Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment (EAGLE)

The Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment (EAGLE) program is administered by the Administration for Native Americans within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically under the Administration for Children and Families. This federal initiative is designed to promote socioeconomic development and cultural sustainability among Native American communities, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islanders. The program reflects a broader federal commitment to strengthening economic independence, supporting family stability, and enhancing community resilience through targeted investments in locally driven projects. The purpose of the EAGLE program is to fund projects that advance economic development, human capital, and governance capacity within Native communities. The program supports five defined project areas: greenhouses for food security, microgrids for energy independence, workforce training programs, elder-youth mentorship initiatives, and community-designed projects addressing specific socioeconomic needs. Each project area is structured to produce measurable outcomes such as increased employment, improved infrastructure, enhanced cultural preservation, and stronger local economies. The Microgrids project area specifically supports the development of small-scale energy systems that improve reliability and resilience while reducing costs. Funding under this opportunity is substantial, with a total program allocation of 24000000 dollars and individual awards ranging from 300000 to 1000000 dollars depending on the project area. For Microgrids projects, awards range from 500000 to 1000000 dollars. The funding supports a three-year project period and is distributed as full funding at the start of the project. Allowable costs include procurement, delivery, and maintenance of equipment, but explicitly exclude construction, real property acquisition, and major renovations. Recipients must also adhere to federal cost principles and administrative requirements, including restrictions on certain programmatic activities and compliance with federal regulations. Eligibility for the program is limited to a wide range of Native-serving entities, including federally recognized tribes, nonprofit Native organizations, tribal colleges, and certain public agencies serving Native populations. Individuals, foreign entities, and federal agencies are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate community representation, particularly through governance structures, and provide documentation confirming board composition and organizational approval. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement of 20 percent applies, although waivers may be requested under specific conditions. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget justification, standard federal forms, and supporting documentation. Applicants must ensure compliance with formatting and submission requirements, including page limits and documentation standards. The application deadline is August 27 2026 at 1159 PM Eastern Time. Required materials include detailed descriptions of project objectives, implementation strategies, evaluation plans, and organizational capacity. Applicants must also demonstrate alignment with federal priorities and provide evidence-based approaches to achieving outcomes. Applications are evaluated through a competitive merit review process using criteria such as purpose and need, project design, expected impact, organizational capacity, budget justification, and alignment with agency priorities. The total scoring system allocates up to 110 points. Additional considerations include geographic distribution, service to underserved populations, and past performance. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award outlining funding terms and conditions, and must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including semiannual performance and financial reports. The program timeline includes an expected project start date of September 30 2026, with post-award requirements including participation in annual conferences and federal evaluations. Contact information is provided for both programmatic and grants management inquiries, including a program email and phone number. Overall, the EAGLE program represents a comprehensive federal effort to empower Native communities through sustainable economic and social development initiatives.

Clearly align project with defined project area goals; provide measurable outcomes tied to objectives; ensure complete documentation to avoid disqualification; demonstrate strong organizational capacity and data tracking plan