OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2026

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP), a competitive federal grant designed to strengthen infrastructure maintenance capabilities in U.S. territories and freely associated states. The MAP program focuses on extending the lifecycle of critical public infrastructure by providing funding support for capacity-building and essential repairs. This initiative is rooted in legislative authority granted by 48 U.S. Code § 1469d and Public Law 96-597, Section 601, as amended. The overarching goal is to support economic development, bolster reliable and affordable energy access, enhance national security, and contribute to regional stability. The program accepts proposals that support a broad range of infrastructure maintenance functions. These include technical and management training, professional certifications, deployment of specialized temporary expertise, acquisition of essential tools and equipment, and implementation of maintenance-related systems. Grant funding may also be applied toward necessary infrastructure repairs. However, the program does not support new construction, salaries of existing employees, routine operating expenses, or the purchase of vehicles used primarily for personnel transport. The MAP explicitly incorporates the federal “Buy America” requirements for infrastructure projects located within the U.S., as outlined in 2 CFR Part 184, and applicants are required to comply accordingly. Eligibility for MAP funding is limited to non-federal entities that directly benefit the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Eligible organizations include local governments and their component units, health centers, hospitals, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations located within the U.S. or internationally—provided that proposed activities benefit these insular areas. Notably, judicial and legislative branches of local governments are ineligible to apply under this funding opportunity. To apply, prospective applicants must first ensure registration in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Registration in Grants.gov is also required. Applications are to be submitted exclusively through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on May 18, 2026. Each application must include completed standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A/C, SF-LLL if applicable), a one-page project abstract, a narrative of no more than 10 pages, letters of support (optional), a signed cover letter, and a budget narrative. Detailed project narratives must address the statement of need, goals and measurable objectives, timelines, expected deliverables, and how the project supports federal and agency priorities. Applicants must also provide information on environmental impact (for NEPA compliance), potential conflicts of interest, and whether there is overlap with other federally funded efforts. Merit reviews are conducted using a scoring rubric that evaluates project clarity, performance metrics, budget soundness, reporting history, alignment with OIA priorities, audit timeliness, past grant performance, and stakeholder support. Applications scoring highest and aligning with administrative priorities will be recommended to the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs for final award determination. Notifications of awards are expected by September 30, 2026, and projects are anticipated to begin on October 1, 2026, running through September 30, 2030. Reporting requirements include semiannual performance and financial reports and adherence to all federal compliance standards under 2 CFR 200. The MAP program does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Total funding for FY2026 is estimated at $4,375,000, with up to 20 awards expected. The maximum individual award is $4,375,000, though applicants are cautioned that larger funding requests may reduce the likelihood of approval due to competition and budget constraints. Applicants may submit multi-project applications, prioritizing each component. Final award notifications will include terms and conditions, and grantees must receive an Authorization to Proceed before incurring any project-related costs.

Emphasize performance measures and NEPA details; audit compliance improves scoring; avoid missing UEI/SAM registration