systems for accounting, personnel, third-party billing, medical records, and management information systems.

For the minimum standards for the management systems used by a T/TO when carrying out self-determination contracts, please see 25 CFR part 900, subpart F, 900.35–900.60, Standards for Tribal or Tribal Organization Management Systems.

For operational provisions applicable to self-governance compacts, please see 42 CFR part 137, subpart I, 137.160–137.220, Tribal Self-Governance: Operational Provisions.

Funding priorities IHS has established the following funding priorities for TMG awards:

• Priority 1: Any Indian T/TO representing that Indian Tribe that has received federal recognition (including restored, funded, or unfunded) within the past five years of the posting of the opportunity will be considered priority 1.

• Priority 2: T/TOs submitting a new application or a competing continuation application for the sole purpose of addressing audit material weaknesses will be considered priority 2.

◦ Priority 2 only applies to the health management structure project type.

• Priority 3: Eligible direct service and T/TOs with a Title I ISDEAA contract with the IHS that are submitting a new application or a competing continuation application will be considered priority 3.

• Priority 4: Eligible T/TOs with a Title V ISDEAA compact with the IHS submitting a new application or a competing continuation application will be considered priority 4.

Approved applicants will be funded in order of priority. Funds will be distributed until depleted.

The audit findings are identified in Attachment A of the transmittal letter received from the HHS/OIG/National Exclusions and Actions Reporting. Please identify the material weaknesses to be addressed by underlining the item(s) listed in Attachment A.

T/TOs not subject to Single Audit Act requirements must provide a financial statement identifying the federal dollars received in the footnotes. The financial statement should also identify specific weaknesses/recommendations that will be addressed in the TMG proposal and that are related to 25 CFR Part 900, Subpart F, Standards for Tribal and Tribal Organization Management Systems.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/chapter-V/part-900/subpart-F https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/chapter-V/part-900/subpart-F https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/chapter-V/part-900/subpart-F https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-137#subpart-I https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-137#subpart-I https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-137#subpart-I

Note: A decision to award a TMG does not represent a determination from the IHS regarding the T/TO’s eligibility to contract for a specific PFSA under the ISDEAA. An application for a TMG does not constitute a contract proposal.

Pre-conference award requirements If you receive an award, you must follow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending: Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meeting Space, Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and Publications. This policy applies to funded conferences.

You will also provide additional information in your budget narrative. See budget justification for conferences.

Funding policies and limitations Limitations

• Pre-award costs are allowable up to 90 days before the start date of the award, provided the costs are otherwise allowable if awarded. If you incur pre-award costs, you do so at your own risk.

• The purchase of food is not an allowable cost.

For guidance on some types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see 2 CFR part 200 subpart E, General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost. See also program-specific funding policies, the next section.

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate; racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic;

illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/efficient-spending/index.html?language=es.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E

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.

• Total award funds include both direct and indirect costs.

• Each applicant can receive only one award under this program.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ 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.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program.

As of January 2026, the salary rate limitation is $228,000.

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.

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.

Usually, IHS recipients negotiate their rates with the HHS Division of Cost Allocation or the Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center. For questions about the indirect cost policy, write to DGM@ihs.gov.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. Recipients and subrecipients that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may elect

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307 https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/psc/indirect-cost-negotiations/index.html https://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/asa/psc/indirect-cost-negotiations/index.html https://ibc.doi.gov/ICS/indirect-cost mailto:DGM@ihs.gov to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent (see 2 CFR 200.414(f) of modified total direct costs (MTDC)). You can use this rate indefinitely.

If you choose this method, you must not charge costs included in the indirect cost pool as direct costs.

Funding for alignment with agency priorities Before we make final funding decisions, Division of Grants Management leadership will review all potential awards. They will check for:

• Adherence to applicable laws.

• Alignment to agency priorities (HHS Priorities | HHS.gov).

To the extent allowed by law and court orders, we will give a funding priority to applications that align with agency priorities.

For example, your application may receive this priority if it includes program-specific activities.

See the policy alignment section of the merit review criteria.

Statutory authority This program is authorized under the Snyder Act, 25 U.S.C. 13; the Transfer Act, 42 U.S.C. 2001(a).

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.

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

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.414 https://www.hhs.gov/about/priorities/index.html https://

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 17

Find the application package 18

Get registered You must be registered in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov to apply. You can review the requirements and get started on developing your application before your registrations are complete.

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.

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

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 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

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.

