Program Year 2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Indian and Native American Programs – Employment and Training Grants - Youth | Apply Online

FAQs: PY 2026 WIOA Indian and Native American Programs (INAP) Employment and Training Grants - Youth (FOA-ETA-26-20-IY)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the Program Year (PY) 2026 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Indian and Native American Programs (INAP) Employment and Training Grants - Youth opportunity (FOA-ETA-26-20-IY). It is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

2) What is the main purpose of the INAP Youth grant?

The core purpose is to support local workforce and training services for eligible Indian and Native American youth and communities, funding on-the-ground employment and training activities that help eligible Indian and Native Americans (INA), including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, prepare for, find, and keep good jobs. The program also aims to address practical barriers to work and education and help participants move toward long-term economic self-sufficiency.

3) What kinds of services or activities can be supported with these grant funds?

Funded projects can typically cover employment services, financial assistance for education and training, and supportive services that make participation possible and help individuals progress toward economic self-sufficiency.

4) Is this competition required by law?

Yes. This competition is required under Section 166 of WIOA and the implementing regulations at 20 CFR Part 684, which require the Department of Labor to run the INAP competition every four years.

5) How long can funding last if an organization is selected?

Awards from the PY 2026 competition are designed to establish a multi-year relationship. Selected applicants receive an initial award for PY 2026 and may receive annual grant awards for the next three program years as well, as long as Department requirements continue to be met and Congress appropriates funds.

6) If an organization currently has INAP funding from the prior competition, will it continue automatically?

No. Organizations currently funded under the prior 2022 competition (FOA-ETA-22-05) are not automatically continued. To keep receiving INAP funding, they must apply under this announcement and be selected again.

7) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include: (1) federally recognized Native American tribal governments, (2) Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments, and (3) certain nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education as standalone applicants), subject to additional limits described in the announcement.

8) What definition must a tribal organization meet to be eligible?

Tribal organizations must meet the statutory definition in 25 U.S.C. 5304(l). This generally means the organization must be controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by a tribal governing body, or be a legally established, democratically elected Indian organization with strong Indian participation in all phases of its activities.

9) What if an applicant proposes to serve more than one tribe?

If the applicant proposes to serve more than one tribe, each tribe that would benefit from the services must approve the arrangement as a condition for award.

10) Are all 501(c)(3) nonprofits eligible?

No. Nonprofit eligibility is narrower than a typical 501(c)(3) rule. It is limited to specific types of Native-controlled or Indian-controlled organizations described in the announcement.

11) Which types of nonprofits are included under the narrower eligibility rules?

The eligible nonprofit types described include Alaska Native-controlled organizations, Native Hawaiian-controlled organizations, Indian-controlled organizations serving INAs (including Tribal Colleges and Universities), and certain state-recognized tribal organizations that meet the definition of an Indian-controlled organization in 20 CFR 684.130, including incumbent state-recognized tribes that satisfy those same regulatory requirements.

12) Can an institution of higher education apply on its own?

No. Institutions of higher education are excluded as standalone applicants under the 501(c)(3) eligibility pathway described in the announcement.

13) Are Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) mentioned in relation to eligibility?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes Indian-controlled organizations serving INAs, including Tribal Colleges and Universities, within the narrower nonprofit eligibility category (as described in the opportunity summary).

14) Can a consortium apply?

Yes. Consortia can apply if they meet the legal requirements described in 20 CFR 684.200(a) and (e), meaning the consortium must be properly formed and structured to carry out the program on behalf of its members.

15) Is the Youth funding available as a stand-alone award?

No. A key structural requirement is that youth funding is tied to the broader INAP comprehensive (adult) services competition. To be considered for the Supplemental Youth Services Program under FOA-ETA-26-20-IY, an applicant must also apply for and be selected to receive Comprehensive Services Program (adult) funding under FOA-ETA-26-20-IA.

16) What does it mean that the Youth award is "supplemental"?

It means youth awards are not intended to operate on their own. They supplement a comprehensive INAP service strategy that is anchored by the Comprehensive Services Program (adult) grant under FOA-ETA-26-20-IA.

17) What is the application deadline?

Applications are due by May 22, 2026.

18) How many awards does ETA expect to make?

ETA anticipates making around 63 awards under this opportunity.

19) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $2,808,366 per award. The ceiling is the maximum expected amount for any single award, not a guarantee that an award will reach that level.

20) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?

The funding is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 17.265.

21) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Employment, Labor and Training.

22) Are faith-based organizations allowed to apply?

Yes. The announcement emphasizes open eligibility for faith-based and secular organizations alike. Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.

23) How does nondiscrimination apply to faith-based organizations under this opportunity?

The Department states it will not discriminate for or against an organization based on religious character, affiliation, exercise (or lack of exercise), or related factors when selecting recipients or administering the grant.

24) Which federal agency is running this competition?

The competition is run by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

25) Who are the intended beneficiaries of services funded under this opportunity?

The opportunity is intended to support eligible Indian and Native Americans (INA), including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, through local workforce and training services and related supports.