fy27-ols-lb21-NOFO.pdf

Dear Colleague -

The Office of Library Services (OLS) is pleased that you are considering seeking support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the important work that you do for your communities. As the 250th anniversary year of our nation’s independence draws to a close, IMLS looks forward to working with you to keep the spirit of this celebration alive for years to come.

Now more than ever, we are thrilled to support America’s libraries, which can and should serve as civic centers of learning and culture for a nation of citizens. Benjamin Franklin once hoped that America’s libraries would make America’s “common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries.” It is our hope that the momentum built by libraries’ active participation in our shared national celebration across America will continue to carry on Franklin’s vision of libraries as bastions of education and culture in every community. We are excited not only to support general improvements across the library field, but also to promote libraries as they teach Americans about their heritage and history.

We encourage you to carefully read the Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for the library grant programs and shape your proposal in a way that responds to the Goals and Objectives of the program you choose.

In addition to the requirements set forth in the NOFOs, OLS encourages you to consider how your proposal might build upon, or relate to, OLS’ field-wide programs and initiatives. OLS particularly welcomes projects that:

• Meaningfully engage and educate communities about our nation’s great history and the incredible story of America’s founding, in fittingly extending commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

• Leverage libraries’ roles in their communities to connect workers with employers, apprenticeship programs, skills training and the public workforce system. Applicants are encouraged to read and consider Executive Order (EO) 14278, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.”

• Expand on the important roles libraries play in connecting their communities with health services, promoting overall physical excellence and mental wellness.

• Build bridges and further meaningful partnerships with other civic institutions in their communities, including but not limited to local governments and philanthropic organizations.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/28/2025-07369/preparing-americans-for-high-paying-skilled-trade-jobs-of-the-future

• Facilitate regular and family-friendly programming that is of social and educational benefit to children and parents alike.

• Creatively and effectively use new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve both academic practices and visitor experiences at our nation’s libraries.

Applicants are encouraged to read and consider EO 14277, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” as they work on related projects.

• In his inaugural address, President Trump said, “We will stand bravely, we will live proudly, we will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans.” We welcome proposals that refocus cultural institutions on what unites us by fostering respectful civil dialogue. In doing so, we acknowledge our core Constitutional Rights, including Free Exercise of Religion. Applicants may find it helpful to review and consider EO 14188, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti- Semitism,” and EO 14202, “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias,” as they develop relevant proposals to strengthen American civil society.

Upon reviewing the NOFOs, you will see that there are several programs within OLS. If you decide to apply to the grant program listed below, we provide the following additional information about topics and priorities that we seek to emphasize in this funding cycle:

• Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program: IMLS has a particular interest in exploring alternative pathways into the library services field. We are particularly enthusiastic about projects that explore innovative alternatives to traditional credentialing and librarian education. We are also interested in projects that explore cutting edge tools and fresh topics in the content and provision of continuing education.

To fulfill the President’s promise that “the forgotten man and woman will be forgotten no longer,” we enthusiastically welcome institutions which serve rural and remote communities to apply, as well as those that have not traditionally been recipients of federal funding. We also encourage institutions that promote a positive and uplifting vision of American history and our shared national achievements to consider applying to IMLS.

Thank you for your interest in working with IMLS to preserve America’s histories and keep the spirit of 1776 alive for years to come. We look forward to partnering with your institution to share our nation’s tremendous heritage with all our fellow citizens!

Sincerely, Lisa Solomson Senior Official Performing the Duties of IMLS Director https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/28/2025-07368/advancing-artificial-intelligence-education-for-american-youth https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/03/2025-02230/additional-measures-to-combat-anti-semitism https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias

FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity Applications Due November 13, 2026

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Funding Opportunity Number: LB21-FY27 Assistance Listing Number: 45.313

OMB Control No.: 3137-0091 Expiration date: 7/31/2027

Table of Contents Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Table of Contents Before You Begin Review the Opportunity

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

Prepare and Submit Your Application

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Learn About Application Review

6. Application Review Information

7. Award Notices

Find Post-Award Information

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Other Information

9. Other Important Information

Additional Guidance

10. Guidance for Required Registrations

11. Guidance for Completing Forms and Other Application Components

Before You Begin If you believe you’re a good candidate for this funding opportunity, carefully review and follow these application instructions, and leave plenty of time to prepare.

