Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Language American Rescue Plan

Deadline: 26-Jul-21

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Administration for Children and Families – ANA is seeking applications for the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Language American Rescue Plan to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American languages during and after the public health emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Native languages and cultures are at a critical point in their existence due to the number of Elders and language speakers that have died as a result of the COVID-19 virus.

Native languages are more than just words, as cultural values, tribal customs, and ceremony are embedded in them. Additionally, Indigenous languages serve as protective factors for Indigenous communities.

Studies demonstrate that people who speak their Native language(s) have enhanced mental health and happiness, measured by lower rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation than those without language knowledge.

This emergency funding is intended to support as many tribal and Native communities as possible in their efforts to maintain and preserve Native languages, as these are connected to also preserving Native culture and well-being.

ANA will accept an abbreviated application. Eligible applicants must submit approximately 5-10 pages of a project narrative, a line-item budget and justification, and a simplified workplan in addition to other required grant application forms.

The proposed emergency language projects should be able to identify one or two of the following domains that will be the focus of the project:

Resources and Documentation (for example: language instruction modules, recordings, transcribing, curriculum development, dictionary building)
Instruction (teacher training, professional development, Master-Apprentice)
Technology and Infrastructure (computer and devices, internet enhancements, IT networking)
Planning (survey, community readiness or interest assessment, strategic plan)
Elder or intergenerational engagement (Elder language instruction, Elder storytelling in the language, Elder speaker recordings)

Funding Information

Estimated total funding: $1,000,000
Award ceiling: $250,000
Award floor: $250,000
Anticipated project start date: 9/7/2021 (upon award)
Length of project period: 12 months – 36 months project and budget period

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:
- Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians
- Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Only the following Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander organizations are invited to apply for funding:
- The Office of Hawaiian Affairs – Hawaii
- Kumision i Fino’ CHamoru yan i Fina’arguen i Historia yan Lina’la’ i Taotao Tano’- Guam
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Public School System – CNMI
- American Samoa Community College, Samoan Studies Institute — American Samoa
All other entities from Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will not be eligible for this funding. Entities that submit an application that are not invited to do so, will not receive an award.
An eligible applicant is limited to one award under this FOA. Additionally, an eligible applicant may subaward to other eligible applicants that provide Native Language instruction, professional development training, or curriculum development for the same language that the primary recipient will serve.