The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities | | SAMHSA Notice of Funding Opportunity for Institutions of Higher Education for the Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program | | The grant opportunity is open to institutions of higher education, the application deadline is July 27, 2026. | | |
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to support a comprehensive, public health, and evidence-based approach for colleges and universities that improves access to behavioral health services for all college students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness and substance use disorders that can led to school failure; prevents and reduces suicide, mental health and substance use disorders; promotes student help=seeking behaviors and reduces stigma; improves the identification and treatment of at-risk college students.
For more information, please visit the SAMHSA website.
| | | | Department of the Interior Initiates Tribal Consultations to Revise Invasive Species Strategic Plan | | |
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is actively revising its Invasive Species Strategic Plan to address current and emerging ecological threats across Indian Country. To ensure federal strategies honor Tribal data sovereignty and prioritize the protection of traditional lands, resources, and treaty rights, the DOI is hosting two virtual listening sessions for Tribal Leaders and Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) Executives. These sessions serve as a critical platform for sovereign nations and Native entities to shape the upcoming five-year plan, providing direct input on invasive species management, early detection, and co-production frameworks before the draft plan is published in the Federal Register this fall.
Key Questions for Tribal Input
The DOI requests that participating leaders and natural resource staff review the foundational 2021–2025 Strategic Plan and consider the following priority areas during the listening sessions:
- Strategic Re-evaluation: Which goals and objectives in the original plan continue to serve your jurisdiction, and which require re-prioritization?
- EDRR Barriers: What specific capabilities, protocols, or data systems are required to strengthen Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) on your lands, and what regulatory or operational gaps stand in the way?
- Emerging Threats: What critical pathways or biological threats have escalated in urgency since 2021 that must be elevated in the new plan?
- Co-Production and Partnership: How can the DOI improve the co-development and co-implementation of shared strategies based on your community’s past experiences with federal management?
Submission of Written Comments
Tribal Nations unable to attend the virtual session, or those wishing to submit formal supplementary evidence, are encouraged to submit written testimony.
DOI is accepting written comments until 5:00 p.m. ET, July 31, 2026. You may submit comments via email to invasivespecies@ios.doi.gov (please include “Comments: DOI Invasive Species Strategic Plan Revision” in the subject line of the email) or mail to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Policy Analysis-Mailstop 3530, ATTN: Invasive Species Comments, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
| | Inspiring A Season of Civic Renewal: Our Inherently Sovereign Status & Existence as Tribal Nations: Exploring and Understanding a Unique, Complicated, and Intertwined Diplomatic Relationship with the United States. This event brought together many Indian Country experts to ensure that our Indigenous voices and perspectives are represented in this historic moment. | | EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT | | |
The Nuclear Science User Facilities program office will hold the second annual Foundations of Irradiation Testing workshop on July 21-22. This workshop is designed for students, faculty and industry researchers eager to expand their expertise in nuclear materials science and engineering in support of nuclear energy workforce development.
This workshop will benefit a wide range of technical backgrounds, including but not limited to chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, physics, and electrical engineering.
Tuesday, July 21 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. MDT:
Participants will be introduced to foundational nuclear energy concepts, including nuclear power generation, radiation damage, structural materials, and nuclear fuels, to build core understanding necessary for irradiation research.
Wednesday, July 22 | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. MDT:
The workshop will focus on the fundamentals and applied aspects of irradiation testing, covering experiment design, fuel safety testing, post‑irradiation examination, and mechanical and environmental testing. The workshop will conclude with information on NSUF user access opportunities and internship pathways at Idaho National Laboratory.
Find the workshop agenda here
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JOB/INTERNSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
| | | | Diné College Hosts Student-Led Navajo Nation Presidential Forum | Students organized the event to give voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates who hope to lead the Navajo Nation. | | | | Something Borrowed, Something Taboo | There should be no shame in being open about our struggles; no shame in reaching out for help. | | 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 (TCEP-CA) NOFO Technical Assistance Webinar | | | AIHEC Statement on the Nomination of Mark Cruz and the Need to Fully Fund Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) | | | |
During the confirmation hearing with Indian Health Service Director nominee Mark Cruz, Mr. Cruz elevated AIHEC and Tribal Colleges and Universities as key partners in building the health workforce Indian Country needs.
AIHEC and TCU leaders are ready to work with this Administration and Congress to provide solutions and expand the health professions pipelines that serve our communities. For example, 14 out of 35 AIHEC member TCUs currently offer nursing degrees—ranging from Associate of Science to Bachelor of Science in Nursing—within IHS regions identified as high‑need areas for nursing professionals.
To make this vision a reality, Congress must fully fund Tribal Colleges and Universities and AIHEC-led workforce initiatives that are essential to closing staffing gaps.
| | | | Native Forward Seeking Scholarship Application Readers! | | |
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 scholarship cycle, we are reaching out to invite you to serve as a Reader, a critical role in our screening and selection process. Readers are responsible for reviewing and scoring scholarship applications submitted by Native students seeking undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. This is an opportunity to directly impact the lives of Native students by helping ensure that scholarship awards are distributed with thoughtfulness, fairness, and cultural responsiveness.
The 2026-2027 Native Forward Scholarship Read will take place online from July 20 – August 2, 2026, via our secure Smarter Select portal. Reader orientation sessions will be offered on:
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July 13, 2026, at 10:00 am MT
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July 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm MT
These 45-minute sessions are highly recommended for new volunteers and open to returning readers as a refresher. A recorded training video will also be made available for those who cannot attend live.
To register, please complete the Native Forward Scholarship Reader Interest Form.
| | 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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Tribal Economies Webinar Series
Join the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Tribal and Native Affairs for four webinars throughout the summer on Tribal finance.
The series highlights strategies Tribal governments and Indian Country businesses can pursue to finance projects that promote economic growth and housing opportunities.
Practitioners will discuss the latest trends in Tribal finance, including:
- Use of tax incentives
- Participation loans across regions
- Growth of financial institutions that serve Indian Country.
SESSION 2
Closing the Gaps: Lender Credit Stacking in Tribal Communities
July 22, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Indian Country project finance often incorporates a range of private and public sources. This session will feature recent examples of participation loans and other creative solutions to Tribal finance challenges.
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