NATIVE Act Grant

The FY 2026 NATIVE Act Grant Request for Proposals is a collaborative funding opportunity issued by the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. AIT, a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous board of directors, is the only organization dedicated to advancing American Indigenous tourism across the United States and its territories. Through this partnership, AIT and the U.S. Forest Service aim to continue implementing the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act), which was created to support cultural tourism and recreation in Native American communities. Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2018 and a partnership agreement in 2022, the U.S. Forest Service and AIT have jointly issued NATIVE Act grant funding to support infrastructure, interpretation, and capacity-building projects. The FY 2026 opportunity continues these efforts by inviting proposals from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Indigenous nonprofits that either border or have historic ties to U.S. Forest Service-managed lands. This grant opportunity is explicitly designed to help tribal communities implement self-directed projects that honor culture, strengthen economies, and support heritage-based tourism. Eligible projects may include cultural tourism development, interpretive initiatives, or recreation-focused activities that align with the goals of the NATIVE Act. Projects must be fully completed by May 1, 2027, and are subject to a hard deadline for both application and final reporting, with no extensions permitted. Applicants may request up to $50,000 in funding per project. The final report for all funded projects is due by May 31, 2027. The submission deadline for the FY 2026 RFP is May 1, 2026. The application process does not indicate a requirement for a letter of intent or other pre-application gate. Prospective applicants are advised to visit www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org/nativeact26 for the complete RFP, including detailed criteria, submission requirements, and timelines. There is no indication of rolling or recurring submissions for this program cycle. The program is strictly limited to Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, and Indigenous nonprofits with a geographic or historic connection to U.S. Forest Service lands. As such, the eligibility scope is exclusive and does not extend to other nonprofit or governmental organizations. The partnership highlights a commitment to co-management of public lands, respect for sacred sites, and investment in the long-term stewardship of forest and grassland resources by Native communities. For media or informational inquiries, the contact is Liz Slobodian (APR) at [email protected]. Applicants should refer to the official AIT website for full application materials and timeline-specific documentation.