Funder: National Park Service
Due Dates: May 8, 2026 (final deadline) | Rolling until funds are expended or NOFO is cancelled
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per award; minimum $1,000; total program funding $3,407,000; project period up to 12 months
Summary: Supports museums, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations in the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items, covering costs such as transport, decontamination, and reburial.
Key Information: Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis; the opportunity may close before the final deadline if funds are exhausted.
Description
This grant program, administered by the National Park Service under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), provides funding to assist museums, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) with the repatriation of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. Funding is intended to defray costs associated with the physical transfer, including packaging, transportation, contamination removal, reburial, and storage.
Eligible project activities include:
- Travel for representatives to prepare or accompany items for repatriation
- Transportation of human remains and/or cultural items
- Hazardous substance testing, documentation, and decontamination
- Building containers for transport
- Ceremonial materials necessary for return
- Staff time for administrative and logistical arrangements
Infrastructure projects are not eligible for funding.
Due Dates
- Final application deadline: May 8, 2026, 11:59 PM PT
- Rolling submissions: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline, cancellation of the NOFO, or exhaustion of available funds. The opportunity may close earlier if all funds are awarded.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit well before the deadline, as preparation and required registrations may take several weeks.
Funding Amount
- Award ceiling: $25,000 per project
- Award floor: $1,000 per project
- Estimated total program funding: $3,407,000
- Expected number of awards: ~15
- Project period: Up to 12 months (may be shorter)
- Cost sharing/match: Not required
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Federally recognized Indian Tribes
- Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs)
- Museums within the United States (must be NAGPRA-compliant at the time of application)
- State, county, city, or township governments
- Special district governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Others as specified in the NOFO
Ineligible: Federal agencies and the Smithsonian Institution may not apply.
Additional requirements:
- Museums must be in compliance with NAGPRA and its regulations at the time of application.
- Applicants and key personnel must not be listed as excluded in the SAM.gov Exclusions database.
- Applicants with prior NAGPRA grants who did not meet grant conditions may be penalized in the review process.
Application Process
- Register in SAM.gov: All applicants (except individuals) must have an active registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Registration can take several months.
- Register in Grants.gov: Set up a Workspace and ensure at least one Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is registered.
- Prepare application materials:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable)
- Project Abstract Summary
- Project Narrative (max 8 pages, including all text, figures, references, and resumes)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- Repatriation Statement and relevant Federal Register notice(s)
- Resumes/position descriptions for key personnel (if applicable)
- Letters of commitment from project partners/consultants (if applicable)
- Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
- Submit via Grants.gov: Apply here
- Review process: Applications are reviewed for eligibility, merit (activities, partnerships, implementation, impact), and risk. Awards are made on a rolling basis.
Note: Applications must include a statement of no overlap with other federal projects. If overlap exists, provide details and copies of overlapping proposals.
Additional Information
- No cost sharing or matching is required.
- Indirect costs: May use a negotiated rate or the 15% de minimis rate if eligible.
- Reporting: Recipients must submit financial and performance reports as specified in the Notice of Award.
- Award notices: Sent electronically; work may not begin until the Notice of Federal Award is received.
- Pre-award costs: May be allowed at applicant’s own risk, per 2 CFR 200.458.
- Geospatial data: If applicable, must comply with federal standards and include metadata.
External Links
Contact Information