OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 2025- reposting July 2, 2025

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), a division within the U.S. Department of the Interior, has announced the 2025 Technical Assistance Program (TAP), reposted under the funding opportunity number OIA-TAP-2025-V2. The TAP initiative supports short-term, non-recurring projects aimed at addressing immediate needs and capacity building in U.S. territories and freely associated states. As part of its legislative authority under 48 U.S. Code § 1469d, TAP provides critical financial support to improve local governance, infrastructure, education, economic resilience, public safety, and health systems across eligible insular areas. The total estimated funding available for the FY2025 cycle is $22.3 million, with individual awards ranging up to $400,000 and an expected 70 grants to be distributed. No cost sharing or matching funds are required for this opportunity. TAP is designed to support a wide array of priorities aligned with federal and territorial objectives. These include disaster planning and resilience, accountability and financial management improvements, energy production, IT modernization, education, public safety, data systems enhancement, natural and cultural resource conservation, and support for youth and health-related programs. Specialized vehicle purchases (such as ambulances or fire trucks) and workforce training for permanent staff are eligible expenses. However, TAP funds may not be used for construction projects, routine operating expenses, or the salaries of existing personnel, except in the case of temporary external expertise. The program is available to non-federal applicants including local government agencies (including utilities) in 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. Hospitals, health centers, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply, provided that their projects directly benefit one or more of the seven insular areas. Judicial and legislative branches of local governments are explicitly excluded from eligibility. All entities must have or obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and be registered in SAM.gov. Applicants may apply before their SAM registration is complete if prior approval is granted. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on August 15, 2025. Required documents include SF-424 forms (Application, Budget, Assurances), a project abstract, a detailed narrative, a signed cover letter, and at least one measurable performance goal. Supporting documentation such as indirect cost rate agreements, audit summary pages, financial capability disclosures, and letters of support (optional but encouraged) must also be included. Projects involving indirect costs must include either a negotiated rate or use the de minimis rate option. Applications are evaluated based on the clarity and completeness of the project narrative, alignment with TAP and administration priorities, budget soundness, timeline feasibility, past performance (if applicable), compliance with reporting, exclusion status in SAM.gov, and the extent of stakeholder support. Each of these review categories is assigned a specific point value. Final funding decisions will be made by the Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and may extend into fiscal year 2026. Award notices will be distributed via GrantSolutions or email and will include detailed terms, conditions, and reporting requirements. Anticipated project start and end dates are October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2029, respectively. Standard grant reporting includes semi-annual performance and financial reports, with the first due January 30 and the second July 30 each year. All recipients must comply with applicable regulations under 2 CFR 200, particularly with regard to allowable costs, financial controls, and data reporting standards.

Letters of support are encouraged. Narrative and budget must be specific, detailed, and measurable.