The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities | | | | Native Americans in Philanthropy | AIHEC President & CEO Ahniwake Rose attended the Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference this week. She is pictured here with BIE Director Tony Dearman and students at Sherman Indian School. | | Aaniiih Nakoda College Launches New Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems | | | |
Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC) is proud to introduce a four-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS), an accredited program designed to support students pursuing careers in technology and information systems. Recently approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the program marks an important step forward in expanding STEM opportunities at the College.
The new bachelor’s degree builds on ANC’s existing Associate of Science in CIS and reflects the College’s broader commitment to strengthening STEM education through initiatives like the Institutional Capacity Excellence in TCUP Institutions (ICE-TI) project. The program is designed to increase student success, expand access to high-wage career pathways, and contribute to the development of a local technology workforce.
As technology continues to shape every aspect of daily life, the CIS program at ANC provides a pathway for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
For more information about the Computer Information Systems program or to enroll, visit ancollege.edu or contact d_johnson@ancollege.edu
| | Native administrators rail against Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for TCUs | | | | | Tribal college president Steven Smith reflects on his life in teaching | | EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT | | Indigenous Tomorrows Fund Call for Youth Grant Reviewers! | | |
Native Americans in Philanthropy's Indigenous Tomorrows Fund (ITF) is excited to open the call for Youth Grant Reviewers for the upcoming 2026 funding cycle!
April - May: Orientation
June–August: Participate in training sessions and begin reviewing grant applications.
September–October: Engage in reflection activities and wrap up the grant cycle.
Selected reviewers will receive training, and ongoing mentorship throughout the review process. You do not need any prior experience, just an interest in uplifting community, grantmaking, and philanthropy. Upon completion of the grant reviewing process, a stipend will be awarded.
Eligibility: Ages 14 -24
Deadline to Submit: April 24th, 2026
| | #AWP27 Tribal Colleges & Universities Fellowship Program Open April 1! | | |
Writers from tribal schools can take advantage of the opportunity to travel to the annual conference and bookfair in Chicago, Illinois, on March 17–20, 2027, and share their creative work on a public stage!
Eligibility
To be eligible for these fellowships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be an active TCU faculty member (part- or full-time) or a current TCU student (undergraduate or graduate) involved/interested in creative writing
- be available to travel and be at the conference on March 17–20, 2027
- if faculty, be available to serve as a creative writing mentor to two student fellows each for monthly workshop meetings before the conference and for the duration of the conference
- if a student, must be available for monthly workshop meetings with faculty mentor before the conference
Applications will be open April 1–May 31, 2026! Visit the AWP TCU Fellowship Program page on our website for more details. Be sure to spread the word and share this with any potential applicants! For inquiries, please contact opportunities@awpwriter.org.
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Native Resilience to hold 2026 Spring Webinar Series on Snow Drought and Tribal Agriculture
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The Native Resilience Working Group will hold a four-part webinar series in spring 2026 focused on snow drought, water stress, and their impacts on tribal agriculture.
Speakers will cover: Snow-drought outlooks and what they mean for agricultural operations; Guidance on USDA, FEMA, and Native-led assistance programs; Tribal experiences navigating drought and disaster declarations; and, direct connections to experts and producer support organizations.
All webinars will be held on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time/10:00 a.m. Pacific.
- February 17, 2026 – Snow-Drought Outlook & Early Action Resources – Dr. Kyle Bocinsky, Director of Climate Extension, Montana Climate Office
- March 17, 2026 – Farm Service Agency Resources – Jennifer Perez, National Outreach Specialist and Tribal Liaison for the USDA Farm Service Agency
- April 21, 2026 – Tribal Drought Responses: Programs and Perspectives
- May 19, 2026 – Tribal Disaster Declarations and Federal Recognition
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JOB/INTERNSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
| | | | IAIA Launches the Indigenous Interconnect Arts App | The first-of-its-kind social media platform is designed to connect Indigenous artists, writers, performers, filmmakers, alumni, students, and supporters in a digital environment grounded in creativity, community engagement, and cultural exchange. | | | | As the trees bud around me, I am stopping and noticing, taking in the beauty just a bit more, rejoicing in the life that I am a part of . . . the life which is a gift that is meant to be fully lived and fully experienced. Happy mnookmi. | | For second time, Trump seeks to eliminate federal funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities | | | What Are Interagency Agreements and Why Do They Matter for Tribal Colleges and Universities? | | | | | AIHEC Statement on the 2027 President’s Budget and Funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities | | Department of Energy Announces $50 million Investment to Advance Affordable, Reliable, and Secure Energy for Tribes | | |
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy (IE) today announced a $50 million notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) aimed at fostering affordable, reliable, and secure energy solutions in Indian Country. This investment will support Tribal-led community-scale energy project planning and development and large-scale energy project planning.
Through the Unleashing Tribal Energy Development NOFO, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native regional corporations and Village corporations, Tribal and intertribal organizations, Tribal Energy Development Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities—or any consortium of these eligible groups–to focus on:
- Construction and installation of Tribal community-scale energy projects to meet the needs of the community
- Predevelopment activities required to identify community-scale energy opportunities and bring projects from concept to implementation-ready
- Planning, assessment, and feasibility activities to de-risk and advance development for large-scale Tribal energy projects that provide opportunities for revenue generation and economic development
A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity and how to apply will be held on April 9, 2026.
Applications are due July 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.
| | | | U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor Announce First Grant Competition Under Postsecondary Education Partnership | | |
The U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL) issued the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 competition for the Talent Search Program, a grant aimed at helping students pursue high-quality postsecondary education or training, including Registered Apprenticeships. The awards will be issued on DOL’s GrantSolutions, a grants management platform. These actions further align the postsecondary and workforce education programs of ED and DOL and will position DOL as the central hub for America’s postsecondary education and workforce development programs.
This announcement kicks off ED’s FY 2026 grant competition for the Federal TRIO Programs, with additional competitions to follow later this spring and summer. This step follows ED’s staff detail earlier this year, as the agencies work together to better coordinate Federal postsecondary and workforce education programs.
| | Coming Soon! New Funding Opportunities! | | | | | US Department of Labor announces availability of $65M in grants to help community colleges increase access to in-demand, high-quality training | | |
On 2/17/26, the Department of Labor announced a $65 million grant competition for the Strengthening Community College Training program, funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The funding aims to support programs that help community colleges develop high-quality, short-term training programs that meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized a new Pell Grant program for short-term workforce programs, and DOL noted that grant applications must describe how programs will meet the hiring requirements of employers in in-demand industries.
Applications deadline is May 20, 2026. There is no cost share or matching requirement for this program.
For more information, please refer to the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program.
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