Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program

The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program is administered by the Indian Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is part of a broader federal commitment to support Tribal self-determination in health care delivery. The Tribal Self-Governance Program reflects a long-standing government-to-government relationship between the United States and federally recognized Tribes, enabling Tribes to assume greater control over health programs that serve their communities. Through this planning cooperative agreement, the Indian Health Service provides financial and technical resources to support Tribes in preparing to enter or expand participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist Tribes in conducting the required planning phase necessary to assume Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities (PSFAs) previously managed by the Indian Health Service. This planning phase includes legal and budgetary research, organizational preparation, and strategic decision-making related to health care delivery. The program supports both Tribes that are not yet participating in self-governance and those that are already participating but wish to expand their responsibilities or services. Participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program allows Tribes to choose among multiple models of health care delivery, including direct services from IHS, contracting under Title I, or compacting under Title V. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, which involves substantial involvement from the Indian Health Service throughout the project period. The total estimated program funding is 540000 dollars, with up to three awards anticipated and a maximum award amount of 180000 dollars per recipient. The period of performance is expected to span two years. Allowable uses of funds include planning activities such as analyzing IHS budgets, evaluating current health services, identifying potential PSFAs to assume, and preparing organizational systems to support program expansion. Certain costs are restricted, including pre-award expenses and the purchase of food, and all expenditures must align with federal cost principles and program requirements. Eligibility for this program is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations as defined by federal statute. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability through audit documentation covering three consecutive fiscal years and must provide Tribal resolutions or letters of support from participating Tribes. Applicants who have already completed the planning phase and formally requested participation in the Tribal Self-Governance Program are not eligible. Additional restrictions apply to ensure that applicants meet all statutory and administrative requirements prior to award consideration. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, Tribal resolution, work plan, audit documentation, and standard federal forms. The project narrative is evaluated based on criteria including need for assistance, project objectives, evaluation methods, and organizational capacity. Applications undergo an initial completeness review followed by a merit-based evaluation scored across multiple criteria totaling 100 points. Final funding decisions also consider program priorities, geographic distribution, and applicant performance history. The application deadline is August 3, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued by September 30, 2026, with project activities beginning shortly thereafter. Following award, recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including financial and performance reports, and adhere to all applicable regulations and policies. The Indian Health Service Division of Grants Management provides support for applicants and can be contacted via email for assistance throughout the application process.

Ensure all required documents are included and within page limits; clearly align project objectives with required planning activities; demonstrate financial stability and organizational capacity; follow scoring criteria closely for maximum points