U.S. solicits proposals for tribal workforce grant pilot program including AI training

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Office of Indian Services (OIS), Division of Workforce Development (DWD), Job Placement and Training, announced a FY 2026 discretionary grant pilot program titled 'Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program—IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment.'

The program is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeking proposals for tribal workforce development strategies that prepare tribal participants for employment in construction and infrastructure trades and emerging technology sectors.

Eligible training areas include advanced manufacturing, digital fabrication, artificial intelligence, drone and geospatial systems, and STEM-based workforce training.

The solicitation is issued under the BIA's Job Placement and Training program and targets tribal entities as applicants for funding.