The Tribal Management Grant (TMG) Program is a competitive funding opportunity provided by the Indian Health Service (IHS) under the Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes. This program aims to support federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TOs) in enhancing their management capabilities and preparing to assume responsibilities for Indian Health Service programs, functions, services, and activities (PFSAs). The TMG Program has been in place since shortly after the passage of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (ISDEAA) and continues to offer financial assistance to Tribes working toward self-governance in health management.

The program provides funding in four project categories: Feasibility Studies, Planning, Evaluation Studies, and Health Management Structures. Each project type has different funding limits and periods of performance, ranging from one to three years. The grant is structured to enable Tribes to establish health program goals, assess their current management capacity, evaluate existing programs, and implement necessary management structures to take over PFSAs. The TMG program ultimately supports the long-term goal of empowering Tribes to manage and operate health services independently.

The total funding available for Fiscal Year 2025 is approximately $2,464,000, with an estimated 14-16 awards to be issued. The funding range per applicant varies based on the project type selected. For instance, feasibility studies and evaluation studies have a maximum award of $50,000 over a 12-month period, while planning projects have the same maximum funding limit. The health management structure category has the highest award ceiling at $300,000 for up to 36 months, with a first-year cap of $150,000. The continuation of funding depends on the availability of appropriations and the applicant’s satisfactory progress.

Eligible applicants for this opportunity include federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations as defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603. Individual applicants, foreign entities, and Tribes prohibited from receiving funds under the Alaska Moratorium are not eligible. Applicants must provide letters of support or Tribal Resolutions from the Tribes they intend to serve. The grant does not require cost-sharing or matching funds, and applicants may only submit proposals for one project type per funding cycle.

Applications for the TMG Program must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by April 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Award decisions are expected by June 30, 2025, with funded projects beginning as early as July 1, 2025. The application package must include a project abstract, a project narrative (not exceeding 15 pages), a budget narrative, and various required attachments such as a Tribal resolution, a work plan chart, and letters of support. Incomplete or late submissions will not be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to begin the registration process for SAM.gov and Grants.gov early, as these registrations may take several weeks to complete.

Evaluation criteria for the grant include an assessment of the project’s need, objectives, work plan, evaluation strategy, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Each application will be scored on a 100-point scale, with emphasis on the feasibility and impact of the proposed project. Applicants will receive an executive summary of their review results within 30 days of the evaluation process. If selected, awardees must comply with federal reporting and administrative requirements, including performance and financial reporting.

For questions regarding program eligibility, applicants can contact Kenneth A. Coriz at Kenneth.Coriz@ihs.gov or (301) 443-5668. For grants management and application process inquiries, applicants may email DGM@ihs.gov. Technical assistance is available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov customer support services.