A Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program

The Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program is administered by the Indian Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs. This program is rooted in the federal government’s longstanding relationship with federally recognized Indian Tribes and is designed to support Tribal participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program. The program reflects a broader policy objective of enabling Tribes to assume greater authority and control over health care programs that serve their communities, aligning services with culturally appropriate and locally determined priorities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial assistance to eligible Tribes and Tribal organizations to support the costs associated with preparing for and participating in negotiations with the Indian Health Service. These negotiations are required for Tribes seeking to enter into or expand participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program, which allows them to operate programs, services, functions, and activities that would otherwise be managed by the federal government. The funding is specifically intended to cover planning, research, legal preparation, and administrative costs tied to the negotiation process. The scope of funding includes support for activities such as conducting legal and budgetary analyses, developing organizational plans, assembling negotiation teams, and engaging in discussions with federal representatives. Allowable uses are tied closely to the four phases of negotiation: planning, pre-negotiation, formal negotiation, and post-negotiation execution of agreements. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on pre-award costs and the purchase of food. Additionally, all expenditures must align with federal cost principles and program-specific limitations. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the financial barrier to participation for eligible applicants. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations as defined by federal statute. Tribal organizations must be controlled or sanctioned by Tribal governing bodies and must demonstrate broad participation by members of the Indian community. Applicants must provide formal Tribal resolutions or letters of support from the Tribes they intend to serve, demonstrate financial stability over at least three consecutive fiscal years, and meet audit compliance requirements. Certain entities, including individuals and foreign organizations, are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. To apply, organizations must maintain active registrations with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. The application package includes required forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, as well as narrative components including a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments like Tribal resolutions, work plans, and audit documentation. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including need for assistance, project approach, evaluation methods, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The application deadline is August 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued by September 30, 2026, with the earliest project start date also anticipated on that date. The program is expected to fund approximately three awards, each up to $84,000, within a total funding pool of $252,000. The period of performance is expected to last up to two years, subject to funding availability and satisfactory progress. For assistance, applicants may contact the Indian Health Service Division of Grants Management via email.

Ensure complete audit documentation and Tribal resolutions are included; align project narrative closely with evaluation criteria; clearly demonstrate organizational capacity and financial stability