Museums for America (2025)
ID: 355958Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Award Range

$5K - $250K

Eligible Applicants

Others

Funding Category

Humanities

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/355958

Additional Information

https://imls.gov/grants/available/museums-america
Timeline
    Description

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Museums for America (MFA) federal grant program for 2025, aimed at supporting museums in various project-based initiatives that enhance public engagement through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections management. Eligible applicants, including state, local, and tribal governments as well as nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status, are required to provide cost-sharing or matching funds from non-federal sources to qualify for grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. With a total funding allocation of $21,699,000 and an anticipated 122 awards, the application deadline is set for November 15, 2024, and award notifications are expected in August 2025. For further details, applicants can contact IMLS at imls-museumgrants@imls.gov or visit the program's website at https://imls.gov/grants/available/museums-america.

    Point(s) of Contact
    imls-museumgrants@imls.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    fy25-oms-mfa-NOFO.pdf
    The FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Museums for America (MFA) program announces a federal grant initiative aimed at supporting museums in various project-based efforts. The program, managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), encourages applications for projects that enhance exhibitions, educational offerings, and collections management, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes aligned with strategic plans. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, with a total funding allocation of $21,699,000 for an anticipated 122 awards, each ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Eligible applicants include state, local, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status. A cost-sharing requirement mandates that recipients match federal funding with non-federal sources. Key components of the application process include a detailed narrative outlining the project’s justification, work plan, and expected results, along with required documents such as budgets and personnel information. Applications will undergo peer review to ensure alignment with the MFA goals of lifelong learning, community engagement, and collections stewardship. Award notifications are expected in August 2025, supporting museum-driven initiatives that foster public engagement and enhance cultural resources.
    Similar Opportunities
    Museums Empowered (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the "Museums Empowered (2025)" grant program aimed at enhancing professional development within museums. This initiative focuses on four key areas: Digital Technology, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Evaluation, and Organizational Management, with the goal of fostering systemic change through targeted training activities. The program is designed to support state, local, Tribal governments, and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in improving operational practices and community engagement. A total of $4,299,000 is available for approximately 20 awards, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. Applications are due by November 15, 2024, and interested parties can reach out to Mark Isaksen at misaksen@imls.gov or visit the IMLS website for more information.
    National Leadership Grants for Museums (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the National Leadership Grants for Museums (NLG-M) for the fiscal year 2025, aimed at supporting projects that address critical needs within the museum sector and enhance public services. Eligible applicants, including state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, are invited to submit proposals for funding ranging from $50,000 to $750,000, with a total program funding of $5.8 million expected to support approximately 15 projects. This grant opportunity emphasizes the importance of advancing museum practices and fostering public access to cultural heritage, with a requirement for a 1:1 cost share for non-research projects. Interested applicants must submit their applications electronically by November 15, 2024, and can find further details and eligibility criteria in the Notice of Funding Opportunity available at IMLS website. For inquiries, contact Helen Wechsler at hwechsler@imls.gov or imls-museumgrants@imls.gov.
    Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Inspire! Grants for Small Museums for the fiscal year 2025, aimed at supporting small museums through project-based initiatives that enhance public engagement and institutional capacity. Eligible applicants, including small museums and related nonprofit organizations across the U.S., can apply for funding to support projects in areas such as lifelong learning, collections stewardship, and institutional capacity development, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. IMLS anticipates awarding approximately $3 million to fund around 75 projects, with applications due by November 15, 2024, and successful applicants notified by August 2025. For more information, interested parties can contact IMLS at imls-museumgrants@imls.gov or visit the program's webpage at https://imls.gov/grants/available/inspire-grants-small-museums.
    21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services is offering the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2025), a federal grant opportunity aimed at enhancing the professional development of museum staff across the United States. This program seeks to support projects that provide training for current museum professionals, recruit future talent, and share effective practices in museum workforce education, with a particular emphasis on fostering diversity within the field. With a total funding pool of $2 million, the program anticipates awarding approximately eight grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each, with applications due by November 15, 2024. Interested applicants, including state, local, and Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions, should refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed eligibility criteria and application requirements, and may contact Mark Isaksen at misaksen@imls.gov for further assistance.
    Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) for the fiscal year 2025, aimed at enhancing the capacity of African American museums and supporting the professional development of museum staff. This grant program seeks to fund projects that address specific needs within the African American cultural context, fostering community engagement and increasing access to museum and archival collections. With a total funding pool of $6 million available for approximately 35 awards, individual grants will range from $5,000 to $500,000. Interested applicants, including state, local, or tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status, and historically black colleges and universities, must submit their applications by November 15, 2024, and can find further details and eligibility requirements on the IMLS website or by contacting Jessica Ottley at jottley@imls.gov.
    Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (ALHC) program, aimed at enhancing the capacity of American Latino museums to serve their communities. This grant program supports projects focused on public programs, exhibitions, workforce development, and collections management, with the goal of advancing the professional workforce in American Latino cultural institutions. A total of $6 million is available for funding, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, and applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by November 15, 2024. For further inquiries, interested applicants can contact Gibran Villalobos at gvillalobos@imls.gov or via the IMLS email at imls-museumgrants@imls.gov.
    Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services grant program for the fiscal year 2025, aimed at enhancing the capacity of Indian Tribes and organizations serving Native Hawaiians. This grant program supports projects that focus on sustaining indigenous heritage, culture, and knowledge through educational services, workforce development, community engagement, and collections stewardship. With a total funding pool of $3,772,000, individual awards will range from $5,000 to $250,000, with applications due by November 15, 2024, and an anticipated award decision in June 2025. Interested applicants, including federally recognized Indian Tribes and nonprofit organizations, should prepare detailed project narratives and budgets, and can reach out to Sarah Glass at sglass@imls.gov for further inquiries.
    National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) for the year 2025, aimed at enhancing library services across the United States. This grant program seeks to fund projects that address critical needs in libraries and archives, focusing on areas such as workforce capacity, technology integration, community betterment, and disaster response. With an estimated total program funding of $11.5 million, individual grants will range from $25,000 to $1 million, supporting approximately 45 projects. Preliminary applications are due by September 20, 2024, with full applications required by March 10, 2025. For more information, applicants can contact IMLS at imls-librarygrants@imls.gov or visit the program's webpage at https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/national-leadership-grants-libraries.
    Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2025)
    Active
    Institute of Museum and Library Services
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) for 2025, aimed at enhancing the training and professional development of library and archival professionals in the United States. This grant program seeks to recruit, educate, and retain a diverse workforce in libraries and archives, with a focus on fostering community engagement and capacity-building for future leaders in the field. With an estimated total program funding of $8.5 million, individual awards will range from $25,000 to $1,000,000, and applications must be submitted in two phases: Preliminary Applications by September 20, 2024, and Full Applications by March 10, 2025. For more information, interested applicants can contact IMLS at imls-librarygrants@imls.gov or visit the program's webpage at https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program.
    FY 2024 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) STEM Innovator Award
    Active
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is offering the FY 2024 Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) STEM Innovator Award, aimed at enhancing informal education organizations' capacity to provide STEM learning opportunities aligned with NASA missions. This grant seeks proposals from informal education institutions, such as museums and libraries, to develop innovative, inquiry-based educational experiences that broaden participation in STEM, particularly for historically underrepresented and underserved K-12 students. With an estimated total program funding of $3,250,000 and individual awards ranging from $0 to $250,000, interested applicants must submit their proposals by September 26, 2024. For further details, applicants can contact Dr. Beverly Girten at teamii@nasaprs.com or visit the provided link for additional information.