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

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), operating under the U.S. Department of the Interior, has announced the 2025 cycle for its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) under Funding Opportunity Number OIA-TAP-2025-V2. The TAP is a federally administered program with the objective of addressing urgent, short-term needs in U.S. territories and freely associated states. Its primary aim is to strengthen resilience and improve capacity across a range of sectors such as disaster preparedness, financial accountability, education, technology, health systems, and economic development. This opportunity is particularly relevant for jurisdictions and organizations operating within the U.S. insular areas. The program offers financial assistance for non-construction projects that are tailored to help governments and non-profit entities in insular areas implement strategic, mission-aligned initiatives. Eligible uses of funds include efforts in disaster planning and recovery, information technology upgrades, management control improvements, natural and cultural resource preservation, and public health and safety improvements. However, the program explicitly excludes funding for routine operating expenses, construction projects, routine vehicle purchases, and the salaries of existing employees unless short-term, project-specific expertise is required. Applications proposing training expenditures should ensure such training targets permanent staff and not political appointees or officials with short-term appointments. Eligible applicants include local government agencies (including utilities) within the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Entities from the Freely Associated States—the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau—are also eligible. Other eligible entities include hospitals, health centers, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations, provided their projects benefit the insular areas. Judicial and legislative branches of local governments are ineligible for funding per 2 CFR 200.444. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on August 15, 2025. While there is no cost-sharing requirement, applicants must ensure they are registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The application package must include a signed cover letter, SF-424 forms, a detailed budget narrative, a project abstract, and a comprehensive project narrative that outlines the statement of need, goals and objectives, timetable, stakeholder involvement, evaluation plan, and performance measures. If applicants plan to request more than $100,000, a lobbying disclosure form (SF-LLL) may also be required. Applications are evaluated through a merit review process that assesses clarity, alignment with TAP priorities, reasonableness of the budget, timeline feasibility, past grant performance, reporting compliance, and stakeholder support. Extra points are awarded for proposals ranked highly by local leaders or those supported by multiple stakeholders. All proposals are subject to risk review under 2 CFR 200.206 and must comply with applicable cost principles in 2 CFR Part 200. Award notices will be delivered electronically via GrantSolutions, and funding decisions may extend into fiscal year 2026. The anticipated start date for projects is October 1, 2025, with an end date of September 30, 2029. John D. Brewer is the primary contact for this opportunity, serving as Director of the Office of Insular Affairs. More information can be found at https://www.doi.gov/oia/financial-assistance. Technical support is also available via Grants.gov at 1-800-518-4726 or Support@grants.gov. Applicants are urged not to wait until the final deadline to submit their proposals and should ensure that all registrations and credentials are complete well in advance of the deadline.

Applicants should begin SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations early. Use the UEI of the office receiving funds. Include performance metrics and stakeholder letters. Avoid including salaries of existing staff.