Native Language Esther Martinez Initiative (EMI)

Native Language Esther Martinez Initiative (EMI) is sponsored by Administration for Native Americans (ANA), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This ANA program supports eligible programs that qualify as either a Language Nest (serving five or more children under the age of seven for at least 500 hours per year) or a Survival School (serving 10 or more school-age students for at least 500 hours per year in a Native lang…

Opportunity Listing - Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance-Esther Martinez Immersion Agency: Administration for Children and Families - ANA Assistance Listings: 93. 587 -- Promote the Survival and Continuing Vitality of Native American Languages Last Updated: July 8, 2026 View version history on Grants.

gov The Administration for Native Americans will be soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance - Esther Martinez Immersion program (EMI). The program funds community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction.

Programs funded under EMI must meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest, or a Native American Survival School. As defined by Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(7)), Language Nests are "site-based educational programs that-...

(i) provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 5 children under the age of 7 for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student," and Native American Survival Schools are "site-based educational programs for school-age students that- (i) provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction through the use of 1 or more Native American languages for at least 10 students for whom a Native American language survival school is their principal place of instruction."

Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3) Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3) Other Native American tribal organizations Federally recognized Native American tribal governments Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §2991b and 45 CFR §1336.

33, eligible applicants under this funding opportunity are:Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); Incorporated non-federally recognized tribes; Incorporated state-recognized Indian tribes; Consortia of Indian tribes; Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations (Including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C.

§ 1603(29)); Urban Indian Centers; Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs); Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or non-profit village consortia; Non-profit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects; Incorporated non-profit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations; Non-profit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with village- specific projects; Non-profit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the BIA; Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians; National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives; Public and non-profit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Tribal Colleges and Universities, and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that serve Native American Pacfic Islanders.

Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible for awards under this funding opportunity. Grantor contact information Carmelia.

Strickland@acf. hhs. gov Carmelia.

Strickland@acf. hhs. gov Carmelia.

Strickland@acf. hhs. gov File name Description Last updated Full_Announcement_hhs-2026-acf-ana-nb-0116.

pdf Full Announcement hhs-2026-acf-ana-nb-0116. pdf Link to additional information https://www. acf.

hhs. gov/ana Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date. Funding opportunity number : Cost sharing or matching requirement : Funding instrument type : Opportunity Category Explanation : Category of Funding Activity : Income security and social services Your account requires additional identity verification.