Opportunity Information: Apply for BIA SAFE FY23 ICWA
The FY23 ICWA Off-Reservation Grant is a competitive funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to support Indian child and family services programs that operate off-reservation under Section 202 of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), cited at 25 U.S.C. 1932. Congress appropriated a total of $2.0 million for FY 2023 specifically for these off-reservation ICWA-authorized programs, and BIA will distribute the funds through the competitive process described in 25 CFR 23.31 through 23.35, Subpart D (Grants to Off-Reservation Indian Organizations for Title II Indian Child and Family Services Programs), with awards dependent on the availability of appropriated funds.
The core purpose of the grant is to help eligible Indian Organizations establish and operate off-reservation Indian child and family service programs that strengthen safety, stability, and culturally grounded care for Indian children and families, especially in contexts where child welfare and custody matters arise away from tribal lands. The solicitation describes several eligible program components. These include building or improving systems that regulate, maintain, and support Indian foster and adoptive homes, potentially including adoption subsidy support comparable to what Indian foster children would receive, while taking into account relevant state standards for maintenance and medical needs. The opportunity also supports counseling and treatment services for Indian families and for Indian foster and adoptive children, as well as practical family assistance such as homemaker services, home counselors, day care and afterschool care, employment and recreational activities, and respite care. Another major allowable activity is providing guidance, legal representation, and advice to Indian families involved in child custody proceedings, which directly aligns with ICWA's intent to protect the best interests of Indian children and promote the stability of Indian tribes and families.
The funding reflects a return to competitive off-reservation awards after a long gap. Historically, BIA revised the Title II ICWA grant regulations in 1994 (59 FR 2248), shifting from a competitive award structure to a noncompetitive funding approach for eligible federally recognized tribes. Starting in FY 1995, tribes accessed recurring ICWA funds through the Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) budget system, and BIA discontinued the centrally managed off-reservation grant process for Indian Organizations. As a result, BIA last awarded ICWA off-reservation grants to Indian Organizations in FY 1994, with some tribes later addressing off-reservation needs by contracting with Indian Organizations when necessary. Beginning in FY 2020, Congress started appropriating specific, targeted amounts for off-reservation ICWA programs again: $1.0 million in FY 2020, $1.0 million in FY 2021, $1.5 million in FY 2022, and $2.0 million in FY 2023 (an increase of $500,000 over FY 2022). The notice characterizes these appropriations as one-time earmark funding included in four consecutive appropriations acts, meaning applicants should not assume the funds will recur at the same level in future years.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility includes Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, as well as other eligible entities as defined by the program rules. The notice highlights that authorized tribal organizations (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l)) may apply either on their own or as part of a consortium. For eligibility purposes, an "Indian Organization" is broadly defined as a legally established entity (such as a group, association, partnership, or corporation) that is owned or controlled by Indians, or where a majority (51 percent or more) of members are Indians. A consortium, in turn, is an agreement among two or more eligible applicants to administer a grant program and provide services to Indian residents within a defined geographic area, particularly when a joint approach is administratively feasible and helps ensure an adequate level of service. The solicitation limits participation by stating that an applicant may not submit more than one application and may not be the beneficiary of more than one grant under the notice, which is intended to spread resources across organizations rather than concentrate them.
Key funding and administrative parameters are also spelled out. The opportunity is a discretionary grant (CFDA 15.144) with an award ceiling of $200,000 per award. The grant program is tied to a two-year timeframe and references the possibility of no-cost extensions, indicating projects are expected to be designed for implementation over a multi-year period while allowing additional time to complete approved activities if justified and formally approved. At the same time, BIA emphasizes that all awards are subject to funding availability and that the federal government has no payment obligation unless and until funds are made available to the awarding officer and the recipient receives written confirmation from the grants officer. The opportunity listed an original closing date of September 15, 2023, and it was created on August 21, 2023, under the funding opportunity number "BIA SAFE FY23 ICWA."Apply for BIA SAFE FY23 ICWA
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY23 ICWA OFF-RESERVATION GRANT" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.144.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-08-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-09-15. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.
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FY23 ICWA Off-Reservation Grant (BIA) - FAQs
1) What is the FY23 ICWA Off-Reservation Grant?
The FY23 ICWA Off-Reservation Grant is a competitive funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). It supports Indian child and family services programs that operate off-reservation under Section 202 of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), cited at 25 U.S.C. 1932.
2) What is the main purpose of this funding?
