Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ANA XN 0001
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) Emergency Native Language Funding Opportunity Announcement is a one-time emergency grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). It was created under ARP Section 11004, which expanded the Native Americans Programs Act (NAPA) to add emergency grants specifically aimed at protecting Native American languages during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. The core purpose is straightforward: help Native communities keep their languages alive at a moment when COVID-19-related losses, especially among Elders and fluent speakers, created an urgent threat to language transmission, cultural continuity, and community wellbeing.
The program is framed around the idea that Native languages are not just communication tools but are deeply tied to cultural values, tribal customs, and ceremony. ANA also points to research linking Indigenous language knowledge with protective mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicide and suicidal ideation. COVID-19 intensified existing challenges by disrupting in-person instruction, cultural gatherings, and ceremonies that normally support language use. At the same time, many communities faced barriers to shifting language work online because of limited broadband access, inadequate technology, and infrastructure gaps. Because tribal and Native communities are at very different stages of language revitalization, ANA’s stated intent is to distribute funds strategically and equitably in a way that reaches as many eligible communities as the law allows.
A key feature of this opportunity is how awards are made. Instead of a typical competitive grant process, ANA planned to issue emergency, non-competitive awards using an equal-allocation approach among eligible applicants. The main applicants are federally recognized tribes and incorporated state-recognized tribes, and only one award is intended per tribe. Tribes can also name a designee to apply on their behalf, which is common where a tribally chartered nonprofit, tribal college, or another tribally affiliated organization is better positioned to run language programming quickly. If a tribe uses a designee, the application must include official documentation (such as a letter or resolution from tribal leadership or the tribal council) confirming that the tribe’s allocation will be awarded to that non-tribal entity.
Funding amounts depend on how many approvable applications ANA receives and how the equal allocation works out in practice. The announcement indicates tribal applicants could receive roughly $37,000 to $95,000, with an award ceiling of $95,000, and applicants are encouraged to design projects and budgets that can scale within that range because final amounts may need adjustment. ANA also notes that it will conduct pre-award negotiations to finalize budgets before issuing awards, meaning applicants should expect some back-and-forth if the final allocation differs from what they proposed. In the published opportunity data, ANA anticipated a large number of awards (about 500), reflecting the intent to spread funds widely across eligible communities rather than fund a small set of large projects.
Projects funded under this emergency authority are meant to stabilize and sustain living Native languages. A hard eligibility condition is that the language served must be a living language; this funding is not intended for languages without current living speakers. Within that requirement, applicants are expected to focus their emergency projects on one or two main domains. The FOA highlights five common focus areas: (1) resources and documentation, such as recording fluent speakers, transcription, curriculum creation, language modules, or dictionary work; (2) instruction, such as teacher training, professional development, or Master-Apprentice models; (3) technology and infrastructure, including computers/devices, internet improvements, and IT networking to support remote or hybrid language learning; (4) planning, such as community surveys, readiness/interest assessments, or strategic language plans; and (5) Elder or intergenerational engagement, including Elder-led instruction, storytelling, and speaker recordings designed to pass knowledge to younger generations.
The application process is designed to move quickly and reduce administrative burden. ANA indicated it would accept an abbreviated application package, generally including a 5 to 10 page project narrative, a line-item budget and justification, and a simplified workplan, along with standard federal forms like the SF-424 and SF-424A. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers barriers for communities that may not be able to contribute non-federal dollars during an emergency.
In terms of timing and structure, applicants could propose a 12-, 24-, or 36-month project period, but the funding itself is still described as one-time. There is a single budget period for the full project length, and there are no continuation awards for multi-year projects, meaning recipients have to plan from the start to cover the entire project period within the one award. Funds are available until expended, but the grant is not designed as a renewable or annually funded program under this specific ARP emergency announcement.
Eligibility is centered on tribal governments and, when formally designated by a tribe, certain tribal-serving and Native-led organizations. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments (as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs) and incorporated state-recognized tribes. With a tribe’s official designation, eligible designees can include incorporated nonprofit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations, Alaska Native nonprofit organizations with village-specific projects, incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multi-purpose community-based organizations, and tribal colleges and universities. The FOA also clarifies that some community-based organizations may include Native schools, preschools, or child-care centers serving birth through grade 12 that teach or support Native languages and students. Each eligible applicant is limited to one award under this FOA, although subawards are allowed; a subrecipient may also separately apply for its own ARP award for a distinct project.
Finally, the opportunity materials note that ANA intended to issue a separate FOA for ARP language funds directed to pre-selected Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations, rather than including those awards fully within this specific tribal equal-allocation process. Administrative details in the listing include the opportunity number (HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0001), CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.612, a posting date of May 26, 2021, and an original closing date of June 25, 2021.Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ANA XN 0001
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American Rescue Plan Act Emergency Native Language Funding Opportunity Announcement" 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 May 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 25, 2021. (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 $95,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 500 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).
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