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 18 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360298 https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/support

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 20

Application contents and format 22

Application checklist This checklist includes every component you will need to submit a complete application:

Narratives Component Form to use Page limit

☐ Project summary Project Abstract Summary form 1 page

☐ Project narrative Project Narrative Attachment form 10 pages

☐ Budget narrative Budget Narrative Attachment form 5 pages

Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Component Page limit

☐ Tribal resolution None

☐ Work plan chart None

☐ Proof of nonprofit status None

☐ Indirect cost agreement None

☐ Biographical sketches and resumes None

☐ Letters of support None

☐ Audit documentation None

Step 3: Build Your Application 20

Other required forms Upload using each required Grants.gov form.

Component Page limit

☐ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) None

☐ Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) None

☐ Project/Performance Site Location None

☐ Grants.gov Lobbying form None

☐ Key Contacts None

☐ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) None

Step 3: Build Your Application 21

Application contents and format Applications include narratives, attachments, and other required forms. This section includes guidance on each.

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

We will provide instructions on document formats in the following sections.

If you don’t provide the required documents, your application is incomplete. See completeness and responsiveness criteria to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

Project summary Provide a self-contained summary of your proposed project, including the purpose and expected outcomes. Do not include any proprietary or confidential information. We use this information when we receive public information requests about funded projects.

Required format for project and budget narrative

Font size: 12-point font Footnotes, tables, and text in graphics may be 10-point.

Font color: Black

Spacing: Single-spaced

Margins: 1-inch

Size: 8.5 by 11 inches Include consecutive page numbers.

Formats: While the forms for project and budget narratives are PDF, you may upload Word, Excel, or PDF files to those forms.

Step 3: Build Your Application 22

Project narrative Page limit: 10 pages

Filename: Project narrative

To create your project narrative:

• Follow the headings in the project narrative components table in order.

• Use the scoring criteria in this section to determine what you need to include.

• Describe your proposed project and activities for the full period of performance.

• Applications must remain within the overall page limit. Applicants who exceed the recommended page limits will receive reduced scores during the merit review process.

Table: Project narrative components

Heading Recommended page limit Points

Introduction and need for assistance 2 pages 20 points

Project objectives, work plan, and approach 4 pages 40 points

Program evaluation 2 pages 20 points

Organizational capabilities, key personnel, and qualifications 2 pages 15 points

Project narrative scoring criteria Introduction and need for assistance Maximum points: 20

• Describe the T/TO’s current health operation. Include:

◦ A list of programs and services that are currently provided, including federally and state-funded.

◦ Information about technologies currently used, including hardware, software, and services.

◦ The sources of technical support for those technologies, such as Tribal staff, area office, IHS, or vendor.

◦ Information on whether the T/TO has a health department and/or health board and how long it has been operating.

Step 3: Build Your Application 23

• Describe the population your project will serve. Include the total number of eligible IHS beneficiaries currently using the services.

• Describe the geographic location of the proposed project, including any geographic barriers to health care for people in the area to be served.

• Identify all tribal management grants received since FY 2015, dates of funding, and a summary of project accomplishments. State how your previous TMG funds helped the progression of health care and relate this to your current proposed project. (We will not accept copies of reports.)

• Identify the eligible project type and priority group, and provide supporting documentation that alignment with the program descriptions.

• Explain the need for the proposed TMG project. Identify specific weaknesses and gaps in service or infrastructure that the proposal will address. Explain how you will assess these gaps and weaknesses.

• If the proposed TMG project includes information technology (i.e., hardware, software, etc.), explain how you will ensure the proposed project will not create other gaps in services or infrastructure—such as negatively affecting IHS interface capability, Government Performance and Results Act reporting requirements, contract reporting requirements, or IT.

• Describe the effect of the proposed TMG project on current programs (including federally and state funded), and, if applicable, on current equipment (hardware, software, services). Include the effect of the proposed project on planned or anticipated programs and equipment.

• Identify the T/TO’s contractor of compactor status as follows:

◦ Identify whether the T/TO is an IHS Title I contractor.

▪ If they are:

⁃ Identify whether the self-determination contract is a master contract for several programs or whether each program has an individual contract.

⁃ Include information on whether the T/TO participates in a consortium contract (more than one Tribe participating in a contract).

⁃ Address what programs those contracts currently provide and how the proposed TMG project will enhance the organization’s capacity to manage the current contracts.

◦ If the T/TO is not an IHS Title I contractor, address how the proposed TMG project will enhance the organization’s management capabilities, what programs and services the organization is seeking to contract, and an anticipated date for contract.

Step 3: Build Your Application 24

◦ Identify whether the T/TO is an IHS Title V compactor. If they are, address when the T/TO entered into the compact and how the proposed project will further enhance the organization’s management capabilities.

