fy27-ols-nab-NOFO.pdf

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

Native American Basic Grants Funding Opportunity Number: NAG-BASIC-FY27 Assistance Listing Number: 45.311

OMB Control No.: 3137-0093 Expiration date: 2/28/2027

Table of Contents Native American Basic Grants 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

Before You Begin Months to weeks before the deadline, you should:

Prepare and confirm your required registrations.

Register in SAM.gov (registration can take several weeks). Your Tribe must have an active SAM.gov account and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before you apply.

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.

Coordinate internally.

Your Tribe may require internal coordination between departments (e.g., library, human resources, finance, accounting, grants compliance, etc.). Consider this coordination early on to ensure an on-time application submission, thoughtful project design, and successful post-award administration and compliance.

After you’ve prepared your registrations and coordinated with your Tribe, be sure to:

Submit your application in Grants.gov by the deadline:

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 CFR 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.

Native American Basic Grants 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://imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/grant-administration https://imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/grant-administration https://imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/grant-administration https://imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant/grant-administration https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants

Jump to a step

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

Review the Opportunity

In this step:

1. Basic Information

Opportunity Overview Award Overview Executive Summary Agency Contact Information

2. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants Cost Share Requirements Other Eligibility Information

3. Program Description

Agency Mission, Goals, and Objectives NAB Program Goal and Objectives Performance Measures Funding Restrictions Authorizing Statute and Regulations Equal Opportunity

Opportunity Overview 5

Review Opportunity Learn About Review Prepare & Submit Post-Award Other Information

1. Basic Information

Opportunity Overview

Federal Awarding Agency Institute of Museum and Library Services

Funding Opportunity Title Native American Basic Grants

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

Funding Opportunity Number NAG-BASIC-FY27

Assistance Listing Number 45.311

Type of assistance instrument Grant

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

Award Overview 6

Award Overview

Key Dates

Anticipated date of notification of award decisions

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

Anticipated start dates for new awards

Projects must begin on May 1, 2027.

Anticipated period of performance

May 1, 2027 – April 30, 2028.

Funding Details

Total amount of funding IMLS expects to award through this announcement

$1,700,000

Anticipated number of awards 170

Expected amount of individual awards $6,000 - $10,000

Average amount of funding per award experienced in previous years

$10,000

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 7

Executive Summary The Native American Basic Grants (NAB) program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAB program supports Native Communities across the country to address their individual information needs and priorities.

The goal of the program is to improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community through the following objectives:

• Supporting the acquisition of library-related materials;

• Supporting programming for identified community priorities;

• Supporting training for library staff; and

• Supporting project activities that include aspects of two or more of the objectives listed above.

To be eligible for this program, your Native Community must be Federally recognized as a Tribe or an Alaska native regional or village corporation, and offer library and/or archival services to the community. Such services may include, but are not limited to, providing free access to books, print and electronic media; research databases; job, employment, and career resources; reference desk services; space for reading, studying, and meeting; and events and activities such as programs, classes, and cultural events for all ages.

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/native-american-library-services-basic-grants

Eligible Applicants 8

2. Eligibility

Eligible Applicants To be eligible for an award under the NAB program, your Native Community must be Federally recognized and offer library and/or archival services to the community. Such services may include, but are not limited to providing free access to:

• books, print and electronic media;

• research databases;

• job, employment, and career resources;

• reference desk services;

• space for reading, studying, and meeting; and

• events and activities such as programs, classes, and cultural events for all ages.

To determine funding eligibility for Native Communities under this program, IMLS follows the statutory definition of “Indian Tribe” at 20 U.S.C. § 9101(5). “Indian Tribe” (or “Tribe” or “Native Community”) means “any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.)), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.”

IMLS does not make independent determinations about tribal status. The Bureau of Indian Affairs publishes updated lists of Federally recognized Tribal and Native entities in the Federal Register. This list is periodically updated; the following list was published on January 30, 2026, Federa l Registe r: list of Federally recognized Tribes in the Federal Register

Cost Share Requirements Cost sharing is not required for this program, and it will not be accepted if voluntarily offered.

Applicants must not include cost share in their budgets.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/30/2026-01899/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of

Other Eligibility Information 9

Other Eligibility Information Application Limits

We will not consider applications proposing to renew or add funding to active IMLS awards. You may submit only one application under this announcement.

If eligible, you may submit applications for support of separate and distinct projects through other IMLS grant programs.

Partnerships and Collaborations Applications involving partnerships or collaborations are welcome so long as the Tribe is the lead applicant. Potential partners can include other departments within the Tribe, Alaska Native supporting entities, Tribal colleges and universities, school libraries, or local non-Tribal libraries and non-profits.

If the Tribe collaborates with a partner, the Tribe 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 Tribe 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 application. IMLS retains the sole discretion to determine whether to accept a late application, and such determinations are final.

