Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program; Assistance Listing Number 84.415A

The State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) program is administered by the Bureau of Indian Education within the U.S. Department of the Interior on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. This discretionary grant program is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is designed to strengthen Tribal sovereignty in education systems. The program reflects longstanding federal commitments to Tribal consultation and self-determination, incorporating direct input from Tribal leaders to ensure that education systems better serve Native students, particularly those attending public schools off Tribal lands. The primary purpose of the STEP program is to promote Tribal self-determination in education, improve academic outcomes for Indian children and youth, and enhance coordination among Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Projects funded under this program are expected to build or expand Tribal education systems that address culturally relevant academic needs while improving measurable outcomes such as attendance, graduation rates, college readiness, workforce development, and career preparedness. Funding under this opportunity is provided through discretionary grants with an estimated total program funding of $2,000,000 and individual awards ranging from $300,000 to $500,000. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Funds must be used to supplement, not supplant, existing federal, state, and local education programs. Importantly, funds cannot be used to provide direct services to students. Allowable uses include planning, coordination, capacity building, and system development activities that support Tribal education governance and partnerships. Administrative costs must be reasonable and necessary under federal cost principles, and while subgrants are not permitted, grantees may contract for services and supplies. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe, Tribal Educational Agencies, and consortia of these entities. However, Tribes already receiving certain Bureau of Indian Education funding under specific statutory provisions are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate formal partnerships with SEAs and/or LEAs through a Draft Written Agreement at the time of application and finalize this agreement within 120 days of award. These agreements must define roles, responsibilities, deliverables, and resource contributions from each partner. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and completion of standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation including resumes and partnership agreements. Applications are evaluated based on quality of project design, adequacy of resources, and strength of the management plan, with a total possible score of 100 points. Reviewers assess clarity of objectives, stakeholder engagement, feasibility, data use, and staff qualifications. Applicants must also describe their performance measurement strategies and data collection methods aligned with federal reporting requirements. The application period opens April 27, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 11, 2026. An intergovernmental review deadline follows on August 11, 2026. Projects may run up to 36 months for applicants creating a new TEA or up to 60 months for those expanding existing TEA capacity. Awardees must hire a project director within 60 days and comply with federal civil rights and administrative regulations. The program is not explicitly recurring in the notice, and no future cycle dates are provided. For further information, applicants may contact Linda Brake via email or phone as listed in the notice.

Ensure clearly defined measurable objectives align with priorities; demonstrate strong Tribal SEA LEA partnerships; include detailed management plan with timelines and milestones; emphasize data collection and continuous improvement strategies