HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Tribal Community: 2025 Call for Entries

Application Guidelines

There is no fee to submit an application. HUD will accept nominations from Tribes, Tribal Leaders, and TDHEs, as well as Tribal partners and other individuals and organizations working in the Tribal space. Each application must include:

• Title of the project
• Project Abstract (limit 1 page)
• Project Narrative (limit 4 pages)
• Priority Area (Select One): Community Development, New Housing Construction, Supporting Native Youth, Honoring and Serving Native Veterans
• Name and contact information of the person submitting the application
• Supporting Documentation
• Photo(s) or Video(s)

Please note: The selected project must have been launched or completed within the last four years.

Project Abstract

The abstract, which could be used for publication, should be no more than one (1) page and must address the following:

• Goal(s)
• Objective(s)
• Partner(s)
• Name of HUD program that helped fund the project
• Other funding source(s) (if applicable)
• Results

Supporting Documentation

Additional supporting documents may be included for your project. This can be no longer 600 words, one webpage, 1 graphic, or 15 seconds of video or audio. This could take the form of a review of the implementation effort; analysis of results; editorials; press; support letters/Tribal resolutions; or legislative, regulatory, or policy provisions.

Photographs or Videos

You must submit at least one photo, image, or a video with your nomination. This can be as simple as a “before” and “after” photo of work completed in your program. You may submit up to five high resolution photo files and up to 60 seconds of video. We cannot accept photo collages or slide presentations.

Please only provide files and images that may be reproduced by HUD without a fee or copyright infringement.

Photos or images of individuals must have had their permission for use. (HUD Photo Authorization Form)

Please include a caption of up to 25 words with each photo and/or video you submit.

The Award winner’s photos and/or video will be posted on the HUD Secretary’s Awards webpage and may be used in promotional materials by HUD.

Confidential or Trade Secret Information

Please do not submit confidential, trade-secret, or otherwise non-disclosable information or data. We will not review a nomination that indicates it contains such information or data.

All nomination forms and supporting documentation become HUD’s property.

Questions?

For more information about the Office of Native American Programs, please visit: www.hud.gov/codetalk.

For general award information or questions on the nomination process, please contact: Codetalk@hud.gov.

For technical support, please contact: helpdesk@huduser.gov.

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Scoring Criteria

Project/Program Narrative (60 points)
The narrative can be up to four (4) pages and must include/describe the content areas listed below:

• The name of the Tribe, TDHE, and/or the Tribal community served
• The history of the project
• The name(s) of the HUD program(s) that helped fund the project
• The measurable benefits to the Tribal community served (It is very important to use relevant data while demonstrating the impact of the project. This may include the number of residents served, cost savings, distance of infrastructure installed, units built/acquired, Native youth engaged, etc.)

Innovation (15 points)

• Specify any innovative project impacts on housing conditions or a Tribal community’s wellbeing.
• Projects do not need to address a new area of concern. (For example, the project could address a longstanding issue and/or a new challenge).
• All projects should show innovative aspects in addressing the concerns.

Partnership/Collaboration (15 points)

• Explain the role(s) that partnering organizations played in the project.
• Explain whether the partnerships were formal or informal.
• Describe the efforts to coordinate activities.
• Explain the role(s) that the partners played during different phases of the project.
• Identify the public and private funding sources that supported the project.

Sustainability (10 points)

• Describe how the project will maintain its impact in the future, focusing on overall sustainability.
• If applicable, discuss the how the project incorporated renewable energy sources, energy-saving materials, technologies that reduce energy consumption, and highlight energy efficiency policies and the sources of support, including funding and/or related partnerships.

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