Other Eligibility Information 10

The total federal funding request on your IMLS Budget Form must be between $6,000 - $10,000.

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

Agency Mission, Goals, and Objectives 11

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. Thees 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 NAB program supports the achievement of these agency-level goals and facilitates the delivery of significant results consistent with IMLS’s federal authorizing legislation (20 U.S.C.

§ 9101 et seq.; in particular, § 9161 (Services for Native Americans)). Each award made through the NAB program will align with one agency-level goal and one associated objective and will contribute meaningfully to the achievement of both program and agency-level goals.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:9101%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:9101%20edition:prelim) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:9161%20edition:prelim)

NAB Program Goal and Objectives 12

NAB Program Goal and Objectives Reflecting our agency-level goals, the NAB program has one program goal and four objectives. Choose the objective that aligns best with your proposed project.

NAB Program Goal Improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community.

Objective 1

Support the acquisition of library-related materials.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• books,

• subscriptions,

• supplies, equipment,

• furnishings,

• services, and

• fees for participation in networks and consortia that provide the library with direct services.

Objective 2 Support programming for identified community priorities.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• education,

• workforce development,

• economic and business development,

• health information,

• critical thinking skills,

• digital literacy skills,

• financial literacy,

• language acquisition, and

• cultural preservation.

Objective 3 Support training for library staff.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• courses,

• workshops and professional conferences,

• membership fees, and

• other forms of skill development for the library workforce.

Performance Measures 13

NAB Program Goal Improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community.

Objective 4

Support project activities that include aspects of two or more of the objectives listed above.

Performance Measures We use two performance measures as a basis for understanding how well the NAB 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 NAB program.

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

In your final performance report, we’ll ask you to rate how well you believe you completed the project in terms of effectiveness and timeliness.

Funding Restrictions

Allowable and Unallowable Costs You may use IMLS funds 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 (in particular, 2 C.F.R. § 3187.15(b)) for additional guidance on allowable costs.

The following lists include some examples of generally allowable and unallowable costs.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-3187/section-3187.15#p-3187.15(b)

Funding Restrictions 14

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 data collection and management staff and volunteer training paid internships/fellowships stipends or honoraria for project advisors and active participants pre-award costs, at the discretion of and with prior written approval from the agency.

Unallowable Costs general fundraising costs, such as development office staff or other staff time devoted to general fundraising contributions to endowments indirect costs 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 Summary section of your Library Services Plan.

Authorizing Statute and Regulations 15

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 Indirect costs are not allowed in this program.

Authorizing Statute and Regulations Statute: 20 U.S.C. § 9101 et seq.; in particular, § 9161 (Services for Native Americans).

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.

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.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title20/chapter72&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title20-section9161&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjIwIHNlY3Rpb246OTEwMSBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSk%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title20-section9161&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjIwIHNlY3Rpb246OTEwMSBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSk%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim 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?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 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 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

Equal Opportunity 16

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.

mailto:ogc@imls.gov

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

Prepare and Submit Your Application

4. Application Contents and Format

Get Ready to Apply Readiness Checklist Registration Requirements Guidance for Required Registrations

Prepare Your Application Application Components Instructions for Required Application Components Application Checklist 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

Get Ready to Apply 18

Prepare & Submit Review Opportunity Learn About Review Post-Award Other Information

4. Application Contents and Format

Get Ready to Apply

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…

□ Register in SAM.gov (or make sure your Tribe’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.

□ Carefully read through this NOFO to get a good understanding of how to craft your Library Services Plan and what other documents we require.

□ Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that your Tribe is eligible.

1. Federally recognized Indian Tribe, including Alaska Native Village, Regional

Corporation, or Village Corporation

2. Offers library and/or archival services to the community

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

□ 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: NAG-BASIC-FY27 or Assistance Listing Number: 45.311.

□ Get familiar with Grants.gov Workspace.

□ Contact IMLS program staff to discuss your project ideas, or if you have questions related to the application process.

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/native-american-library-services-basic-grants

Get Ready to Apply 19

Registration Requirements Before you apply, your Tribe must have these three Federal registrations already in place:

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 months to weeks before the application deadline.

Guidance for Required Registrations

Obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is a non-proprietary alphanumeric identifier assigned to all entities (public and private companies, individuals, institutions, or organizations) who register to do business with the federal government. The UEI is requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM).

Award recipients must inform any subrecipients that the recipient cannot make a subaward unless the subrecipient also has obtained a UEI.

If your Tribe has an active SAM registration, you can find your assigned UEI in your SAM record. The organization’s UEI must be active on both the date that your application is submitted and on the award date. If you don’t yet have an active SAM registration, you will receive a UEI when you register in SAM.

Learn more about the UEI.

