WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Indian Economic Development is accepting applications for a $1.5 million cooperative agreement to provide technical assistance to Tribal Tourism Grant Program and Office of Native Hawaiian Relations applicants, which are comprised of tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations under the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act of 2016, also known as the NATIVE Act.
“Tribal tourism showcases the rich cultures, histories, and traditions of tribal communities while creating jobs and strengthening local economies,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland. “This cooperative agreement will provide tribes with the technical assistance they need to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that preserve their heritage while supporting economic self-determination for future generations.”
The selected recipient will provide targeted capacity-building support to help increase visitation to tribal tourism enterprises and expand cultural heritage tourism and economic development opportunities in tribal and Native Hawaiian communities. The recipient also will provide tools, strategies, and technical expertise to strengthen tourism destinations while facilitating coordination between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce in planning and implementing tourism initiatives. The cooperative agreement will provide funding on an annual basis, subject to appropriations, for up to five years.
The Office of Indian Economic Development administers the cooperative agreement through its Division of Economic Development as a competitive discretionary grant program. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by August 28, 2026. The Notice of Funding Opportunity and application instructions are available under funding opportunity BIA-NATIVEACT-2026-OIED.