Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion
🏛 Administration for Children and Families - ANA
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for language immersion programs that support Native American language preservation and maintenance. Eligible applicants include American Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations that operate or plan to operate Esther Martinez Immersion schools or related language immersion programs. The program supports educational activities that teach Native American and Native Hawaiian languages to Native children through full or partial immersion models. Geographic scope includes all U.S. states and tribal territories. Supported activities include operating immersion schools, teacher training and development, curriculum development, and assessment of language proficiency. Organizations must demonstrate commitment to sustaining Native language communities and have capacity to serve Native youth in culturally appropriate educational settings.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Key dates
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
- Jul 8, 2026 Applications open
- Aug 7, 2026 Application deadline in 21 days
Program description
The Administration for Native Americans will be soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance – Esther Martinez Immersion program (EMI). The program funds community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction. Programs funded under EMI must meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest, or a Native American Survival School. As defined by Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(7)), Language Nests are “site-based educational programs that- (i) provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 5 children under the age of 7 for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student,” and Native American Survival Schools are “site-based educational programs for school-age students that- (i) provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction through the use of 1 or more Native American languages for at least 10 students for whom a Native American language survival school is their principal place of instruction.”
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing program design, goals, and implementation plan
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Letters of support from tribal leadership and community members
- Organizational capacity statement demonstrating fiscal and programmatic capability
- Job descriptions and resumes of key staff
- Curriculum samples or outline and instructional materials plan
- Sustainability plan describing long-term funding and continuation strategy
- Tribal resolution or evidence of tribal authorization (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Carmelia Strickland
- 📧 Carmelia.Strickland@acf.hhs.gov
- 📞 (202) 401-6741
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.587 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$935,452
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$899,997
-
$899,995
Top States by Funding
- AK 13 awards $8.8M
- OK 12 awards $7.7M
- HI 6 awards $4.7M
- NY 4 awards $3.4M
- MN 4 awards $3.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.587). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $17,317 | |
| 2025 | $12,818,434 | |
| 2026 est. | $18,797,374 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Federally recognized Indian tribes, Indian tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations are eligible. Some grants may also accept tribal colleges and other institutions working directly with tribes on language preservation.
What types of programs does this grant support?
The grant funds Esther Martinez Immersion schools and other Native language immersion programs that teach children Native American or Native Hawaiian languages through full or partial immersion educational models.
What activities can be funded?
Typical activities include operating immersion schools, developing or updating curricula, training and certifying language teachers, creating instructional materials, and conducting language proficiency assessments.
How competitive is this grant program?
This is moderately competitive. Successful applications typically demonstrate strong community support, experienced leadership, and a clear sustainability plan for the language program beyond grant funding.
What is the typical funding range and project duration?
Awards vary, but federal language preservation grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually. Projects are often multi-year with renewal opportunities based on performance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate strong tribal or community support and leadership commitment through letters of support from tribal leadership and parents.
- Develop a detailed sustainability plan showing how the program will continue after federal funding ends, including local revenue sources and partnerships.
- Provide clear evidence of qualified, trained staff or a comprehensive plan to recruit and develop Native language speakers as teachers.
- Include specific, measurable goals for language proficiency outcomes and student achievement, with data collection methods clearly defined.
- Build partnerships with universities, cultural organizations, or other institutions that can provide technical assistance, curriculum resources, or teacher training support.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often lack a realistic sustainability plan or show insufficient community buy-in and leadership support. Many fail to adequately address staff qualifications and teacher recruitment/training strategies for finding qualified Native language speakers. Weak applications also lack specific, measurable language proficiency goals and evaluation methods, making it difficult for reviewers to assess program impact.
Similar grants
- OPEN Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance — Administration for Children and Families - ANA
- OPEN National Center for Native Training and Technical Assistance (the Center) — Administration for Children and Families - ANA
- OPEN Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation — Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
- OPEN Tribal Colleges and Universities Program — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN Child Abuse Prevention in Migrant and Tribal Communities — Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB