Native American Community Research, Demonstration, and Pilot Projects

The purpose of this program is to promote the goals and objectives identified in Native American Programs Act (NAPA), including economic and social self-sufficiency, for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Native American Pacific Islanders from American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The program achieves this by building capacity, facilitating sustainable and successful outcomes, and assisting in the development of new approaches that will further the purposes of NAPA. To achieve these objectives, this program funds training and technical assistance, research, demonstration, and pilot projects.

Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes; Incorporated state-recognized Indian Tribes; Consortia of Indian Tribes; Incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; Urban Indian Centers; Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANSCA) and/or non-profit village consortia; Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects; Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives; Public and nonprofit private agencies serving native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Tribal Colleges and Universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native American Pacific Islanders are eligible for funding.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process.
After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson.
While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions.

ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients.
Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

All funds are awarded directly to the recipients. Applicants will receive notice of approval or disapproval approximately 120 days after receipt of application.