Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities:CAReS Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is issuing a forecasted funding opportunity titled “Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: CAReS Program.” This initiative is aligned with the IHS mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) to the highest level. Focused on supporting Tribal and Urban Indian communities, this program seeks to improve the full spectrum of dementia care for AI/AN individuals, rooted in Indigenous values and community self-determination. Through two distinct but complementary options, the program will support innovations and sustainable approaches to both dementia care delivery and caregiver support within these communities. Option A, the Dementia CAReS (Care Access, Resources, and Support) Program, will fund one national awardee to implement a coordinated, multi-faceted strategy. This includes providing mini-project funding for clinics to initiate culturally responsive services; developing a national Dementia Champion Network to engage local leaders and practitioners; capturing and disseminating best practices through toolkits and case studies; and implementing standardized evaluation and data tracking mechanisms via dashboards and common performance measures. These elements are intended to drive continuous quality improvement and build the field of culturally centered dementia care. Option B focuses on establishing a Dementia Caregiver Support and Training Center. Also funded through a single national award, this center will provide direct caregiver support, training resources, and technical assistance. The emphasis will be on equipping caregivers with culturally appropriate tools and knowledge, advancing leadership and advocacy skills, and delivering comprehensive support services to those caring for AI/AN individuals with dementia. The goal is to enhance both individual caregiver capacity and systemic support infrastructure through this centralized effort. Funding for the program includes a total estimated program budget of $750,000 for the initial year, with Option A awards ranging between $500,000 to $750,000 and Option B between $250,000 to $300,000. Projects are expected to span five one-year budget periods, for a total period of performance of five years. There is no matching or cost-sharing requirement. While specific application requirements and materials have not yet been finalized, this forecast provides important insight into program goals and funding structure. Final application instructions, forms, and evaluation criteria will be posted once the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is published. Eligible applicants include Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations as defined under 25 U.S.C. 1603(29), with current IHS contracts or awards under 25 U.S.C. 1653. Urban Indian organizations must be nonprofit entities governed by Indian-controlled boards and capable of partnering with public and private sectors to deliver the proposed services. Proof of nonprofit status is required, and documentation guidelines will be included in the forthcoming official application package. The estimated posting date for the full NOFO is March 2, 2026, with applications anticipated to be due June 1, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by August 21, 2026, with funded projects beginning on September 1, 2026. As a forecasted opportunity, the current timeline is subject to change and will be updated upon publication of the final solicitation. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare accordingly for submission once the official window opens.