Environmental Regulatory Enhancement

The Administration for Children and Families’ Administration for Native Americans is soliciting applications for Fiscal Year 2026 funding under the Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE) program to support tribal governing bodies in developing and implementing programs that enhance their capacity to regulate environmental quality under federal and tribal laws. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by August 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, using solicitation number HHS-2026-ACF-ANA-NR-0115. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and nonprofit tribal organizations, with no business size or socioeconomic certifications required beyond verification of tribal status and nonprofit standing. Proposals must align with ACF’s Vision, Mission, Values, Priorities, and Guiding Principles and include a detailed project narrative, line-item budget, and supporting documentation such as governing body approval, legal proof of nonprofit status, community representation on the governing board, third-party agreements, and organizational capacity information, all within a strict 150-page limit for the narrative and budget sections. A 20% non-federal cost share is required unless a waiver is requested and approved under 45 CFR §1336.50(b)(3), which must also be submitted with the application. The evaluation process is merit-based on a 100-point scale, prioritizing approach (56 points), purpose and need (19 points), organizational capacity and oversight (15 points), budget accuracy (10 points), and ACF priority alignment (10 points). Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes, robust data management, qualified staffing, and strong partnerships, with site visits and federal evaluations expected post-award. Applicants must maintain ongoing compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, including financial accountability, subrecipient monitoring, and adherence to federal regulations. Key personnel must be identified with resumes, and conflict-of-interest disclosures are mandatory; the principal investigator and organizational representative must be separate individuals. The chief executive may serve as project staff only with prior approval and direct project cost attribution. Additional requirements include attendance at mandatory training and annual meetings, redaction of proprietary information from reviewer copies, and submission of original signed documents. Funding awards range from $300,000 for 12-month projects to $900,000 for 36-month projects, with no option periods or CLIN-based line items. The program emphasizes community-driven solutions, geographic equity