Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program | HHS 2024 IHS TSGP 0002

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 IHS TSGP 0002

The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Indian Health Service (IHS) designed to help Tribes prepare for participation in the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP) under Title V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). The core aim is to fund the required planning phase for Tribes that are considering entering self-governance for the first time, as well as for Tribes that already participate in self-governance and want to take on new, additional, or expanded Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities (PSFAs). In practical terms, the grant supports the up-front work a Tribe needs to do to determine whether it is ready to assume responsibility for certain IHS-managed health-related functions and what it would take to administer those functions successfully through a Tribal health program.

The opportunity emphasizes that the planning phase is not a quick administrative step, but a substantive process that should be completed to the Tribe's satisfaction. The required planning activities include legal and budgetary research as well as internal governmental planning and organizational preparation related to operating health care programs. This is framed as critical groundwork for later negotiations because it helps Tribes make informed choices about which PSFAs to assume and identifies what internal changes may be needed, such as adjustments to staffing, governance processes, financial systems, policies, compliance capacity, and overall organizational structure. By funding thorough planning, IHS is trying to reduce delays and complications later in negotiations and support smoother, more efficient transfers of responsibility when a Tribe decides to move forward.

A key feature of this program is that the Planning Cooperative Agreement is supportive, not mandatory. Receiving this award is not a prerequisite for joining the TSGP, and Tribes may meet the planning requirement using other resources if they prefer. Likewise, accepting the award does not obligate a Tribe to ultimately enter the TSGP or expand its existing PSFAs. The program explicitly allows a Tribe to use the planning process to evaluate feasibility and then decide to delay participation or decline it altogether based on what the planning uncovers. The same flexibility applies to current self-governance Tribes that are exploring whether expansion makes sense for them.

Eligibility is limited to specific Tribal entities recognized in federal law and regulation. 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 notice also clarifies that Tribes prohibited from contracting under ISDEAA are not eligible, referencing restrictions in federal appropriations laws (including provisions originating in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 and later amendments and extensions). In addition to entity eligibility, the applicant must show formal Tribal support for self-governance participation: under 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(B), the Tribe(s) to be served must request participation through a resolution or other official action by each governing body. Financial capability is also required; under 25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(C), applicants must demonstrate financial stability and financial management capability for three fiscal years, reflecting IHS's expectation that a Tribe taking on PSFAs has a proven capacity to manage federal funds and administer programs responsibly.

The opportunity includes an important disqualifier that narrows who should apply. If an applicant has already successfully completed the required planning phase and has already requested participation in the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program through official Tribal action, then that applicant is not eligible for this particular planning funding. In other words, the award is intended to support the planning stage before that final step has been completed, not to reimburse or supplement planning that has already resulted in a completed planning phase and a formal request to participate.

Administratively, this funding opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the federal agency typically anticipates more substantial involvement or collaboration than a standard grant while the recipient carries out the planning project. It is categorized under health, listed under CFDA number 93.444, and is open to federally recognized Tribal governments and other eligible Tribal organizations. The funding opportunity number is HHS-2024-IHS-TSGP-0002. The application closing date was June 12, 2024. The expected number of awards was three, and the maximum award amount (ceiling) was $180,000, indicating that the program is relatively competitive and targeted, with awards meant to meaningfully support planning work rather than fund service delivery.

Overall, this program is best understood as capacity-building support for Tribal decision-making and readiness. It helps Tribes do the detailed legal, financial, and organizational due diligence that is necessary before taking on IHS PSFAs through self-governance, with the broader goal of enabling Tribes to pursue greater control over health program administration when and if they determine it aligns with their priorities and capabilities.

• 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).

Apply for HHS 2024 IHS TSGP 0002

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