Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ANA NAI 0035
The AI3 Action Institute - Artificial Intelligence for American Indians is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), administered through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). Through a cooperative agreement, ANA expects to fund one applicant to stand up and operate the AI3 Action Institute, a centralized effort designed to help Native communities keep pace with rapid changes in artificial intelligence and to translate that change into practical, responsible benefits across Indian Country. The opportunity is framed around ACFs broader mission of strengthening families and promoting work and self-sufficiency, with the Institute positioned as a resource that can help Tribes and Native-serving organizations use AI in ways that support economic stability, workforce participation, effective governance, and more efficient delivery of community services.
At its core, the Institute is meant to function like a shared capacity builder for hundreds of Native communities that may not have the time, staffing, or specialized expertise to track AI advances on their own. The grant emphasizes five main goals: first, reducing the steep learning curve by providing understandable guidance and support so communities do not have to start from scratch; second, maintaining a high-level, cross-community view to spot AI use cases that are realistic, responsible, and aligned with Tribal priorities and local leadership; third, optimizing how AI tools are deployed so that adoption is thoughtful, effective, and suited to Native community contexts; fourth, establishing a knowledge-management function that continuously captures lessons learned, builds institutional expertise, and develops practical intuition about what works and what does not; and fifth, strengthening Tribal governance while maximizing local capacity, so communities are not only receiving technology ideas but also building durable ability to govern, evaluate, and manage AI-enabled approaches over time. The overall intent is to ensure that AI investments translate into stronger economies, stronger families, and resilient Native communities rather than creating new burdens or risks.
This opportunity is open to a wide range of eligible Native governments and Native-serving entities as authorized under 42 U.S.C. 2991b. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian Tribes (as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs), incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes, incorporated state-recognized Tribes, and consortia of Indian Tribes. It also includes incorporated nonprofit multipurpose, community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined in 25 U.S.C. 1603(29)), Urban Indian Centers, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs). Alaska-specific eligibility includes Alaska Native villages as defined in ANCSA and/or nonprofit village consortia, nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects, incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multipurpose community-based organizations, nonprofit Alaska Native regional corporations or associations in Alaska with village-specific projects, and nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (including IRA or Traditional Councils) recognized by BIA. Additional eligible entities include public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians; national or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with community-specific objectives; public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and Tribal Colleges and Universities plus colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or CNMI that serve Native American Pacific Islanders. Individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are explicitly ineligible and would be disqualified from merit review. Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they otherwise meet eligibility requirements.
Key administrative details from the listing include the Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2026 ACF ANA NAI 0035 and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number 93.612. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project period compared with a standard grant. The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $3,500,000, with one expected award, indicating a single, relatively large Institute award rather than multiple smaller project grants. The original application closing date is August 27, 2026, and the opportunity was created on July 30, 2026.Apply for HHS 2026 ACF ANA NAI 0035
- The Administration for Children and Families - ANA in the oz sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AI3 Action Institute - Artificial Intelligence for American Indians" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.612.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Others.
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FAQs: AI3 Action Institute - Artificial Intelligence for American Indians (HHS/ACF/ANA)
What is the AI3 Action Institute grant opportunity?
The AI3 Action Institute - Artificial Intelligence for American Indians is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF). It is administered through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to support one recipient in standing up and operating a centralized AI3 Action Institute serving Native communities.
Who is offering and administering this funding?
The funding is offered by HHS under ACF and administered through ANA (Administration for Native Americans).
What is the purpose of the AI3 Action Institute?
The Institute is intended to be a shared capacity-building resource that helps Native communities keep pace with rapid changes in artificial intelligence and translate those changes into practical, responsible benefits across Indian Country. It is positioned to help Tribes and Native-serving organizations use AI in ways that support economic stability, workforce participation, effective governance, and more efficient delivery of community services.
How does this opportunity connect to ACF's mission?
The opportunity is framed around ACF's broader mission of strengthening families and promoting work and self-sufficiency. The Institute is described as a resource that can support community priorities related to economic stability, workforce participation, governance, and improved service delivery.
How many awards are expected to be made?
ANA expects to fund one applicant to stand up and operate the AI3 Action Institute, indicating a single award rather than multiple smaller awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The listing includes an award ceiling of $3,500,000.
What type of funding instrument is this?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally signals substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project period compared with a standard grant.
