BIA-IBIP-OIED-2026

Description

On October 20, 2020, Congress enacted the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, Pub. L. 116-174, codified at 25 U.S.C. 5801 et seq. In the Act, Congress established the Native American Business Incubators Program and required the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations to implement the program. See 25 U.S.C. 5804.The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Office of the Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs, through the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED), solicits proposals from eligible entities (see Eligibility Section) for grant funding from established Business Incubators to serve Native entrepreneurs with start-up, early-stage, and established businesses who will provide products or services to Tribal reservation communities. For the purposes of this NOFO, an established incubator is defined as an operational entity currently providing structured incubation services and is able to demonstrate prior performance. The Indian Business Incubator will provide entrepreneurship and business skills training and education to Native businesses and Native entrepreneurs and deliver a range of business services such as mentorships, networking, technical assistance, and access to investors. Further, Indian Business Incubators will promote collaboration, address challenges, and provide individually tailored services to overcome the obstacles that are unique to each participating business.The OIED will administer this grant program through the Division of Economic Development (DED) funded under a non-recurring appropriation budget. Congress appropriates funds on a year-to-year basis. While IBIP projects may extend over several years, funding for successive years beyond the original period of performance depends on each fiscal year's congressional appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary).The awards are for a project period of 36 months (§1187.40), with an option for an additional 36 months (§1187.41). The initial grant award will be for a 12-month budget period. The award continuation beyond each 12-month budget period is subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory progress on the part of each recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal government. Neither the Department of the Interior (DOI) nor Indian Affairs will be held responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication of this solicitation does not obligate DOI or Indian Affairs to award any specific grant or to obligate all or any part of available funds.

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