Set up your SAM.gov (including Unique Entity Identifier) and Grants.gov registrations now. If you’re already registered, check to make sure that your registrations are active, and that all your listed information is accurate.

Register in SAM.gov (registration can take several weeks):

Your organization must have an active SAM.gov account and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before you apply. See Registration Requirements and Guidance for Required Registrations.

Register in Grants.gov (registration can take several days):

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. You’ll need an active SAM.gov account and a Login.gov account to register and access Grants.gov. See Registration Requirements and Guidance for Required Registrations.

Apply by:

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 13, 2026.

Bookmark these resources for important information:

eCFR: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 200 (2 C.F.R. § 200) --

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

General Terms and Conditions for IMLS Discretionary Awards. IMLS may update the General Terms and Conditions before making awards for this program.

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program page (IMLS.gov)

This NOFO has internal links to help you quickly find what you need.

In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/grant-administration https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program

Jump to a step

Review Opportunity Prepare and Submit Learn About Review Post-Award Other Information Additional Guidance

Review the Opportunity

In this step:

1. Basic Information

Opportunity Overview Award Overview Executive Summary Agency Contact Information

2. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants Other Eligibility Information Cost Share Requirements

3. Program Description

Agency Mission, Goals, and Objectives LB21 Program Goals and Objectives cProject Types Performance Measures Funding Restrictions Authorizing Statute and Regulations Equal Opportunity

Opportunity Overview 5

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1. Basic Information

Opportunity Overview

Federal Awarding Agency Institute of Museum and Library Services

Funding Opportunity Title Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Announcement Type Modification of fiscal year (FY) 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number LB21-FY27

Assistance Listing Number 45.313

Type of Assistance Instrument Grant

Application Deadline Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 13, 2026.

Award Overview 6

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Award Overview

Key Dates

Anticipated date of notification of award decisions

July 2027 (subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion)

Anticipated start dates for new awards Projects must begin on August 1, 2027.

Anticipated period of performance

August 1, 2027 – July 31, 2030. Project activities may be carried out for one to three years, based on the selected project type. See Project Types.

Award Overview 7

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Funding Details

Total amount of funding IMLS expects to award through this announcement

$8,500,000

Expected performance indicators, targets, baseline data, and data collection

See Performance Measures.

Anticipated number of awards 35

Award amount range Planning $75,000 - $200,000

Forum $75,000 - $200,000

Community-Centered Implementation $25,000 - $100,000

National Implementation $75,000 - $1,000,000

Early Career Research $75,000 - $750,000

Applied Research $75,000 - $750,000

Average amount of funding per award experienced in previous years

$266,507

The funding in the above Award Overview is subject to the availability of funds and the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS’s) discretion. We are not bound by any estimates in this announcement.

Contingent upon the availability of funds, the quality of applications, and IMLS’s discretion, we may make additional awards from the pool of unfunded applications from this competition.

Executive Summary 8

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Executive Summary Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities of all types and sizes and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.

The program supports projects that include, but are not limited to:

• explore alternative pathways into the library services field including innovative alternatives to traditional credentialing and librarian education;

• use cutting edge tools and fresh topics in the content and provision of continuing education;

• provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals;

• develop faculty and information leaders; and

• recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals.

Projects can support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of pre-professionals, students, faculty, and the current library and archives workforce.

Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are:

• Located in the United States or any U.S. Territories or Freely Associated States; AND

• A unit of a State, local or Tribal government or a private, nonprofit organization; AND

• One of seven types of qualifying organizations:

1. A library or a parent organization, such as a school district, a municipality, a State agency, or an academic institution, that is responsible for the administration of a library;

2. An academic or administrative unit, such as a graduate school of library and information science that is part of an institution of higher education through which it applies;

3. A digital library or archives, if it makes materials publicly available and provides library or archival services, including selection, organization, description, reference, and preservation, under the supervision of at least one permanent professional staff librarian/archivist;

4. A library or archival agency that is an official agency of a State, Tribal, or other unit of government and is charged by the law governing it with the extension and development of public library and archives services within its jurisdiction;

Agency Contact Information 9

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5. A library or archives consortium that is a local, statewide, regional, interstate, or international cooperative association of library or archives entities that provides for the systematic and effective coordination of the resources of eligible libraries or archives, as defined above, and information centers that work to improve the services delivered to the clientele of these libraries or archives;

6. A library or archives association that exists on a permanent basis; primarily serves libraries, archives, or library or archival professionals on a national, regional, state, or local level; and engages in activities designed to advance the well-being of libraries, archives, and the library, and archives professions;

or

7. A nonprofit organization affiliated with a library or archives whose sole mission includes supporting the specified library or archives, has the ability to administer the project, and can comply with the terms of this NOFO and applicable laws, including the IMLS Assurances and Certifications. We require that you provide an agreement from the library or archives that details the activities the applicant and library will perform and binds the library to the statements and assurances in the application.

Agency Contact Information IMLS staff are available by phone and/or email to answer programmatic and administrative questions relating to this grant program.

https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program

Eligible Applicants 10

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2. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants To be eligible for an award under the LB21 Program, your organization must meet all three of the following eligibility criteria.

Your organization must be:

a unit of a State, local, or Tribal government; or a private, nonprofit organization that has nonprofit status under the

Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. See Conditionally Required Documents for more information);

and:

Your organization must be located in:

one of the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia; or the Republic of Palau.

and:

Your organization must qualify as one of the following seven types of organizations:

Eligible Applicants 11

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(1) A library or a parent organization, such as a school district, a municipality, a State agency, or an academic institution, that is responsible for the administration of a library. To be eligible for an award under this NOFO, the library must be open and operational to the public at the time of application submission. “Open and operational” means that the library:

• Provides library services to the public, including access to collections, programs, or information resources;

• Maintains regularly scheduled public service hours;

• Has staff (paid or volunteer) responsible for ongoing operations; and

• Is not solely in a planning, development, construction, or pre-opening phase.

Applicants that have not yet started public operations, including libraries under construction, in planning stages, or not yet open to the public, are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

Eligible libraries include:

Public libraries.

Public elementary and secondary school libraries.

Tribal libraries.

College (including community college) and university libraries and archives.

Research libraries and archives that are not an integral part of an institution of higher education and that make publicly available library or archival services and materials that are suitable for scholarly research and are not otherwise available.

Private or other special library, but only if the State in which such private or special library is located determines that the library should be considered a library for purposes of the Library Services and Technology Act (see 20 U.S.C.

§§ 9121-9165).

Archives, including institutional, community-based, and special collections, that are under the supervision of at least one permanent professional staff member and are available to the public.

(2) An academic or administrative unit, such as a graduate school of library and information science that is part of an institution of higher education through which it applies;

Eligible Applicants 12

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(3) A digital library or archives, if it makes materials publicly available and provides library or archival services, including selection, organization, description, reference, and preservation, under the supervision of at least one permanent professional staff librarian/archivist;

(4) A library or archival agency that is an official agency of a State, Tribal, or other unit of government and is charged by the law governing it with the extension and development of public library and archives services within its jurisdiction;

(5) A library or archives consortium that is a local, statewide, regional, interstate, or international cooperative association of library or archives entities that provides for the systematic and effective coordination of the resources of eligible libraries or archives, as defined above, and information centers that work to improve the services delivered to the clientele of these libraries or archives; or

(6) A library or archives association that exists on a permanent basis;

primarily serves libraries, archives, or library or archival professionals on a national, regional, state, or local level; and engages in activities designed to advance the well-being of libraries, archives, and the library, and archives professions.

