Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion

The Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance Esther Martinez Immersion program is administered by the Administration for Native Americans within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is designed to support the revitalization and long term sustainability of Native American languages through immersive educational approaches. The program is rooted in the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act and reflects a broader federal commitment to strengthening cultural heritage, improving community outcomes, and supporting language transmission across generations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial support for community based projects that deliver immersive language instruction through either Native American language nests or language survival schools. These models are structured, site based programs that prioritize Native language use as the dominant medium of instruction. Language nests focus on early childhood education and require a minimum number of young participants receiving at least 500 hours of instruction annually, while survival schools serve school age students and emphasize both language fluency and academic proficiency. All funded projects must demonstrate the capacity to provide a minimum of 500 hours of language immersion instruction each year and must show alignment with community identified needs and priorities. Funding under this program supports projects lasting between three and five years, with structured budget periods and phased funding for longer projects. Allowable uses include instructional programming, curriculum development, teacher training, and activities that strengthen language use within communities. However, the program prohibits expenditures on construction, major renovations, real property acquisition, and ongoing social service delivery unrelated to the project. Additionally, recipients must adhere to federal funding restrictions, including prohibitions on certain activities not aligned with statutory and regulatory requirements. A cost sharing requirement of twenty percent of the total project cost applies, though applicants may request a waiver under specific circumstances. Eligibility is limited to a defined set of Native American serving entities, including federally and non federally recognized tribes, nonprofit Native organizations, tribal colleges, and certain public and nonprofit agencies serving Native populations across the United States and its territories. Applicants must also provide documentation demonstrating at least three years of experience operating a language immersion program. Additional requirements include governance representation from Native communities and compliance with restrictions on holding multiple active awards under the same assistance listing. Individuals, foreign entities, and federal agencies are not eligible to apply. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget and justification, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation including certifications and organizational capacity materials. Applicants must ensure registration with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application deadline is August 7, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, with all submissions evaluated through a multi stage review process that includes eligibility screening, merit review scoring, and final selection by agency leadership. Evaluation criteria emphasize program design, community alignment, implementation feasibility, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Projects selected for funding are expected to begin on September 30, 2026 and must comply with post award requirements including reporting, participation in federal evaluations, and attendance at required training events. Recipients must also demonstrate alignment with federal priorities related to program integrity, evidence based practices, and community partnership. The program operates on a competitive basis and is expected to recur annually, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible organizations to secure funding for language preservation efforts.

Align project with community needs and demonstrate measurable outcomes; ensure strong implementation plan and sustainability; provide clear evidence of immersion experience