Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Grants | Apply Online

FY 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Grants (AC 03 20 2026) - FAQs

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nations Grants opportunity, a discretionary grant program administered by AmeriCorps. It supports national service projects led by eligible Native Nations entities by funding programs that place AmeriCorps members into structured service roles that address community priorities.

2) What is the main goal of the program?

The overall aim is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement. The model centers on mobilizing people power in Native communities through organized service positions that deliver tangible community benefits and help build longer-term local capacity.

3) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to (1) Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, and (2) Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

4) Is this opportunity open to the general public, nonprofits, or non-tribal local governments?

Based on the provided information, eligibility is specifically limited to Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Other applicant types are not described as eligible in the listing provided.

5) What types of activities or focus areas can funded programs support?

Funded programs can support a wide range of community-focused activity areas, including community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment and workforce development, environmental projects, food and nutrition, health initiatives, housing-related supports, and other locally defined needs that fit AmeriCorps priorities.

6) How does the program deliver services in communities?

Programs place AmeriCorps members into service positions where they carry out structured roles with organizations actively working on community priorities. Members contribute to both direct service and capacity-building efforts, helping organizations deliver services and strengthen community systems.

7) What does “evidence-based” or “evidence-informed” mean in this opportunity?

Funded programs are expected to use interventions that have some demonstrated track record, credible research support, strong evaluation logic, or clear evidence suggesting the intervention works. In other words, the service activities should be grounded in approaches that are supported by evidence rather than purely untested ideas.

8) Do programs have flexibility to tailor services to local Native community priorities?

Yes. The opportunity is framed broadly to allow programs to tailor service to the realities and priorities of Native communities while maintaining a focus on measurable impact and community benefit.

9) What are AmeriCorps members, and what do they do under this grant?

AmeriCorps members are individuals placed into structured national service roles. Under this grant, members serve with organizations working on community priorities and carry out the program’s interventions and service activities across the allowed focus areas.

10) What benefits can AmeriCorps members receive?

Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while they serve. A major incentive is that members who successfully complete their service term earn the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

11) What is the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and how can it be used?

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is earned by members who successfully complete their term of service. The award can be used to pay eligible higher education expenses or to repay qualified student loans.

12) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The listing is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 94.006, commonly used for AmeriCorps State and National programming.

13) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is AC 03 20 2026.

14) When was this opportunity created?

The source data indicates the opportunity was created on March 20, 2026.

15) What is the application deadline?

The original closing date for applications is May 20, 2026.

16) How much funding can an applicant request (award ceiling) and how many awards will be made?

The award ceiling and the expected number of awards are not specified in the provided listing. Applicants would typically need to consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for funding ranges and other award details.

17) Are match requirements, performance measures, or other detailed program rules included here?

Those details are not provided in the summary information. The listing notes that applicants usually need to consult the full NOFO for specifics such as match requirements, performance measures, funding ranges, and additional program rules.

18) What makes this opportunity distinct from broader AmeriCorps competitions?

This opportunity is designed specifically for Native Nations and Native-serving tribal entities to sponsor, manage, and oversee AmeriCorps member programs, rather than competing in a general applicant pool intended for all types of nonprofits or government units.

19) What kinds of outcomes is AmeriCorps looking for from funded projects?

The opportunity emphasizes measurable impact and community benefit. Programs are expected to deliver tangible improvements in community conditions and strengthen longer-term community capacity through structured service and interventions grounded in evidence.

20) What is the basic purpose of the grant from the community and organization perspective?

For communities and sponsoring organizations, the model builds a pipeline of trained individuals delivering direct services and capacity-building support. It also supports civic participation and workforce readiness by engaging members in meaningful service roles aligned with community priorities.