Economic, Social, and Political Development of the Territories

Open Opportunities (5)

Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.

OIA Brown Treesnake Program 2026 Deadline: Jun 8, 2026 · up to $4M
OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2026 Deadline: Jun 8, 2026 · up to $4.4M
OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026 Deadline: Jun 8, 2026 · up to $2.8M
FY 2026 Energizing Insular Communities Program Deadline: Jun 8, 2026 · up to $15M
OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026 Deadline: Jun 8, 2026 · up to $22.5M

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)

$60M FY2026

$319.9M

FY17

$436.4M

FY18

$327.6M

FY19

$391.3M

FY20

$342.7M

FY21

$339.4M

FY22

$188.2M

FY23

$831.2M

FY24

$18M

FY25*

$60M

FY26*

* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 15.875 (USAspending.gov).

Trust Fund For The People Of The Republic Of The Marshall Islands 2 awards $400,000,000
Trust Fund For The People Of The Federated States Of Micronesia $250,000,000
Fsm National Government 6 awards $245,976,332
Republic Of Palau $50,000,000

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2024 OIA financial assistance has enabled the seven insular areas to develop economically, socially, and politically helping to empower these communities. Grants were awarded this year based upon the top priorities for this Administration which included: climate change (including food and water security), energy, natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems, public safety/emergencies, invasive species management, accountability, financial management, economic development, education (including training), management control initiatives, disaster planning, capacity building, and information technology.

FY2025 Information not available. In FY24, the program anticipates issuing approximately 190 awards.

Program Objective

The Office of Insular Affairs carries out the Secretary of the Interior's responsibilities for U.S.-affiliated insular areas. These include the territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Additionally, OIA administers and oversees Federal assistance to three freely associated states (FAS): the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau (Palau).

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

U.S. territories (incl. universities)
Local governments
State governments
Public nonprofits

U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)
Eligible applicants are the U.S. territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; the state of Hawaii; the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; and any non-profit institutions/organizations whose missions directly benefit the seven insular areas.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Application procedures vary. Please contact the Headquarters Office for specific information. The standard SF-424 forms are required for project grants with the exception of projects funded by the Compacts of Free Association. Please review Grants.gov and GrantSolutions.gov for more information.

Award Procedure

A grant award is made to an eligible entity in the specific amounts and for the specific purposes set forth in the annual Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation Act signed by the President. Grants are awarded and distributed through GrantSolutions.gov.

Competitive discretionary grant awards are made generally between April and September 15 of each fiscal year. The award process begins once full year appropriations are received.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the Secretary’s responsibilities for U.S.-affiliated insular areas. These include the territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Residents of these U.S. territories are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees Federal assistance to three freely associated states (FAS): the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (Palau). The territories are an integral part of the fabric of America, and the freely associated states, while independent countries, are uniquely interwoven with the United States in terms of a shared history, ongoing partnership, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Each of the territories and freely associated states are unique, yet their economies are all small, isolated, and dependent on one or two main sources of income. The Office of Insular Affairs has an important role to play in understanding the nuances of the Federal government’s interrelationship with each of the insular areas. OIA facilitates coordination of Federal policies and programs to best serve the insular areas and utilizes its own assistance programs to fill gaps not fulfilled by other Federal programs to meet the needs of the insular areas. OIA programs are purposely designed to offer the flexibility needed to respond to urgent, immediate needs in the insular areas.

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Financial assistance is limited to the U.S. territories of the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Freely Associated States which are Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, and to non-profit organizations whose missions directly benefit these seven insular areas. A notable exception is the state of Hawaii which receives Compact Impact aid mandated by Public Law 108-188 and Brown Treesnake Control Program funding. Financial assistance is used for a variety of activities including capital improvements, government operations, and Technical Assistance, Maintenance Assistance, Coral Reef and Natural Resources(CRNR) (including invasive species mitigation efforts). Technical Assistance priorities include disaster planning and response, energy production, natural resources, health initiatives, and health IT systems, public safety / emergencies, data improvements, invasive species management, accountability, financial management, economic development, education, management control initiative, capacity building, and information technology. Maintenance Assistance funding is used to support, develop, improve, and institutionalize infrastructure maintenance practices in the seven areas. Funding may also be used for minor renovations and critical repairs to infrastructure. CRNR provides funding to improve the health of coral reef ecosystems, to improve coastal resilience, to protect other natural resources, and to eradicate, mitigate invasive aquatic and terrestrial species.

Required Documentation

Not applicable.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Matching Requirements

Matching Requirements: The majority of OIA's financial assistance programs do not have a matching requirement. The two exceptions are the American Samoa Capital Improvement Project Operations and Maintenance Set-Aside Program (CIP O&M), and the Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP). However, match requirements are left to the discretion of OIA and may be waived as appropriate. At this time, OIA is currently waiving all matching requirements for both the CIP O&M and MAP programs.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required

Yes

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

Subpart B — General Provisions
Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
Subpart E — Cost Principles
Subpart F — Audit Requirements