Tribal Organizations

For the Native American Library and Museum Services grant programs, Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and corporations are eligible to apply for funding. Entities such as libraries, museums, schools, tribal colleges, or departments of education are not eligible applicants, although they may be involved in the administration of this program and their staff may serve as project directors.

For purposes of funding under these grant programs, "Indian tribe" is defined as any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village, regional corporation, or village corporations (as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.)) that is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. Eligible applicants are listed on the Bureau of Indian Affairs Web site (www.bia.gov/DocumentLibrary/index.htm), except for the recognized regional corporations and village corporations (Alaskan entities should refer to applicable provisions in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referenced above).

Native Hawaiian Library and Museum Services grants are available to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians (as the term is defined in section 7207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act). The term "Native Hawaiian" means (a) any individual who is a citizen of the United States and (b) a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now comprises the state of Hawaii, as evidenced by genealogical records, Kapuna (elders) or Kamaaina (long-term community residents) verification, or certified birth records.