Program Year 2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Indian and Native American Programs Employment and Training - Adult

The Indian and Native American Program (INAP) supports employment and training activities for Indian and Native Americans throughout the United States by awarding grant funding to eligible entities at the local level for the provision of employment services. Grant award recipients may use funding to help all eligible Indian and Native Americans (INA), including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, with employment, financial assistance for education and training, and other supportive services necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency.Per the requirements outlined in Section 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and implementing regulations found at 20 CFR Part 684, the Department must hold this INAP grant competition every four years. Recipients receiving an award as a result of this competition in Program Year 2026 will also receive one grant award annually for three subsequent program years, based on annual Departmental requirements and subject to appropriated funding. Current recipients of the INAP Employment and Training Grants that received an award and subsequent annual allotments under the last competition in 2022 (FOA-ETA-22-05) must apply under this Funding Opportunity Announcement if they wish to receive additional funding.

The following organizations are eligible to apply: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. To be eligible as a Native American tribal organization, an applicant must meet the criteria as defined in 25 U.S.C 5304(l): The recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided, that in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. Eligible Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS are limited to the following organizations: Alaska Native-controlled organizations; Native Hawaiian-controlled organizations; Indian-controlled organizations serving INAs, including Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined at 20 CFR 684.130; A consortium of eligible entities which meets the legal requirements for a consortium, as defined in 20 CFR 684.200(e); and State-recognized tribal organizations that meet the definition of an Indian-controlled organization, as defined in 20 CFR 684.130 and incumbent State-recognized tribes that meet the requirements at 20 CFR 684.130. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all eligible organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

Selection criteria are described in the regulations, Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) and the Department's Training and Employment Guidance Letters (TEGL)s In general, awards are based on the regulatory requirements found at 20 CFR 684.200, 684.210, 684.220 and 684.230 in WIOA. In selecting entities for a grantee award, some key criteria include the entity's legal status, ability to administer Federal funds, and prior experience and success in providing employment and training services to the client population.