The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities | | Please share with Tribal leadership, natural resources personnel, and community members! | | Underinvestment in Indian Country: How federal and philanthropic funding to Native Americans falls short, and how to fix it | | |
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and communities have seen significant shifts in federal funding in recent years. Sweeping federal laws passed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession brought historic levels of funding to Tribal communities in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, clean energy, and economic development.
However, since the start of 2025, the funding landscape has shifted. Unfortunately, rather than move the U.S. closer to meeting the full funding needs of Tribal communities, recent fiscal policy decisions have moved it further away.
This report provides an overview of recent funding to Indian Country, outlines areas of critical need, and highlights service areas that have recently seen some of the largest funding reductions.
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Applications for NCAI-YC Officer Candidates: Submit by August 21
Native youth — your voice matters! Are you ready to lead, represent, and uplift Native youth across Indian Country?
We are now accepting applications for all NCAI Youth Commission (NCAI-YC) officer positions. Elections will take place during the 2026 NCAI Youth Convention, held in conjunction with the 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace in Palm Springs, California, October 18–22, 2026.
Applicants must:
- Be 18–24 years old;
- Be an Individual Indian Member of NCAI; and
- Be a citizen of a Tribal Nation that holds NCAI Tribal Nation Membership
Step forward, make your voice heard, and help shape the future of Native youth leadership!
The application deadline is August 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For application information or questions, contact Alison Black, NCAI Youth Leadership & Training Coordinator, at ablack@ncai.org.
Please share this opportunity with eligible Tribal youth and your networks.
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Office of Indian Energy Director Priorities
Four key priorities set to guide the Office of Indian Energy's work and impact across Indian Country.
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The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will hold its Annual Tribal Consultation on August 25–26, 2026, in a hybrid format, with opportunities for Tribal leaders to participate virtually or in person at the Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street SW, Washington, D.C.
Consultation Topics Include:
- Reducing Administrative Burden and Deregulatory Opportunities
- A Home for Every Child: ACF’s initiative to improve foster care outcomes, strengthen foster capacity, and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Make America Healthy Again priorities; Consultation will focus on challenges facing Native children, kinship, families, and Tribal child welfare systems.
- Public Law 102-477 Modernization: Reduce administrative burden, improve services, and strengthen Tribal self-determination
What Tribal Leaders Should Do:
- 30-minute Hybrid One-on-One Meetings with ACF representatives: Request by August 12 at 5:00 p.m. ET
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Written testimony: Submit by September 25 at 5:00 p.m. ET to tribalaffairs@acf.hhs.gov with the subject line “ACF Tribal Consultation Testimony.”
| | | | FCC Announces Tribal Workshop on Broadband Funding and Mapping Initiatives | | |
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is hosting a critical Tribal Workshop to advance connectivity and digital equity across Indian Country. Partnering with the Commerce Department (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Rural Utility Service), and the New Mexico and Arizona state broadband offices, this event is designed to empower Tribal Nations with the resources needed to expand broadband infrastructure and reinforce Tribal sovereignty over local telecommunications.
This workshop will provide critical information on available federal funding for Tribal broadband initiatives, the Universal Service Fund, FCC Technology Transitions, and Public Safety and Homeland Security programs. It will also focus on technical capacity building, offering in-depth training on the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection and the National Broadband Map. Attendees will learn how to navigate the underlying Fabric dataset, challenge map inaccuracies, and understand broadband provider filing requirements.
Additionally, on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 19, the FCC Broadband Data Task Force will hold open office hours to provide hands-on Geographic Information System (GIS) support and answer questions regarding the serviceable location Fabric for Tribal entities.
To register, please send an email to Native@fcc.gov with the subject line “August Workshop.” Ensure you include your name, title, Tribal affiliation, and contact information. If you are interested in attending the Broadband Data Task Force’s office hours on August 19, please indicate your interest in your registration email.
| | EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT | | Tribal College & University Presidents! | | |
JOB/INTERNSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
| | | | Stephen Wall on the Trust Responsibility | The legal scholar, author, and IAIA provost explains the origins of the trust responsibility and how it pertains to tribal colleges. | | | | The 2026 AIHEC Poetry Slam | In case you missed it in Bismarck, watch the final three rounds of this year’s poetry slam. | | | | 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. | | |
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.
| | 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. | | 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 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. | | | | | |