(7) A nonprofit organization affiliated with a library or archives whose sole mission includes supporting the specified library or archives, has the ability to administer the project, and can comply with the terms of this NOFO and applicable laws, including the IMLS Assurances and Certifications. We require that you provide an agreement from the library or archives that details the activities the applicant and the library will perform and binds the library to the statements and assurances in the application.

Native American Tribal organizations are encouraged to apply if they otherwise meet the above eligibility requirements.

We recognize the potential for valuable contributions to the overall goals of the LB21 Program by entities that do not meet the eligibility requirements above. Although such entities may not serve as a lead applicant, they are encouraged to participate in projects. Consult with an IMLS Program Contact about any eligibility questions before applying.

Find IMLS contact information for the LB21 program.

https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program

Other Eligibility Information 13

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Other Eligibility Information Application Limits

We will not consider applications proposing to renew or add funding to active IMLS awards.

There is no limit to the number of applications you may submit under the Planning, Forum, National Implementation, Applied Research, or Early Career Research project types.

You may submit only one application under the Community-Centered Implementation project type.

You may not submit the same proposal under more than one project type.

Individual Project Directors may be named on multiple applications.

Partnerships and Collaborations Applications involving partnerships or collaborations are welcome.

When two or more institutions or organizations work together on a project, one of them must meet all eligibility requirements, serve as the lead applicant, and administer the award on behalf of the other(s).

If we fund the project, the lead applicant will be programmatically, fiscally, and legally responsible for the award.

Ineligible Applicants We will not review applications from or make awards to ineligible applicants. We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your organization is determined to be ineligible.

To receive an IMLS award, your organization must be determined to be eligible and must comply with all applicable IMLS, administrative and national policy requirements.

Application Deadlines, Funding Range, and Completeness You must submit your application by the deadline in accordance with the Submission Dates and Times section of this NOFO. IMLS generally will reject applications received after the deadline. At its discretion and in rare circumstances, IMLS may consider a late

Cost Share Requirements 14

Review Opportunity Prepare & Submit Learn About Review Post-Award Other Information Additional Guidance application. IMLS retains the sole discretion to determine whether to accept a late application, and such determinations are final.

If your request for federal funding as shown on the IMLS Budget Form, including all direct and indirect costs, is outside the applicable funding level range for your selected project type, we may reject your application.

Your application must be complete, and your project and budget must adhere to the program’s funding restrictions and application instructions.

Cost Share Requirements The requirements to provide cost share from non-federal sources differ by project type. Cost sharing is an eligibility criterion and is not considered in the peer review of applications.

Cost share is the portion of a project’s total costs that is not paid by IMLS funds. Common examples of cost share include cash outlays; contribution of property and services; and in-kind contributions, such as staff or volunteer time that support project activities.

Carefully calculate cost share that you include in your project budget. If you receive an award, you must meet your cost share commitments.

Project Type IMLS Funding Range Cost Share Requirement

Planning $75,000 - $200,000 No cost share required.

Forum $75,000 - $200,000 No cost share required.

Community-Centered Implementation $25,000 - $100,000 No cost share required.

Learn more about Cost Sharing in the Budget

Cost Share Requirements 15

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Project Type IMLS Funding Range Cost Share Requirement

National Implementation $75,000 - $1,000,000

Requests of more than $299,999 in IMLS funds require at least 1:1 cost share from non-federal sources.

To calculate the minimum required cost share, subtract Student Support costs (direct costs only) from the total requested IMLS funds (direct and indirect costs).

Early Career Research $75,000 - $750,000 No cost share required.

Applied Research $75,000 - $750,000 No cost share required.

Agency Mission, Goals, and Objectives 16

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3. Program Description

Agency Mission, Goals, and Objectives The mission of IMLS is to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. These goals guide our grantmaking.

Agency-Level Goal 1 Champion Lifelong Learning

Objective 1.1 Advance shared knowledge and learning opportunities for all.

