News about tribal and first nation matters Archives

Tribal Federal Grant Opportunities

For upcoming Tribal Federal Grant Opportunities, we track the websites of each Federal department, their news releases, and various industry reports. We maintain what we know at our Tribal Grants and Funding Programs page on this website.

We collaborate in tracking such with Joel Haspel of Cogent Analysis Group, LLC. While we support the project details that are the subject of grant funding, Cogent Analysis Group provides expert assistance with the grant writing, the grant application itself, and after funding, the grant management process.

Check back here from time to time for updates about upcoming tribal Federal grant opportunities in 2025 and beyond.

September 8, 2025

The U.S. DOT Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, which can be used for pre-development planning and design of transportation projects (due Sept 8). More information at: https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/RuralandTribalGrants

October 28, 2025

There are also water project related grants available through the Bureau of Reclamation, for Tribes in the 17 Western States. These two grants – one for “Technical Assistance” and one for “Drought Relief” each have a cap of $2M and can help pay for pre-development and implementation of critical water infrastructure projects. These are both due in October 2025. More information about this Tribal Federal Grant Opportunities is available at: https://www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.html#NOFOs

November 24, 2025

Community Development Grant Opportunity – HUD ICDBG FY25

The second major HUD grant announcement for Tribes over the past week, this ICDBG FY25 NOFO offers up to $1M for Tribes with fewer than 10,000 members. Projects may include housing construction and rehab, public facilities and infrastructure and economic development. A total of $70M will be awarded, with applications due on November 24, 2025.

Due: November 24, 2025
Link: Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages

January 15, 2026

Housing Grant Opportunity – HUD IHBG Competitive FY25

Among the upcoming Tribal Federal Grant Opportunities, HUD’s IHBG Competitive FY25 NOFO is now available. Due January 15, 2026, this program has $150M available for Tribes to pursue new housing construction, purchase existing housing stock, or rehabilitate homes in need of repair, in addition to some land acquisition and infrastructure projects. For Tribes with fewer than 10,000 members, the max per project is $5M, while larger Tribes can apply for up to $7M. The NOFO has been streamlined and the scoring has been simplified a bit, but the program remains quite similar to past versions, presenting a great opportunity for Tribes to expand their housing stock.

Due: January 15, 2026

Link: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360462

Rolling

The EDA’s PWEAA Economic Adjustment Assistance program – both the regular program and the more focused version for counties with FEMA-designated Major Disasters in 2023 or 2024, are open for rolling submissions; there is no hard deadline, but they are first-come, first-served, so getting in the queue is critical. This program can fund both pre-development (the $500K “Readiness Pathway”) and actual construction/deployment (the $2M-$20M “Implementation Pathway”) for projects that will create jobs, generate economic growth, and promote resilience in the community in the face of future shocks. More information at https://www.eda.gov/strategic-initiatives/disaster-recovery/supplemental/2025 and https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/public-works

More about Federal Tribal Grant Opportunities

REI’s New Product Impact Standards

20.12.2020 Economic Development Growth Monitor, News about malls and shopping centers, News about outdoor recreation venues, News about tribal and first nation matters

REI’s new Product Impact Standards for 2021, now include diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements for companies wanting REI shelf space. The standards include the retailer’s core requirements as well as optional preferred attributes. REI is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation, organized as a consumers’ co-operative. The retailer sells sporting goods, camping gear, travel equipment, and clothing, as well as outdoor-oriented experiences, recreation activities, and courses.

Back in 2018, REI had originally devised its product standards to focus on ethical production practices and sustainability. As part of this update, REI has also added two new programs to its list of preferred attributes—a collection of voluntary business certifications that vendor brands are encouraged to pursue, such as for certifications for aspects of climate and environmental stewardship, chemicals management, and animal welfare.

REI’s product impact standards are part of the emerging interest among global investors to evaluate environmental, social and governance issues (so called ESG Investing) when investing and operating. REI’s dedication to sustainable and ethical production, diversity, equity, and inclusion are precisely what ESG Investing seeks to encourage.

According to an article by SNEWS, the outdoor recreation retailer consulted with brands of various sizes and product categories, as well as with more than a dozen DEI nonprofits, advocates, and ambassadors. The advice from such third-parties included feasibility considerations. SNEW is an outdoor industry publication of Pocket Outdoor Media Inc.

The full December 9, 2020 article by SNEWS is available at this link, along with with reference to the full document describing these REI standards: REI holds vendors accountable for climate and DEI practices with new product standards

Rep. Haaland Nominated to Lead Interior Dept.

Rep. Haaland Nominated for Interior Department

17.12.2020 Economic Development Growth Monitor, News about economic development, News about outdoor recreation venues, News about tribal and first nation matters, SCP Tribal Consultants' News and Research

Rep. Haaland is nominated to lead the Interior Department. With Senate confirmation, Rep. Haaland will become the first Native American to serve as Cabinet secretary.

President-elect Joe Biden nominated Rep. Debra Haaland to helm the U.S. Department of the Interior, a federal agency forever linked with the history of Native Americans since the nation’s founding. The Albuquerque Journal has reported that Haaland’s nomination reflects Biden’s commitment to address the historical mistreatment of Native Americans including violations of treaty obligations.

The Interior Department administers roughly 500 million acres of public lands and plays a key policy role on tribal issues. In her role, Rep. Debra Haaland’s Interior Department will oversee two key tribal offices – the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”) and the Bureau of Indian Education. The U.S. Interior Department was first established in 1849, actually established after the BIA was first established in 1824 – the oldest agency within the Department of the Interior.

Rep. Haaland is a Laguna Pueblo member and is well-known for her leadership roles in tribal government, administration, and economic development programs and enterprises. Laguna Pueblo is a federally-recognized tribe of Native American Pueblo people situated to the west of metro Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Laguna Pueblo tribal reservation includes approximately 500,000 acres of land situated in Cibola, Valencia, Bernalillo and Sandoval counties.

A full article regarding U.S. Rep. Haaland being nominated to lead the Interior Department, is available at the Albuquerque Journal: Haaland gets historic Cabinet nomination

Rep. Haaland is Nominated to Lead the Interior Department

The U.S. Interior Department administers roughly 500 million acres of public lands, involving a myriad of environmental, energy, and public access issues and concerns.