Compacts of free association
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.081
- Agency
-
Insular Affairs
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 2 $5,151,667 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Compact funding
- Assistance type
-
- Formula Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 14-0415-0-1-806
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior Insular Affairs administers direct grants to the Freely Associated States under Compacts of Free Association (CFDA 15.081), with the most recent award disbursed on February 1, 2026. The program exclusively funds the governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau across seven sectors: education, health care, infrastructure, public sector capacity building, private sector development, environment, and enhanced reporting and accountability. Funding is statutorily guaranteed under Public Law 108-188 and Public Law 99-658, with amounts determined annually by voting members of JEMCO/JEMFAC at their annual meeting.
Recent activity is sparse: two Formula Grant awards have been issued in the past fourteen months, totaling $5.2 million in federal obligations. The most recent grants funded infrastructure projects for the Federated States of Micronesia—a $3.04 million water storage tanks rehabilitation project (award date February 1, 2026, completion December 31, 2027) and a $2.11 million Kosrae airport runway rehabilitation project matching Federal Aviation Administration funds (award date December 1, 2025, completion December 31, 2027). The portfolio consists entirely of Formula Grants, reflecting the program's structure as a direct appropriation mechanism rather than competitive solicitation.
Applicant eligibility is limited to the three Freely Associated State governments; no other entities may apply. Awards are processed through GrantSolutions and distributed via email, with payments generally made through the ASAP Financial System. The Compacts govern financial relationships exclusively; except as specified in the Compacts and related subsidiary agreements, U.S. laws and regulations do not apply. Audits are conducted under Compact authority rather than standard federal rules, and record retention requirements follow the Compacts and the Office of Insular Affairs retention schedule.
No grant opportunities are currently posted; funding decisions occur through the JEMCO/JEMFAC annual voting process rather than through competitive NOFO solicitation.
Objective and description
- Objective
The long-term goal of United States' Compact financial support is to assist the Freely Associated States in their efforts to advance the economic self-sufficiency of their peoples.
- Description
All financial grant assistance directly authorized and specified in the Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau. All Compact financial assistance is guaranteed in the Compacts and is provided through either mandatory appropriations or permanent appropriations. The financial relationships are governed exclusively by the Compacts and related subsidiary agreements. Except as specified in those documents, U.S. laws and regulations do not apply. The amended Compacts provide financial assistance in the form of direct grants in seven sectors: education, health care, infrastructure, public sector capacity building, private sector development, environment, and enhanced reporting and accountability (FSM only).
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
The only entities eligible for this assistance are the governments of the Freely Associated States, which are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
- Uses of assistance
Provided support to the Freely Associated States for education, health, infrastructure, private sector development, public sector capacity building, and environment.
- Use restrictions
All expenses must adhere to the Compacts of Free Association agreement III with the Freely Associated States which are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The period of performance for OIA grants is dependent on the activity to be funded and is specified in the grant terms and conditions. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Awards are processed through GrantSolutions and distributed via email. Payments are generally made through ASAP Financial System. The frequency of the payment varies. Please contact the Headquarters Office for more information.
How to apply
- Award procedure
Funding is determined by the voting members of JEMCO/JEMFAC, at the annual meeting. Grants are awarded and distributed through GrantSolutions.gov.
Grant awards
| Award | Recipient | Federal obligations | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026-COFA3-FSM-infra-PUC water storage tanks rehabilitation | FSM National Government | $3,042,748 | |
| FY2026-COFA3-FSM-infra-kosrae airport runway rehab (FAA AIP match) | FSM National Government | $2,108,919 |
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FSM National Government | $5,151,667 | 100% |
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $5,151,667 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.081?
Assistance Listing 15.081 is Compacts of free association, a federal grant program run by Insular Affairs (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Compacts of free association?
Its CFDA number is 15.081: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.081 awarded?
2 grant awards under 15.081 have obligated $5,151,667 in federal funds to 1 recipient.
Who receives the most funding from 15.081?
The recipients obligated the most under Compacts of free association are FSM National Government ($5,151,667).
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every grant award and opportunity under it
- Funding by recipient, agency and assistance type
- Alerts for new opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program