Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program | HHS 2025 IHS TSGN 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 IHS TSGN 0001

The Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Indian Health Service (IHS) designed to help Tribes cover the practical, real-world costs of getting ready for and participating in negotiations under the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP). The central idea is to give Tribal applicants added capacity to plan, organize, and engage in a negotiation process that can be complex and time-intensive, especially because each Tribe enters negotiations with its own health system needs, priorities, and goals. These negotiations are described as tribally driven and dynamic, meaning the process often evolves as both sides exchange updated information and work through details specific to a Tribe's situation.

A major focus of the program is supporting the negotiations that lead to two key self-governance documents: the Compact and the Funding Agreement (FA). The Compact lays out the overarching government-to-government relationship between the Tribe and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Funding Agreement is the operational blueprint for what the Tribe will actually take on. It covers how long the agreement will run (annual or multi-year), which IHS Programs, Services, Functions, and Activities (PSFAs) the Tribe will assume (in whole or in part), the funding amount tied to that assumption, and any required terms from federal law along with additional terms the parties mutually agree to. Once signed, these documents become legally binding and enforceable, and the Tribe can request renegotiation of either document in the future, reflecting the flexible, ongoing nature of self-governance.

The opportunity emphasizes that negotiations are intended to be collaborative rather than one-sided. The stated goals include enabling Tribes to set their own priorities when assuming responsibility for IHS PSFAs, honoring and maintaining the federal-Tribal government-to-government relationship, and ensuring active participation by both Tribal and IHS representatives, including the IHS Office of Tribal Self-Governance. In practice, that means the funding is meant to strengthen a Tribe's ability to show up prepared with accurate data, clear plans, and the staffing or technical support needed to navigate discussions about health care concerns, service delivery strategies, and funding details.

Eligibility is limited to specific Tribal entities recognized in federal law. Applicants must be an Indian Tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(e)), a Tribal Organization (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l)), or an Inter-Tribal Consortium (as defined at 42 CFR 137.10). Tribes that are prohibited from contracting under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act are not eligible, as referenced through provisions in multiple Consolidated Appropriations Acts (2014, 2018, and 2021). In addition, the applicant must show that participation in self-governance has been formally requested through a resolution or other official action by the governing body of each Tribe to be served (25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(B)). The applicant must also demonstrate financial stability and financial management capability for three consecutive fiscal years (25 U.S.C. 5383(c)(1)(C)), signaling that applicants need a track record of sound financial operations to enter or expand self-governance arrangements.

Key funding details include the funding opportunity number HHS-2025-IHS-TSGN-0001, with awards issued as cooperative agreements under CFDA 93.444 (health). The award ceiling is $84,000, and IHS expects to make about three awards. The opportunity was created on December 18, 2024, and the original application closing date is February 19, 2025. Eligible applicant types listed include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and certain others consistent with the legal definitions above.

• The Indian Health Service in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.444.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-19. (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 $84,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.

Apply for HHS 2025 IHS TSGN 0001

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