The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities | | Tribal College & University Presidents! | | 2026 SAMHSA Indigenous Behavioral Health & Primary Care Summit | | AIHEC was honored to participate in the 2026 SAMHSA Indigenous Behavioral Health & Primary Care Summit. We were especially proud to have President Leander "Russ" McDonald of United Tribes Technical College moderate a workforce development panel alongside Dr. Tyler Parisien, AIHEC Director of Health Initiatives. The discussion highlighted the critical role Tribal Colleges and Universities play in developing a strong, culturally grounded healthcare workforce that meets the needs of Tribal Nations. | | | | AIHEC Issued a Call to Action this Week Ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee Meeting August 6, 2026. | | In advance of the Senate Agriculture Committee mark up on the 2026 Farm Bill Reauthorization on August 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. ET, AIHEC urged supporters to help wiht a critical opportunity to advance long-overdue, no-cost improvements that strengthen and level the playing field for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) (also known as 1994 land-grant institutions) within the land-grant system. | | Circle of Health Research Training Intensive Course | | Six Tribal College and University students gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico to cap off year one of the Circle of Health Research Training Intensive Course. These students worked for several months with mentors, TCU faculty, and tribal epidemiologists to sharpen their health research skills. The students represent Turtle Mountain College, College of The Muscogee Nation, and Tohono O'odham Community College. On their second night in Albuquerque, the students enjoyed dinner and a private tour of the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center. Congratulations to these students. | | |
Innovative Postsecondary Models (IPM) Fund will award grants ranging from $750,000 to $1,000,000, supporting organizations rethinking postsecondary education across four key areas — from instructional innovation and affordability to workforce alignment and expanded access. The IPM Fund is seeking strong alignment to at least one of four themes:
· Reimagining instructional design, delivery, assessment, and student support
· Advancing affordability and financial sustainability
· Career and workforce alignment
· Removing barriers for underserved learners
Eligible applicants include institutions, employers, vendors, platforms, intermediaries, and consortia demonstrating, or with the potential to demonstrate, meaningful improvements in how learners access, experience, and benefit from postsecondary education. Applications are open July 31 through September 14, 2026.
Key Dates
· Applications open: July 31, 2026
· Application deadline: September 14, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
· Finalists notified: November 30, 2026
· Award announcements: January 2027
Learn more and apply. Questions may be directed to Angelica Serna at ipmf@panoramaglobal.org.
| | EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT | | |
JOB/INTERNSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
| | | | San Carlos Apache College Launches Apache Ember Literary Journal | The first issue represents what will become an ongoing literary tradition that celebrates the power of words to amplify voices, share cultures, inspire dialogue, and strengthen connections across generations. | | | |
Media Round-up:
Reclaiming Indigenous Governance
| Reclaiming Indigenous Governance examines the efforts of Indigenous peoples in four important countries to reclaim their right to self-govern. Showcasing Native nations, this timely book presents diverse perspectives of both practitioners and researchers involved in Indigenous governance in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. | | |
AIHEC Receives $75,000 from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
to Support Tribal Colleges and Universities
| | | The Department of Education Announces Two Tribal Consultations | This week, the Department of Education (ED), in coordination with the Department of the Interior (DOI), announced two Tribal Consultation sessions to gather input on the interagency implementation of ED’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Grantmaking Priorities and FY 2028 Budget Priorities. | | | |
Scheduled Tribal Consultation Sessions
Session 1: FY 2027 Grantmaking Priorities
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
During this session, ED and DOI will consult with Tribal Nations on the implementation of ED’s FY 2027 grantmaking priorities.
Registration: Follow this LINK to register for Session 1.
Written Comments Deadline: September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Session 2: FY 2028 Budget Priorities
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
This session will focus on Tribal input regarding ED’s FY 2028 Budget Request to the President.
Registration: Follow this LINK to register for Session 2.
Written Comments Deadline: September 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
For additional information on both consultation sessions, please visit the Bureau of Indian Education’s Interagency Implementation of ED FY 2027 Grantmaking Priorities and FY 2028 Budget Process webpage.
| | | | Small Business Administration Announces Funding Opportunity for Tribal Colleges and Universities | | |
The Small Business Administration announces a funding opportunity for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement is to invite proposals for funding from Tribal Colleges and Universities, Tribal Serving Institutions, Community Colleges on or near Tribal Lands, and other Trade Schools on or near Tribal Lands interested in providing innovative hands-on, in-person manufacturing training and technical assistance through rapid reskilling of employees for 8(a) and HUBZone eligible small businesses, under the U.S. Small Business Administration's Empower to Grow Program (formerly known as 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program).
Application Deadline is August 24, 2026.
For additional information on this funding opportunity, please visit the Grants.gov webpage.
| | Census Bureau Higher Education Consortium Invites Tribal Colleges and Universities to Learn About Initiatives and Potential Collaboration | | | |
Please join an upcoming session on the U.S. Census Bureau’s Higher Education Consortium and available Census resources that support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). This session will provide an overview of the Consortium’s work, introduce participating members, and highlight opportunities for collaboration and future Tribal-focused training initiatives.
Session Details: Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. CT
Suggested Attendees: All interested participants from TCUs and partner organizations able to attend and engage in this important discussion.
For more information and to register for the session, please follow the link: TRP: Tribal Colleges and Universities - Census Bureau Higher Education Consortium
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Holding the World in Balance: Indigenous Stories of Climate, Care, and Continuance
| This open-access publication is a collection of journalism, poetry, fiction, and artwork produced by Indigenous writers, artists and storytellers on the topic of climate change. The book includes prompts for creative activities to invite engagement from readers, and a teacher’s guide to provide guidance in how to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and ways of thinking into K-12 classrooms. | | | Department of War Announces Funding Opportunity for HBCUs and TCUs to Enhance Research and Education Programs | | | |
On June 8, the Department of War announced the Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU). This program aims to enhance research and education programs in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to national security functions. The program will provide funding for basic research projects that align with the research areas of interest to the Department of War. The proposed projects should enhance the education of students in areas of STEM that align with the Department of War's research interests.
Some key areas of interest include the following: (1) Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), (2) Biomanufacturing (BIO), (3) Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG), (4) Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID), (5) Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE), (6) Scaled Hypersonics (SHY).
Applications are due August 11, 2026.
To learn more about this grant opportunity, please visit the Grants.gov posting.
| | Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications NOFO Published | | | |
Applications are due by 5:00 pm ET on Friday, August 14, 2026.
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