Washington, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced two new funding opportunities for museums, libraries, federally recognized tribes, and organizations that primarily serve Native Hawaiians. The combined $15 million federal investment will provide direct support to these institutions, equipping them to respond to community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Museums and libraries have never been more essential to their communities,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “COVID-19 has not only created a public health emergency, but it has also created a deep need for trusted community information, education, and connection that our libraries and museums are designed to provide.”
The CARES Act allocated funding to IMLS to enable libraries and museums and organizations serving tribal communities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including by expanding digital network access, purchasing Internet accessible devices, and providing technical support services to their communities. The $15 million available through these new grants follows previous phases of funding announced over the past few weeks.
The deadline for submitting applications for either funding opportunity is June 12, 2020, with awards anticipated in August.
IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries supports museums and libraries in addressing their communities’ immediate and future needs caused by the pandemic. Projects may focus on preserving jobs, training staff, addressing the digital divide, planning for reopening, or providing technical support and capacity building for digital inclusion and engagement. Applicants are encouraged to prioritize services for high-need communities.
IMLS CARES Act Grants for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum and Library Services assists tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in responding to the urgent and future needs of their communities. Applications focused on digital inclusion, technical support, rehiring or retraining staff, reopening planning, and other pandemic-related priorities are welcomed.
“Access to and use of all kinds of health, job, government, educational, social, and cultural resources are necessary to weathering the current situation, beginning efforts to reopen, and providing services to sustain communities,” said Kemper. “Together, we can brighten the future for museums, libraries, and people across America.”
Upcoming Webinars
Interested applicants are invited to attend free informational webinars to learn more:
- IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries: Thursday, May 14, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
- IMLS CARES Act Grants for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum and Library Services: Friday, May 15, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
These webinars will be through GoToMeeting, and advance registration is required. Recordings will be made available on-demand on the IMLS website.
For More Information
To apply for these grants, as well as to IMLS’s other available funding opportunities, please visit the IMLS website.