COVID-19 Funding for Tribes

Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness & Response

At a glance

This noncompetitive (CDC-RFA-OT20-2004) grant supported tribal public health capacity in coronavirus preparedness and response. The grant was awarded to 346 tribal recipients, including 290 tribal nations, 25 tribal consortia, and 31 tribal organizations. Recipients can use funds to perform surveillance and epidemiology activities, laboratory capacity, infection control, mitigation, communication, and other COVID-19 preparedness and response activities.

American Indian/Alaska Native photo of vase and cultural items.

Overview

Total funding for the grant was $152.8 million ($142 million in FY20 and $10.8 million in FY21) grant. It was funded through the:

  • Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act
  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Emergency COVID-19 response funds are provided to federally recognized tribes including tribal organizations that meet the following criteria:

  • The recognizing 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. (25 U.S.C. § 5304)
  • Entities that contract or compact with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) (25 U.S.C. § 1603)
  • Consortia of these tribes or their bona fide agents

These organizations are uniquely positioned to provide emergency preparedness and response support to the tribal public health system.

Purpose

This 1-year grant funding for tribal nations, tribal consortia, and tribal organizations was for conducting COVID-19 public health activities. These activities may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Surveillance & epidemiology — case identification/data management
  • Laboratory capacity — equipment, supplies, and staffing procurement
  • Countermeasures and mitigation — infection control and quarantines
  • Communication — risk communication guidance
  • Emergency operations — establishing emergency operation centers
  • Health information technology — supporting data systems for COVID-19
  • Recovery activities — restoring tribal communities

Recipients

Visit the list of Tribal COVID-19 Grant Recipients [PDF-139KB].

For More Information

Contact TribalCOVIDgrant@cdc.gov.

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Content Source:
Public Health Infrastructure Center