Objective 1.2 Support the training and professional development of the museum and library workforce.

Agency-Level Goal 2 Strengthen Community Engagement

Objective 2.1 Promote broad public engagement.

Objective 2.2 Support community collaboration and foster civic discourse.

Agency-Level Goal 3 Advance Collections Stewardship and Access

Objective 3.1 Support collections care and management.

Objective 3.2 Promote access to museum and library collections.

The LB21 Program supports the achievement of agency-level Goal 1, Champion Lifelong Learning, and Objective 1.2, Support the training and professional development of the museum and library workforce. Like all IMLS grant programs, it is designed to facilitate delivery of significant results consistent with IMLS’s federal authorizing legislation (20 U.S.C.

§ 9101 et seq.; in particular, § 9165 (Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program)). Each award that we make through the LB21 Program will contribute meaningfully to the achievement of both program and agency-level goals.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter72&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter72&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section9165&num=0&edition=prelim

LB21 Program Goals and Objectives 17

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LB21 Program Goals and Objectives The LB21 program supports the recruitment, development, and retention of library and archives professionals to meet the information needs of their communities.

We encourage applicants to work collaboratively with partners such as archives, libraries, museums, school systems, universities, extension programs, youth-serving organizations, and workforce/economic development organizations, where applicable.

We expect LB21 projects to:

address critical community needs and advance the public good by cultivating research, learning opportunities, and partnerships that prepare current and future librarians and archivists to engage effectively with their communities and real-world information challenges;

influence practice across one or more disciplines within the library and archives fields;

reflect a thorough understanding of current practice, knowledge about the subject matter, and an awareness of and support for current priorities in the field;

use collaboration, as needed, to demonstrate buy-in, input, and access to appropriate expertise;

employ outreach strategies to disseminate activities, results, and findings; and generate measurable results.

The LB21 Program has two program goals and two objectives associated with each goal. You must align your proposed project with one of these program goals and one of the associated objectives. Clearly identify your selected goal and objective in your project narrative.

LB21 Program Goals and Objectives 18

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LB21 Program Goal 1 Recruit and educate future library and archives professionals, faculty, and staff

Objective 1.1 Develop or enhance practices, programs, or initiatives encouraging students to pursue careers in library and information science.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• alternative pathways into the library and archives fields;

• needs assessments;

• pre-professional recruitment;

• middle school, high school, and undergraduate exposure programs;

• summer institutes;

• workshops;

• certificate programs;

• paid internships;

• mentoring;

• fellowships; and

• cohort activities.

Objective 1.2 Develop or enhance initiatives, programs, or curricula to increase the capacity of institutions to educate or retain library and information science students.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• alternative pathways into the library and archives fields;

• needs assessments;

• summer institutes;

• workshops;

• certificate programs;

• paid internships;

• mentoring;

• fellowships;

• cohort activities;

• organizational dynamics; and

• curricula development.

LB21 Program Goals and Objectives 19

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LB21 Program Goal 2

Train and retain current library and archives professionals, faculty, and staff

Objective 2.1

Develop or enhance professional development and training programs to enable the library and archival workforce to meet the needs of their communities.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• programming and civic partnerships;

• institutes;

• trainings;

• summer programs;

• workshops;

• certificate programs;

• fellowships;

• mentoring;

• communities of practice; and

• working groups.

Objective 2.2

Support the research of untenured, tenure-track library and information science faculty, furthering the faculty member’s long-term research interest, career trajectory, and professional development.

Choose Objective 2.2 if you are applying for an Early Career Research project.

Project Types 20

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Project Types The LB21 Program has six project types. You must designate one for each application you submit.

You may submit more than one application to the LB21 Program; however, you may not submit the same proposal under more than one project type. Also, you may submit only one proposal to the Community-Centered Implementation project type.

Planning, Forum, National Implementation, Applied Research, and Early Career Research proposals must demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

See below for the full list of LB21 project types, the characteristics of each, and corresponding periods of performance.

