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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FAQs: ARP Emergency Native Language Funding Opportunity (ANA)
What is the ARP Emergency Native Language Funding Opportunity?
It is a one-time emergency grant program created under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) and administered 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 authorized under ARP Section 11004, which expanded the Native Americans Programs Act (NAPA) to add emergency grants intended to protect Native American languages during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency.
What problem is this funding trying to address?
The funding is meant to respond to urgent, COVID-19-related threats to Native language transmission and cultural continuity, including losses among Elders and fluent speakers, disruption of in-person instruction and gatherings, and barriers to moving language work online due to broadband, technology, and infrastructure gaps.
What is the core purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to help Native communities keep their living languages alive by stabilizing and sustaining language use and language learning at a time when the COVID-19 emergency created heightened risk to intergenerational transmission and community wellbeing.
How does ANA describe the importance of Native languages in this program?
The opportunity materials frame Native languages as deeply tied to cultural values, tribal customs, and ceremony. They also cite research linking Indigenous language knowledge with protective mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicide and suicidal ideation.
Is this a competitive grant program?
No. ANA planned to issue emergency, non-competitive awards using an equal-allocation approach among eligible applicants, rather than a typical competitive selection process.
How are award amounts determined?
Award amounts depend on how many approvable applications ANA receives and how the equal-allocation approach works out. The materials indicate tribal applicants could receive roughly $37,000 to $95,000, with an award ceiling of $95,000. Applicants are encouraged to design projects and budgets that can scale within that range because final amounts may need adjustment.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling stated in the opportunity is $95,000.
How many awards did ANA anticipate making?
The opportunity data indicates ANA anticipated a large number of awards (about 500), reflecting an intent to distribute funds widely across eligible communities.
Will there be budget changes after applying?
Possibly. ANA indicated it would conduct pre-award negotiations to finalize budgets before issuing awards, so applicants should expect potential back-and-forth if the final equal-allocation amount differs from what was proposed.
Who is eligible to apply as the primary applicant?
The main applicants are federally recognized tribes and incorporated state-recognized tribes. The FOA describes an approach where only one award is intended per tribe.
Can a tribe designate another organization to apply on its behalf?
Yes. Tribes can name a designee to apply on their behalf, which may be useful when a tribally chartered nonprofit, tribal college, or another tribally affiliated organization is positioned to launch language programming quickly.
What documentation is required if a designee applies?
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.
What types of organizations can be eligible as designees (with tribal designation)?
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 notes 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.
Is there a limit on how many awards an eligible applicant can receive under this FOA?
Yes. Each eligible applicant is limited to one award under this FOA, and the approach described is one award intended per tribe.
Are subawards allowed?
Yes. Subawards are allowed. The FOA also notes that a subrecipient may separately apply for its own ARP award for a distinct project.
What languages are eligible to be served with these funds?
The language must be a living Native language. A hard eligibility condition is that the funding is not intended for languages without current living speakers.
How many focus areas should a project concentrate on?
Applicants are expected to focus their emergency projects on one or two main domains (focus areas) within the living-language requirement.
What are the main focus areas highlighted by the FOA?
The FOA highlights five common focus areas:
- Resources and documentation (for example, recording fluent speakers, transcription, curriculum creation, language modules, dictionary work)
- Instruction (for example, teacher training, professional development, Master-Apprentice models)
- Technology and infrastructure (for example, computers/devices, internet improvements, IT networking to support remote or hybrid learning)
- Planning (for example, community surveys, readiness/interest assessments, strategic language plans)
- Elder or intergenerational engagement (for example, Elder-led instruction, storytelling, speaker recordings to pass knowledge to younger generations)
Is the application intended to be shorter than typical federal grants?
Yes. ANA indicated it would accept an abbreviated application package to move quickly and reduce administrative burden.
What is included in the abbreviated application package?
The materials describe an abbreviated package that generally includes a 5 to 10 page project narrative, a line-item budget and justification, and a simplified workplan, along with standard federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A.
Does the program require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What project lengths (project periods) are allowed?
Applicants could propose a 12-, 24-, or 36-month project period.
If a project is 24 or 36 months, are there continuation awards each year?
No. Even for multi-year project periods, the funding is described as one-time with a single budget period for the full project length, and there are no continuation awards under this specific ARP emergency announcement.
Is this funding renewable or annually funded?
No. It is described as a one-time emergency grant program under this ARP emergency announcement and is not designed as a renewable or annually funded program in this form.
Who administers this program within the federal government?
The program is run by HHS through ACF, specifically through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA).
What is the opportunity number and Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The opportunity number is HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0001, and the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 93.612.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting date listed is May 26, 2021, and the original closing date listed is June 25, 2021.
Does this FOA include ARP language funds for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations?
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.
Why does the FOA mention broadband and technology barriers?
Because COVID-19 disrupted in-person language instruction and cultural gatherings, many communities needed to shift to remote or hybrid language activities. The FOA notes that limited broadband access, inadequate technology, and infrastructure gaps made that shift difficult, and it identifies technology and infrastructure as one potential focus area.
What does "equal-allocation" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, ANA planned to distribute funds using an equal-allocation approach among eligible applicants, rather than awarding different amounts based on a scored competition. The exact dollar amount per award depends on the number of approvable applications received.
What does "one award intended per tribe" mean for planning?
It signals that the program was designed so that each eligible tribe would generally receive a single allocation/award (either applied for directly by the tribe or by a formally designated designee), rather than multiple separate awards for the same tribe under this FOA.
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