GrantPostedDiscretionary

Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026)

Institute of Museum and Library Services
AAHC-FY26
Application Deadline
Mar 13, 2026
Closed
Days Remaining
0
Deadline passed
Award Ceiling
$500,000
Total Program Funding
$6,000,000

Grant Opportunity Analysis

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) for fiscal year 2026, aimed at enhancing the capacity of African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This grant program seeks to support projects that foster professional development, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collections, thereby preserving African American history and culture. With an estimated total funding of $6,000,000, approximately 35 awards ranging from $5,000 to $500,000 will be granted, with applications due by March 13, 2026, and award notifications expected in August 2026. Interested applicants can find more information and eligibility requirements at the IMLS website or contact the agency via email at imls-museumgrants@imls.gov.

Eligible Applicants

Others
Additional Eligibility Information

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility information.

Grant Documents

1 Files
fy26-oms-aahc-NOFO.pdf
PDF895 KB1/16/2026
AI Summary
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) for FY2026. This funding opportunity, detailed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) AAHC-FY26, aims to support African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in preserving history, fostering appreciation for American heritage, utilizing new technologies, and promoting civil dialogue. The program, with an anticipated total of $6,000,000 for about 35 awards ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, seeks projects that build institutional capacity and support professional development. Key dates include a March 13, 2026, application deadline and an August 2026 award notification. Eligibility is restricted to specific types of museums, related organizations, and HBCUs located in the U.S. or its territories. Applicants must register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov, and proposals must align with specific program goals and objectives related to capacity building and workforce development. Cost share requirements vary by project size, with larger projects requiring a 1:1 match. Applications will undergo a peer review based on project justification, work plan, and results.

Related Grant Opportunities

Project Timeline

postedOriginal Opportunity PostedJan 13, 2026
deadlineApplication DeadlineMar 13, 2026

Funding Details

Award Ceiling
$500,000
Award Floor
$5,000
Est. Total Program Funding
$6,000,000
Expected Awards
35
Cost sharing required

Agency & Classification

Agency
Institute of Museum and Library Services(IMLS)
Funding Category
Humanities
Funding Instrument
Grant

Grantor Contact

CFDA Numbers

45.309

Official Sources