Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program | HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001

The Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program is an Indian Health Service (IHS) funding opportunity designed to help Tribes plan and prepare to negotiate with IHS to take on the operation of specific health-related programs, services, functions, and activities (often referred to as PSFAs), either in whole or in part. The basic idea is to support Tribal control and decision-making in health care delivery by giving Tribes the resources to map out how they would administer programs that IHS would otherwise run. By moving toward self-governance, Tribes can better align health services with local priorities, community needs, culture, and on-the-ground realities, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all federal approach.

A key feature of the opportunity is that it supports Tribal participation in a spectrum of federal-to-Tribal health care delivery options. Tribes can continue to receive care directly from IHS, they can enter into Title I Self-Determination contracts to administer specific programs and services that IHS would otherwise provide, and/or they can enter into Title V Self-Governance compacts (the Tribal Self-Governance Program, or TSGP) to assume broader control over health care programs that would otherwise be managed by IHS. These options are not mutually exclusive, meaning a Tribe can mix and match approaches depending on capacity, readiness, the types of services involved, and community goals. The planning cooperative agreement exists specifically to help Tribes evaluate these options, plan for transitions, and prepare for the negotiation process with IHS, including situations where a Tribe is already participating in self-governance and wants to assume additional or expanded PSFAs.

Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native entities connected to Indian health services. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The opportunity relies on statutory definitions. An eligible "Indian Tribe" is defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603(14) and includes any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including Alaska Native villages or groups and certain Alaska Native regional or village corporations recognized under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as long as the entity is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians due to their status. Eligible "Tribal organizations" are defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603(26) and aligned with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act definition at 25 U.S.C. 5304(l), covering either the recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe or a legally established Indian organization that is controlled, sanctioned, chartered, or democratically elected by the community it serves, with maximum Indian participation in its activities. If an applicant organization proposes to provide services benefiting more than one Tribe, the application must include proof of Tribal approval, and the notice specifically requires letters of support or Tribal Resolutions from the Tribes that will be served.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument, which generally means IHS expects to have substantial involvement with awardees compared to a standard grant. The funding activity category is health, and the CFDA (assistance listing) number is 93.444. The opportunity is issued by the Indian Health Service under Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001. The application closing date is August 3, 2026. Awards are capped at an award ceiling of $180,000, and IHS anticipates making approximately three awards under this announcement. The announcement was created on June 3, 2026.

In practical terms, applicants should view this cooperative agreement as planning support for governance and operational readiness rather than direct service expansion funding. Typical planning needs for entering or expanding within Title V self-governance can include assessing current health system operations, identifying which PSFAs the Tribe wants to assume, estimating budgets and staffing, reviewing compliance and reporting responsibilities, developing transition and implementation plans, coordinating with Tribal leadership and community stakeholders, and preparing negotiation materials for IHS. For Tribes already in TSGP, the same planning logic applies to taking on new or expanded PSFAs, where the work often focuses on capacity, scope, cost analysis, and sequencing to ensure the Tribe can successfully manage additional responsibilities while protecting continuity of care.

• The Indian Health Service in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.444.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-03.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).

Apply for HHS 2026 IHS TSGP 0001

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