WASHINGTON, D.C. – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland has announced that the IA Office of Indian Economic Development (formerly the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development) is soliciting applications for its Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) grant program. NABDI is looking to fund roughly 20 to 35 grants, ranging in value from approximately $25,000 to $75,000, to enable federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes to perform feasibility studies and/or design business plans of proposed economic development projects, businesses and technologies.
“The Native American Business Development Institute is an important resource for tribal governments seeking to explore, examine or expand on activities that support their economic development efforts,” Newland said. “Economic self-sufficiency is a key component of tribal self-determination and sovereignty. NABDI grants are another example of how Indian Affairs and DOI work to support both.”
Feasibility studies may also explore how a current tribal business or enterprise could recover and adapt to the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the feasibility study, NABDI grants may fund business plans for proposed businesses or recovering tribal businesses.
NABDI is a competitive, discretionary grant program. Proposals must be submitted via the Grants.gov website by 5:00 p.m. AKDT (9:00 p.m. EDT) on July 2, 2021, and will be evaluated on their potential to create jobs and stimulate economic activity within an American Indian or Alaska Native community. OIED’s solicitation for NABDI funding and details on how to apply can be found at Grants.gov.
