Office of American Indian Health and Tribal Relations Grant Programs
The Office of American Indian Health and Tribal Relations (OAIHTR) currently manages five grant programs to Tribal Nations and urban American Indian community-based organizations.
Current grants are:
The American Indian Special Emphasis grant program is a state-funded program that began in 2024. The 2023 Minnesota Legislature established (Minnesota Statutes, Section 144.0758) the American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants to address health equity issues specific to Tribal Nations and urban community-based American Indian organizations, address the health impact of historical trauma, reduce health disparities in American Indian communities, and incorporate a multisector approach to address disparities.
This funding recognizes the disparities caused by historical trauma. American Indian Special Emphasis supports culturally responsive programming that respects Tribal sovereignty, cultural identity, and knowledge to ensure the health and wellbeing of future generations.
This funding is for Tribal Nations and urban American Indian community-based organizations. Tribal grantees can find information and documents for the 2027-2031 grant period here: Tribal Grants for 2027-2031 Grant Cycles
The Foundational Public Health Responsibilities (FPHR) grant program is state-funded and comes from Minnesota Statutes 145A.14, subdivision 2d to support Tribal Nations as they build, improve, and sustain critical public health infrastructure.
This funding began in 2024 to provide Tribes with funding to fulfill foundational public health responsibilities either using the FPHR framework or as defined by Tribal governments. Foundational public health responsibilities are the minimum package of public health services that governmental public health should deliver to communities, and that should be available everywhere, for public health to work anywhere.
This funding is only available for Tribal Nations. Tribal grantees can find information and documents for the 2027-2031 grant period here: Tribal Grants for 2027-2031 Grant Cycles
This funding is also available for Local Public Health: Funding for Foundational Public Health Responsibilities
To learn more about the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities, please visit:
Measuring Capacity and Building Infrastructure in Partnership with Tribal Public Health - Transforming the Public Health System in Minnesota
Foundational Public Health Services
MDH is using a portion of its federal Preventative Block Grant (PBG) funds to address the mental health crisis and support community-driven efforts that prioritize culturally specific care.
The Office of American Indian Health and Tribal Relations received funds to support community capacity to integrate culturally based mental health care into existing community structures, ensuring sustainability and cultural relevance. Funds have been provided to grantees to enhance the sustainability of current programming and/or to develop plans for future efforts.
This funding opportunity is closed right now.
Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant
Preventive Health and Health Services (PHHS) Block Grant | CDC
A federally funded grant, to recruit, retain, and train a skilled and diverse public health workforce, address longstanding public health infrastructure needs, and increase the size of the public health workforce.
CDC Federal Infrastructure Grant
Public Health Infrastructure Grant | CDC
This funding is only available for Tribal Nations.
The Tribal Public Health Block grants are state funded through both Minnesota Statutes 145A.14, subdivision 2a and appropriations through Minnesota Session Laws - 2025 1st Special Session, chapter 3, article 21, section 3, subdivision 6.
Current Tribal Public Health Block grants (ending June 30, 2027) include three separate areas:
Eliminating Health Disparities (EHD)
Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
Public Health Flexible funds
Due to 2026 legislative changes, and to increase flexibility, these funding sources are being combined to provide one allotment of funding for a broad range of public health activities as determined by Tribal governments.
The purpose of these funds is to conduct public health activities that meet community needs, and support overall public health planning and initiatives as part of Tribal public health authority.
This funding is only available for Tribal Nations. Tribal grantees can find information and documents for the 2027-2031 grant period here: Tribal Grants for 2027-2031 Grant Cycles
Additional grant programs serving American Indian communities
MDH’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care administers funding opportunities related to health care. Tribal Nations, urban American Indian organizations, and non-profits are eligible for some of these programs: Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Grants and Funding
Public Health Grants to Tribal Nations
Tribal SHIP and Tribal Tobacco Grants
Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative (EHDI)
Health Equity Funding Opportunities
Family Home Visiting: Information for Minnesota Tribal Home Visiting Staff
