New Beginning for Tribal Students

The purpose of the New Beginning for Tribal Students (NBTS) grant program, Assistance Listing 10.527, is to increase the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students attending 1994, 1862, and 1890 Land-grant Universities. The primary goals and objectives of the program are for Land-grant Colleges or Universities to use NBTS funding to support Tribal students through all of the following, but not limited to: recruiting; tuition and related fees; experiential learning; student services, including tutoring; counseling; academic advising; and other student services that would increase the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students enrolled at Land-grant Colleges or Universities.

In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 3222(e), the Secretary is authorized to make competitive grants to Land-grant Colleges or Universities which includes 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)) to provide support targeted at Tribal students. Land-grant Colleges and Universities include 1862, 1890 and 1994 Land-grant institutions.

Tribal student is defined in this legislation as a student at a Land-grant College or University that is a member of an Indian Tribe as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C 5304).

Tribal students. Tribal student is defined in the authorizing legislation as a student at a Land-grant College or University that is a member of an Indian tribe as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C 5304).

Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the NOFO.
A formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.

NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, each application is reviewed to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements set forth in the NOFO. Second, a peer-review process (https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications) will be used to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of applications that have met the administrative requirements. After each peer review panel has completed deliberations, the responsible NIFA program staff will either recommend an application for support from available funds or decline an application due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.