Native American Business Development Institute
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.133
- Agency
-
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 98 $4,299,489 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- (NABDI)
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Block Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 14-2100-7-8-452
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education operates the Native American Business Development Institute (CFDA 15.133), funding feasibility studies and business planning for economic development projects by Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, with the most recent grant award dated September 26, 2022.
NABDI funds technical assistance through consultant engagement—including universities, private consulting firms, and non-profit entities—to conduct market analysis, feasibility studies, and investor-quality business plans rather than direct construction or operations. Recent awards demonstrate the breadth of eligible activities: the Burns Paiute Tribe received $65,750 to evaluate redevelopment options for a 21-acre commercial property on Highway 20 in Oregon; the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana received $75,000 for a ranch feasibility study exploring rehabilitation facility, destination spa, and hospitality scenarios; the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians received $59,700 for a travel plaza analysis along U.S. Route 89A; the Pit River Tribe received $75,000 to assess a biomass energy harvest business; and the Cherokee Nation received $75,000 for a meat processing enterprise feasibility study addressing food insecurity. Other recent awards funded studies on GIS business development, septic tank services, medical device distribution, indoor agricultural facilities, and industrial park viability.
The program awarded 98 grants totaling $4.3 million in combined federal and non-federal obligations over its funding history beginning in 2007. Awards are predominantly Project Grants (99 percent) with one Block Grant. The Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Central Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education dominate funding equally at 51 and 46 awards respectively ($2.1 million and $2 million federal dollars), with a single award of $252 thousand from the Eastern Region. Award volume has averaged 12 to 23 grants annually across recent years (2016–2022), with typical individual grant sizes ranging from $40,000 to $75,000. The most recent grant opportunity, BIA-NABDI-2022-OIED, was posted April 26, 2022 with a June 27, 2022 due date; no open solicitation is currently active. Eligibility is limited to Federally Recognized Tribal Governments and Tribal Organizations. Applications are reviewed by Office of Indian Economic Development staff and approved by the Director; award amounts and count depend on appropriations and proposal quality.
Objective and description
- Objective
Under its Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) conceived in FY 2006, IEED has developed partnerships with U.S. graduate schools to assist tribal business assess financial opportunities and prepare economic feasibility studies. Assis
- Description
Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 15.133, titled Native American Business Development Institute, is managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED). Its primary purpose is to empower Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members by funding feasibility studies, market analysis, and business planning. These studies help tribes assess economic opportunities-such as business parks, meat processing operations, renewable energy ventures, security firms, and more-and determine whether they're financially viable and sustainable. NABDI stands out because it specifically supports economic feasibility research and business planning, rather than funding construction or direct business operations. From its start in fiscal year 2006, NABDI partnered with U.S. graduate schools and, later, private consultants, under Public Law 93‑638 agreements to assist tribal leaders in evaluating the financial and strategic aspects of projects. In doing so, it helps tribes produce investor‑quality business plans and feasibility reports that are essential for securing funding and attracting partners. Only Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations are eligible to apply, and both they and their tribal members benefit from the insights and planning support these grants provide. Funding is awarded competitively and with the amount and number of awards depending on federal appropriations and the quality of proposals. What makes NABDI unique is its focus on strategic preparation rather than immediate implementation. By financing deep-dive market and technical studies, NABDI reduces risk for tribes and helps them make informed, confident decisions. Furthermore, this grant program encourages tribes to engage consultants and graduate institutions, bringing professional rigor and external validation to their economic initiatives. By helping tribes build solid, research-backed business cases, NABDI strengthens tribal sovereignty and economic independence. It allows communities to move forward with ventures grounded in rigorous analysis rather than guesswork-ultimately fostering sustainable job creation, enhanced revenues, and broader community development throughout Indian Country.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal governments.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal governments and their members.
- Uses of assistance
Federally recognized tribes whose lands are held in trust or restricted fee by the Federal government.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Agreements are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor.
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Submission of application in response to Federal Register Notice.
- Award procedure
As funding is limited, applications are juried by IEED staff and selections are approved by the Director, IEED.
- Deadlines
Deadline determined as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) NABDI No NOFO has been released.
- Time to approval or disapproval
30 to 90 days.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 98 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penobscot Indian Nation | $252,043 | 6% |
| 2 | Bay Mills Indian Community | $138,845 | 3% |
| 3 | Nulato Tribal Council | $124,000 | 3% |
| 4 | Elko Band Council | $123,135 | 3% |
| 5 | Forest County Potawatomi Community | $116,152 | 3% |
| 6 | NEZ Perce Tribe | $108,250 | 3% |
| 7 | Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes | $99,500 | 2% |
| 8 | South Fork Band Council | $93,200 | 2% |
| 9 | Hualapai Tribal Council | $90,000 | 2% |
| 10 | Hydaburg Cooperative Association | $84,269 | 2% |
10 of 78 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | -$2,958 |
| FY2024 | -$53,650 |
| FY2023 | -$51,971 |
| FY2022 | $941,026 |
| FY2021 | -$26,516 |
| FY2020 | $662,240 |
| FY2019 | $248,350 |
| FY2018 | $458,200 |
| FY2017 | $701,600 |
| FY2016 | $1,043,617 |
| FY2013 | $388,918 |
Show all 11
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.133?
Assistance Listing 15.133 is Native American Business Development Institute, a federal grant program run by Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Education (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Native American Business Development Institute?
Its CFDA number is 15.133: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.133 awarded?
98 grant awards under 15.133 have obligated $4,299,489 in federal funds to 78 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 15.133?
The recipients obligated the most under Native American Business Development Institute are Penobscot Indian Nation ($252,043), Bay Mills Indian Community ($138,845) and Nulato Tribal Council ($124,000).
How much did 15.133 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.133 obligated -$2,958 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 15.133?
No opportunity listed under 15.133 is open now. The latest, Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI), was posted on April 26, 2022.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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