Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Office of Indian Education (OIE): State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program; Assistance Listing Number 84.415A | ED GRANTS 042726 003

STEP Grant Program (Assistance Listing 84.415A) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program?

The State Tribal Education Partnership (STEP) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to strengthen Tribal authority and leadership in education by supporting formal partnerships among Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), State Educational Agencies (SEAs), and Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). It is intended to promote Tribal self-determination in education, raise the academic achievement of Indian children and youth, and build durable systems for coordination so public education better reflects Native students' unique educational and culturally related academic needs.

2) What is the Assistance Listing Number for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing Number is 84.415A.

3) Which federal offices are involved in running and administering STEP?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Indian Education (OIE). The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) at the U.S. Department of the Interior solicits and administers applications on ED's behalf.

4) What law authorizes the STEP Grant Program?

STEP is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended.

5) What is the central goal or theme of this STEP competition?

A central theme is shifting power and practical control back toward Tribes by creating more opportunities for Tribes to exercise sovereignty and self-determination in education. ED is looking for partnerships that result in stronger, ongoing, systemic connections between TEAs and Native children in public schools (including off-reservation settings), not partnerships that are merely symbolic.

6) Who is eligible to apply for STEP funding?

Eligible applicants include Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations approved by an Indian Tribe, Tribal Educational Agencies (TEAs), and consortia of eligible applicants.

7) Are there any eligibility restrictions that could disqualify an otherwise eligible Tribe?

Yes. 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 STEP program.

8) What kinds of partnerships does STEP require or prioritize?

STEP is designed around formal partnerships among TEAs, SEAs, and LEAs. The opportunity emphasizes that coordination should produce practical and ongoing improvements in how systems work together (for example, better alignment of policies, student supports, data use, and culturally grounded approaches), rather than being a simple statement of goodwill.

9) Does STEP focus only on students living on Tribal lands?

No. The notice highlights the importance of strong connections between TEAs and Native children attending public schools, including students in off-reservation settings and students attending schools away from Tribal lands.

10) What is a Draft Written Agreement (DWA), and why does it matter?

The application requires a draft written agreement (DWA), as defined in the notice. The DWA is intended to show that all relevant partners needed to carry out the work are involved early and share an understanding of goals, roles, responsibilities, and how the partnership will function. This requirement is meant to demonstrate that the collaboration is real and operational, not just an intent to collaborate later.

11) When should partners be involved in the project planning process?

The opportunity emphasizes that applicants must come to the table with partners from the beginning. This expectation is reinforced by the required DWA, which is meant to document early and meaningful partner involvement.

12) What types of projects does ED want to see funded under STEP?

The notice describes projects aimed at strengthening Tribal authority and building coordination systems. An example included is developing or strengthening a TEA to build a Tribal education system with policies, structures, and oversight tied to measurable student outcomes. Overall, STEP is framed as capacity-building and systems-coordination work that increases Tribal influence over education affecting Native students in public schools.

13) What kinds of student outcomes are referenced in the opportunity?

The notice references measurable outcomes such as improved attendance, higher graduation rates, stronger academic achievement, better workforce development pathways, and increased career readiness.

14) How does STEP connect to culture and language priorities?

The opportunity emphasizes improving student outcomes while protecting and advancing culturally grounded education priorities, including language and cultural continuity. The notice also highlights Tribal leaders' views that Tribal control and direction in education supports preserving culture and language opportunities for Native students.

15) What does ED mean by "not just symbolic" coordination?

Based on the notice language, ED is looking for partnerships that lead to stronger, ongoing, systemic connections among TEAs, SEAs, and LEAs, and that produce practical improvements such as aligned policies, improved student supports, better use of data, and culturally grounded approaches to schooling.

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this STEP competition?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ED GRANTS 042726 003.

17) What is the application deadline listed in the posting excerpt?

The original application deadline is June 11, 2026.

18) How many awards does ED expect to make?

The posting indicates an expectation of making about 7 awards.

19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The posting lists an award ceiling, but the excerpt provided does not include the specific dollar amount.

20) What application instructions must applicants follow?

Applicants are directed to follow the 2025 Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs (published August 29, 2025, 90 FR 42234). These common instructions typically govern standard requirements such as formatting, submission procedures, and other cross-cutting federal application rules.

21) How does STEP support long-term change versus short-term activities?

STEP is described as a long-term capacity-building and systems-coordination grant. The focus is on building or strengthening Tribal education infrastructure, formalizing shared commitments with state and local education systems, and creating durable coordination that improves student outcomes and supports culturally grounded education priorities over time.

22) What consultation and input influenced the design of this competition?

ED notes the competition reflects ongoing consultation with Indian Tribes, including input from Tribal leaders on August 26, 2025, and earlier input published in the Federal Register on December 28, 2022 (87 FR 79824).

23) What did Tribal leaders emphasize during the August 2025 consultation?

According to the notice summary, Tribal leaders expressed strong support for STEP as a way to enable practical collaboration between LEAs and Tribes, particularly around college readiness and student advising. They also stressed that maintaining Tribal control and direction over education is vital to preserving culture and language opportunities, especially for students attending schools away from Tribal lands.