The core purpose is to help eligible Indian Organizations establish and operate off-reservation Indian child and family service programs that strengthen safety, stability, and culturally grounded care for Indian children and families, particularly when child welfare and custody matters arise away from tribal lands.
3) What law and regulations govern this opportunity?
The program is authorized under Section 202 of ICWA (25 U.S.C. 1932). BIA will distribute funds through the competitive process described in 25 CFR 23.31 through 23.35, Subpart D (Grants to Off-Reservation Indian Organizations for Title II Indian Child and Family Services Programs).
4) How much total funding did Congress appropriate for FY 2023?
Congress appropriated a total of $2.0 million for FY 2023 specifically for off-reservation ICWA-authorized programs to be distributed through this competitive process.
5) Is this grant competitive or noncompetitive?
This opportunity is competitive. Awards are made through the competitive process described in the cited ICWA grant regulations.
6) What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling is $200,000 per award.
7) What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The solicitation identifies this as CFDA 15.144.
8) How long is the project period?
The grant program is tied to a two-year timeframe. The notice also references the possibility of no-cost extensions, which suggests additional time may be allowed to complete approved activities if justified and formally approved.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments, as well as other eligible entities as defined by the program rules. The notice highlights that authorized tribal organizations (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l)) may apply either on their own or as part of a consortium.
10) What is an "Indian Organization" for purposes of eligibility?
An "Indian Organization" is broadly defined as a legally established entity (such as a group, association, partnership, or corporation) that is owned or controlled by Indians, or where a majority (51 percent or more) of members are Indians.
11) Can applicants apply as a consortium?
Yes. A consortium is described as an agreement among two or more eligible applicants to administer a grant program and provide services to Indian residents within a defined geographic area, especially when a joint approach is administratively feasible and helps ensure an adequate level of service.
12) Can an organization submit more than one application?
No. The solicitation limits participation by stating that an applicant may not submit more than one application.
13) Can an organization receive more than one award under this notice?
No. The solicitation states an applicant may not be the beneficiary of more than one grant under the notice, which is intended to spread resources across organizations.
14) What kinds of programs or activities can the grant support?
The solicitation describes several eligible program components for off-reservation Indian child and family services, including:
- Building or improving systems that regulate, maintain, and support Indian foster and adoptive homes
- Potentially providing adoption subsidy support comparable to what Indian foster children would receive, while taking into account relevant state standards for maintenance and medical needs
- Counseling and treatment services for Indian families and for Indian foster and adoptive children
- Practical family assistance (such as homemaker services, home counselors, day care and afterschool care, employment and recreational activities, and respite care)
- Guidance, legal representation, and advice to Indian families involved in child custody proceedings
15) Does the grant specifically support services connected to child custody proceedings?
Yes. A major allowable activity is providing guidance, legal representation, and advice to Indian families involved in child custody proceedings, aligning with ICWA's intent to protect the best interests of Indian children and promote the stability of Indian tribes and families.
16) Are services required to be off-reservation?
Yes. The grant is specifically described as an off-reservation ICWA grant meant to support programs that operate off-reservation.
17) Are awards guaranteed once an organization applies?
No. Awards are dependent on the availability of appropriated funds. The notice also emphasizes that the federal government has no payment obligation unless and until funds are made available to the awarding officer and the recipient receives written confirmation from the grants officer.
18) Is this funding expected to be available every year?
The notice characterizes these appropriations as one-time earmark funding included in four consecutive appropriations acts, and it warns applicants not to assume funds will recur at the same level in future years.
19) Why is this opportunity described as a "return" to competitive off-reservation awards?
Historically, BIA revised the Title II ICWA grant regulations in 1994 (59 FR 2248), shifting from competitive awards to a noncompetitive approach for eligible federally recognized tribes. Starting in FY 1995, tribes accessed recurring ICWA funds through the Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) system, and BIA discontinued the centrally managed off-reservation grant process for Indian Organizations. The notice states BIA last awarded ICWA off-reservation grants to Indian Organizations in FY 1994.
20) What recent funding history does the notice provide for off-reservation ICWA programs?
The notice states Congress appropriated targeted amounts for off-reservation ICWA programs beginning in FY 2020: $1.0 million in FY 2020, $1.0 million in FY 2021, $1.5 million in FY 2022, and $2.0 million in FY 2023 (an increase of $500,000 over FY 2022).
21) What type of grant is this (discretionary vs. mandatory)?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
22) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is "BIA SAFE FY23 ICWA."
23) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 21, 2023.
24) What was the application closing date listed in the notice?
The notice lists an original closing date of September 15, 2023.
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