Grant News

By Christina Fernandez, Grants Development Consultant

On February 3, 2026, Congress finalized the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the U.S. Department of Education, approving approximately $79 billion in discretionary funding.  This level exceeds the Administration’s original request of $66.7 billion and aligns closely with FY2024 funding levels.  At a glance, this signals stability across key education programs including school improvement, special education, career and technical education, and institutional aid. However, a closer review reveals more targeted adjustments that reflect evolving federal priorities. For grant professionals and education leaders, understanding both the stability and the nuance within this budget is essential to navigating the current funding landscape and identifying opportunities in the year ahead.

By Amber Walker, Grants Development Consultant (Healthcare)

The Rural Health Transformation Program represents one of the most significant federal investments in the healthcare systems across rural America in history. Introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) during the summer of 2025. The program allocates a total of $50 billion over the next five years, with $10 billion distributed in its first year, FY2026. All fifty states applied and received funding; awards were announced on December 31, 2025. Beginning in early 2026, they adjusted their budgets as needed and began their plans for implementing the initiatives outlined in their applications to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (the federal agency overseeing the program). The scale of funding varies, with differences of over $100 million between the smallest (New Jersey) and largest (Texas) state awards. As time has passed throughout spring, the number of states implementing their programs has grown. Many variables exist between each state, including but not limited to their focused initiatives, number of funding opportunities, award amounts, and type of funding (direct allocation or competitive grants).

By Chris LaPage, Chief Services Officer, & Ashley Schultz, Manager of Community Engagement

For grant professionals, the start of a new federal fiscal year usually brings a familiar sense of déjà vu. We track the process from the President’s initial budget announcement through Congress’s final vote, anxiously anticipating when federal agencies will finally open their competitive and allocation grant cycles.  

However, the 2026 funding landscape will be built upon a vastly different process from previous years. This year’s budgetary cycle was paralyzed by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and further complicated by aggressive executive realignments. Navigating these legislative delays requires grantseekers to cut through the headline noise and pinpoint the actual drivers that will impact their grant funding pipeline. Ultimately, the most successful organizations will be those ready to identify emerging priorities and adapt their programmatic strategies to the realities of the current administration.

This article will outline the major federal budgetary updates from 2026, breaking down how these shifts impact the grantseeking landscape. For more targeted insights, please refer to our sectorspecific breakdowns available throughout this issue.

U.S. Federal Budget Summary: Critical Infrastructure

Federal critical infrastructure grants finance the construction, maintenance, and defense of essential public works across the U.S. While municipal bonds, state highway funds, and ratepayer fees fuel the baseline operations of public utilities and transportation networks, federal discretionary grants provide necessary supplemental capital. These federal dollars tackle a wide array of high-impact projects—from repaving roads and replacing pipes in wastewater networks to modernizing the power grid to handle increased loads and deploying middle- and last-mile broadband to connect unserved areas. Ultimately, this grant funding primarily flows to state, local, and tribal governments, alongside targeted special districts, transit agencies, and port or airport authorities.

U.S. Federal Budget Summary: Healthcare

Healthcare grants support the physical and behavioral well-being of communities across the U.S. While private insurance, state budgets, and major entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, fuel the day-to-day operations of medical facilities, federal discretionary grants are designed to step in where standard revenue cycles fall short. Whether expanding telehealth access in a remote rural hospital or rapidly deploying resources to combat a local substance use crisis, these funds ensure vulnerable populations are not left behind. Ultimately, this grant funding flows beyond traditional hospital walls—empowering a diverse network of state health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and community-based nonprofits to deliver care where it is needed most.

By Amanda Day, Grants Development Consultant (State and Local Government)

Education grants play a vital role in the well-being and future of Native American tribes. These funds help to address and reconcile the effects of historical injustices that limited educational access and opportunities for Indigenous communities. Beyond addressing inequities, these grants strengthen cultural preservation by supporting language preservation, traditional knowledge, and community-based education. They also empower tribes to exercise greater self-determination by creating pathways for leadership, capacity building, and local decision-making. In addition, education grants contribute to long-term economic development by equipping tribes with skills, training, and credentials that expand career opportunities, strengthen tribal governance, and promote sustainable community growth.

SUMMARY: The Solid Waste for Infrastructure grant program assist local waste management authorities by supporting improvements to local post-consumer materials management, including municipal recycling programs, and assisting local waste management authorities in making improvements to local waste management systems. This program provides a critical opportunity to fund a range of high-impact projects to increase recycling, reduce contamination, and promote a circular economy for sustainable materials management by making much-needed investments in solid waste management infrastructure

Native American and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face significant and long-standing health disparities compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. These disparities underscore the urgent need for robust and flexible funding mechanisms like grants.

Geographic isolation and the lack of nearby healthcare facilities pose substantial challenges to accessing care in rural areas. However, approximately 70% of Native people reside in urban areas. As a result, many urban Native individuals lack direct access to the resources offered by IHS or tribally operated facilities. Language and communication barriers, along with a lack of representation in the healthcare workforce and a history of discrimination, further limit access to healthcare and erode patient trust.

SUMMARY: This program provides funds to tribal governments to respond to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth through the age of 24 years by building a healthy network of systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth. SAMHSA expects this program to be a model for community change that integrates a community’s culture, resources, and readiness to address suicide prevention and substance use/misuse among AI/AN youth.

SUMMARY: The Sexual Assault Services – Community-based Services Program (SAS CSP) supports nonprofit organizations that aim to enhance access to services for all survivors by providing community-based services in culturally specific communities. Applicants must have documented organizational experience in the area of sexual assault intervention or partner with an organization having such expertise.

SUMMARY: The Sexual Assault Services – Community-based Services Program (SAS CSP) supports nonprofit organizations that aim to enhance access to services for all survivors by providing community-based services in culturally specific communities. Applicants must have documented organizational experience in the area of sexual assault intervention or partner with an organization having such expertise.

SUMMARY: This program is focused on community-driven projects designed to grow local economies, strengthen Native American families, including the preservation of Native American cultures, and decrease the high rate of current challenges caused by the lack of community-based businesses, and social and economic infrastructure in Native American communities.

Tribal communities across the United States face unique challenges related to public safety and law enforcement. These challenges stem from a combination of geographical isolation, underfunded services, and complex jurisdictional issues that often leave Native American communities vulnerable.

One critical solution to these problems is increased public safety grant funding for tribes. Grants can provide tribes with the resources necessary to build or strengthen their public safety infrastructure. Whether it is funding for law enforcement agencies, emergency services, or crime prevention programs, grants can allow tribes to strengthen their capacity to protect their communities.

SUMMARY: This program provides funds to tribal governments to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and stalking in their communities. 

By Amanda Day, Grants Development Consultant (State and Local Government)

Transportation is a critical component of modern life, connecting individuals to jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services. Efficient roadways and public transportation services affect access to jobs, education, and reliable healthcare. However, for many tribal communities, poor transportation infrastructure presents a barrier to social and economic opportunities.