Office of Insular Affairs

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Office of Insular Affairs

OIA supports the U.S. territories of American Samoa, CNMI, Guam and USVI and administers Compact Grant assistance to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

08/19/2026

We gathered questions from our local community about deep sea minerals and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has answered them! This first set of FAQ came directly from you - our community. Below, they are summarized for your review. Use these infographics to help spur productive conversations and

07/28/2026

The Office of Insular Affairs is Hiring! Join Our Team as a Desk Officer.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs is hiring Desk Officers in Honolulu, HI, to serve as senior analysts and liaisons supporting economic stability and governance in U.S. insular areas and freely associated states. Responsibilities include federal coordination, policy guidance, program support, and strategic analysis. Seeking candidates with policy, communication, and intergovernmental experience. Apply by August 7, 2026!

DEU Announcement: OS-1500-26-KS-062-DE
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/878084500

MP Announcement: OS-1500-26-KS-063 MP
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/878085200

07/21/2026

Celebrating Guam Liberation Day!

Guamanians commemorate and celebrate Liberation Day today. On this date in 1944, the island was liberated from Japanese occupation during World War II, with the U.S. flag again being raised there. While some of the annual events acknowledging the importance of this day were cancelled due to the effects of recent super typhoon Bavi, the importance of the day remains.

We join with the CHamoru people and all Guamanians in remembering and honoring the U.S. military and CHamoru people who lost their lives, honoring the veterans who are still with us, and recognizing the hardships endured by and the resilience of the CHamoru people.
Today is also a celebration of the unique role Guam plays in the American Story during America’s 250th Anniversary.

Happy Liberation Day! 🇬🇺 🇺🇸

07/07/2026

💔 Thinking of Guam, Rota, and everyone in the Northern Marianas.

Our hearts go out to everyone in the Northern Marianas impacted by Super Typhoon Bavi. This Category 5-equivalent storm brought catastrophic winds and major damage to the islands, with power outages, destroyed homes, and limited communications. Please keep the community in your thoughts as recovery begins.

If you’re in the area, please continue to follow official alerts from the National Weather Service and local authorities for safety updates. Stay sheltered and stay safe.

We’re with you today, tomorrow, and every day on the road to renewal.

For the latest updates, follow Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, US National Weather Service Guam, and CNMI Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor.

05/15/2026

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has approved an exemption allowing State Driver’s Licensing Agencies to issue non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to eligible citizens of the Freely Associated States residing in the United States.

The exemption, effective May 14, 2026, through May 14, 2031, allows eligible citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia to obtain and renew non-domiciled CDLs, subject to annual renewal requirements. Applicants must present a valid, unexpired FSM passport and Form I-94 documentation.

Eligible individuals must:

• Reside in the U.S.
• Possess a valid, unexpired passport issued by a Freely Associated State
• Hold a valid Form I-94 or I-94A

This action helps expand workforce opportunities and supports greater access to commercial driving careers for citizens of the Freely Associated States living and working in communities across the United States.

Leadership from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs advocated for this change at the request of the Freely Associated State governments, supporting efforts to reduce barriers to employment and strengthen economic opportunity for FAS citizens residing in the United States.

04/30/2026

Due to the impacts of Super Typhoon Sinlaku on the CNMI and Guam, DOI will be extending our FY 2026 notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) to June 8, 2026 (from May 18) on GrantSolutions and Grants.gov. The programs included are all under our assistance listing 15.875 and include the following programs:

OIA Technical Assistance Program 2026
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/f863346e-81fb-4c30-aeab-dc59754e2cdd

OIA Brown Treesnake Program 2026
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/896bca38-367b-41be-b1d2-66f6f6e264ed

OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2026
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/1e679766-f68e-4f07-ad68-609e687ec3bb

FY 2026 Energizing Insular Communities Program
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/674800aa-362e-45d4-be83-fabf9c6ca918

OIA Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources (CRNR) Program 2026
https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/5954b39b-33b5-4d30-9952-c9edccbf6cef

04/23/2026

Celebrating Flag Day in American Samoa 🇦🇸

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs extends our sincere gratitude to Governor P**a and the people of American Samoa for the warm welcome and the opportunity to participate in this year’s Flag Day celebration.

Flag Day commemorates the historic moment in 1900 when the American flag was first raised over Tutuila and Aunu’u, marking the beginning of a lasting partnership grounded in shared history, service, faith, and opportunity. Today, we honor that enduring bond and the generations who continue to carry it forward.

We are especially proud to recognize the extraordinary military service of American Samoans, whose commitment to the United States Armed Forces reflects unmatched courage, loyalty and sacrifice.

This year’s celebration carries added significance as we mark Freedom 250, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary across states and territories. American Samoa’s heritage, culture, and contributions remain an essential part of our nation’s story.
Through the Office of Insular Affairs, the Department is proud to support this partnership with meaningful investments, including:

-$30,000 in grant funding to support educational and cultural activities tied to Flag Day and Freedom 250.

-More than $2 million in water infrastructure investments to strengthen public health and ensure reliable access to clean water

-$270,000 to support public education and outreach related to offshore mineral exploration and economic opportunity

These investments reflect our shared commitment to building strong, resilient communities and expanding opportunity for future generations.

As we celebrate, we honor the strength, unity and shared purpose that continue to define the relationship between American Samoa and the United States.

Fa’afetai tele lava for your hospitality, your leadership, and your stewardship of this proud tradition!

04/15/2026

Office of Insular Affairs is grateful to President Donald J. Trump for the swift approval of emergency declarations supporting leaders in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam as they worked to safeguard lives and property amidst Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

We stand in full solidarity with our partners in CNMI, Guam and the people of Chuuk as they respond to impacts of the storm. The Department of the Interior remains committed to supporting response and recovery efforts across the insular areas during this challenging time.

Our hearts are with all those affected, and we recognize the courage, unity and perseverance demonstrated by island communities as they navigate the days ahead.

04/10/2026

This week in the CNMI:

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands hosted its first-ever on-island Biosecurity Forum, bringing together local, federal and international partners to address invasive species and emerging marine threats.

Held this week on Saipan, the forum brought together local agencies, federal partners, and international experts to address growing threats from invasive species and emerging marine risks, while building long-term capacity to protect the islands’ environment, economy and way of life.

This milestone event marks an important step forward, including the development of CNMI’s first dedicated marine biosecurity plan, strengthening coordination across partners, and expanding focus from land-based to marine threats that impact coral reefs, fisheries and coastal communities.

Through continued collaboration and targeted investments, Interior is committed to supporting insular areas in safeguarding their natural resources for future generations.

Address

1849 C Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20240

Website

http://www.doi.gov/oia

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