The Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance program, administered by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) within the Administration for Children and Families, supports projects that assess the status of native languages in established communities and fund the planning, designing, restoration, and implementation of native language curriculum and education projects. The program serves Native American communities, including American Indian tribes (federally recognized and non-federally recognized), Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native American Pacific Islanders.

Overview

This discretionary grant program aims to promote the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages. Funded activities may include language assessments, curriculum development, educational projects, and restoration efforts that align with a community’s language preservation goals. The program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. §2991b-3 and 45 CFR §1336.33 and is listed under Assistance Listing 93.587.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $10,000,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 12
• Award Minimum: $100,000
• Award Maximum: $900,000
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include the following types of organizations:

• 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 non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. § 1603(29))
• Urban Indian Centers
• Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs)
• Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia
• Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects
• Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, 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 BIA
• Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians
• National or regional incorporated, non-profit Native American organizations with Native American, community-specific objectives

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review and funding.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The opportunity number is HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-NL-0117. All required documents are available for download on the opportunity page. Applicants should review the full announcement for detailed instructions.

Closing Date: August 7, 2026 – Electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Carmelia Strickland
Email: Carmelia.Strickland@acf.hhs.gov

Additional information is available on the ANA website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana