Federal grant programs / Department of Health and Human Services

Improving the Capability of Indian Tribal Governments to Regulate Environmental Quality (93.581)

Also known as Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE)

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$7.7 million
• Grant awards27
• Typical award$289,379
• Awarded in FY 2025$0
• Size rank1,548 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceProject grants

Key findings

• It is the 1548th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 101% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 8 states and territories.

What the program funds

The purpose of the Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (ERE) program is to provide funding for the costs of planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to improve the capability of tribal governing bodies to regulate environmental quality pursuant to federal and tribal environmental laws. The ERE program supports the principle that projects must follow tribal cultural preservation and natural resource management priorities in order to achieve environmentally healthy, sustainable Native American and Alaska Native communities. The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) is therefore interested in supporting locally designed projects that strengthen tribal environmental regulatory programs in a manner consistent with the goals of native communities.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

Eligible applicants include, federally recognized Indian tribes; incorporated non-federally recognized tribes and incorporated state-recognized tribes; Alaska Native villages, as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Act (ANCSA); and/or non-profit village consortia; non-profit Alaska Native regional corporation/associations in Alaska with village-specific projects; other tribal or village organizations or consortia of Indian tribes; and Tribal governing bodies (IRA or traditional councils) as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible.

What the money can and cannot pay for

Funds may be used for: providing training and education to employees responsible for enforcing or monitoring compliance with environmental quality laws; developing tribal laws, regulations, and ordinances to protect the environment; enforcing and monitoring environmental quality laws, regulations, and ordinances; establishing baseline condition for regulatory purposes; informing the community about regulations and environmental stewardship; building the technical and program capability of the tribe or organization to perform essential environmental program functions to meet tribal and federal regulatory requirements; and establishing demonstration projects to exhibit technologies, which can lead to compliance with environmental regulations. Funding cannot be used for the following purpose or activities: purchase of real property; costs of organized fundraising, reimbursement of pre-award costs, and activities that qualify as major renovations and alterations. Further details regarding ineligible applicants and activities can be found in the ANA regulations at 45 CFR 1336.33.;

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. The 20% match is required by 42 USC 2991b(c) unless waived in accordance with criteria published in 45 CFR 1336.50(b).This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. A sample of a standard Maintenance of Effort (MOE) certification is available in the application instructions for this NOFO at www.grants.gov. Applicants self-certify their maintenance of effort.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

For FY24, the range is $300,000 - $900,000 for a project period of up to 3 years. The award will be fully funded upon issuance. For FY25, the range is $300,000-$900,000 for a project period of up to 3 years. The award will be fully funded upon issuance. For FY26, the range is $300,000-$900,000 for a project period of up to 3 years. The award will be fully funded upon issuance.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Tribal governments and organizations received 91% of the money.

By state

3 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. They are Alaska, Washington and California.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.