The Bureau of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the State Tribal Education Partnerships (STEP) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
Donor Name: U.S. Department of Education
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/11/2026
Size of the Grant: Less than $1000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purpose of State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) is to promote Tribal self-determination in education; improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and promote the coordination and collaboration between Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students.
STEP is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA). The intent of this competition is to return education to the Tribes and create opportunities where Tribes can exert sovereignty and self-determination. ED expects that TEA-SEALEA coordination will result in TEAs maintaining greater systemic connections with their Native children in public schools.
The requirement for a draft written agreement (DWA), as defined in this notice, helps to ensure that all relevant partners needed to achieve the project goals are included from the outset. For example, applicants could propose projects that include developing a TEA aimed at creating a Tribal education system that provides policies, structures and oversight that improves such student outcomes as attendance, graduation rate, academic achievement, workforce development, and career readiness.
Priorities
- Absolute Priority 1: Create a TEA
- Absolute Priority 2: Expand Capacity of Early TEAs
Funding Information
- Estimated Available Funds: $2,000,000.
- Estimated Award Range: $300,000 – $500,000.
Grant Period
- Create a TEA: 36 months.
- Expand Capacity of Early TEAs: 60 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian Tribes,
- An Indian Tribe that receives funds from BIE under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020) is not eligible to receive funds under this program.
- Tribal organization approved by an Indian Tribe,
- TEA, or
- A consortium of eligible applicants.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
