Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program; Assistance Listing Number 84.415A

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program; Assistance Listing Number 84.415A

Program Description: The Bureau of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the State Tribal Education Partnerships (STEP) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The purpose of State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) is to promote Tribal self-determination in education; improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and promote the coordination and collaboration between Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students. STEP is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA). The intent of this competition is to return education to the Tribes and create opportunities where Tribes can exert sovereignty and self-determination. ED expects that TEA-SEA-LEA coordination will result in TEAs maintaining greater systemic connections with their Native children in public schools. The requirement for a draft written agreement (DWA), as defined in this notice, helps to ensure that all relevant partners needed to achieve the project goals are included from the outset. For example, applicants could propose projects that include developing a TEA aimed at creating a Tribal education system that provides policies, structures and oversight that improves such student outcomes as attendance, graduation rate, academic achievement, workforce development, and career readiness. ED remains committed to engaging in regular and meaningful consultation with Indian Tribes and sourced the design of this competition using input recently received from Tribal leaders on August 26, 2025, and previous input as published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2022 (87 FR 79824). On August 26, 2025, Tribal leaders expressed strong support for the STEP program's role in fostering collaboration bet

Details

• Agency: Department of Education
• Opportunity #: ED-GRANTS-042726-003
• Total Funding: $2,000,000
• Expected Awards: 7
• Instrument: grant

Eligibility

Indian Tribes, An Indian Tribe that receives funds from BIE under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020) is not eligible to receive funds under this program. Tribal organization approved by an Indian Tribe,TEA, or a consortium of eligible applicants.