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health · HHS-IHS

Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: CAReS Program

Indian Health Service · HHS-2026-IHS-ALZ-0001

11 days left

Award Range

$250K$750K

Total Program Funding

$1.1M

Expected Awards

2

Deadline

September 4, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

Indian Health Service is funding 2 awards ($250K-$750K each) for tribal and urban Indian communities to strengthen dementia care — from early recognition through end-of-life. Rooted in Indigenous values and community self-determination, this supports culturally appropriate dementia care that integrates traditional healing, family-centered approaches, and community-based services. Extremely targeted to AI/AN communities.

Who Should Apply

Federally recognized Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian health organizations (Title V), or tribal-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits with demonstrated connection to AI/AN communities.

Who Should NOT Apply

Non-tribal organizations, general dementia research institutions without tribal partnerships, state agencies, or organizations without demonstrated AI/AN community relationships.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

  • Must serve American Indian/Alaska Native communities
  • Must address the full dementia care continuum (early recognition through end-of-life)
  • Must be rooted in Indigenous values and self-determination
  • Must produce measurable improvements in dementia care
  • Must be a tribal entity or tribal-serving nonprofit

💡 GrantQuick Tip

Only 2 awards for a very specific population — but the applicant pool is correspondingly small (tribal health programs with dementia expertise). The key differentiator: demonstrate how your approach integrates traditional cultural practices with evidence-based dementia care. IHS reviewers will prioritize applications showing genuine community engagement and cultural grounding over clinical sophistication alone.

Competitiveness: Low — 2 awards for a very narrow applicant pool. Tribal organizations with existing elder care programs and community engagement infrastructure are well-positioned.

What This Grant Funds

This program is intended to support Tribal and Urban Indian communities in strengthening dementia care and services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. Rooted in Indigenous values and community self-determination, the program will fund meaningful, measurable improvements that span the full dementia care continuum, from early recognition to caregiver support. Option A – Dementia CAReS (Care Access, Resources, and Support). One national awardee will coordinate four integrated priorities: Mini-Project Funding to help Tribal and Urban Indian clinics launch culturally tailored services. A Dementia Champion Network connecting frontline leaders. Success Sharing through case studies and toolkits. Evaluation & Data using common performance measures and dashboards. Option B – Dementia Caregiver Support and Training Center. One national awardee will deliver dementia caregiver support training, services, resources, and technical assistance. Services will support Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations. The awardee will develop and implement a comprehensive, culturally relevant caregiver support and training model. It will prioritize leadership, caregiver support, and knowledge and skills development. Across both options, recipients will document emerging practices using standardized measures. These measures will guide continuous quality improvement and improve outcomes for AI/AN people and their caregivers.

Attachments

Who Can Apply

Federally recognized Indian Tribes An Indian Tribe as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14). The term "Indian Tribe" means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group, or regional or village corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. Tribal organizations A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). The term "Tribal organization" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)): "Tribal organization" means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: provided that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.You must submit letters of support or Tribal Resolutions from the Tribes you will serve. Urban Indian Organizations Urban Indian organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29), that is currently administering a contract or receiving an award pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 1653. The term "Urban Indian organization" means a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a).You must provide proof of nonprofit status.

Eligible Applicant Types

Federally Recognized Tribal Governments501(c)(3) NonprofitsOther (see NOFO for details)Other Tribal Organizations

Funding Details

Minimum Award
$250K
Maximum Award
$750K
Total Program Funding
$1.1M
Expected Number of Awards
2
Cost Sharing Required?
No
Funding Instrument
cooperative_agreement

Key Dates

Posted: June 30, 2026
Application Deadline: September 4, 2026 (11 days remaining)

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.

Agency Contact

Indian Health Service Division of Grants Management dgm@ihs.gov

dgm@ihs.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov