Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion

Closed Posted

Opportunity number
HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-NB-0116
Agency
Applications due
Award size
$100,000 to $900,000

Opportunity facts

Funding instrument
Grant
Category
  • Income Security and Social Services
Eligible applicants
  • 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
  • Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
  • Other
  • Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
  • Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
Points of contact
Full announcement

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The Administration for Native Americans is soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance–Esther Martinez Immersion program, with applications due August 7, 2026. Funded projects must operate either a Language Nest serving at least five children under age seven for a minimum of 500 hours per year per student, or a Native American Survival School serving at least ten school-age students with a minimum of 500 hours of immersion instruction annually using one or more Native American languages.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes, non-federally recognized and state-recognized tribes, tribal consortia, incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations, Alaska Native villages and organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Applicants must demonstrate at least three years of prior experience operating a Native American language nest or survival school with immersion-based instruction.

A 20 percent non-federal cost-share match is required, calculated by dividing the federal award by four or multiplying total project cost by 20 percent; waivers up to $199,999 are available for certain Pacific and territorial entities. The program expects to distribute $4.5 million across six awards, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $900,000. Projects may span 36, 48, or 60 months with an expected start date of September 30, 2026; the maximum annual spending is $300,000, though applicants need not spend equal amounts each year.

Merit review allocates 26 points for purpose and need, 50 points for approach, 14 points for organizational capacity and oversight, 10 points for budget, and 10 points for alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, and priorities. Applications are limited to 150 pages and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

The opportunity is assigned to CFDA 93.587, Promote the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American Languages.

Synopsis

The Administration for Native Americans will be soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance - Esther Martinez Immersion program (EMI). The program funds community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction. Programs funded under EMI must meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest, or a Native American Survival School. As defined by Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(7)), Language Nests are "site-based educational programs that- (i) provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 5 children under the age of 7 for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student," and Native American Survival Schools are "site-based educational programs for school-age students that- (i) provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction through the use of 1 or more Native American languages for at least 10 students for whom a Native American language survival school is their principal place of instruction."

Files

File Type Posted
Full Announcement hhs-2026-acf-ana-nb-0116.pdf PDF

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