ITBC Herd Development Grant

Institutional program — your Tribe applies. Annual competitive grant from the InterTribal Buffalo Council to its member Tribes for one-year buffalo herd projects: establishing a new Tribally managed herd, long-term sustainability of the Tribal buffalo program, infrastructure and rangeland (fencing, water sources, corrals and handling facilities, trucks and trailers, meat processing), or spiritual and cultural practices. Your Tribe applies (Tribal Council resolution required); individual ranchers are not eligible. About 40 Tribes are funded each year from at least $1.3 million.

Member Tribes must pay their membership dues for the FY2025 (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025) prior to grant application. Herd Development Grant funds must be used for a buffalo herd which is owned by the Member Tribe. Tribes submitting an application must be in good standing with their previous grant reports, if applicable, as well as Federal eligibility (via www.sams.gov). Grants cannot be in the No Cost Extension status to be eligible to apply.

One-year project period (May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027); funds must be used for a Tribe-owned buffalo herd; 10-day appeal period after award letter; final payment after signed grant agreement.

Published amounts: There is no maximum cap for funding requests for the FY2024 Herd Development Grant. However, expected funding levels are between $0-$100,000. ITBC distributes at least 1.3 million dollars annually directly to tribes in the form of herd development funds.

Submit through the ITBC grant portal https://itbc.fluxx.io by 5pm MST on the posted deadline. Proposal = Tribal Council Resolution (signed, stating the FY) + online narrative (Tribal contact, number of buffalo, pasture/infrastructure, staff, annual operating budget, five-year goals, proposal summary, key personnel, budget narrative and funding request).

Deadline text on the page: All proposals and submission documents must be submitted through the ITBC grant portal https://itbc.fluxx.io , by the close of business (5pm MST) on March 15, 2026. (FY2025 guidelines). Project Period May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. Prior cycle (FY2024) deadline was May 15, 2025 — deadline month moves year to year.