Project Type Project Characteristics

Planning 1-2 years

Planning projects support exploratory activities, such as:

analyzing needs and feasibility;

solidifying partnerships; or developing project work plans, prototypes, proofs of concept, curricula, and pilot studies.

You should identify planning activities that have the potential to lead to future implementation or research efforts.

You should demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

Project Types 21

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Project Type Project Characteristics

Forum

Forum projects support convening qualified experts and key stakeholders, including those from adjacent fields as appropriate, to help explore current or emerging issues or opportunities for library and archives professionals across the nation.

Reports and other deliverables should be prepared for wide dissemination.

You should demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

Community- Centered Implementation

Community-Centered Implementation projects support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of current and future faculty or library and archives professionals by adapting existing models (practices, findings, tools, and/or partnerships) to a specific organizational context.

You must identify and align your proposed work with an established model (standard, practice, toolkit, open-source software, or research finding). Your project should demonstrate how it is using or adapting what you have identified.

Your project should share resources and lessons learned that can be used by library and archival professionals in other communities throughout the nation.

Note: An institution may submit only one LB21 application under the Community-Centered Implementation project type.

Project Types 22

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National Implementation 1-3 years

National Implementation projects support the recruitment, development, and retention of current and future faculty, library, and archives professionals by developing or expanding tools, resources, products, or services for new audiences or in new contexts.

You should design your proposed work to ensure that what is produced is easily adaptable, sustainable, and widely implemented across the field.

You should demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

Project Types 23

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Early Career Research

Early Career Research projects support untenured, tenure-track library and information science faculty, furthering the faculty member’s long-term research interest, career trajectory, and professional development by investigating key questions relevant to library or archival professional practice.

You must include clearly articulated research questions.

You should demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

See further guidance in the Applied Research project type description below.

Special eligibility:

Your proposal must have a single Project Director with no co- Project Directors; however, you may include consultants, students, and post-doctoral scholars.

The Project Director must:

hold a doctoral degree, be untenured, tenure-track library and information science faculty, have both teaching and research responsibilities, and have not previously received funding support under any

Federal Government early career program.

Applicants must include a letter of departmental endorsement verifying that the Project Director meets all of the above criteria.

Project Types 24

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Applied Research

Applied Research projects support the investigation of key questions relevant to library or archival professional practice, building on prior empirical, theoretical, or exploratory work in libraries and archives or other relevant disciplines.

You must include clearly articulated research questions.

Projects should also feature appropriate methods, including relevant theoretical or conceptual approaches, data collection, and analysis.

Dissemination activities should occur throughout the period of performance and include activities beyond publishing journal articles and presenting at academic conferences to ensure far-reaching impact beyond just the academic research community. You should demonstrate how you will achieve and measure far-reaching impact.

Proposals focused on evaluation or designed with a deterministic agenda are not appropriate for the Applied Research project type.

Performance Measures 25

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Performance Measures We use four performance measures as a basis for understanding how well the LB21 program is meeting its goals and how awardees are managing individual projects.

Effectiveness: The extent to which activities contribute to achieving the intended results of the LB21 program

Efficiency: How well resources (e.g., funds, expertise, time) are used while generating maximum value for the target group

Quality: How well the activities meet the requirements and expectations of the target group (This is different from evaluating the performance of your project)

Timeliness: The extent to which each task/activity is completed within the timeframe proposed

You will need to provide a Performance Measurement Plan to describe how you will use these four performance measures to monitor and assess your performance in carrying out your project and meeting your selected program goal and objective.

Funding Restrictions

Allowable and Unallowable Costs You may use IMLS funds and cost share only for allowable costs as set forth in the OMB government-wide cost-principles and in IMLS’s supplemental regulations.

Please consult 2 C.F.R. § 200 and 2 C.F.R. § 3187 for additional guidance on allowable costs.

Learn more about creating a Performance Measurement Plan https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXI/part-3187

Funding Restrictions 26

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The following lists include some examples of generally allowable costs and unallowable costs, both for IMLS funds and for cost share funds (if applicable), under this announcement.

