The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will hold two Tribal Consultations and a Tribal listening session on October 19-20, 2026, during the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace in Palm Springs, California.
The sessions will provide opportunities for Tribal input on two NIH program areas and a policy under development:
- Two new initiatives within the NIH All of Us Research Program
- Proposed revisions to the renewal of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Resource Center for Tribal Epidemiological Centers (RC-TEC)
- The NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy currently under development
All three sessions will be held at:
Palm Springs Convention Center
277 N Avenida Caballeros
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Specific room assignments will be posted when available.
A virtual participation option may be available for one or more sessions. Individuals interested in participating virtually should contact [email protected]. Virtual participation information will be posted if and when available.
Monday, October 19
Tribal Consultation for All of Us Research Program
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time
NIH will conduct a Tribal Consultation on two new initiatives within the All of Us Research Program.
All of Us is expanding its existing data access model to contain an added level of sensitive participant data that will require mandatory review by an Institutional Review Board. The program is also planning to include self-identified American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) participants in the Partnered Research Studies initiative involving a large-scale biospecimen analysis effort.
NIH is seeking Tribal input on approaches for responsibly managing biospecimens from self-identified AI/AN participants in partnered research, ensuring the research yields meaningful community benefits, and managing sensitive data access in ways that honor both individual and Tribal rights.
Learn more about the All of Us Research Program Tribal Consultation
Tuesday, October 20
Listening Session for NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Pacific Time
The NIH Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) will host a listening session on the NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy currently under development.
The session will provide a forum for Tribal Leaders and designees to offer guidance and share perspectives, concerns, and recommendations on how NIH funding announcements, grant mechanisms, and research activities should recognize and uphold the inherent sovereignty of Tribal Nations over data generated by, about, and within their communities.
This listening session is not a Tribal Consultation and will not substitute for Tribal Consultation on the NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy. NIH will conduct a separate Tribal Consultation before the policy is finalized.
Learn more about the NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy Listening Session
Tribal Consultation for NIMHD Resource Center for Tribal Epidemiological Centers
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time
NIH will conduct a Tribal Consultation on proposed revisions to the renewal of NIMHD's Resource Center for Tribal Epidemiological Centers (RC-TEC) initiative.
The session will provide an overview of the proposed revisions and their potential implications for Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) and the Tribes they serve. The consultation will provide an opportunity for Tribal input and will help ensure that the revised initiative reflects Tribal priorities and the essential role of TECs in strengthening Tribal public health capacity, surveillance, data systems, and health sovereignty.
Learn more about the NIMHD RC-TEC Tribal Consultation
Written Tribal Testimony and Comments
NIH welcomes written Tribal testimony or comments concerning one or both Tribal Consultation(s).
Written submissions must be received by end of day November 20, 2026, and should:
- Be submitted by email to [email protected]
- Be provided on Tribal letterhead or otherwise clearly identify the submitting Tribe or Tribal organization
NIH also welcomes written comments concerning the NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy Listening session. Written input for the NIH Tribal Data Sovereignty Policy may be submitted to [email protected]. NIH will separately solicit Tribal testimony when the Tribal Consultation on the policy takes place.
Additional Information
Federal Register Notice: Notice of NIH Tribal Consultations and Listening Session
For additional information, contact the NIH Tribal Health Research Office at [email protected].