Federal Tribal Affairs Grant for Self-Governance Program Planning

• Applicant must be an “Indian Tribe” as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(e); a "Tribal Organization" as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l); or an “Inter-Tribal Consortium” as defined at 42 CFR 137.10. Please note that Tribes prohibited from contracting pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) are not eligible. See section 424(a) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014, Public Law No. 113-76, as amended by section 428 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law No. 115-141, and section 1201 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law No. 116-260.

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(B), applicant must request participation in self-governance by resolution or other official action by the governing body of each Indian Tribe to be served. Note: If the applicant has already successfully completed the planning phase required and requested participation in the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program by official Tribal action, then the applicant is not eligible for this funding opportunity.

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(C), applicant must demonstrate financial stability and financial management capability for 3 fiscal years.

The purpose of this Planning Cooperative Agreement is to provide resources to Tribes interested in entering the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP) and to existing Self-Governance Tribes interested in assuming new or expanded programs, services, functions, and activities (PSFAs). Title V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) requires a Tribe or Tribal organization (T/TO) to complete a planning phase to the satisfaction of the Tribe. The planning phase must include legal and budgetary research and internal Tribal government planning and organizational preparation relating to the administration of health care programs. See 25 U.S.C. 5383(d).

The planning phase is critical to negotiations and helps Tribes make informed decisions about which PSFAs to assume and what organizational changes or modifications are necessary to successfully support those PSFAs. A thorough planning phase improves timeliness and efficient negotiations and ensures that the Tribe is fully prepared to assume the transfer of IHS PSFAs to the Tribal health program.

A Planning Cooperative Agreement is not a prerequisite to enter the TSGP and a Tribe may use other resources to meet the planning requirement. Tribes that receive Planning Cooperative Agreements are not obligated to participate in the TSGP and may choose to delay or decline participation based on the outcome of their planning activities. This also applies to existing Self-Governance Tribes exploring the option to expand their current PSFAs or assume additional PSFAs.