Project objectives, work plan, and approach Maximum points: 40

• Describe your proposed project objectives. They must be:

◦ Measurable and (if applicable) quantifiable.

◦ Results-oriented.

◦ Time-limited.

◦ Example: “By installing new third-party billing software, the Tribe proposes to increase the number of claims processed by 15% within 12 months.”

• For each objective, address how the proposed TMG project will change or improve program operations or processes. Also address what tangible products are expected from the project (for example, a policies and procedures manual or a health plan).

• Address the extent to which the proposed project will build local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target population.

• Submit a work plan in your attachments that includes the following:

◦ Action steps on a timeline for accomplishing the proposed project objectives.

▪ Who will perform the action steps?

▪ Who will supervise the action steps?

◦ Tangible products you will produce during and at the end of the proposed project.

▪ Who will accept and/or approve work products during and at the end of the TMG project?

◦ A description of any training activities you propose. Also identify their target audience and training personnel.

◦ Work plan evaluation activities. (See the evaluation criteria in the following section.)

• If you will use consultants or contractors during the proposed project, please complete the following information in their scope of work. (If you will not use consultants or contractors, please make note of that.)

◦ Educational requirements.

Step 3: Build Your Application 25

◦ Desired qualifications and work experience.

◦ Expected work products to be delivered, along with a timeline.

• If you have already identified potential consultants or contractors, please include a resume for each consultant or contractor in the biographical sketches and resumes attachment.

• Describe updates you will need to make so the TMG project succeeds. This could include revision of policies/procedures, upgrades, or technical support.

Include a timeline of anticipated updates and/or maintenance.

Program evaluation Maximum points: 20

• In the work plan, for each proposed objective include an evaluation activity, such as a logic model, to assess its progression and ensure completion.

• Describe your plan to evaluate project processes and outcomes.

• Outcome evaluations relate to the results identified in the objectives. If you plan to conduct an outcome evaluation, describe:

◦ The criteria for determining whether the objective was met.

◦ The data you will collect to determine whether the objective was met.

◦ Data collection intervals.

◦ Who will be responsible for collecting the data and their qualifications.

◦ Data analysis methods.

◦ How the results will be used.

• Process evaluations relate to the work plan and activities of the project. If you plan to conduct a process evaluation, describe:

◦ The process for monitoring and assessing potential problems, then identifying quality improvements.

◦ Who will be responsible for monitoring and managing project improvements based on the results of ongoing process improvements, and their qualifications.

◦ How you will use ongoing monitoring to improve the project.

◦ Any products, such as manuals or policies, that you might develop and how others could replicate them.

◦ How the T/TO will document what they learn throughout the project period.

• Describe any additional evaluation efforts you plan after the grant period has ended.

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

• Describe the ultimate benefit to the T/TO that you expected from this project.

◦ Example: “The T/TO is able to expand preventive health services because of increased billing and third-party payments.”

Organizational capabilities, key personnel, and qualifications Maximum points: 15

This section outlines the T/TO’s capacity to complete the proposal outlined in the work plan. It includes identifying personnel who will complete tasks and the chain of responsibility for completing the proposed plan. Provide the following information:

• The organizational structure of the T/TO.

• How the T/TO will obtain management systems if it does not have an established management system that complies with 25 CFR part 900 subpart F, “Standards for Tribal or Tribal Organization Management Systems.”

• If management systems are already in place, state this, and how long the systems have been in place.

• Describe the T/TO’s ability to manage the proposed project. Include information on other projects the T/TO has completed that were similarly sized projects in scope and financial assistance, as well as other grants and projects.

• Describe equipment (such as fax machines, telephones, computers) and facility space (such as office space) that the T/TO will use for the proposed project. Include information about any equipment that you will purchase through the grant.

• In the work plan, list key project personnel and their titles.

• In the biographical sketches and resumes section of your attachments, provide the position descriptions and resumes for all key personnel.

• Indicate whether the project requires you to hire staff—for example, information technology support. If so, address how the T/TO will sustain these new positions after the federal funding ends.

• If you will not hire new staff, please indicate that in this section.

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

Budget narrative Page limit: 5 pages

Filename: Budget narrative

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in Standard form 424-A. See other required forms.

It includes added detail and justifies the costs you ask for. As you develop your budget, consider:

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

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

• The scoring criteria in this section.

Be sure to do the following in your budget narrative:

• Show each line item in your SF-424A, organized by budget category.

• Provide the information for the entire period of performance, broken down by year.

• For each line item, describe:

◦ How the costs support achieving the project’s proposed objectives.

