IMLS grants

IMLS funds libraries and museums. Part of its money goes to each state's library agency, which makes local grants; the rest goes to national competitions for libraries, museums and archives.

Open now: 13
Upcoming: 0
Next deadline: November 13, 2026

Funder's site All deadlines

Open and forecast IMLS opportunities

From Grants.gov, soonest deadline first.

Closes13 NOV
21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027)
IMLS · Others
The 21st Century Museum Professionals (21MP) grant program supports projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and identify and share effective workforce education and training practices in the museum field.
Open$100,000 to $500,000
Closes13 NOV
Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2027)
IMLS · Others
Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire) is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or small remote institutions and small museums that have not previously received federal funding. The program funds project-based efforts to serve the public through educationa
Open$5,000 to $75,000
Closes13 NOV
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027)
IMLS · Others
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities of all types and sizes and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
Open$75,000 to $1 million
Closes13 NOV
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027)
IMLS · Others
The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) program builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. The program supports projects that nurture museum professionals, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collect
Open$5,000 to $500,000
Closes13 NOV
Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2027)
IMLS · Others
The Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (ALHC) program supports projects that build the capacity of American Latino history and culture museums to serve their communities and advance the growth and development of a professional workforce in American Latino cultural institutions.
Open$5,000 to $500,000
Closes13 NOV
Museums Empowered (2027)
IMLS · Others
Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program, designed to support projects that use learning and training to generate change and growth within museums of all types and sizes.
Open$5,000 to $350,000
Closes13 NOV
Museums for America (2027)
IMLS · Others
he Museums for America (MFA) program invests in museums of all sizes – from small to large – and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities.
Open$5,000 to $350,000
Closes13 NOV
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2027)
IMLS · Others
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) projects enhance the quality of library services nationwide. The program supports projects that: promote adult reading, and health and financial literacies; focus on programming and archival practices related to our shared American history; manage and preserve the national information infrastructure; serve the
Open$25,000 to $1 million
Closes13 NOV
National Leadership Grants for Museums (2027)
IMLS · Others
The National Leadership Grants for Museums program (NLG-M) invests in projects that address critical needs of the museum field. NLG-M projects have the potential to advance practice in the profession to strengthen museum services for the public through the development and replication of model practices, tools, research findings, and collaborations, including
Open$50,000 to $750,000
Closes13 NOV
Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2027)
IMLS · Tribes
The Native American Basic Grants (NAB) program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAB progra
Open$6,000 to $10,000
Closes13 NOV
Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2027)
IMLS · Tribes
The Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program (NAE) assists eligible Native Communities in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The program supports
Open$50,000 to $150,000
Closes13 NOV
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2027)
IMLS · Others
The Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services program (NANH) supports Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in sustaining heritage, culture, and knowledge. The program supports projects such as educational services and programs, workforce professional development, organizat
Open$5,000 to $250,000
Closes13 NOV
Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2027)
IMLS · Others
The Native Hawaiian Library Services (NH) program is designed to assist Native Hawaiian serving organizations in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Native Hawaiian organizations must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The
Open$50,000 to $150,000

Where IMLS grant money went in 2025

Awards from October 2024 to September 2025, from USAspending.gov.

Largest programs
Program (Assistance Listing)	Awarded
Grants to States 45.310	$179 million
National Leadership Grants 45.312	$26 million
Museums for America 45.301	$15 million
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture 45.309	$6 million
Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services 45.311	$5.2 million
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program 45.313	$4.4 million
Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture 45.033	$4.3 million
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program 45.308	$3.5 million

Largest recipients
Recipient	Awarded
California State Library	$16 million
America250.Org, INC.	$14 million
Library & Archives Commission	$13 million
Florida Department of State	$9.7 million
New York State Education Department	$8.2 million
Secretary of State, Illinois	$5.7 million
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education	$5.6 million
State Library of Ohio	$5.4 million

Questions

When is the next IMLS grant deadline?

The next deadline is November 13, 2026 for 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027).

How do I apply for an IMLS grant?

Register your organization in SAM.gov to get a Unique Entity ID, create a Grants.gov account, then find the opportunity and submit before its deadline. Some agencies finish the application in their own system, such as JustGrants, eRA Commons or Research.gov.

Can individuals get IMLS grants?

Rarely. Federal grants go mostly to organizations: nonprofits, local governments, tribes, schools, colleges and, in research programs, small businesses. Help for individuals usually comes through state and local agencies.

Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?

No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.