What are the five main goals emphasized for the Institute?
The grant emphasizes five main goals: (1) reduce the steep learning curve by providing understandable guidance and support so communities do not have to start from scratch; (2) maintain a high-level, cross-community view to identify AI use cases that are realistic, responsible, and aligned with Tribal priorities and local leadership; (3) optimize how AI tools are deployed so adoption is thoughtful, effective, and suited to Native community contexts; (4) establish a knowledge-management function that continuously captures lessons learned, builds institutional expertise, and develops practical intuition about what works and what does not; and (5) strengthen Tribal governance while maximizing local capacity so communities build durable ability to govern, evaluate, and manage AI-enabled approaches over time.
What kind of role is the Institute expected to play for Native communities?
The Institute is described as a centralized effort and shared capacity builder for hundreds of Native communities that may not have the time, staffing, or specialized expertise to track AI advances independently.
What outcomes is this program trying to support?
The overall intent is to ensure AI investments translate into stronger economies, stronger families, and resilient Native communities, rather than creating new burdens or risks.
Who is eligible to apply under this opportunity?
This opportunity is open to eligible Native governments and Native-serving entities as authorized under 42 U.S.C. 2991b. The listing describes a wide range of eligible entities, including certain Tribes, Tribal consortia, Native nonprofits, and specific eligible organizations serving Native peoples in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S.-affiliated Pacific regions.
Are federally recognized Indian Tribes eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes (as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs) are listed as eligible applicants.
Are non-federally recognized or state-recognized Tribes eligible?
Yes. Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes and incorporated state-recognized Tribes are included in the eligibility list.
Are consortia of Tribes eligible to apply?
Yes. Consortia of Indian Tribes are listed as eligible applicants.
Are Urban Indian Organizations eligible?
Yes. Incorporated nonprofit multipurpose, community-based Indian organizations, including Urban Indian Organizations (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 1603(29)), are included as eligible applicants.
Are Urban Indian Centers eligible?
Yes. Urban Indian Centers are explicitly included in the eligibility list.
Are Native CDFIs eligible?
Yes. Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs) are listed as eligible applicants.
What Alaska-specific entities are eligible?
The listing includes Alaska Native villages as defined in ANCSA and/or nonprofit village consortia; nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects; incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multipurpose community-based organizations; nonprofit Alaska Native regional corporations or associations in Alaska with village-specific projects; and nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (including IRA or Traditional Councils) recognized by BIA.
Are organizations serving Native Hawaiians eligible?
Yes. Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians are included in the eligibility list.
Are national or regional Native nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with community-specific objectives are listed as eligible.
Are entities serving Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) eligible?
Yes. Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or CNMI are included as eligible applicants.
Are Tribal Colleges and Universities eligible?
Yes. Tribal Colleges and Universities are included in the eligibility list.
Are colleges and universities in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or CNMI eligible?
Yes. Colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or CNMI that serve Native American Pacific Islanders are listed as eligible.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals (including sole proprietorships) are explicitly ineligible and would be disqualified from merit review.
Are foreign entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign entities are explicitly ineligible and would be disqualified from merit review.
Can faith-based organizations apply?
Faith-based and community organizations may apply as long as they otherwise meet the eligibility requirements listed for this opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2026 ACF ANA NAI 0035.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 93.612.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is August 27, 2026.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 30, 2026.
Is this a competitive, discretionary grant?
Yes. The listing describes it as a discretionary federal grant opportunity.
What does the opportunity suggest about the scale and structure of funding?
With one expected award and an award ceiling of $3,500,000, the listing indicates a single, relatively large Institute award rather than multiple smaller project grants.
Is the Institute expected to track AI developments for communities?
Yes. The Institute is framed as a centralized resource that helps communities keep pace with rapid changes in artificial intelligence, reducing the need for each community to track advances independently.
Does the opportunity emphasize responsible AI use?
Yes. The goals include identifying AI use cases that are realistic and responsible, and ensuring AI investments deliver benefits without creating new burdens or risks.
Does the opportunity emphasize governance and capacity building?
Yes. A central theme is strengthening Tribal governance and maximizing local capacity so communities can govern, evaluate, and manage AI-enabled approaches over time.
Is knowledge management part of the Institute's expected functions?
Yes. One of the five goals is to establish a knowledge-management function that continuously captures lessons learned and builds institutional expertise about what works and what does not.
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