◦ How you calculated or arrived at the cost.

• Take care to explain each item in the “other” category and why you need it.

• Do not use the budget narrative to expand your project narrative.

• Do not exceed the funding range.

• Do not exceed the page limit. Applicants who exceed the recommended page limits will receive reduced scores during the merit review process.

If you like, you can also include a spreadsheet that provides more detail than the SF-424A. If you do, we won’t count it toward the page limit.

Budget justification for conferences You must provide a separate detailed budget justification for each conference you anticipate. In your justification, you must address these cost categories:

• Contract or planner.

• Meeting space or venue.

• Registration website.

• Audiovisual.

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

• Speakers’ fees.

• Non-federal attendee travel.

• Registration fees.

• Other.

Budget scoring criteria Categorical budget and budget justification Maximum points: 5

• Provide a categorical budget for the first budget period.

• If you are claiming indirect costs, indicate your rate and apply it to the budget. Include a copy of the rate agreement in the indirect costs agreement within the attachments.

• Provide a narrative justification explaining why each categorical budget line item is necessary and relevant to the proposed project. Include enough cost and other details (such as equipment specifications) so that we can determine whether the costs are allowable.

• We do not consider cost sharing during merit review.

Attachments You will upload attachments in Grants.gov using a single Other Attachments form.

Tribal resolution If you are a Tribe or Tribal Organization applicant, you must submit an official, signed Tribal resolution before we can issue an award. You must submit a final or draft resolution with your application. Failure to submit a final or draft Tribal resolution means we will not consider your application for funding. The Tribal resolution must specifically mention support for this funding opportunity.

If your application is selected for award, we will contact you to let you know that a final Tribal resolution must be submitted to the Division of Grants Management and give you a due date. If the resolution is not received by that due date, the award will not be issued.

If you propose serving more than one Tribe, you must submit a resolution from each.

If your organization has a governing structure other than a Tribal council, you may substitute an equivalent document, such as a letter of support or letter of

Step 3: Build Your Application 29 commitment. Please include documentation explaining and justifying the substitution.

Work plan chart Attach a one-page work plan chart or timetable separately that summarizes the work plan in your project description by outlining your activities and outcomes.

The work plan should include activities for the entire period of performance.

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

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the Internal Revenue Service.

• A letter from your state’s tax department, attorney general, or another state official saying that your group is a nonprofit and that none of your net earnings go to private shareholders or others.

• A certified copy of your certificate of incorporation. This document must show that your group is a nonprofit.

• Any of these for a parent organization. Also include a statement signed by an official of the parent group stating that your organization is a nonprofit affiliate.

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.

Biographical sketches and resumes Provide the position descriptions and resumes for key personnel, attach biographical sketches for positions that are filled. Each resume must include a statement indicating that the proposed key personnel is qualified to carry out the proposed project activities. If you don’t have a current candidate for a position, please state this.

If you have already identified potential consultants or contractors, please provide their resumes.

If a position isn’t filled, attach a short description of the position and its qualifications. Each position description should:

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 30 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XI/subchapter-A/part-1108/subpart-B/section-1108.85

• Clearly describe the position’s duties.

• Indicate desired qualifications and project-associated experience.

If an individual is partially funded by this grant, indicate the percentage of their time to be allocated to the project and identify the resources you will use to fund the remainder of their salary.

Letters of support Attach letters of support from your organization’s board of directors, if relevant, and for any key partners collaborating and named in your proposal.

Audit documentation You must provide documentation of required audits. You can submit either of the following:

• Email confirmation from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) showing that you submitted the audits.

• Face sheets from audit reports. You can find these on the FAC website.

Missing or delinquent audits will disqualify your application from consideration.

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 31 https://www.fac.gov/

Other required forms You will need to complete some required forms at Grants.gov. You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission Requirement

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) With application

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

(SF-424A)

With application

Project/Performance Site Location With application

Grants.gov Lobbying form With application

Key Contacts With application

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) If applicable, with the application.

Important: Public information

When filling out your SF-424 form, pay attention to Box 15: Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project.

We share what you put there with USAspending. This is where the public goes to learn how the federal government spends their money.

Instead of just a title, insert a short description of your project and what it will do.

See instructions and examples [PDF].

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

Step 3: Build Your Application 32 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.usaspending.gov/ https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-writing-award-descriptions.pdf

Step 4:

Learn About Review and Award

In this step

Application review 34

Application review Initial review We will review your application to make sure that it meets both the completeness criteria and the responsiveness criteria. If your application does not meet these criteria, we will not move it to the merit review phase.

