New NSF Requirement for Proposals that may Impact Tribal Resources or Interests
Effective May 20, 2024, relevant proposals are now required to include a formal request to any potentially impacted Tribal Nation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a new PAPPG (NSF 24-1) that includes a section, Seeking and Obtaining Tribal Nation Approval for Proposals that May Impact Tribal Resources or Interests.
At proposal, only the request is required, however, if the project is selected for funding, NSF will require documentation of written approval from all impacted Tribal Nations before Issuing an award.
Projects that do not have prior written approval from the official(s) designated by the relevant Tribal Nation(s) will not be awarded by NSF.
Tribal Research Coordination
All proposed projects involving Tribal Nations, including requests to Tribal Nations to satisfy a federal sponsor requirement, need to be reviewed in advance. Each Tribal Research Coordination Request is reviewed by Samantha Eldridge, Director, American Indian Resource Center and University of Utah Tribal Liaison.
The U Tribal Liaison fosters and develops relationships with the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, each of the state's eight federally recognized indigenous nations and their members.
It is important to work within this structure whenever considering embarking on research that affects or intends to engage in any way with a Tribal community.
Federally recognized American Indian Tribes are distinct in that they have a unique trust-responsibility relationship with the federal government as well as legal sovereign recognition with state, and local governments. As detailed by the Office of Tribal Relations, there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. and 8 of those tribes are in the State of Utah.
Questions to OSP about research and collaboration with Tribal Nations can be sent to Laurel Duncan.
Additional resources:
- Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments | Executive Order 13175
- Action Plan of the NSF to Enhance Tribal Consultation
- Supporting Tribal Nations in STEM | NSF
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act | National Park Services
- Tribal Research Policies, Processes and Protocols | National Park Service
- American Indian Resources | Utah Education Network
- Top 10 list of things to consider when working with tribal partners | Cultural Heritage Partners
- Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into Federal Research and Management | USGS Webinar Series
- Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge | White House