Indian Health Grant

The Indian Health Grant Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health and is authorized under Minnesota Statute 145A.14. The program is designed to improve access to clinical health services for American Indian populations residing off reservations. It reflects the state’s broader commitment to health equity and culturally responsive care by supporting organizations that provide outpatient or ambulatory services, including preventive, medical, dental, and mental health care. The program specifically emphasizes culturally informed services, including traditional healing practices that support health maintenance and recovery. The purpose of the grant is to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants so they can deliver clinical health services to American Indian individuals living outside of reservation lands. These services must be provided through clinics that are either stationary or mobile, and they cannot be exclusively focused on urgent or emergency care. The program encourages a wide range of services, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and does not require applicants to provide all service types. The program prioritizes improving outreach and access to care for underserved populations, particularly in both rural and urban settings. Funding for the program is distributed through a competitive process. A total of 348000 dollars is available for the 2027 to 2028 grant cycle, with an estimated four to five awards. Each award may be up to 100000 dollars, and there is no stated minimum award amount. The funding period spans two years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. Funds are allocated annually and are contingent upon legislative appropriations, particularly for the latter portion of the grant period. There is no matching requirement for this grant, allowing applicants to utilize funds without a cost share obligation. Eligible applicants include Tribal Nations and nonprofit organizations that provide clinical health services to American Indian populations residing off reservations. Preference is given to Tribal Nations and nonprofits specifically created to serve American Indian communities. Nonprofit organizations that were not originally established for this purpose must demonstrate collaboration with American Indian communities or organizations and provide supporting documentation such as letters of support. Applicants must also disclose any organizational changes such as mergers or acquisitions and comply with all applicable legal and reporting requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care online grants portal. The application requires completion of multiple components, including organizational information, project narrative, work plan, budget, and conflict of interest disclosures. Required attachments include due diligence forms and audited financial statements for nonprofit applicants, as well as letters of support where applicable. The submission process includes account creation or login, application selection, and completion of all required sections before final submission. The application window opens on July 13, 2026, and closes at 430 pm Central Time on September 3, 2026. An informational webinar is scheduled for August 11, 2026, to provide guidance to applicants. Questions must be submitted by August 24, 2026, and responses are posted publicly. Applications are reviewed by a committee with expertise in health services and American Indian culture, using a standardized scoring system that evaluates project design, impact, cultural competence, and budget justification. Final funding decisions are expected by October 14, 2026. Once awarded, grantees must comply with reporting and monitoring requirements, including quarterly progress and financial reports submitted through the grant portal. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis and tied to approved budgets and submitted reports. Grantees are subject to monitoring visits and must adhere to state policies regarding nondiscrimination, financial accountability, and conflict of interest. The program also requires applicants to demonstrate capacity for project implementation and to ensure that services are delivered in a culturally appropriate and effective manner.

Ensure strong data supported needs statement and clearly connect project plan to measurable outcomes while demonstrating culturally informed care for American Indian populations