Indian Economic Development

These programs assist Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments by providing the resources necessary to develop a self-sustaining economic base. The program provides opportunities for business development, the coordination and integration of pro

Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 15.032, titled Indian Economic Development, is a program run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED). Its purpose is to help Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments build strong, self-sustaining economies. It achieves this by supporting a broad range of economic initiatives from business startups and language support systems to strategic planning and tourism. This program focuses on tribal-led economic solutions and fostering collaborative partnerships with federal, state, local, and private-sector entities. The Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP) provides funding to 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. These incubators offer mentorship, technical assistance, networking, and facilitate access to capital. IBIP grants support up to three years of incubation services, with possible extensions contingent upon continued appropriations and other factors. The Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP) supports efforts to revitalize Native languages by funding immersion, education, and curriculum development initiatives, especially for tribal communities whose students are not served by Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. The LLGP Native language immersion programming supports language revitalization efforts based on the unique needs of the awardee, aiming to enhance economic and community resilience through language revitalization efforts. Several specialized grant programs are currently authorized to meet targeted economic development in tourism. The Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) strives to provide substantial community benefits by facilitating and strengthening Tribal tourism activities, enhancing visitor experiences, and increasing visibility and access to Tribal destinations. These projects are supported through the NATIVE Act Cooperative Agreement, which facilitates federal technical assistance and regional coordination to promote sustainable Tribal tourism. The TTGP is distinct in that it does not fund the creation of entirely new tourism ventures, instead, it improves and grows what is already in place, ensuring projects align with tribal economic priorities. Together, these programs under ALN 15.032 offer a coordinated toolkit for tribal nations to lead economic and cultural revitalization in ways tailored to their unique goals. By combining tourism growth (via TTGP and the NATIVE Act), entrepreneurial support (via IBIP), and cultural empowerment (via LLGP), the Assistance Listing enables tribes to steer their own economic development with culturally aligned, professionally supported grant programs.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members.

Funds are used to administer tribal revolving loan programs and guaranty loan programs in order to develop resources to improve access to capital in tribal economies. Final approval of loan guarantees is restricted to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Funds can also be used by Federally Recognized Indian tribal Governments to develop essential tribal ordinances and commercial business codes which provide the necessary separation and exercise of sovereign immunity between business activities and tribal regulatory activities to promote a pro-business environment.

Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Proposals to administer an economic development program are evaluated on the capability of the prospective applicant to successfully conduct the program and on budget and its effective use. All applicants meeting the criteria in 25 CFR Part 900 will be funded.

In most cases, the application to administer the program can be approved at the agency level. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval.

IBIP Open 6/9/2026 and Close 7/24/2026 LLGP Estimated to be Open 1/2027 and Close 3/2027 TTGP Open 6/25/2026 and Close 8/7/2026 NATIVE Act Cooperative Agreement: TBD (est. Open 7/2026 and Close 8/2026)

Applications will be processed within 90 days.

Renewals may be granted indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award. Some awards under this program may be one-time grants for a specific purpose and may not be subject to renewal.

A Federally Recognized Tribal Government or Native American Organization whose request to administer the program is denied may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.