$76 Million in Federal Funding Opens Doors for Native American Workforce Training

The U.S. Department of Labor just unlocked historic DOL Native workforce funding to strengthen Indian Country!

DOL Announces $76M for Indian and Native American Employment Programs

On April 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced approximately $76 million in grant funding through the Program Year 2026 Indian and Native American Program (INAP) under Section 166 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Of that total, $62 million supports adult employment and training, while $14 million funds youth services for Our Relatives ages 14 to 24.

DOL confirmed the funding will support roughly 163 grants delivered through the Employment and Training Administration. Awards range from $18,024 to $5,998,062 per year.

Two Program Tracks Serve Native Populations Nationwide

The competition includes two components. The Comprehensive Services Program (CSP) delivers adult workforce training, short-term credentials, pre-apprenticeships, and Registered Apprenticeship pathways. The Supplemental Youth Services Program (SYSP) targets at-risk Native youth on or near reservations and across Oklahoma, Alaska, and Hawaii. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, Alaska Native-controlled organizations, Native Hawaiian-controlled organizations, and Indian-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Applications are due May 22, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Full details are posted on Grants.gov under announcement FOA-ETA-26-20.

Building Career Pathways That Strengthen Indian Country

Healthcare workforce demand across Indian Country remains acute. IHS facilities, tribal health programs, and rural hospitals face persistent vacancies in nursing, allied health, and credentialed clinical roles.

This funding opens a direct route for tribes and Native-controlled organizations to develop culturally competent training pathways that feed directly into IHS and tribal employers. Native practitioners trained through these grants will serve elders and families with the cultural awareness Indigenous communities deserve. Additional information is available through WorkforceGPS.

A Direct Investment in Native Health Careers

We at Ellsworth believe this opportunity can be channeled directly into healthcare workforce development and health-related jobs training for Our Relatives. Whether it funds CNA career tracks, medical assistant programs, behavioral health technician credentials, or pre-nursing pathways, this investment can place more Native practitioners inside IHS and tribal facilities serving our communities.