Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos Education Innovation Grants

The LANL Foundation’s Competitive Grants program provides funding to support innovative, community-centered education initiatives within its designated service area in Northern New Mexico. This particular grant opportunity, titled “Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos Education Innovation Grants,” has been developed in close partnership with the LANL Foundation’s Tribal Advisory Council to ensure cultural alignment and local relevance. The program targets K–12 educational efforts led by Tribal Nations and Pueblos, with the overarching goal of advancing tribally driven and culturally grounded initiatives that reflect each community’s values and educational vision. This funding opportunity is open exclusively to federally recognized Tribal Nations and Pueblos located within LANL Foundation’s seven-county geographic focus: Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties. Only one application per eligible tribe or pueblo may be submitted. Furthermore, applicants must include a formal Letter of Support from their Tribal leadership, and the proposed project must be implemented within the Foundation’s service area. The Foundation explicitly seeks proposals free from any conflicts of interest with its current board or staff members. For nonprofit applicants, up-to-date filings with the IRS and NMCOROS are required. The program emphasizes innovation in education, particularly when rooted in traditional knowledge systems, cultural identity, and community values. Projects may range from curriculum design that integrates culture and language, to intergenerational learning models, to applying land-based or technological learning in meaningful ways. Strong preference is given to proposals that aim to foster student engagement and academic success through culturally resonant methods. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate community-led planning and promise sustainable impact on student outcomes and community well-being. The total funding available for this cycle is $100,000, with individual awards of $25,000 each. A maximum of four grants will be awarded, and the grant term will span one year. Grant funds are intended to support new or continuing educational programs that embody the applicant community’s educational aspirations. The grant application window opens on August 4, 2025, and closes on September 5, 2025. Two virtual Q&A sessions will be offered to prospective applicants: the first on August 13 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, and the second on August 18 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Applications will be reviewed between the close of the application period and September 22, with final funding decisions announced on September 29, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to ensure alignment with the program’s goals and confirm their eligibility before applying. For questions or further information, the Foundation may be contacted via grants@lanlfoundation.org.