Scoring process The review committee reviews all applications that pass the initial review. The members use the criteria in the project narrative and budget narrative sections in Step 3.

We will send your authorized official an executive summary statement within 30 days after we complete reviews. This statement will outline the strengths and weaknesses of your application.

Criteria summary

Criterion Total number of points = 100

1. Introduction and need for assistance 20 points

2. Project objectives, work plan, and approach 40 points

3. Program evaluation 20 points

4. Organizational capabilities, key personnel, and qualifications 15 points

5. Budget narrative 5 points

We do not consider voluntary cost sharing during scoring.

Risk review Before making an award, we review the risk that you will mismanage federal funds or fail to complete the project objectives. We need to make sure you’ve handled any past federal awards well and demonstrated sound business practices.

We use SAM.gov Responsibility/Qualification to check this history for all awards likely to be over $250,000. We also check Exclusions.

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

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 34 https://sam.gov/entity-information

If we find a significant risk, we may choose not to fund your application or to place specific conditions on the award.

You can see more details about risk review at 2 CFR 200.206.

Selection process When making funding decisions, we consider:

• Merit review results. These are key in making decisions but are not the only factor.

• The larger portfolio of agency-funded projects, including the project type and geographic distribution.

• The past performance of the applicant. We may choose not to fund applicants with management or financial problems.

• We may:

◦ Fund applications in whole or in part.

◦ Fund applications at a lower amount than requested.

◦ Decide not to allow a recipient to subaward if they may not be able to monitor and manage subrecipients properly.

◦ Choose to fund no applications under this NOFO.

Award notices After we review and select applications for award, we will let you know the outcome.

Unsuccessful applications We will email you or write you a letter if your application is disqualified or unsuccessful.

Approved but unfunded applications It is possible that we could approve your application, but don’t have enough funds to make an award. If so, we will hold your application for one year. If funding becomes available during the year, we may reconsider funding your application.

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

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 35 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206

Approved applications If you are successful, we will create a Notice of Award (NoA). You will need a GrantSolutions user account to retrieve your NoA.

The NoA is the only official award document. The NoA tells you about the amount of the award, important dates, and the terms and conditions you need to follow.

Until you receive the NoA, you don’t have permission to start work.

By drawing down funds, you accept the terms and conditions of the award. The award incorporates the requirements of the program and funding authorities, the grant regulations, the GPS, and the NOFO.

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

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 36 https://www.grantsolutions.gov/home/getting-started-request-a-user-account/

Step 5:

Submit Your Application

Application submission and deadlines 38

Application submission and deadlines See find the application package to make sure you have everything you need.

Make sure you are current with SAM.gov and UEI requirements. See get registered. You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

Deadline You must submit your application by Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

ET.

See exemptions for paper submissions.

Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives the application. If you submit the same application more than once, we will accept the last on-time submission.

The grants management officer may extend an application due date based on emergency situations such as documented natural disasters or a verifiable widespread disruption of electric or mail service.

Process You must submit your application through Grants.gov. See get registered.

For instructions on how to submit in Grants.gov, see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Make sure that your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks or we may not get it. Do not encrypt, zip, or password protect any files.

See Contacts and Support if you need help.

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

Step 5: Submit Your Application 38

Exemptions If you cannot submit through Grants.gov, you must request a waiver before the application due date. Send your waiver request to DGM@ihs.gov. Include a clear justification for your need to deviate from the required application submission process. Failure to register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov in a timely way is not cause for a waiver. We will not accept applications outside of Grants.gov without an approved waiver.

We will email you if we approve your waiver. This notification will include submission instructions. If we approve your waiver, we must receive your application by 5 pm ET on the application deadline.

Intergovernmental review Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs does not apply to this NOFO. You do not need to take any action.

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

Step 5: Submit Your Application 39 mailto:DGM@ihs.gov https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html

Step 6:

Learn What Happens

After Award

Post-award requirements and administration 41

Post-award requirements and administration Administrative and national policy requirements There are important rules you need to know if you get an award. You must follow:

• All terms and conditions in the Notice of Award. We incorporate this NOFO by reference.

• The rules listed in 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, effective October 1, 2025. These replace those in 45 CFR 75, with some exceptions in 2 CFR 300.

• The HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS). This document has terms and conditions tied to your award. If there are any exceptions to the GPS, they’ll be listed in your Notice of Award.

• All federal statutes and regulations relevant to federal financial assistance, including those highlighted in the HHS Administrative and National Policy Requirements.

• All antidiscrimination laws: By applying for or accepting federal funds from HHS, recipients certify compliance with all federal antidiscrimination laws and these requirements and that complying with…