Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ANA XN 0002

The Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Language American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding Opportunity Announcement is a FY 2021 emergency grant program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). Its central purpose is to prevent further loss of Native American languages and to support their continued vitality during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency. The opportunity is grounded in the reality that COVID-19 disproportionately harmed Native communities, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities, and that the deaths of Elders and fluent speakers created an immediate crisis for language transmission. ANA frames language as inseparable from culture, identity, and community well-being, noting that Indigenous languages carry cultural values, customs, and ceremony. The announcement also highlights research linking knowledge of Native language to protective mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicide-related behaviors, reinforcing that language work is not just cultural preservation but also a public health and community resilience strategy.

This ARP funding is designed as rapid-response support, recognizing that pandemic-related restrictions limited in-person gatherings where language teaching and cultural practice typically happen. Many communities also faced practical barriers to shifting language programs online, such as inadequate broadband, limited devices, and insufficient technology infrastructure. ANA emphasizes that Native communities are at different stages of language revitalization, from early planning to more advanced instruction and documentation, so the funding is meant to be flexible while still focused on urgent, high-impact needs.

A key feature of the program is that it uses emergency, non-competitive awards distributed on an equal allocation basis following tribal consultation and listening sessions. For federally and state-recognized tribes (and their authorized designees), ANA’s approach is to make one award per tribe, and tribes may designate tribally chartered nonprofit organizations to apply on their behalf. The announcement also notes that entities already holding an ANA grant may still be eligible to receive an ARP emergency award, which signals an intent to strengthen existing capacity as well as address urgent gaps. ANA also references a separate ARP language FOA (HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0001) aimed at federal and state-recognized tribes or their designees, clarifying that this specific opportunity (HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0002) includes a distinct approach for NHPI language funding.

For Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities specifically, ANA set aside a portion of emergency funds to be split equally among pre-selected, public-serving organizations that support Native languages in Hawaii, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. ANA invited an entity within each of these governments to receive an allocation, and those entities could then potentially make subawards to other eligible applicants within their jurisdiction, consistent with the eligibility rules described in the full announcement. The FOA indicates that pre-award negotiations would occur as ANA makes allocations to NHPI recipients, reflecting the structured, allocation-based method rather than open competition.

Project activities are intended to be practical and immediately useful, and applicants are expected to select one or two main domains as the focus of their emergency language project. The eligible domains include: (1) Resources and documentation, such as developing instructional modules, recording fluent speakers, transcribing materials, building curriculum, or creating dictionaries; (2) Instruction, including teacher training, professional development, and Master-Apprentice models; (3) Technology and infrastructure, such as purchasing computers/devices, improving internet access, or strengthening IT networking so language work can continue remotely or in hybrid formats; (4) Planning, including community surveys, readiness or interest assessments, and strategic language plans; and (5) Elder or intergenerational engagement, such as Elder-led instruction, storytelling in the language, and recording Elder speakers to preserve knowledge and support transmission to younger generations.

The application process is intentionally abbreviated to match the emergency nature of the funding. Applicants are asked for a relatively short project narrative of about 5 to 10 pages, along with a line-item budget and budget justification, and a simplified workplan, plus standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A. In terms of basic program details, the opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 93.612, with an award ceiling of $250,000 and an expectation of 4 awards. The FOA was created June 24, 2021, with an original closing date of July 26, 2021, reflecting the rapid turnaround typical of pandemic-era relief funding.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as an emergency stabilization and continuity effort for NHPI and other Native language communities: protecting speaker knowledge at a moment of heightened loss, keeping instruction and cultural transmission active despite public health restrictions, and addressing the technology and planning needs that determine whether language programs can survive and adapt in crisis conditions.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - ANA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Language American Rescue Plan Funding Opportunity Announcement" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.612.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jun 24, 2021.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 26, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for HHS 2021 ACF ANA XN 0002

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Language ARP Funding Opportunity Announcement?

It is a FY 2021 emergency grant program funded through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). The program is focused on urgent language needs during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency.

What is the main purpose of this ARP language funding?

The central purpose is to prevent further loss of Native American languages and support continued language vitality in the context of COVID-19 impacts, including disruptions to in-person teaching and the loss of Elders and fluent speakers who are critical for language transmission.

Why does this opportunity emphasize COVID-19 impacts on language?

The announcement is grounded in the reality that COVID-19 disproportionately harmed Native communities, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. It highlights that deaths among Elders and fluent speakers created an immediate crisis for passing language to younger generations.

How does ANA describe the importance of Indigenous language in this program?

ANA frames language as inseparable from culture, identity, and community well-being. The announcement notes that Indigenous languages carry cultural values, customs, and ceremony, and that language work supports broader community resilience.

Does the FOA connect language revitalization to health and well-being?

Yes. The announcement references research linking knowledge of Native language to protective mental health outcomes, including lower rates of suicide-related behaviors. In that framing, language work is not only cultural preservation, but also a public health and community resilience strategy.

Is this a competitive grant program?

