Funder: National Park Service
Due Dates: May 9, 2025 (final deadline; rolling review until funds are expended)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per project; typical awards range from $1,000–$25,000; approx. 15–20 awards; project period ~12 months
Summary: Supports the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items to lineal descendants, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations under NAGPRA, covering costs such as transport, reburial, and storage.
Key Information: Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis and may close before the posted deadline if funds are exhausted.
Description
This program provides funding to support the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items from museums and federal agencies to lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations, as mandated by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Eligible projects include the physical transfer, reburial, and appropriate handling of these items, including those that are culturally unidentifiable. The grant aims to defray costs associated with packaging, transportation, contamination removal, reburial, and/or temporary storage.
Due Dates
- Final application deadline: May 9, 2025, 11:59 PM PT
- Rolling review: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline or until all available funds are awarded. Early submission is strongly encouraged, as the opportunity may close before the posted deadline if funds are expended.
Funding Amount
- Award ceiling: $25,000 per repatriation project
- Award floor: $1,000
- Estimated total program funding: $3,407,000
- Number of awards: Approximately 15–20 expected
- Project period: Typically up to 12 months
- Cost sharing/matching: Not required or considered in review
Applicants may submit multiple proposals for distinct repatriation projects, but each must be a separate application.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions)
- Museums (state/local government agencies, private institutions, or higher education institutions that have received federal funds and have control of relevant items)
- Native Hawaiian organizations
Ineligible: Federal agencies and the Smithsonian Institution may not apply. Museums out of compliance with NAGPRA may be excluded.
Additional requirements:
- The items to be repatriated must have been published in a Notice of Inventory Completion or Notice of Intent to Repatriate in the Federal Register, with the required 30-day waiting period completed.
- Legal transfer of control must be documented in writing.
Application Process
- Obtain application materials: Download from Grants.gov opportunity P24AS00502.
- Prepare required documents:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative (max 5 pages)
- Project Abstract (via Grants.gov form)
- Budget Narrative
- Transfer of Control documentation (including Federal Register notice)
- Letters of commitment from project partners/consultants
- Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
- Submit application: Electronically via Grants.gov by the deadline. Paper copies only by prior approval.
- Review process: Initial eligibility screening, then merit review based on activities, partnerships, implementation/administration, and impact/evaluation. Awards are made on a rolling basis.
- Award notification: Successful applicants will be notified by September 2025 at the latest.
Additional Information
Eligible Activities
- Travel for representatives to prepare/accompany items for transfer
- Transportation of remains/cultural items
- Hazardous substance testing and decontamination
- Construction of containers for transport/disposition
- Ceremonial materials for return/reburial
- Staff time for administrative/logistical arrangements
Ineligible activities: Advocacy, fundraising, capital projects, ongoing collections care, general education/outreach not tied to a specific repatriation, litigation, and activities outside the U.S.
Reporting
- Final financial and performance reports due within 120 days of project end
- Interim reports may be required for projects over 12 months
Other Requirements
- Registration in SAM.gov is required for all applicants except individuals
- No cost sharing or matching required
- Indirect costs allowed per federal guidelines, with appropriate documentation
External Links
Contact Information