AI3 Action Institute - Artificial Intelligence for American Indians

Key facts

Funder

Administration for Children and Families - ANA

Application deadline

August 27, 2026

Award range

$2.5M – $3.5M

Eligibility

These types of organizations may apply based on 42 U.S.C. 2991b:Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).Incorporated non-federally recognized tribes.Incorporated state-recognized Indian tribes.Consortia of Indian tribes.Incorporated, nonprofit multipurpose, community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29)).Urban Indian Centers.Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs).Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia.Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects.Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations.Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects.Nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the BIA.Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians.National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives.Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.Tribal Colleges and Universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that serve Native American Pacific Islanders. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity.

Geography

United States

Focus areas

Opportunity Zone Benefits

Opportunity number

HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-NAI-0035

Program overview

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) anticipates announcing the availability of funds and requesting applications for the AI3 Action Institute – Artificial Intelligence for American Indians. The successful applicant will establish the AI3 Action Institute, which will monitor the pace of AI change, identify responsible and practical opportunities to apply this technology to socioeconomic domains in Native communities, and support its thoughtful integration across Indian Country. Consistent with the Administration for Children and Families" (ACF) mission to strengthen families and promote work as the pathway to self-sufficiency, the Institute will leverage AI applications to accelerate economic development, workforce participation, community governance, and efficient service delivery. The primary goals are to (1) reduce the immense learning curve on behalf of hundreds of Native communities; (2) establish a bird"s-eye view to identify opportunities aligned with Tribal priorities and local leadership; (3) optimize deployment of this technology; (4) establish a knowledge manager to accumulate lessons learned and develop expertise and intuition; and (5) strengthen Tribal governance, while maximizing community capacity. Through this approach, the AI3 Action Institute will help ensure AI investments advance strong economies, strong families, and resilient Native communities.

How to apply

1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from Administration for Children and Families - ANA.
3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
4. Submit before August 27, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.

View the official funding announcement

Related grant opportunities

• Advancing Labor Rights in the Garment Industry
• National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists
• NATIVE Act Tribal Tourism Cooperative Agreement
• FY26 Bureau of Land Management Recreation and Visitor Services - Bureau wide
• Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Allotments and Operating Guidance for Unemployment Insurance Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments Grants