Native American Programs

The purpose of the Native American program is to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Norther

The purpose of the Native American program is to promote economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Per 45 CFR 1336.33(a)(1)-(2): Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Consortia of Indian Tribes; Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes; Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 USC 1603(29)); Urban Centers; Native Community Development Financial Institutions as defined by 42 USC 2991(b); Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA) 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) 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.

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

Funding may be used for such purposes as: (1) Social Development-Projects that develop and implement culturally appropriate strategies to meet the social service needs of Native Americans, foster the well-being of Native youth, promote family preservation and responsible parenting, and reconnecting with traditional healing; (2) Economic Development-Projects that promote the creation of a sustainable local economy; (3) Governance- which is defined as increasing the ability of tribal and Alaska Native village governments to exercise local control and decision-making, and to develop and enforce laws, regulations, codes, and policies that reflect and promote the interests of community members. The Commissioner shall give priority to projects that develop tribal code or court systems for purposes of economic development, including training for personnel; development of a community development financial institution; and the development of Tribal master plans for community and economic development and infrastructure.

Recipients may apply for non-competitive continuation support within a project period of 1 to 5 years, depending on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFOs. In general, proposals are judged on the basis of relevance to program objectives as stated in the NOFO, project strategy, community support in project design and implementation, reasonable cost estimates, and qualifications of applicant organization and personnel.

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.

In FY26, all new awards are fully-funded and will not require a non-competing continuation award. If additional time is needed to complete a project, recipients may request a no-cost extension.

Appeals are only available for disqualified 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.