Collaboration Requirements for Proposals that may Impact Tribal Resources or Interests

Grants Toolbox

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires that any proposal which may impact the resources or interests of a federally recognized Tribal Nation must include documentation showing that the proposer has formally requested review by the relevant Tribal Nation.

This requirement is outlined in the PAPPG (24-1) section, Seeking and Obtaining Tribal Nation Approval for Proposals that May Impact Tribal Resources or Interests.

At the proposal stage, only proof of the formal request to the potentially impacted Tribal Nation(s) is required. However, if the project is selected for funding, NSF will require written approval from each impacted Tribal Nation before issuing an award.

NSF will not award projects lacking the required prior written approval from the official(s) designated by the relevant Tribal Nation(s).

Tribal Research Coordination

All proposed projects involving Tribal Nations - whether they include direct engagement or simply require outreach to Tribal Nations to meet a federal sponsor requirement - must be reviewed in advance.

Each Tribal Research Coordination Request is reviewed by Samantha Eldridge, Director of the American Indian Resource Center and University of Utah Tribal Liaison.

The Tribal Liaison is responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships with the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, as well as with each of the state's eight federally recognized Tribal Nations and their community members. This coordinated structure ensures respectful engagement, appropriate communication pathways, and alignment with Tribal priorities and protocols.

Because of this, it is essetial for researchers to work within this coordination process before initiating any project that may involve, affect, or engage a Tribal community in any way.

Submit a Coordination Request

Federally recognized American Indian Tribes hold a unique trust-responsibility relationship with the United States federal government and maintain a legal sovereign status that shapes their government-to-government interactions at the federal, state, and local levels. This federal recognition establishes formal sovereignty, eligibility for federal programs, and a distinct political status.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior's annually published list in the Federal Register, there are 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. Of these, eight Tribal Nations are located in the State of Utah, as documented by the Utah Division of Indian Affairs.

weaver-tribal — **Guiding Principles in Native American Research**

Researchers seeking to engage with Tribal Nations or Indigenous community members are encouraged to view the OUR Education Series Presentation, which introduces essential principles and best practices for conducting respectful and responsible research.

Additional resources:

Office of Sponsored Projects

VP for Research

Guiding Principles in Native American Research

Researchers seeking to engage with Tribal Nations or Indigenous community members are encouraged to view the OUR Education Series Presentation, which introduces essential principles and best practices for conducting respectful and responsible research.