Policy Watchtower/Proposed rule
ED proposes letting a Tribe's top elected official endorse applicants under state-return
Education DepartmentProposed ruleNov 5, 2026
Check: The Department of Education (ED) proposes that applicants endorsed by an Indian Tribe's highest ranking elected official could qualify under part (f) of the Returning Education to the States priority, and comments are due 2026-12-07.
What it does
Part (f) now covers projects carried out by entities identified, designated, or endorsed by a Governor or chief State education official. ED proposes adding an Indian Tribe's highest ranking elected official, after Tribes asked about endorsements in an FY 2026 competition. This would matter to Tribal governments and Native-serving organizations seeking ED funds for projects supporting Native American children, youth, and families.
Why it matters for tribal funding
Tribes eligible. Tribes or Native organizations are among those who can apply or are covered, alongside others.
Who it covers: Tribal governments, Native nonprofits.
Rules it touches: 34 CFR 75
What to do next
- Submit comments by 2026-12-07 at Regulations.gov under ID ED-2026-OS-3169.
- Decide how your Tribe would designate or endorse partner applicants if part (f) is used in future ED competitions.
Sources
Every signal is built from public records. The highlighted words appear in the source exactly as shown.
- Federal Register: tribal termsProposed RuleNov 5, 2026
Proposed Priorities and Definitions-Secretary's Supplemental Priorities and Definitions
Quoted from the source: “we determined that it would be beneficial to add an Indian Tribe's highest ranking elected official to the existing parties (i.e., Governor and chief State education official) in part (f).”
Read in the Federal RegisterU.S. government record, public domain.
Terms with a dotted underline open a plain-language definition. This is guidance, not legal advice: the official text always controls. A free public service from GrantsPath, a Native-owned business.