The Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans announces that it will be soliciting applications for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance - Esther Martinez Immersion program (EMI).
The program provides funding for community-based projects
credit:
that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction.
Programs funded under the EMI funding opportunity announcement must meet the requirements for either a Native American Language Nest, or a Native American Survival School.
As defined by Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (42 U.S.C.
§ 2991b-3(b)(7)), Language Nests are "site-based educational programs that- (i) provide instruction and child care through the use of a Native American language for at least 5 children under the age of 7 for an average of at least 500 hours per year per student," and Native American Survival Schools are "site-based educational programs for school-age students that- (i) provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction through the use of 1 or more Native American languages for at least 10 students for whom a Native American language survival school is their principal place of instruction."