Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program | HS U152I 24 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for HS U152I 24 002

The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Indian Health Service (IHS) designed to help Tribes and Tribal organizations prepare to participate in the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP), or to help current self-governance Tribes plan for taking on new or expanded Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities (PSFAs). The central idea is to fund the upfront planning work that must happen before a Tribe decides whether, and how, to assume responsibility for certain IHS health-related PSFAs. This planning support is meant to strengthen decision-making, reduce delays during negotiations, and ensure Tribes are operationally ready to manage transferred health care programs effectively.

The grant is rooted in Title V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), which requires a planning phase that is completed to the satisfaction of the Tribe. The planning phase is not a formality; it is expected to include legal research, budget and financial analysis, and internal Tribal government planning and organizational preparation tied specifically to administering health care programs. In practice, this means reviewing legal authorities and obligations, analyzing costs and funding implications, assessing current administrative capacity, and mapping out what organizational changes, staffing, policies, systems, or governance actions would be needed to successfully operate the PSFAs a Tribe is considering. The opportunity emphasizes that solid planning leads to more timely and efficient negotiations and reduces the risk of a Tribe taking on responsibilities without the internal infrastructure to support them.

A key feature of this program is that receiving a Planning Cooperative Agreement does not lock a Tribe into joining the TSGP or expanding its existing self-governance scope. The funding is meant to support exploration and preparation, not to force a particular outcome. A Tribe can complete planning and then decide to proceed, delay, narrow the scope, or decline participation based on what the planning process reveals. The notice also makes clear that this cooperative agreement is not the only way to meet the planning requirement; Tribes may use other resources to complete planning and still pursue self-governance, meaning this award is helpful but not mandatory for entry into the TSGP.

Eligibility is limited to specific Tribal entities recognized under federal law. Applicants must be an "Indian Tribe" as defined at 25 U.S.C. 5304(e), a "Tribal Organization" as defined at 25 U.S.C. 5304(l), or an "Inter-Tribal Consortium" as defined at 42 CFR 137.10. The opportunity also notes that Tribes prohibited from contracting under the ISDEAA are not eligible, citing appropriations restrictions (including provisions originating in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 and subsequent amendments and extensions). Beyond entity type, applicants must show that the governing body of each Indian Tribe to be served has formally requested participation in self-governance through a resolution or other official action, consistent with 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(B). At the same time, the program draws a clear boundary around who this planning funding is for: if an applicant has already completed the required planning phase and has already requested participation in the IHS TSGP by official Tribal action, then that applicant is not eligible for this particular funding opportunity, because the planning purpose has effectively already been satisfied. In addition, applicants must demonstrate financial stability and financial management capability for three fiscal years, as required by 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(C), signaling that IHS expects recipients to have a track record of sound fiscal management while they undertake the planning work tied to potentially managing federal health program responsibilities.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is offered as a Cooperative Agreement, which generally indicates substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant, and it is categorized under the Health activity area. The funding opportunity number is HS-U152I-24-002, listed under CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 93.444. Eligible applicant types are Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The application deadline provided is June 12, 2024. The award ceiling is $180,000, and IHS expects to make about three awards under this announcement.

Overall, this program is best understood as a planning-focused on-ramp (or expansion-planning support) for Tribal self-governance in IHS health programs. It is intended to fund the due diligence and internal readiness work that helps Tribes choose PSFAs wisely, understand the legal and financial realities of assuming those functions, and build the governance and administrative foundation needed to manage health care programs successfully if they decide to move forward.

• The Indian Health Service in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.444.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-12. (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 $180,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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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