The program uses emergency, non-competitive awards distributed on an equal allocation basis following tribal consultation and listening sessions. The approach is structured around allocations rather than open competition.

How are awards distributed for federally and state-recognized tribes?

For federally and state-recognized tribes (and their authorized designees), ANA indicates it will make one award per tribe. Tribes may designate tribally chartered nonprofit organizations to apply on their behalf.

Can an organization that already holds an ANA grant still receive an ARP emergency award?

The announcement notes that entities already holding an ANA grant may still be eligible to receive an ARP emergency award, indicating the intent to strengthen existing capacity while also addressing urgent gaps.

How is this FOA different from the other ARP language FOA ANA references?

ANA references a separate ARP language FOA (HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0001) aimed at federal and state-recognized tribes or their designees. This specific opportunity (HHS-2021-ACF-ANA-XN-0002) includes a distinct approach for NHPI language funding.

Who is the NHPI language funding intended for?

For Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, ANA set aside a portion of emergency funds to be split equally among pre-selected, public-serving organizations that support Native languages in Hawaii, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

How does ANA plan to allocate NHPI funds?

ANA invited an entity within each of the governments of Hawaii, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam to receive an allocation. Those entities could then potentially make subawards to other eligible applicants within their jurisdiction, consistent with eligibility rules in the full announcement.

Are subawards mentioned as part of the NHPI approach?

Yes. The FOA indicates the invited government entities could potentially make subawards to other eligible applicants within their jurisdiction, as long as the subawards align with the eligibility rules described in the full announcement.

What does the FOA mean by "pre-award negotiations" for NHPI recipients?

The FOA indicates that pre-award negotiations would occur as ANA makes allocations to NHPI recipients. This reflects the structured, allocation-based method used for these emergency awards rather than an open competitive process.

What kinds of project activities are supported under this emergency language funding?

Projects are intended to be practical and immediately useful for stabilizing and continuing language work during and after pandemic disruptions. Applicants are expected to choose one or two main domains as the focus of their emergency language project.

How many project domains can an applicant focus on?

Applicants are expected to select one or two main domains for their emergency language project, reflecting the rapid-response design and the focus on urgent, high-impact needs.

What domains are eligible under the FOA?

The eligible domains listed in the announcement include:

  • Resources and documentation (for example, instructional modules, recording fluent speakers, transcription, curriculum, dictionaries)
  • Instruction (for example, teacher training, professional development, Master-Apprentice models)
  • Technology and infrastructure (for example, purchasing computers/devices, improving internet access, strengthening IT networking for remote or hybrid language work)
  • Planning (for example, community surveys, readiness/interest assessments, strategic language plans)
  • Elder or intergenerational engagement (for example, Elder-led instruction, storytelling, recording Elders to preserve knowledge and support transmission)

What are examples of "resources and documentation" activities?

The FOA provides examples such as developing instructional modules, recording fluent speakers, transcribing language materials, building curriculum, and creating dictionaries.

What are examples of "instruction" activities?

Instruction examples in the announcement include teacher training, professional development, and Master-Apprentice models.

What are examples of "technology and infrastructure" activities?

The FOA mentions purchases and improvements that help language work continue remotely or in hybrid settings, including computers/devices, improved internet access, and stronger IT networking.

What are examples of "planning" activities?

Planning examples include community surveys, readiness or interest assessments, and developing strategic language plans.

What are examples of "Elder or intergenerational engagement" activities?

The FOA highlights Elder-led instruction, storytelling in the language, and recording Elder speakers to preserve knowledge and support transmission to younger generations.

Why does the FOA include technology and broadband-related needs?

ANA notes that pandemic restrictions reduced in-person gatherings, and many communities faced barriers to shifting language programs online, including inadequate broadband, limited devices, and insufficient technology infrastructure. The funding is designed to help address those urgent barriers.

How long is the project narrative expected to be?

The application is intentionally abbreviated. Applicants are asked for a relatively short project narrative of about 5 to 10 pages.

What application materials are mentioned in the FOA?

The FOA mentions a 5 to 10 page project narrative, a line-item budget and budget justification, a simplified workplan, and standard federal forms including SF-424 and SF-424A.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is a discretionary grant under CFDA 93.612.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The FOA lists an award ceiling of $250,000.

How many awards does the FOA expect to make?

The announcement indicates an expectation of 4 awards.

When was the FOA created and when did it close?

The FOA was created on June 24, 2021, with an original closing date of July 26, 2021, reflecting the rapid turnaround typical of pandemic-era relief funding.

What does ANA mean by "rapid-response" support in this FOA?

The announcement describes the funding as emergency, rapid-response support intended to keep language instruction and cultural transmission active despite COVID-19 restrictions, and to address immediate needs like documentation, technology, and short-term planning so programs can continue through crisis conditions.

What is the overall goal of this funding in plain terms?

Overall, the funding is an emergency stabilization and continuity effort: protecting speaker knowledge at a moment of heightened loss, sustaining instruction and cultural practice when gatherings are restricted, and addressing technology and planning needs that determine whether language programs can survive and adapt during and after a public health emergency.

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