Promote the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American Languages

This program supports preservation and survival of Native American languages. The Preservation and Maintenance opportunity provides funding for projects designed to ensure continuing vitality of Native American languages. This opportunity allows for a broad array of Native language-related projects including establishing a language program, improving an existing program, and developing language instruction and activities. The Esther Martinez Immersion opportunity provides funding for community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction. EMI projects must meet the requirements for either a Native American language nest or a Native American language survival school, both of which are immersive, site-based educational programs for children in accordance with 42 USC 2991b-3(c)(7)

ANA supports locally determined projects that achieve community goals through specific, measurable outcomes. In an effort to perpetuate language preservation efforts for Native communities, if appropriate, all ANA funded language projects should identify opportunities for the replication or modification of such project for use by other Native Americans; and include a plan for the preservation of the products of the Native American language project for the benefit of future generations of Native Americans and other interested persons.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) was established to create Emergency Grants for Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance and issue awards to entities eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a) (1) to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages during and after the public health emergency declared by the Secretary with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Per 45 CFR 1336.33(a)(1): 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; (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 USC 1603(29); Urban Indian Centers; Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia; Nonprofit native organizations in Alaska with village specific projects; Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multi-purpose, community- based organizations; 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; Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians; National or regional incorporated nonprofit 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 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands which serve Native American Pacific Islanders are eligible for funding.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible.

In addition to the above, the following were added as eligible under ARP: Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); and Incorporated state-recognized Indian Tribes are eligible. If designated by a federally-recognized or state-recognized Tribe to receive the Tribe’s funding allocation, the following entities are eligible to receive an award: Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations; Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects; Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations; Tribal colleges and universities. The designation must be submitted either by the Tribe as an official statement on letterhead or a resolution with its application. For ARP Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI): Only specific invited Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander applicants were eligible to apply.

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 consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves 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.

Applicants will receive notice of approval/disapproval approximately 120 days after receipt of application.