The U.S. Department of the Interior is putting $2.4 million on the table for tribal nations ready to turn their cultural and natural assets into thriving tourism economies. The FY2026 Tribal Tourism Grant Program is the largest single tourism-focused funding round the Bureau of Indian Affairs has offered in recent memory, with individual awards reaching up to $300,000, double the ceiling of the previous cycle.
About the Tribal Tourism Grant
Administered by the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the TTGP is authorized under the NATIVE Act and exists to help tribes build out the infrastructure, capacity, and positioning they need to grow as destinations, generate employment, and create sustainable economic growth at the community level. The FY2026 round expects to fund 10 tribal nations or tribal organizations, with awards structured as one-time implementation grants covering a 24-month period of performance.
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Funding Size
- Total available: $2,400,000
- Award range: $200,000 to $300,000 per grant
- Expected number of awards: 10
- Project period: 24 months
- Award type: one-time discretionary implementation grant
Who Can Apply
- Federally recognized Indian tribes as defined under Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)
- Tribal organizations meeting the same definition
- Tribal consortia
- Applicants must be active and in good standing in SAM.gov prior to submission
Geographic Eligibility
- United States only
- Open to federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations nationwide
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Tourism infrastructure development and destination positioning
- Cultural heritage tourism and interpretation
- Visitor experience development and tourism capacity building
- Job creation and sustainable economic growth in tribal communities
- Implementation of the NATIVE Act goals for rural and remote destination development
Application Process
Proposals are submitted electronically through Grants.gov before the deadline. Applicants must confirm active SAM.gov registration before beginning their submission. Full application details, including the notice of funding opportunity, are available through Grants.gov.
Required Materials
- Complete proposal submitted via Grants.gov
- Active SAM.gov registration
- Project narrative covering tourism implementation plan, expected community benefits, timeline, and budget
- Documentation of tribal status under ISDEAA Section 4
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 7 August 2026
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Selection Notes
- Grants are discretionary and go through a competitive evaluation process; they are not self-determination contracts awarded under the PL 93-638 process
- Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award
- Proposals should clearly demonstrate how tourism investment will generate measurable community economic benefit