OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), within the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to support the economic, governmental, and institutional development of U.S. insular areas and freely associated states. This program is authorized under federal law and provides discretionary grant funding to address urgent and immediate challenges facing these regions. The insular areas served include American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The program emphasizes responsiveness to local government-identified priorities and unmet needs that cannot be addressed through other federal funding sources. The primary purpose of TAP is to provide short-term, targeted funding to resolve critical issues related to economic development, financial management, government services, and institutional capacity. Eligible projects span a wide range of activities including audits and accountability improvements, IT modernization, education and workforce training, public safety, disaster recovery, energy initiatives, and natural resource management. The program prioritizes projects that promote economic growth, strengthen infrastructure and governance, improve audit timeliness, and enhance regional stability. However, TAP funds are not intended for routine operational expenses, large-scale construction projects, or general equipment upgrades unless tied directly to broader strategic initiatives. Funding under this opportunity is flexible in terms of requested amounts, as applicants may request funding in any amount. However, due to limited total program funding and anticipated demand, larger requests may face increased competition and risk of non-selection. The estimated total program funding is $22.5 million, with approximately 40 awards expected. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Funds may be used for allowable costs consistent with federal regulations, including contracting external expertise where necessary, but restrictions apply to salaries of existing employees and standard government expenditures. Eligibility for this program is broad but targeted. Applicants must be non-federal entities such as local government units, hospitals, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations. International entities may also apply if their proposed work benefits eligible insular areas. Judicial and legislative branches of local governments are explicitly excluded. All applicants must comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR 200 and must ensure registration in SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier prior to submission. Additional compliance requirements may apply for projects exceeding certain funding thresholds or involving international activities. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as the SF-424 application form, budget forms, a one-page project abstract, a detailed project narrative, and a budget narrative. The project narrative must clearly articulate the problem being addressed, proposed activities, measurable outcomes, and alignment with program priorities. Applicants must also include performance metrics, risk considerations, and statements addressing duplication of effort and conflict of interest. Optional letters of support may strengthen an application. All submissions must be complete and submitted by an authorized organizational representative. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process including eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Scoring criteria include clarity and feasibility of the project, budget justification, alignment with program goals, audit compliance, past performance, and stakeholder support. Final funding decisions are made by the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, taking into account funding availability, geographic distribution, and strategic priorities. The anticipated project period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2030, with semi-annual reporting requirements. The application deadline is May 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Final award decisions are expected by September 30, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early due to potential delays in system approvals. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the program via email at [email protected] or consult the OIA website for updates and guidance.

Clearly define measurable outcomes; align with OIA priorities; demonstrate audit compliance; provide detailed and justified budget; include stakeholder support