The Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion Program (EMI) supports community-based projects that ensure the continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction. Administered by the Administration for Children and Families - Administration for Native Americans (ANA), this program funds efforts that meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest or a Native American Survival School.

Overview

The EMI program is designed to fund site-based educational programs that provide intensive language instruction. Language Nests are defined as programs that provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 5 children under the age of 7, for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student. Native American Survival Schools are site-based programs for school-age students that provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction through the use of one or more Native American languages for at least 10 students, for whom the survival school is their principal place of instruction.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $4,500,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 6
• 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 a broad range of entities serving Native communities. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §2991b and 45 CFR §1336.33, eligible applicants include:

• Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
• 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
• Public and non-profit 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 that serve Native American Pacific Islanders
• Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity

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

Deadline and Timeline

Closing Date: August 7, 2026

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.

Contact Information

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