Upcoming Tribal Consultations on OMB’s Proposed Changes to Federal Financial Assistance Regulations
On November 4, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing upcoming Tribal Consultations regarding OMB’s proposed revisions to federal financial assistance regulations. The proposal would significantly revise the framework governing federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of federal financial assistance used by Tribal Nations, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), and Tribal-serving programs.
OMB will hold an in-person Tribal Consultation on:
Date: November 9, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
OMB will hold a virtual Tribal Consultation on:
Date: November 10, 2026
Format: Virtual
To RSVP to either session, or for questions about the consultation sessions, contact the Office of Federal Financial Management at MBX.OMB.Grants@omb.eop.gov.
Participants will be allowed up to three minutes to share their views. Written feedback will be accepted for up to five business days following the sessions.
Background on OMB Proposed Rule
On May 29, 2026, OMB published a proposed rule titled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance (OMB-2026-0034), which would impact how nearly all grant awards are administered and overseen. This proposed revision would expand federal agency authority to terminate or suspend discretionary awards that are determined to no longer serve the program goals, agency priorities, or the federal government interest.
NCUIH previously submitted comments on the proposal requesting that the agency meaningfully engage with UIOs, allow additional rounds of public comment and engagement with UIOs and Tribes, and exclude applications from and awards to UIOs, Tribes, and Tribal Organizations from the changes in the proposed rule.
NCUIH has consistently highlighted the importance of ensuring that federal policy changes are developed in consultation with Tribal Nations and implemented in a manner that upholds trust and treaty obligations and protects Tribal and Urban Indian programs.
NCUIH will continue to monitor developments.
