Promote the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American Languages

The P & M program provides funding for projects designed to ensure continuing vitality of Native American languages. This program allows for a broad array of Native language-related projects including establishing a language program, improving an exist

Per 45 CFR 1336.33(a)(1): Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes; Incorporated state-recognized Indian Tribes; Consortia of Indian Tribes; Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 USC 1603(29); Urban Indian Centers; Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia; Nonprofit native organizations in Alaska with village specific projects; Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose, community- based organizations; Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects; Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians; National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives; Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Tribal Colleges and Universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native American Pacific Islanders are eligible for funding. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. In addition to the above, the following were added as eligible under ARP: Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); and Incorporated state-recognized Indian Tribes are eligible. If designated by a federally-recognized or state-recognized Tribe to receive the Tribe's funding allocation, the following entities are eligible to receive an award: Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects; Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations; Tribal colleges and universities. The designation must be submitted either by the Tribe as an official statement on letterhead or a resolution with its application. For ARP Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI): Only specific invited Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander applicants were eligible to apply.

American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders will benefit.

Non-profit organizations must submit proof of non-profit status. For applicants that are not Tribes or Native Alaska villages, organizations applying for funding must show that a majority of board members are representative of a Native American community to be served. Applicants must submit documentation that identifies each board member by name and indicates his/her affiliation or relationship to at least one of ANA's three categories of community representation, which include: (1) members of federally or state-recognized tribes; (2) persons who are recognized by members of the eligible Native American community to be served as having a cultural relationship with that community; or (3) persons considered to be Native American as identified in 45 CFR § 1336.10 and Native Pacific Islanders as defined in Section 815 of the Native Americans Program Act. For EMI: Applicants proposing to implement a Native language nest or survival school must submit an official document signed by the authorized representative certifying that the applicant has at least three years of experience operating and administering a Native American language nest, Native American language survival school, or any other educational program in which instruction is conducted in a Native American language.

Funds may be used for activities related to the preservation of Native American languages including: collecting and organizing data to assess a community's Native American language status; planning and implementing an immersion, master/apprentice, or distance learning model; training and certifying teachers, interpreters, or translators in a Native American language; and developing, printing, and disseminating materials to be used for the teaching and enhancement of a Native American language.

P & M projects can be 12, 24 or 36 months, and EMI projects are 36, 48, or 60-month awards. ARP projects can be 12, 24, or 36 month awards. Recipients may apply for non-competing continuation support within a project period.

All applicants must submit documentation demonstrating that the governing body of the organization on whose behalf the application is submitted approves the application's submission to ANA for the current competition period. Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

Applicants may find and apply for NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov. Paper applications received from applicants that have not been approved for an exemption from required electronic submission will be disqualified from competitive review. Applicants that do not have an Internet connection or sufficient computing capacity to upload large documents to the Internet may contact ACF for an exemption that will allow the applicant to submit applications in paper format. The same requirements also apply to ARP. See NOFO for detailed information. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs. In general, proposals are evaluated on the basis of relevance to program objectives as stated in the NOFO, project viability, community support, reasonable cost estimates, and qualifications of applicant organization and personnel. For ARP in general, proposals are evaluated to ensure projects align with one of the five domains that will preserve and protect the vitality of the applicant's native language during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and document the status of their living language.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

Applicants will receive notice of approval/disapproval approximately 120 days after receipt of application.

Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government. In FY24, new awards will be fully funded, and a non-competing continuation award will not be needed. Recipients may request a 12-month no cost extension to complete their project.

Appeals are only available for unsuccessful applicants upon a finding of ineligibility for funding and are subject to ANA regulations at 45 CFR 1336.35. For existing recipients, appeals in regards to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.