Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: Enhancing Sustainable Models of Care

The Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: Enhancing Sustainable Models of Care (ALZ) funding opportunity is administered by the Indian Health Service (IHS) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This new initiative seeks to strengthen and expand culturally relevant, sustainable dementia care models tailored for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. IHS, through its Division of Clinical and Community Services, has launched this effort to confront the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Tribal and Urban Indian communities, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of AI/AN people due to elevated rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and traumatic brain injuries. The core objective of the ALZ grant program is to improve clinical care and community services for AI/AN individuals living with dementia, along with their caregivers and communities. Funded projects are expected to increase local capacity for diagnosis and care through interdisciplinary approaches, develop sustainable operational and billing systems, and disseminate local best practices. Awardees must demonstrate a strong foundation in at least two of five core areas: awareness and recognition, accurate and timely diagnosis, interdisciplinary assessment, management and referral, and caregiver support. Over a three-year period, grantees will develop evidence-informed care models that serve the unique cultural and historical contexts of AI/AN communities. The funding opportunity provides cooperative agreements ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 annually per awardee, with a total of approximately $1.6 million available for up to eight awards in the first budget period. Projects will be funded over three one-year budget periods, contingent on annual appropriations and satisfactory performance. Allowable uses include expanding clinical and community services, improving care coordination, developing business and sustainability plans, creating culturally adapted resources, and participating in shared evaluation processes with IHS. Pre-award costs incurred within 90 days before the start date are allowable at the applicant’s risk, and indirect costs are permitted according to established federal guidelines. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations as defined under relevant federal statutes. All applicants must either provide ambulatory care services directly or show partnerships with entities that do. Required attachments include tribal resolutions, proof of nonprofit status, budget and project narratives, and detailed evaluation and work plans. Applicants must register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov in advance, as delays in registration will not be considered valid reasons for missing the deadline. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than August 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. No pre-application (e.g., letter of intent) is required. The expected award notification date is September 1, 2025, which is also the anticipated project start date. While this specific opportunity is labeled as new, the funder notes that future rounds may not be offered concurrently for the same program. The ALZ grant program does not require cost sharing, but any voluntary match included by the applicant will be binding upon award. The program evaluation process emphasizes evidence-based practices, sustainability, and dissemination of outcomes to improve dementia care across the Tribal and Urban Indian healthcare system. Prospective applicants may direct program and eligibility inquiries to Dr. Jolie Crowder, National Elder Services Consultant at the Indian Health Service, via email at [email protected]. Financial and grants management questions should be sent to [email protected]. Additional support is available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov helpdesks. The program encourages applicants to consult resources such as the CMS GUIDE Model, the CDC Healthy Brain Initiative, and other evidence-based dementia care models as part of their planning and application development.

Focus on comprehensive models, evidence-informed practices, sustainability planning, and coordination with care partners. Include at least two of five drivers.