BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026
🏛 Bureau of Indian Affairs
Can you apply?
This grant is for Native American business incubators and related entities serving tribal entrepreneurs. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Tribal Colleges or Universities operational for at least one year, and Institutions of Higher Education operational for at least one year. The incubator must provide physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity for Native businesses. Services include entrepreneurship training, mentorship, technical assistance, and investor connections for start-up through established businesses serving tribal reservation communities.
Applicants must demonstrate prior performance as an established incubator currently providing structured incubation services. Grantees may partner with for-profit or nonprofit Tribal Organizations to carry out the work.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, Pub. L. 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), solicits proposals from eligible entities (see Eligibility Section) for grant funding from established Business Incubators to serve Native entrepreneurs with start-up, early-stage, and established businesses who will provide products or services to Tribal reservation communities. For the purposes of this NOFO, an established incubator is defined as an operational entity currently providing structured incubation services and is able to demonstrate prior performance. The Indian Business Incubator will provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs and deliver a range of business services such as mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to investors. Further, Indian Business Incubators will promote collaboration, address challenges, and provide individually tailored services to overcome the obstacles that are unique to each participating business.The OIED will administer this grant program through the Division of Economic Development (DED) funded under a non-recurring appropriation budget. Congress appropriates funds on a year-to-year basis. While IBIP projects may extend over several years, funding for successive years beyond the original period of performance depends on each fiscal year’s congressional appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary).The awards are for a project period of 36 months (§1187.40), with an option for an additional 36 months (§1187.41). The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award continuation beyond each 12-month budget period is subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of each recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal government. Neither the Department of the Interior (DOI) nor Indian Affairs will be held responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication of this solicitation does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs to award any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Nonprofits
- Public University
- TCU (Tribal Colleges)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal grant application form)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Evidence of Incubator Operational Status
- Letters of Support
- Proof of Cost-Share Commitment
- Tribal Resolution (if applicable)
- IRS 501(c)(3) Determination (if nonprofit)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Indian Affairs
- 📧 jo.metcalfe@bia.gov
- 📞 7033906410
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 15.032 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.032). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $2,911,529 | |
| 2019 | $3,560,075 | |
| 2020 | $21,439,800 | |
| 2021 | $28,699,155 | |
| 2022 | $10,413,311 | |
| 2023 | $22,634,133 | |
| 2024 | $24,595,455 | |
| 2025 est. | $16,854,303 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Indian Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Tribal Colleges/Universities (operational 1+ year), and mainstream Institutions of Higher Education (operational 1+ year) can apply. You must operate an established incubator with prior performance.
What types of businesses can the incubator serve?
Native-owned start-up, early-stage, and established businesses that serve tribal reservation communities. Services include training, mentorship, technical assistance, and investor access.
What is the project duration?
Initial award is 36 months with option for additional 36 months. Funding begins with 12-month budget periods subject to annual appropriations.
What are the funding amounts?
Awards typically range $300,000-$400,000 per year, with $3 million total program funding available. Cost-sharing is required.
Can we reapply if rejected?
The program description does not specify reapplication restrictions. Contact OIED for guidance on resubmission eligibility.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly document your incubator's prior performance and current operational status before applying. Reviewers will scrutinize track record.
- Detail the physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity infrastructure you offer. Be specific about capacity to serve Native entrepreneurs.
- Explain how your business services (mentorship, technical assistance, investor networks) address unique obstacles faced by tribal entrepreneurs.
- Address cost-sharing clearly in your budget. Show matching funds or in-kind resources from your organization or tribal partners.
- Align your proposal with tribal economic development priorities. Connect services to reservation community needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Unclear demonstration of established incubator status or prior performance. Not quantifying infrastructure (workspace, equipment, connectivity). Weak explanation of how services address tribal-specific entrepreneurship barriers.
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