Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance

The Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance program is administered by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Administration for Children and Families. ANA’s mission centers on promoting the social and economic self-sufficiency of Native American communities, including federally and non-federally recognized tribes, Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and other Native populations. This funding opportunity reflects ANA’s long-standing commitment to preserving and revitalizing Native languages, which are considered vital to cultural identity, heritage, and community continuity. The purpose of this grant program is to support projects that assess, preserve, and maintain Native American languages within established communities. Funding is intended to support a wide range of activities including language status assessments, curriculum development, language restoration initiatives, and educational programming. Projects may involve the planning, design, and implementation of language instruction programs aligned with community-specific preservation goals. The program emphasizes strengthening linguistic capacity and sustaining intergenerational transmission of Native languages. The funding scope includes both planning and implementation activities related to language preservation. Allowable uses of funds include curriculum development, educational programming, community engagement activities, and evaluation of language vitality. While specific restrictions are not detailed in the provided summary, the presence of a matching requirement indicates that applicants must contribute a portion of project costs, demonstrating financial commitment and leveraging additional resources. Award amounts range from $100,000 to $900,000, with an estimated total program funding of $10,000,000 and approximately 12 awards anticipated. Eligibility for this program is broad within Native-serving entities. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments, non-federally recognized and state-recognized tribes, tribal consortia, nonprofit Native organizations, Native Community Development Financial Institutions, Alaska Native village entities, Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, and other incorporated nonprofit entities serving Native populations. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits may apply. However, individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded. Faith-based and community organizations may apply if they meet the eligibility criteria. Applications are expected to be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. The forecast indicates an estimated application due date of July 1, 2026, with submissions required by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The opportunity is currently in forecast status, with an estimated posting date of May 29, 2026. Applicants should prepare to submit full proposals upon release, as no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent are specified. The estimated award date and project start date are both July 1, 2026, indicating a rapid turnaround timeline. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the forecast summary, but ANA programs typically assess applications based on community need, project design, organizational capacity, and potential impact on language preservation. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate alignment with program goals and provide clear implementation plans. For additional information, applicants may contact Carmelia Strickland at the Administration for Children and Families via email or phone. The program appears to be part of a recurring funding cycle, suggesting future opportunities may follow similar timelines annually.