These awards will allow museums and related organizations to enhance community programming, care for the nation’s collections, and advance practice in the museum field. Applications accepted now through November 15, 2023.

Washington, DC—Museums and related organizations across the United States have six opportunities in the coming months to apply for grants from the nation’s primary source of federal funding for museum services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for six grant programs:

• Museums for America
• Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
• Museums Empowered
• National Leadership Grants for Museums
• Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
• Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services

Applications for all six programs are due on November 15, 2023. Applicants should review the notices of funding opportunity carefully to understand each program’s specific goals and objectives, which reflect the agency’s focus on championing lifelong learning, strengthening community engagement, and advancing collections stewardship and access.

New to the Inspire! program for Fiscal Year 2024, IMLS will fund two different project types:

• Small projects: $5,000 - $25,000 with no cost share required;
• Large Projects: $25,001 - $75,000 with 1:1 cost share required (also raises maximum funding from $50K last year)

Also, IMLS is proud to announce the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services program maximum funding level increased to $250,000.

“IMLS funding supports everything from museums' implementation of their strategic visions to innovation and cutting-edge research across disciplines,” said Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director of the Office of Museum Services. “In this year's cycle we will continue our regular investments in capacity building and workforce development, and look forward to proposals that support preparation for the approaching semiquincentennial and strengthening museums' capacity as places of civic engagement and community dialogue.”

Prospective grant applicants are invited to view webinars on how to choose the appropriate funding opportunity and to learn more about each grant program. Visit the IMLS website for a listing of on-demand webinars.

For questions or guidance, please contact the staff members listed on the grant program web pages.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.