Indian Child Welfare Act Title II Grants – Public Safety
🏛 Bureau of Indian Affairs
Can you apply?
This grant is for tribal nations, tribal organizations, and Indian law enforcement agencies seeking to strengthen child protection and public safety services under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Federally recognized tribes and their authorized representatives are the primary eligible applicants. Tribal child welfare agencies, public safety departments, and justice systems directly serving Indian children and families may apply. Projects must address child welfare reform, prevention services, or support for families involved in the tribal justice system.
Geographic scope is limited to Indian lands and communities served by federally recognized tribes. Funding supports activities that improve child safety, family preservation, and culturally appropriate service delivery for Native American children and families.
This grant is for tribal nations, tribal organizations, and Indian law enforcement agencies seeking to strengthen child protection and public safety services under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Federally recognized tribes and their authorized representatives are the primary eligible applicants. Tribal child welfare agencies, public safety departments, and justice systems directly serving Indian children and families may apply. Projects must address child welfare reform, prevention services, or support for families involved in the tribal justice system.
Geographic scope is limited to Indian lands and communities served by federally recognized tribes. Funding supports activities that improve child safety, family preservation, and culturally appropriate service delivery for Native American children and families.
Program description
The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), is soliciting grants from Indian Organizations to establish and operate off-reservation Indian child and family service programs. The intent of the Indian child and family service programs is to provide services for stabilizing Indian families and Tribes, preventing the breakup of Indian families and, in particular, to ensure that the permanent removal of an Indian child from the custody of his/her Indian parents or Indian custodian should be a last resort.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for tribal nations, tribal organizations, and Indian law enforcement agencies seeking to strengthen child protection and public safety services under the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Federally recognized tribes and their authorized representatives are the primary eligible applicants. Tribal child welfare agencies, public safety departments, and justice systems directly serving Indian children and families may apply. Projects must address child welfare reform, prevention services, or support for families involved in the tribal justice system.
Geographic scope is limited to Indian lands and communities served by federally recognized tribes. Funding supports activities that improve child safety, family preservation, and culturally appropriate service delivery for Native American children and families.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Tribal Resolution or official authorization
- Project Narrative (scope, goals, cultural approach)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Tribal government certification of eligibility
- Letters of support from tribal partners
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Indian Affairs
- 📧 andrea.wilson@bia.gov
- 📞 7033906410
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.144 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,467,200
-
$1,283,893
-
$563,212
-
$534,000
-
$533,000
-
$533,000
-
$533,000
-
$513,098
-
$503,788
-
$400,000
Top States by Funding
- FL 2 awards $4.8M
- CA 4 awards $1.6M
- MT 3 awards $1.3M
- MN 2 awards $0.9M
- NE 1 awards $0.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.144). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $12,547,109 | |
| 2020 | $6,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $15,517,579 | |
| 2022 | $3,187,783 | |
| 2023 | $2,152,941 | |
| 2024 | $14,987,201 | |
| 2025 est. | $8,877,736 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal child welfare or public safety agencies. Tribal nations can apply directly or through authorized representatives.
What activities are supported?
Programs strengthening child protection, public safety, family preservation, and culturally-appropriate services for Indian children. Prevention services and tribal justice system improvements are prioritized.
What is the typical funding level and project duration?
Specific amounts vary by program year. Projects typically run 2-3 years. Check the current NOFO for exact funding levels and timeline requirements.
How competitive is this grant?
Moderately to highly competitive. Applicants must demonstrate strong tribal infrastructure, community need, and alignment with Indian Child Welfare Act principles.
When are deadlines?
Fixed deadline in June. Check the program announcement for application window dates and any submission extensions.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate direct connection to federally recognized tribe status and service area. Include tribal resolution of support if applicable.
- Center culturally-appropriate practices and tribal sovereignty in your project design. Show how activities honor tribal customs and values.
- Build strong partnerships with tribal law enforcement, courts, and child welfare agencies. Collaboration strengthens competitiveness.
- Use data on tribal child welfare needs and existing service gaps. Reference tribal population statistics and community input.
- Align your project clearly with Indian Child Welfare Act goals. Explain how your work advances child safety and family preservation in tribal context.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to emphasize tribal sovereignty and culturally-specific approaches to child welfare. Projects that look like standard child protection programs without tribal customization score lower. Weak documentation of tribal eligibility or insufficient letters of support from tribal leadership hurt competitiveness.
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