FY2024 NAGPRA Repatriation Grants
This grant provides financial assistance to Native American tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and museums for the repatriation of human remains and cultural items to their rightful communities.
The 2024 NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) Repatriation Grant, administered by the National Park Service (NPS), supports the repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items. This grant aims to assist Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, and museums in complying with NAGPRA regulations to transfer these items to their rightful descendants or communities. The program’s objective is to help defray costs related to the transportation, packaging, and reburial of repatriated items. Projects eligible for funding must be focused specifically on the repatriation of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony. Eligible activities under the grant include travel for tribal or museum representatives to facilitate the repatriation process, hazardous substance decontamination, and construction of containers for the safe transport of repatriated items. The grant will not fund activities related to advocacy, capital projects, general preservation, or litigation. For the 2024 cycle, the NPS anticipates a total funding amount of $3,407,000, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000. Approximately 15 to 20 awards are expected. The NPS may adjust the number of awards based on the availability of funds and the number of qualifying applications. Recipients can expect their projects to start after funding has been secured, with a rolling start date expected from August 2024 through May 2025. Each award has an anticipated term of 12 months. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, and museums that have control over relevant cultural items and have received federal funding. Applicants must meet specific requirements before applying, including publishing a Notice of Inventory Completion or Notice of Intent to Repatriate in the Federal Register and completing the legal transfer of control of the items being repatriated. Cost-sharing or matching funds are not required. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by May 9, 2025, with the option for earlier submission due to rolling evaluations. The application package must include standard forms (e.g., SF-424), a project narrative detailing activities, partnerships, and evaluation plans, and a budget narrative that justifies all proposed expenses. Applicants must also provide letters of commitment from project partners, such as museums or tribal representatives. The selection process will be based on merit, with proposals evaluated on the clarity and feasibility of project activities, partnerships, and impact. NPS will review applications to ensure they meet eligibility and compliance with NAGPRA regulations before conducting a comprehensive merit review.
Award Range
$1,000 - $25,000
Total Program Funding
$3,407,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
The following entities are eligible to apply for a NAGPRA Repatriation Grant:An Indian Tribe, Alaskan Native Village, or Native Hawaiian OrganizationAn Indian Tribe means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. The Department of the Interior has interpreted this definition as applying to the 574 Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages that are recognized by the United States Government. The Bureau of Indian Affairs list of Federally recognized tribes is available at www.bia.gov. This list does not include Alaska regional or village corporations, though they may be partners on a project.Native Hawaiian organization (NHO) includes any organization that: a) serves and represents the interests of Native Hawaiians; b) has as a primary and stated purpose the provision of services to Native Hawaiians; and c) has expertise in Native Hawaiian Affairs. NAGPRA states that such Native Hawaiian organizations shall include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.A museum that has control of Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony and has received Federal fundsThe term Museum includes state or local government agencies, private institutions, and institutions of higher learning that have received Federal funds.Museums determined to be out of compliance with NAGPRA may be excluded from consideration.Federal agencies and the Smithsonian Institution may not apply for grants. Applicants who previously received a NAGPRA grant, but whose grant expired without successfully completing major elements of the proposed work or without meeting the conditions of the grant award may be penalized in the review process. If an applicant has questions about their eligibility, they should contact the Awarding Agency using the information provided in Section G of this announcement.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
November 20, 2023
Application Closes
May 9, 2025
Grantor
Tinkham
Subscribe to view contact details