Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)

The Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP), administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the U.S. Department of the Interior, offers competitive grants to federally recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations to enhance existing Tribal tourism operations through promotion, facilitation, and increased visibility, with the goal of driving visitor growth and supporting community economic development. Projects must focus on improving visitor experiences and strengthening destination positioning while strictly avoiding the creation or establishment of new tourism operations or any construction-related activities. The program, aligned with the NATIVE Act and prioritizing initiatives supporting America’s 250th anniversary, requires applicants to demonstrate clear alignment with Tribal economic priorities, cultural significance, capacity building, and measurable outcomes centered on increasing tourist numbers. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by August 7, 2026, and must include comprehensive project narratives, detailed budgets using SF-424A, tribal authorization documents, conflict of interest disclosures, and proof of SAM.gov registration with a current UEI. All recipients must comply with federal grant regulations including 2 CFR Parts 200 and 184, which mandate American-made materials for infrastructure-related components and require reporting for fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations. Awards are limited to a 24-month period of performance beginning September 25, 2026, and end no later than September 30, 2028, with funding not extended beyond this window regardless of project progress. Technical assistance will be provided by the NATIVE Act Cooperative Agreement awardee and OIED to support successful implementation. Proposals are evaluated using a weighted scoring system totaling 100 points across five criteria: tourism facilitation and enhancement, capacity building and local participation, cultural significance and visitor experience, project direction and collaboration, and deliverables with performance measurement. Additional administrative costs may contribute up to five points. Applications face mandatory pass/fail gates including budget accuracy and reasonableness, absence of overlap with other federal projects, and, for awards exceeding $350,000, a review of SAM.gov records for eligibility and financial integrity. Recipients must maintain current registrations in SAM.gov and BIA ASAP, and submit financial and performance reports via SF-425 and other required formats. Payment will be made electronically through the Automated Clearing House using the ASAP system, and all award terms are governed by DOI General Terms and Conditions, Executive Order 14332, and federal procurement standards. Applicants must also certify compliance with lobbying disclosure requirements using