Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion
This grant funds community-based projects that preserve Native American languages through immersion programs for young children or school-age students, supporting language nests and survival schools.
Funder: Administration for Children and Families - ANA
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$900,000 per award; estimated total program funding $4,500,000; approx. 6 awards
Summary: Supports community-based projects to preserve and revitalize Native American languages through immersion-based educational models.
Key Information: Cost sharing/matching is required; eligibility is limited to specific Native-serving organizations and agencies.
Description
This program funds projects aimed at preserving and maintaining Native American languages through immersion-based instruction. Supported initiatives must implement either a Native American Language Nest or a Native American Survival School, as defined by the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act. Language Nests provide early childhood education and care in a Native language for young children, while Survival Schools offer site-based instruction in one or more Native languages for school-age students. The goal is to ensure the continuing vitality and intergenerational transmission of Native languages within their communities.
