Eligibility and Funding
Eligibility for the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program
To be eligible to participate in the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP), a Tribe must:- Complete a Planning Phase
Each Tribe is required to complete a planning phase to the satisfaction of the Tribe. This planning phase must include legal and budgetary research and internal Tribal government planning and organizational preparation relating to the administration of health care programs. Funding may be available from the IHS to assist Tribes in the planning phase through TSGP Planning Cooperative Agreements. - Request Participation in the IHS Tribal Self-Governance Program
Each Tribe to be served must submit a Tribal resolution or other official action by the governing body of the Tribe requesting participation in the TSGP. - Demonstrate Three Years of Financial Stability and Financial Management Capability
For the three years prior to participation in the TSGP, the Tribe must show evidence that there have been no uncorrected significant and material audit exceptions in the required annual audit of the Tribe's Self-Determination Contracts or Self-Governance Funding Agreements with any Federal agency.
A Tribe may also choose to authorize another Indian Tribe, an inter-Tribal consortium, or a Tribal Organization to participate in the TSGP on its behalf (see 25 U.S.C. §458aaa(b)). For additional information on eligibility for the TSGP, please see Section 503 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), 25 U.S.C. §458aaa-2, and the accompanying regulations found at 42 C.F.R. § §137.15Ð26.
Available Funding to Help Plan for Title V Participation
The OTSG offers a limited number of competitive Planning Cooperative Agreements to help with the costs associated with the mandatory planning phase. Generally, the award period for Planning Cooperative Agreements is 12 months. A Planning Cooperative Agreement is not required for Self-Governance planning. A Tribe may use its own resources to perform planning activities as long as those activities are conducted to the satisfaction of the Tribe. Tribes that receive Planning Cooperative Agreements are not obligated to participate in Title V and may choose to delay or decline participation in the TSGP based on its planning activities. Announcements for the Planning Cooperative Agreement are made three ways: (1) through a Federal Register Notice, (2) via Grants.gov
, and (3) posted here on this website. The announcements contain information on the number of agreements available, how to apply, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and scoring criteria.
Available Funding to Help Negotiate a Self-Governance Compact and Funding Agreement
The OTSG offers a limited number of competitive Negotiation Cooperative Agreements to assist with the costs of the negotiation process. Generally, the award period for a TSGP Negotiating Cooperative Agreement is 12 months. Negotiation Cooperative Agreements are not required for Tribal Self-Governance negotiations. A Tribe may use its own resources to develop and negotiate its Compact and Funding Agreement. Tribes that receive Negotiation Cooperative Agreements are not obligated to participate in Title V. Announcements for the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement are made three ways: (1) through a Federal Register Notice, (2) via Grants.gov
, and (3) posted here on this website. The announcements contain information on the number of agreements available, how to apply, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and scoring criteria.
