The Department of Education is issuing a notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the State Tribal Education Partnership Grant Program (STEP). The purposes of STEP are to: · Promote Tribal self-determination in education; · Improve the academic achievement of Indian children and youth; and · Promote the coordination and collaboration of Tribal educational agencies (TEAs), as defined in this notice, with State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to meet the unique education and culturally related academic needs of Indian students. STEP is authorized under section 6132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA). In this competition, the Department uses the priorities from section 6132 of the ESEA and from the Department’s notice of final priorities, requirements, and definitions published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register (NFP). The priorities support the development of partnerships among TEAs, SEAs, and LEAs to promote the creation of new TEAs or expansion of early TEAs to improve identification of Native students in public education data and enhance Tribal consultation. STEP is one of many efforts across the Federal Government to strengthen the government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations throughout the United States. The intent for this competition is to award STEP grants to create new TEAs; increase collaboration among TEAs, SEAs, and LEAs; and build the capacity of TEAs to directly administer education programs, including formula grant programs under the ESEA, consistent with State law and under a written agreement among the parties. | 