Allowable Costs personnel salaries, wages, and fringe benefits, including annual cost of living increases travel expenses for key project staff and consultants materials, supplies, software, and equipment related directly to project activities adaptive and/or assistive technologies and other resources and services to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities participant support costs, including temporary dependent care, if documented in written policies third-party costs design and publication costs program evaluation staff and volunteer training paid internships/fellowships stipends or honoraria for project advisors and participants indirect or overhead costs pre-award costs, at the discretion of and with prior written approval from the agency.

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Unallowable Costs general fundraising costs, such as development office staff or other staff time devoted to general fundraising contributions to endowments general operating support general advertising or public relations costs designed solely for promotional activities other than those related to the specific project construction or renovation of facilities (generally, any activity involving the construction trades is not an allowable cost) social activities, receptions, or entertainment.

You must explain all proposed expenses in the Budget Justification.

If you have questions about whether specific activities are allowable, contact us for guidance.

Costs for Third Parties When a project requires the payment of federal funds to third parties (such as partners, consultants, collaborators, vendors, and/or service providers), it is your responsibility to determine whether you should characterize a third party as a subrecipient or a contractor and include that determination in your agreement with them.

IMLS grant funds cannot be provided to any federal agency serving as a third party.

Indirect Costs In your budget, you can decide to:

use a rate that does not exceed their current indirect cost rate already negotiated with a federal agency;

See Indirect Costs in the Budget

Learn more:

2 C.F.R. § 200.1 for definitions of contract, contractor, subaward, and subrecipient;

2 C.F.R. § 200.331 (Subrecipient and contractor determinations).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Contract) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Contract) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Contract) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Contract) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331

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Review Opportunity Prepare & Submit Learn About Review Post-Award Other Information Additional Guidance use a rate proposed to a federal agency for negotiation, but not yet finalized. However, the rate must be finalized by the time your budget is approved before we make an award;

use a rate not to exceed 15 percent of the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) if your organization currently does not have a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) and is not subject to other requirements; or not include any indirect costs.

Authorizing Statute and Regulations 29

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Authorizing Statute and Regulations

Statute: 20 U.S.C. § 9101 et seq.; in particular, § 9165 (Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program).

Regulations: 45 C.F.R. Chapter XI, 2 C.F.R. Chapter XXXI, and 2 C.F.R. § 200

Award recipients must follow the regulations that are in effect at the time the award is made.

The OMB guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) is set forth at 2 C.F.R. § 200.

*Please note: OMB is in the process of updating the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR § 200 (Uniform Guidance Revisions). For IMLS grant awards made on or after October 1, 2026, the Uniform Guidance Revisions will apply.

IMLS regulations at 2 C.F.R. § 3187 formally adopt the Uniform Guidance and include certain agency-specific provisions.

Equal Opportunity IMLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.

For further information, email ogc@imls.gov or write to the Office of the General Counsel, Institute of Museum and Library Services,200 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite N-3627, Washington, DC 20210.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter72&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section9165&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section9165&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XI https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXI https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/29/2026-10817/regulation-for-federal-financial-assistance https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXI/part-3187 mailto:ogc@imls.gov

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Prepare and Submit Your Application

4. Application Contents and Format

Get Ready to Apply Registration Requirements Application Package Readiness Checklist

Prepare Your Application Instructions for Required Documents

Disclosure of Information in Applications

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Submission Instructions Programmatic, Administrative, and Technical Support Contacts

IMLS

Federal Service Desk Grants.gov

Submission Dates and Times Emergency Extensions Intergovernmental Review

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4. Application Contents and Format

Get Ready to Apply

Registration Requirements Before you apply, your organization must have:

a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number;

a current and active System for Award Management (SAM) registration; and an active Grants.gov registration with an approved Authorized Organization Representative (AOR).

Check your materials and registrations now to ensure that they are accurate, current, and active.

We strongly recommend that you obtain a UEI number and complete registration with SAM and Grants.gov well ahead of the application deadline.

