BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026

Source-based overview

On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, Pub. L. 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), solicits proposals from eligible entities (see Eligibility Section) for grant funding from established Business Incubators to serve Native entrepreneurs with start-up, early-stage, and established businesses who will provide products or services to Tribal reservation communities. For the purposes of this NOFO, an established incubator is defined as an operational entity currently providing structured incubation services and is able to demonstrate prior performance. The Indian Business Incubator will provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs and deliver a range of business services such as mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to investors. Further, Indian Business Incubators will promote collaboration, address challenges, and provide individually tailored services to overcome the obstacles that are unique to each participating business.The OIED will administer this grant program through the Division of Economic Development (DED) funded under a non-recurring appropriation budget. Congress appropriates funds on a year-to-year basis. While IBIP projects may extend over several years, funding for successive years beyond the original period of performance depends on each fiscal year's congressional appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary).The awards are for a project period of 36 months (§1187.40), with an option for an additional 36 months (§1187.41). The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award continuation beyond each 12-month budget period is subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of each recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal government. Neither the Department of the Interior (DOI) nor Indian Affairs will be held responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication of this solicitation does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs to award any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds. Eligibility: The Secretary, through the OIED, will solicit proposals for an IBIP grant from eligible entities that are able to provide the physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to collaborate and conduct business on a local, regional, national, and international level:The following are eligible entities (§1187.3):An Indian Tribe;Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304), including Tribal Consortia. Indian Tribes are referred to using the term "Tribe" throughout this notice. While Tribes or Tribal Organizations may apply for IBIP grants, grantees may select or retain for-profit or non-profit Tribal Organizations to perform a grant's scope of work to receive IBIP grants.Tribal College or University that will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP;Qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and implementing regulations at 25 CFR part 41, or the Diné College (Navajo Community College Act) (25 U.S.C. 640a note); orIs cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).An Institution of Higher Education that will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP:Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;Is a public or other nonprofit institution; andIs accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.A Tribe or private nonprofit organization that provides business and financial technical assistance and;Is a Tribe or Tribal Organizations, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304), including Tribal Consortia;Will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP; andCommits to serving one or more reservation communities. Two or more eligible entities may submit a Joint Application, but:All joint entities must submit certifications they are eligible as they combine resources and expertise at a physical location dedicated to assisting Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs under the IBIP, demonstrating that together they meet the requirements of §1187.13; andThe application must indicate which eligible entity will be the lead contact for the purposes of grant management. Opportunity number: BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026. Closing date: 2026-07-24. Funding: up to USD 400,000.

Eligibility

The Secretary, through the OIED, will solicit proposals for an IBIP grant from eligible entities that are able to provide the physical workspace, equipment, and connectivity necessary for Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs to collaborate and conduct business on a local, regional, national, and international level:The following are eligible entities (§1187.3):An Indian Tribe;Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304), including Tribal Consortia. Indian Tribes are referred to using the term "Tribe" throughout this notice. While Tribes or Tribal Organizations may apply for IBIP grants, grantees may select or retain for-profit or non-profit Tribal Organizations to perform a grant's scope of work to receive IBIP grants.Tribal College or University that will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP;Qualifies for funding under the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and implementing regulations at 25 CFR part 41, or the Diné College (Navajo Community College Act) (25 U.S.C. 640a note); orIs cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note).An Institution of Higher Education that will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP:Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;Provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary;Is a public or other nonprofit institution; andIs accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the Secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.A Tribe or private nonprofit organization that provides business and financial technical assistance and;Is a Tribe or Tribal Organizations, as defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. 5304), including Tribal Consortia;Will have been operational for not less than one year before receiving a grant under the IBIP; andCommits to serving one or more reservation communities. Two or more eligible entities may submit a Joint Application, but:All joint entities must submit certifications they are eligible as they combine resources and expertise at a physical location dedicated to assisting Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs under the IBIP, demonstrating that together they meet the requirements of §1187.13; andThe application must indicate which eligible entity will be the lead contact for the purposes of grant management.

Funding and benefits

up to USD 400,000

Themes and supported activities

Education and Higher Education

Asia

Opportunity number: BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026.

Deadline and timeline

Closes 2026-07-24: Closes 2026-07-24: Jul 24, 2026.

Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.

How to apply

Use the official Grants.gov listing for the application package, attachments, forms and agency-specific instructions. Submit by 2026-07-24 unless the agency updates the official listing.

Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.