STEP Grant Program: State Tribal Education Partnership FY2026
Summary
The Department of Education's Office of Indian Education announces the State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program (Assistance Listing 84.415A), with applications available April 27, 2026 and a closing date of June 11, 2026. The program offers approximately $2,000,000 in total funding with an expected 7 awards to support Tribal self-determination in education, improve academic achievement of Native students, and promote coordination between Tribal Educational Agencies, State Educational Agencies, and Local Educational Agencies. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, TEAs, or consortia of eligible applicants.
“Indian Tribes, An Indian Tribe that receives funds from BIE under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020) is not eligible to receive funds under this program.”
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What changed
The Department of Education has published a funding opportunity notice for the State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program, Assistance Listing 84.415A. Applications open April 27, 2026 and close June 11, 2026, with an intergovernmental review deadline of August 11, 2026. The program provides approximately $2,000,000 to fund an expected 7 awards. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes (excluding those receiving BIE funds under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978), tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe, Tribal Educational Agencies, or consortia of eligible applicants. The program is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and aims to promote Tribal self-determination, improve Native student achievement, and foster coordination between tribal, state, and local educational agencies. Prospective applicants should contact Program Contact Linda Brake at (202) 987-0796 or linda.brake@ed.gov for further information.
Archived snapshot
Apr 28, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program; Assistance Listing Number 84.415A
Agency: Department of Education
Assistance Listings: 84.415 -- Indian Education National Activities (State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) and Native American Language (NAL)
Last Updated: April 27, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
Program Description: The Bureau of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) is soliciting applications in support of the administration of the State Tribal Education Partnerships (STEP) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
The purpose of State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) is to promote Tribal self-determination in education; improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and promote the coordination and collaboration between Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students.
... STEP is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA). The intent of this competition is to return education to the Tribes and create opportunities where Tribes can exert sovereignty and self-determination. ED expects that TEA-SEA-LEA coordination will result in TEAs maintaining greater systemic connections with their Native children in public schools.
The requirement for a draft written agreement (DWA), as defined in this notice, helps to ensure that all relevant partners needed to achieve the project goals are included from the outset. For example, applicants could propose projects that include developing a TEA aimed at creating a Tribal education system that provides policies, structures and oversight that improves such student outcomes as attendance, graduation rate, academic achievement, workforce development, and career readiness.
ED remains committed to engaging in regular and meaningful consultation with Indian Tribes and sourced the design of this competition using input recently received from Tribal leaders on August 26, 2025, and previous input as published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2022 (87 FR 79824). On August 26, 2025, Tribal leaders expressed strong support for the STEP program's role in fostering collaboration between LEAs and Tribes, particularly in areas like college readiness and student advising. Several leaders noted that maintaining Tribal control over education is essential for preserving culture and language opportunities for Native students, especially in off-reservation schools.
Assistance Listing Number: 84.415A.
Applicants should refer to the 2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2025 (90 FR 42234) and available at ED 2025 Common Instructions.
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Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Indian Tribes, An Indian Tribe that receives funds from BIE under section 1140 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2020) is not eligible to receive funds under this program. Tribal organization approved by an Indian Tribe,TEA, or a consortium of eligible applicants.
Grantor contact information
Description
Linda Brake
Telephone: (202) 987-0796
Email: linda.brake@ed.gov
Program Contact
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 84.415ASTEPFY2026Grants.GovApplicationNoticeandInstructionsANI.pdf | 84.415A STEP FY2026 Application Notice and Instructions | Apr 27, 2026 05:06 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
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Closing: June 11, 2026
Applications Available: April 27, 2026. Application Deadline: June 11, 2026. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: August...
11, 2026. For further information contact:Linda Brake. Telephone: (202) 987-0796. Email: linda.brake@ed.gov.
Show full description Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$2,000,000
Program Funding
7
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$--
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
ED-GRANTS-042726-003
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Education
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
2
Posted date:
April 27, 2026
Archive date:
July 11, 2026
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