Application Package You must apply electronically through Grants.gov Workspace or a Grants.gov system-to-system solution.

Use one of the following identifiers to locate the application package in Grants.gov:

• Funding Opportunity Number: LB21-FY27

• Assistance Listing Number: 45.313

To request an audio recording of this announcement, call 202-653-4744. To request a paper copy of this announcement, call 202-653-4744 or email imls-librarygrants@imls.gov.

See Guidance for Required Registrations for detailed information and resources to help you make sure your required registrations are complete and active by the time you’re ready to apply.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/search-grants mailto:imls-librarygrants@imls.gov

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Readiness Checklist Applying for an award takes time. Registering with SAM.gov can take several weeks. There are a few important things you’ll need to do before you can apply.

Be sure to…

□ Review the eligibility requirements for this program and confirm that your organization is eligible.

1. Organization type

2. Organization location

3. Library eligibility criteria

4. Special eligibility criteria

□ Review the Funding Restrictions and keep them in mind as you develop your application and budget.

□ Register in SAM.gov (or make sure your organization’s registration is current) as early as possible. Remember that SAM.gov registration can take several weeks.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started.

See the SAM.gov Entity Registration checklist for what you’ll need to register in SAM.

□ Get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. You’ll get your organization’s UEI when you register in SAM.gov.

□ Register in Grants.gov.

□ Make sure you understand the review criteria.

□ Review the post-award requirements to make sure you can meet them.

□ Find the application package. Go to Grants.gov and search for Funding Opportunity Number: LB21-FY27 or Assistance Listing Number: 45.313

□ Get familiar with Grants.gov Workspace.

□ Contact an IMLS Program Officer to discuss your project ideas or if you have questions related to the application process.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=82f480491b4dfd142fe5ed7ae54bcb0c https://sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/laura-bush-21st-century-librarian-program

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Prepare Your Application Your Application This section outlines the components, format, and content requirements to help you prepare a complete application.

Application Components

Required Documents You must include all these components for your application to be considered complete.

Component File Requirements

The Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S)

Format: Grants.gov web form

IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form Format: Grants.gov web form

Narrative

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 10 pages max.

File Name: Narrative.pdf

Schedule of Completion

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 1 page per year (recommended)

File Name: Scheduleofcompletion.pdf

IMLS Budget Form File Format: IMLS PDF form

File Name: Budget.pdf

Budget Justification File Format: PDF

File Name: Budgetjustification.pdf

Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 2 pages each (recommended)

File Name: Resumes.pdf

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Component File Requirements

Digital Products Plan

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 2 pages (recommended)

File Name: Digitalproduct.pdf

Performance Measurement Plan

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 2 pages (recommended)

File Name: Perfmeasurement.pdf

Conditionally Required Documents You must include these components if they are applicable to your institution or your project.

Refer to Conditionally Required Documents to determine which, if any, you need to include in your application.

Component File Requirements

Proof of Private, Nonprofit Status File Format: PDF

File Name: Proofnonprofit.pdf

Proof of Foundation Status File Format: PDF

File Name: Prooffoundation.pdf

Final Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

File Format: PDF

File Name: Indirectcostrate.pdf

Public Access Plan for Research Projects

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: 2 pages (recommended)

File Name: PublicAccess.pdf

Letter of Departmental Endorsement for an Early Career Research Proposal

File Format: PDF

File Name: Endorsement.pdf

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Supporting Documents You may include the following additional documents as needed to support your proposal.

Component File Requirements

Supporting Documents

File Format: PDF

File Name(s):

Supportingdoc1.pdf Supportingdoc2.pdf Supportingdoc3.pdf

Format, Name, and Sequence of Application Components Document Format and File Size

Aside from the SF-424S and the IMLS Library - Discretionary Program Information Form which are created in Grants.gov Workspace, all application components must be submitted as PDF documents.

Use standard formatting and fonts in your application components and limit individual file sizes to 200mb or less.

Page Limits

Note the page limits listed in the table of Application Components.