Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 22, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov.

Applications must include:

• Table of contents
• Project summary (1 page max)
• Project narrative
• Organizational capacity
• Line-item budget and budget narrative
• Attachments:
  • Indirect cost agreement (if applicable)
  • Legal proof of nonprofit status (if applicable)
  • Assurance of community representation on board of directors (if applicable)
  • Organizational capacity supporting information
  • Third-party agreements
  • Letters of support
  • Maintenance of effort certification
  • Governing body documentation
  • Community-based strategy documentation (optional)
  • Cost-sharing waiver request (if applicable)
• Standard forms:
  • SF 424
  • SF 424A
  • SF 424B
  • Key contact form
  • Grants.gov lobbying form
  • SF LLL (if applicable)
  • Project/performance site location(s)
  • Objective work plan (OWP)

Applications are limited to 100 pages, not including the maintenance of effort certification, and standard forms. Applications must be formatted on standard-sized pages with one-inch margins on all sides using 12-point Times New Roman font; however, a 10-point font may be used for footnotes and text in tables and graphics. If possible, page numbers should be included. The table of contents and project summary must be single-spaced. The project narrative must be double-spaced. The line-item budget and budget narrative may be single-spaced, as may be tables and footnotes throughout the application. Attachments may be single-spaced. The funding agency recommends that files be in .pdf format; however, the funding agency also supports the file formats listed on page 18 of the NOFA file.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project narrative (75 points)
• Organizational capacity (15 points)
• Line-item budget and budget narrative (10 points)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

In general, applicants must provide 20 percent of the total project cost via cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants may request a waiver of the matching requirement, as detailed on page 31 of the NOFA file.

Funding Notes:

A total of $2 million is expected to be available to support an expected three awards of at least $100,000 through this program. Project and budget periods may be 12, 24, or 36 months, and the maximum award amount will vary according to the project and budget period as follows:

• Up to $300,000 for 12-month projects
• Up to $600,000 for 24-month projects
• Up to $900,000 for 36-month projects

The expected project start date is September 30, 2025.

Applicants must budget for all expenses associated with required attendance at post-award meetings. The project director and a financial management staff person working on the project must attend post-award training during the first year of the award, and at least two project staff must attend an annual award recipient meeting during each year of the award.

Funds may not be used for:

• Construction
• Purchase of real property
• Major renovation
• Providing third-party training and technical assistance to other tribes or Native American organizations or to people who are not members of the recipient organization
• Feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, or written materials such as manuals that are not an essential part of the applicant's long-range development plan
• Ongoing administrative functions that are not related to the proposed project
• Ongoing service delivery programs or the expansion or continuation of existing social service delivery programs
• Projects that do not further the three inter-related program goals of economic development, social development, and cultural preservation
• Projects from consortia of tribes that do not include documentation from each participating consortium member specifying their role and support
• Projects from consortia of tribes that duplicate activities for which participating member tribes also receive funding from the funding agency

For FY 2024, six awards ranging from $157,208 to $900,000 were issued through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.