Tribal Self-Governance – Planning
🏛 Indian Health Service (HHS-IHS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations seeking to plan for Tribal Self-Governance. Eligible applicants include Indian tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal organizations authorized to operate under the Tribal Self-Governance Act. This program supports planning activities, feasibility studies, and negotiation preparation for tribes transitioning to self-governance models for healthcare delivery.
The grant covers costs related to planning and technical preparation for assuming IHS healthcare responsibilities. Applicants must be located in the United States and operate under tribal governance structures. Geographic scope is national, covering all federally recognized tribes.
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Key dates
- Aug 6, 2026 Applications open
- Apr 1, 2027 Application deadline in 208 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The Tribal Self Governance Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements aim to support tribes and tribal organization in their efforts to plan and prepare for assuming responsibility for providing health care to their members through the Tribal Self Governance Program. The Indian Health Service intends to issue three awards under each program announcement.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application (SF-424 or equivalent IHS form)
- Project Narrative/Workplan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Proof of tribal status or recognition
- Letters of support from tribal leadership
- Organizational capacity documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Division of Grants Management
- 📧 dgm@ihs.gov
- 📞 301-443-5204
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.444 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$180,000
-
$178,355
-
$136,000
-
$103,740
Top States by Funding
- WA 3 awards $0.4M
- OK 4 awards $0.4M
- WY 2 awards $0.3M
- CA 2 awards $0.3M
- FL 1 awards $0.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.444). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2017 | $216,000 | |
| 2018 est. | $840,000 | |
| 2019 | $816,000 | |
| 2020 | $816,000 | |
| 2021 | $235,721 | |
| 2022 | $540,000 | |
| 2024 est. | $1,068,000 | |
| 2025 est. | $1,584,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal organizations eligible under the Tribal Self-Governance Act. Your organization must be authorized to operate healthcare programs for tribal members.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is April 1, 2027. This is a fixed annual deadline, not rolling.
What activities does this grant support?
Planning, feasibility studies, and negotiation preparation for transitioning to Tribal Self-Governance for healthcare delivery. Activities may include legal review, financial analysis, and organizational readiness assessment.
How competitive is this grant?
IHS intends to fund three awards from this announcement. Competitiveness depends on planning quality, organizational readiness, and strategic clarity.
What funding should I expect?
Total program funding is $540,000 divided among three awards. Individual award amounts will vary based on proposal scope and tribal needs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start planning your application now. IHS planning grants require detailed workplans with clear timelines and milestones for governance transition activities.
- Involve tribal leadership and legal counsel early. Strong internal stakeholder support and demonstrated tribal commitment significantly strengthen competitiveness.
- Document your tribe's current healthcare capacity and challenges. Clear baseline assessment of existing services helps IHS understand transition needs.
- Build in time for technical assistance and consultation. Many successful applications include funds for external legal and financial expertise during planning.
- Connect with IHS regional offices before submitting. Early engagement clarifies expectations and helps align your proposal with IHS priorities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting vague workplans without specific governance transition activities. Weak documentation of tribal leadership buy-in and organizational readiness. Underestimating costs for legal review and feasibility studies needed for serious governance planning.
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