Grant Opportunities

Repatriated tunic being placed in Klukwan Clan House.

Courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute.

The goal of NAGPRA grants is to increase the number of successful returns of Native American human remains and cultural items.

What types of grants do you offer?
There are two types of NAGPRA Grants available:

Consultation/Documentation Grants support the efforts of museums, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations in consulting and documenting NAGPRA-related human remains and cultural items in non-Federal collections.

Repatriation Grants defray costs associated with the packaging, transportation, contamination removal, and/or storage of NAGPRA-related human remains and cultural items.

Who is eligible to apply?
Museums with NAGPRA collections, Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native tribes and villages), and Native Hawaiian organizations, all as defined under NAGPRA, are eligible to apply.

What activities are eligible for funding?
The annual Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will have more in-depth information about the types of activities that are eligible for funding under each grant program each year. Generally, direct project costs for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, consultants, and other costs such as stipends or training are eligible. Work on non-NAGPRA collections, general operating support, general cultural resources activities, and construction are not eligible activities. Questions about specific activities or costs should be directed to the National NAGPRA Program.

Will you be offering the grants next year?
Funds for supporting NAGPRA grant are appropriated annually by Congress and depend on a final Federal budget for the National Park Service.

When are funding opportunities announced?
Notices of Funding Opportunity are posted on Grants.gov annually, usually in November or December. Interested applicants should check this website and Grants.gov regularly for updates. You can subscribe to saved searches in Grants.gov in order to receive email notifications when NAGPRA grant opportunities become available. We recommend searching by CFDA number (15.922).

When is the deadline to apply?
The deadline for Consultation/Documentation grants is typically in mid-March, while the deadline for Repatriation grants is typically in mid-May. Applicants may submit applications any time after the current year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on Grants.gov, up until the deadline. Contact our office for information on how to prepare for the upcoming grant cycle.

If I apply for a NAGPRA grant, how long will it take for me to receive my funding?
It depends. Many factors go into the processing, review, and approval of grant applications. Applicants should anticipate at least 4-6 months turnaround time for NAGPRA award announcements.

How do I submit an application?
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Further instructions on application submission will be included in the current NOFO. Applicants should review information about registering in and using Grants.gov.

Can I submit more than one application in a single year?
Yes. There is no limit on how many applications you may submit in a single year, however each application must be for a separate, discrete project.

Can I have more than one open award at the same time?
Yes. You may have more than one active award at the same time. An applicant’s capacity to manage multiple grants at once is evaluated during the application review.

What must I include in my application?
The NOFO will have the complete list of required forms and documentation for each grant program application. These are subject to change from year to year, and a new NOFO will be posted in Grants.gov each year. Make sure you are using only the latest version of the NOFO.

What is the review process for applications?
The application review process for both grant programs consists of an initial review for eligibility and completeness, a merit review, a budget review, and a risk assessment. More detailed information about each of these review steps will be available in the current NOFO for each program.

Who can I talk to about my grant application?
The National NAGPRA Program is available to discuss potential project ideas by phone or email and can provide basic reviews of draft proposals that are submitted at least 30 days prior to the application deadline.

Who has received NAGPRA grants?
A full list of past grantees is available.

Definitions under NAGPRA

Museum: Any institution or State or local government agency (including any institution of higher learning) that receives Federal funds and has possession of, or control over, Native American cultural items. Such term does not include the Smithsonian Institution or any other Federal agency. [25 USC 3001 (8)].

Indian Tribe: Any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. [25 USC 3001 (7)]. 

Native Hawaiian Organization: Any organization which serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians, has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians, and has expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs, and shall include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei. [25 USC 3001 (11)].