The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is requesting proposals for its Technical Assistance Program
(TAP) which provides grant funding for short-term projects intended to meet the immediate
needs of the insular areas.
The top priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: climate change
(including food and water security), disaster planning and response, energy production,
natural and cultural resources, youth programs, health initiatives and health IT systems,
public safety/emergencies, data improvements and invasive species management.
Other priorities for this Administration include, but are not limited to: accountability,
financial management, economic development, education, management control initiatives,
capacity building, and information technology.
TAP grants are not intended to supplant local funding of routine operating expenses of an insular
government or organization or to be used for construction projects. “Routine operating expenses”
include the purchase of office supplies and equipment upgrades, such as new computers, that are
not necessitated as part of a broader project, such as the installation of new financial
management software. TAP grants are not intended to fund the salaries of local, existing,
employees (see Section D. Application Restrictions) though they may be utilized to provide
temporary short-term expertise if approved in the proposal budget.
TAP funding is not intended for purchase of standard or routine vehicles though specialized
vehicles, such as ambulance or fire trucks, may be considered. Costs associated with providing
training should be limited to permanent career staff.
OIA’s limited grant funding should not, in general, be used to fund the training costs, including
travel costs, of insular area political officials with limited terms or appointments.