[Institute of Museum and Library Services](https://www.imls.gov)

March 13, 2026

$5,000–$500,000 per award (1–3 years); $6 million total program funding; ~35 awards expected

Supports capacity-building, professional development, and collections access at African American museums and HBCUs.

Cost share required for requests over $100,000; see eligibility details below.

--- ## Description This program supports projects that build the capacity of African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), nurture museum professionals, and increase access to museum and archival collections. The funding aims to strengthen institutional operations, expand public and educational programming, improve collections care, and support workforce development through internships, fellowships, and training. The program is designed to serve museums, museum service organizations, higher education institutions (especially HBCUs), and museum professionals, with the broader goal of advancing African American history, art, and culture. --- ## Due Dates - Applications are due by **March 13, 2026** at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time via Grants.gov. - Anticipated award notifications: August 2026 - Earliest project start date: September 1, 2026 - Project period: 1–3 years --- ## Funding Amount - **Award range:** $5,000–$500,000 per project - Small projects ($5,000–$100,000): No cost share required - Large projects ($100,001–$500,000): 1:1 cost share required from non-federal sources - **Estimated total program funding:** $6,000,000 - **Expected number of awards:** Approximately 35 - **Average prior award:** ~$171,429 - **Grant period:** 1 to 3 years --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet **all** of the following: - Be a unit of state, local, or Tribal government **or** a private, nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status. - Be located in the U.S., District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau. - Qualify as one of: - A museum whose primary purpose is the presentation and interpretation of African American life, art, history, and/or culture. - A museum service organization or association supporting African American museums. - A public or private nonprofit agency operating an eligible museum. - A Historically Black College or University (HBCU). - Museums must: - Use professional staff. - Be organized on a permanent basis for educational, cultural heritage, or aesthetic purposes. - Own or use tangible objects, care for them, and exhibit them to the public at least 120 days per year. - Museums within a parent organization may apply if they function as a discrete unit with a segregated budget and authority to apply. - Multiple applications allowed for separate, distinct projects. - Partnerships are welcome; lead applicant must meet eligibility. - Ineligible: Applications for renewal/supplementation of currently active IMLS awards. --- ## Application Process 1. **Register early** with SAM.gov (UEI required) and Grants.gov (can take several weeks). 2. **Prepare application components** (all PDFs except SF-424S form): - SF-424S (via Grants.gov) - IMLS Museum Program Information Form - Organizational Profile (2 pages recommended) - Narrative (7 pages max) - Schedule of Completion (1 page per year) - IMLS Budget Form and Budget Justification - List and resumes of key project staff/consultants - Performance Measurement Plan - Conditionally required documents (e.g., proof of nonprofit status, indirect cost agreement, Digital Products Plan, conservation reports) - Optional supporting documents (letters of support, images, reports, etc.) 3. **Submit via Grants.gov** by the deadline. 4. **Peer review**: Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness, then evaluated by field experts. 5. **Award notification**: Expected in August 2026. --- ## Additional Information - **Allowable costs:** Personnel, travel, materials, software, equipment, accessibility, evaluation, training, internships, indirect costs, etc. - **Unallowable costs:** Fundraising, endowments, general operating support, collections acquisition, construction/renovation, general advertising, entertainment, research projects. - **Reporting:** Interim and final financial and performance reports required. - **Acknowledgment:** IMLS support must be cited in all products/publications. - **Compliance:** Recipients must adhere to federal regulations, conflict of interest policies, and nondiscrimination laws. --- ## External Links - [Program page and full NOFO (IMLS)](https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/museum-grants-for-african-american-history-and-culture) - [Grants.gov listing and application portal](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361144) - [FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)](https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/fy26-oms-aahc-NOFO.pdf) - [Getting Started with IMLS Museum Grants (webinar)](https://www.imls.gov/webinars/getting-started-imls-museum-grants-fy-2026) - [Budget and Budget Justification webinar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41tpuBfcdnU&list=PL3dRqLcqcFkXaFG-KnpOXbC5jA3hkN9GX) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Notes | |----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Program Officer (general) | [imls-museumgrants@imls.gov](mailto:imls-museumgrants@imls.gov) | 202-653-4667 | General inquiries and programmatic questions | | Mark Isaksen (Supervisory Grants Management Specialist) | [misaksen@imls.gov](mailto:misaksen@imls.gov) | 202-653-4667 | Schedule a call via [this link](https://outlook.office365.com/book/IMLSOfficeofMuseumServices@imls.gov/s/1HOvLQBalUK1dgw7r0y7fA2?ismsaljsauthenabled) | | IMLS main info | [imlsinfo@imls.gov](mailto:imlsinfo@imls.gov) | (202)-653-4657 | General agency information | | Grants.gov support | support@grants.gov | 1-800-518-4726 | Technical/applications issues (24/7 except holidays) | ---

Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026)

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