OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026

The OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through its Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). This discretionary grant program is designed to support short-term projects that address pressing needs in U.S. territories and freely associated states. The program prioritizes efforts that resolve urgent economic, governmental, financial, and capacity-based challenges. The fund specifically targets areas where other federal programs fall short or are unavailable. OIA TAP is authorized under Public Law 96-597, Section 601, and subsequent amendments, and is executed under 48 U.S.C. § 1469d. Eligible jurisdictions include the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with the freely associated states of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Eligible applicants include non-federal local government entities and component units, hospitals, health centers, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations within the United States and its territories. International organizations whose proposed projects will benefit the eligible regions and comply with U.S. federal rules (2 CFR 200) may also apply. Judicial and legislative branches of local governments are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The TAP funding can support a wide variety of priorities, including audits and accountability, financial management improvements, public safety, youth and health initiatives, energy and IT modernization, education and capacity building, disaster recovery, and natural and cultural resource management. However, TAP funds are not intended to cover recurring operational expenses, standard office supplies or routine equipment purchases, large construction efforts, or salaries for permanent employees. Exceptions include temporary external expertise or specialized vehicles (e.g., ambulances or fire trucks) that support larger modernization or accountability efforts. All applicants must ensure alignment with applicable executive and secretarial orders. Applicants must submit a complete package via Grants.gov no later than 11:59 PM ET on May 18, 2026. The application includes the SF-424 series of forms, a one-page project abstract, a detailed narrative (maximum 10 pages), budget justification, and either a recent audit or financial capacity documentation. Optional items include letters of support from insular area leadership. All components must be submitted through the Grants.gov Workspace, and applicants must hold an active SAM.gov registration with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applications are evaluated across several criteria including project clarity and measurable outcomes, budget reasonableness, audit timeliness or financial capacity, alignment with TAP or administration priorities, stakeholder support, and past performance if applicable. The maximum possible score is 100 points. Grant awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2026, with project start dates beginning October 1, 2026. The standard performance period for selected projects is four years, ending September 30, 2030. All recipients must comply with performance reporting requirements, including biannual performance and financial reports. While this opportunity does not require cost-sharing or matching funds, applicants are still responsible for financial compliance under 2 CFR 200. The program does not operate on a rolling basis but is expected to recur annually. The next anticipated cycle will likely open in Spring 2027. The TAP is a competitive and highly structured opportunity intended to strengthen insular area governance and resilience through targeted, short-term interventions that generate measurable outcomes.

Ensure performance metrics are included; Align project with TAP priorities (economic growth, audit timeliness, energy reliability); Budget must be detailed and reasonable; Prior support letters increase scoring potential.