BIA-ibip-oied-2026
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026
- Agency
-
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- $300,000 to $400,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 15.032 Indian Economic Development
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Community Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Points of contact
-
- Jo Ann Metcalfe jo.metcalfe@bia.gov (410) 703-3390
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Economic Development, is soliciting grant applications to establish or expand business incubators serving Native entrepreneurs on or near tribal reservation communities, with applications due July 24, 2026.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, public institutions of higher education, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of operational incubation experience. A 25 percent non-Federal cost share is required for the initial award period, increasing to 33 percent for renewal periods, though waivers may be granted based on demonstrated need.
Approximately 10 grants ranging from $300,000 to $400,000 annually will be awarded for an initial 36-month project period, with an option for an additional 36-month renewal term subject to congressional appropriations and satisfactory performance. The anticipated project period runs from September 20, 2026 through September 30, 2029, with performance on or near tribal reservation communities throughout the United States.
Incubators must deliver structured business services including entrepreneurship and business skills training, mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to investors and capital. Merit review evaluates applications on five criteria: incubator operational capacity and program design (25 points), strategic alignment and community integration (25 points), business formation and employment outcomes (25 points), implementation and work plan (10 points), and organizational capacity (15 points), for a maximum of 100 achievable points.
The program operates under CFDA 15.032, Indian Economic Development. Funding is appropriated annually by Congress; renewals beyond the initial period depend on each fiscal year's appropriations and the Secretary's discretion.
Synopsis
On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, Pub. L. 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), solicits proposals from eligible entities (see Eligibility Section) for grant funding from established Business Incubators to serve Native entrepreneurs with start-up, early-stage, and established businesses who will provide products or services to Tribal reservation communities. For the purposes of this NOFO, an established incubator is defined as an operational entity currently providing structured incubation services and is able to demonstrate prior performance. The Indian Business Incubator will provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs and deliver a range of business services such as mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to investors. Further, Indian Business Incubators will promote collaboration, address challenges, and provide individually tailored services to overcome the obstacles that are unique to each participating business.The OIED will administer this grant program through the Division of Economic Development (DED) funded under a non-recurring appropriation budget. Congress appropriates funds on a year-to-year basis. While IBIP projects may extend over several years, funding for successive years beyond the original period of performance depends on each fiscal year's congressional appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary).The awards are for a project period of 36 months (§1187.40), with an option for an additional 36 months (§1187.41). The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award continuation beyond each 12-month budget period is subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of each recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal government. Neither the Department of the Interior (DOI) nor Indian Affairs will be held responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication of this solicitation does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs to award any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026 NOFO Final.pdf |
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