NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- BIA-NATIVEACT-2026-OIED
- Agency
-
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 15.032 Indian Economic Development
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Community Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education is soliciting a single cooperative agreement to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support for tribal and Native Hawaiian cultural heritage tourism, with applications due August 28, 2026. The award is a single $1,500,000 cooperative agreement covering a five-year period of performance (September 25, 2026, through September 30, 2031), structured as an initial one-year budget period with up to four additional one-year periods contingent on satisfactory performance. No cost share is required.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments, non-federally recognized tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, public institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)). Native Hawaiian organizations must be nonprofit entities that serve Native Hawaiian interests, have Native Hawaiians serving in substantive and policymaking positions, and are recognized for expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage including tourism.
The selected recipient will serve as facilitator between the Department of Interior, Department of Commerce, and federal agencies to support approximately 60 entities under the Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR). Core deliverables include establishing a needs assessment process, delivering tailored technical assistance addressing strategy, planning, capacity building, and problem-solving, facilitating federal coordination, and documenting outcomes tied to visitor engagement, economic participation, and tribal tourism capacity metrics. Mandatory budget requirements include two staff members attending an annual grantee meeting in Washington, DC, not exceeding $8,000. Construction and direct office operations are not allowable. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov. The opportunity is funded under Assistance Listing 15.032, Indian Economic Development.
Synopsis
The NATIVE Act cooperative agreement will support Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR) applicants, which is comprised of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, by identifying technical assistance needs and delivering targeted capacity-building support to expand cultural heritage tourism and increase visitation. The selected recipient will provide tools, strategies, and expertise to enhance and grow tourism activities and destinations, while facilitating coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce in planning and implementation.The NATIVE Act requires identification of a means for delivering and coordinating Federal technical assistance and resources for cultural heritage tourism in collaboration with Federal partners, including the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Commerce and other Federal agencies and entities with tourism expertise. The NATIVE Act provides authority so the "Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding or cooperative agreement with an entity or organization with a demonstrated record in tribal communities of defining, introducing, developing, and sustaining American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism and related activities in a manner that respects and honors native traditions and values."Native Hawaiian organization means a nonprofit organization: (A) that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians; (B) in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions, and; (C) that are recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.Awards are made for an initial one-year budget period and may receive continuation funding for up to four additional one-year budget periods, for a total period of performance not to exceed five years. Continuation funding is contingent upon satisfactory performance, the availability of funds, and agency priorities.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| BIA-NATIVEACT-2026-OIED NOFO Final.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity