Opportunity Information: Apply for BIA NATIVEACT 2026 OIED
The NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (CFDA 15.032) designed to strengthen cultural heritage tourism in Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities by improving the technical assistance and capacity-building support available to prospective and current applicants to the Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR). Rather than funding a single Tribe's tourism project directly, this cooperative agreement funds one selected recipient to act as a technical assistance and coordination hub: assessing what Tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations need to successfully plan, launch, expand, and sustain tourism initiatives that are grounded in and respectful of Native traditions, values, and cultural integrity, while ultimately helping increase visitation to Native destinations in a responsible way.
At its core, the award supports the NATIVE Act mandate to create a practical, coordinated way for Federal technical assistance and resources to reach Native communities pursuing cultural heritage tourism. The selected organization is expected to provide tools, strategies, and expertise that help develop and grow tourism activities and destinations, and to help organize coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce during planning and implementation. This reflects the statutory intent that Interior, in consultation with Commerce, work through a memorandum of understanding or a cooperative agreement with an entity that already has a demonstrated track record in Tribal communities and experience in defining, introducing, developing, and sustaining American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian tourism in a way that honors Native cultural practices and priorities.
The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the Federal agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. Practically, applicants should expect ongoing collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and coordination activities tied to Federal partners with tourism expertise. The work is described broadly as identifying technical assistance needs and delivering targeted support, which can include developing guidance, training, and other capacity-building services that make it easier for eligible communities and organizations to create strong tourism plans, build visitor-ready experiences, improve marketing and destination development approaches, and navigate Federal resources without compromising cultural protocols or community control.
Eligibility is focused on Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), and includes related eligible entities such as Tribal consortia and Tribal colleges or universities that qualify under the cited authorities. The listing also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits), but the opportunity notes that eligibility is limited to the ISDEAA-defined Tribal entities and organizations, so applicants should align their status carefully to the specific definitions and requirements. The description also clarifies what qualifies as a Native Hawaiian organization for purposes of this work: a nonprofit that serves Native Hawaiian interests, has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking roles, and is recognized for expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.
Funding is expected to support a single award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $1,500,000. The project is funded in one-year budget periods, with the possibility of continuation funding for up to four additional one-year periods, for a total performance period of up to five years. Continuation is not automatic; it depends on satisfactory performance, available funding, and agency priorities. The opportunity number is BIA NATIVEACT 2026 OIED, the posting date is July 30, 2026, and the original closing date is August 28, 2026.Apply for BIA NATIVEACT 2026 OIED
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.032.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement?
The NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) under CFDA 15.032. It is designed to strengthen cultural heritage tourism in Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities by improving the technical assistance and capacity-building support available to current and prospective applicants to the Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR).
2) What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The main purpose is to fund one selected recipient to operate as a technical assistance and coordination hub. Instead of directly funding a single Tribe's tourism project, the award supports an organization that can assess needs across Tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations and deliver targeted technical assistance to help communities plan, launch, expand, and sustain tourism initiatives grounded in Native traditions, values, and cultural integrity.
3) Does this funding directly support a single Tribe's tourism project?
No. The opportunity is specifically described as not funding a single Tribe's tourism project directly. It funds one recipient to provide technical assistance, capacity-building services, tools, and coordination that can help eligible communities and organizations develop and strengthen cultural heritage tourism efforts.
4) How many awards are expected to be made?
One award is expected (Expected Awards: 1).
5) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000.
6) What is the performance period and how is the funding structured over time?
The project is funded in one-year budget periods, with the possibility of continuation funding for up to four additional one-year periods, for a total performance period of up to five years. Continuation funding is not automatic and depends on satisfactory performance, available funding, and agency priorities.
7) What makes this a "cooperative agreement" rather than a standard grant?
As described, a cooperative agreement generally means the Federal agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period compared with a standard grant. Practically, applicants should expect ongoing collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and coordination activities tied to Federal partners with tourism expertise.
8) What types of activities is the selected recipient expected to carry out?
The work is described broadly as identifying technical assistance needs and delivering targeted support. This can include developing guidance, training, and other capacity-building services that help eligible communities and organizations:
- Create strong tourism plans
- Build visitor-ready experiences
- Improve marketing and destination development approaches
- Navigate Federal resources
- Support tourism growth without compromising cultural protocols or community control
9) What does "technical assistance and coordination hub" mean in this program?
It means the selected recipient acts as a central resource to assess what Tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations need to successfully plan and sustain cultural heritage tourism and to provide practical tools, strategies, and expertise. It also includes helping organize coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce during planning and implementation.
10) How does this opportunity relate to the NATIVE Act?
The award supports the NATIVE Act mandate to create a practical, coordinated way for Federal technical assistance and resources to reach Native communities pursuing cultural heritage tourism. The opportunity reflects statutory intent that Interior, in consultation with Commerce, work through a memorandum of understanding or a cooperative agreement with an entity that has a track record in Tribal communities and experience sustaining Native tourism in a way that honors Native cultural practices and priorities.
11) Which Federal agencies are expected to be involved?
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (within the Department of the Interior) is the funding agency, and the effort includes coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce during planning and implementation.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is focused on Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304). Related eligible entities mentioned include Tribal consortia and Tribal colleges or universities that qualify under the cited authorities.
13) Are colleges, universities, or nonprofits eligible?
The listing mentions public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits). However, the opportunity notes that eligibility is limited to ISDEAA-defined Tribal entities and organizations, so applicants should align their status carefully to the specific definitions and requirements described.
14) What qualifies as a Native Hawaiian organization for this work?
A Native Hawaiian organization is described as a nonprofit that serves Native Hawaiian interests, has Native Hawaiians in substantive and policymaking roles, and is recognized for expertise in Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, including tourism.
15) What kinds of tourism does this program focus on?
The focus is cultural heritage tourism in Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities, with an emphasis on initiatives grounded in and respectful of Native traditions, values, and cultural integrity, while increasing visitation to Native destinations in a responsible way.
16) What is the connection to the Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) and the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations (ONHR)?
The cooperative agreement is intended to strengthen the technical assistance and capacity-building support available to prospective and current applicants to the TTGP and the ONHR, making it easier for communities and organizations to develop viable, culturally grounded tourism initiatives and navigate relevant Federal resources.
17) What is the opportunity number for this funding?
The opportunity number is BIA NATIVEACT 2026 OIED.
18) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.032.
19) When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date is July 30, 2026.
20) What is the application closing date?
The original closing date is August 28, 2026.
21) What factors affect whether continuation funding is awarded in future years?
Continuation funding depends on satisfactory performance, available funding, and agency priorities.
22) What outcomes is this cooperative agreement trying to support?
Based on the description, the cooperative agreement aims to improve the ability of Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities and organizations to plan, develop, and sustain visitor-ready cultural heritage tourism that respects cultural protocols and community control, while also strengthening coordinated delivery of Federal technical assistance and increasing responsible visitation to Native destinations.
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