Registering with SAM The System for Award Management (SAM) is a federal repository that centralizes information about grant applicants and awardees. It is always free to all users. You must register with https://sam.gov/entity-registration

Get Ready to Apply 20

SAM at SAM.gov before registering with Grants.gov. Learn how to check a Tribe’s registration status in SAM.

If you’re registering with SAM for the first time, you must begin by creating a SAM user account through Login.gov. Click here to learn how to create a secure Login.gov account.

Then proceed to the SAM registration process.

We recommend that you allow several weeks to complete the SAM. Registration process.

You must always maintain an active SAM registration with current information while you have a current federal award or an application under consideration. We are not able to make an award to an entity until it has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM registration requirements. If you have not fully complied with the requirements by the date we are making awards, the agency will not be able to make an award to your Tribe.

You must renew your Tribe’s registration in SAM at least every 12 months or whenever your Tribe’s information changes. An expired registration will prevent you from submitting your applications via Grants.gov and receiving awards or payments. Award payments will be deposited in the bank account associated with your Tribe’s SAM registration.

Registering with Grants.gov Grants.gov is the centralized website for grant seekers to find and apply for Federal funding opportunities. Grants.gov is owned and operated by the federal government and is always free to all users.

You must register with Grants.gov prior to applying for this opportunity. The multistep registration process cannot be completed in a single day. You should make sure your institution’s SAM registration is current and active before registering with Grants.gov. If your Tribe is not already registered, allow several weeks before the application deadline to complete this one-time process. Do not wait until the application deadline to register.

The Grants.gov user ID and password you obtain when you register are required to submit your application.

After your Tribe registers with Grants.gov and creates an Organizational Applicant Profile, the request for the Tribe’s Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the eBiz POC. The eBiz POC will then log into Grants.gov and assign the appropriate roles to individuals within the Tribe. This will include the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) who is able to complete and submit applications on behalf of the Tribe.

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=1c75d2011b10f8909ac5ddb6bc4bcbdc https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=1c75d2011b10f8909ac5ddb6bc4bcbdc https://www.login.gov/ https://www.login.gov/create-an-account/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Get Ready to Apply 21

TIP: Know who your Tribe’s AOR is and be sure they’re aware of when you’ll need them available to approve your application submission in Grants.gov.

Designating more than one AOR when you register in Grants.gov will help you avoid missing the deadline if a single AOR is unavailable when you submit your application.

It is also important to update the contact information and password in Grants.gov whenever there are changes with your AOR. AOR changes can take over 24 hours to go into effect, so complete this well before the deadline.

Visit Grants.gov/Support, email support@grants.gov, or call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 for assistance with software issues, registration issues, and technical problems. The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for Federal holidays.

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: NAG-BASIC-FY27

• Assistance Listing Number: 45.311

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.

https://www.grants.gov/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov tel://1-800-518-4726/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/search-grants mailto:imls-librarygrants@imls.gov

Prepare Your Application 22

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

Application Components

Format, Name, and Sequence of Application Components Document Format and File Size The SF-424S and the IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form are web forms that you’ll complete in the Grants.gov Workspace. You must submit the Library Services Plan and the IMLS Budget Form as PDF documents.

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

Naming Convention

Use the naming conventions indicated in the table below.

IMPORTANT: Attachment file names are limited to the following characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, period (.). If attachment file names use any other characters, the application may be rejected by Grants.gov.

Prepare Your Application 23

Attachment Order

In Grants.gov, attach all application components in the sequence listed in the table below.

Required Documents You must include all required 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

Library Services Plan

File Format: PDF

Page Limit: up to 2 pages (recommended)

File Name: Plan.pdf

IMLS Budget Form File Format: IMLS PDF form

File Name: Budget.pdf

Instructions for Required Application Components

Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S) The SF-424S is part of the application package that you complete in Grants.gov Workspace.

We use it to collect some basic information about your Tribe and your project.

SF-424S Item Instructions

Items 1 – 4 Grants.gov automatically populates items 1-4.

Prepare Your Application 24

Item 5. Applicant Information

a. Legal Name: Enter your Tribe’s legal name as it appears in your SAM registration. If you have an organizational unit (specific department, school, TCU, partner non-Tribal library or profit, etc.) that will be carrying out the project, be sure to specify it as such on the IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form.

b. Address: Enter the Tribe’s legal address as it appears in your SAM registration.

c. Web Address: Enter the URL of your Tribe’s website.

d. Type of Applicant: Select the eligible code from the menu in the first dropdown box: Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized). Leave the other boxes blank.

e. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Enter the EIN or TIN assigned to your Tribe by the Internal Revenue Service.

f. Organizational UEI: Enter your Tribe’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). If your Tribe’s SAM registration is active, you can find your assigned UEI in your SAM record. If you cannot locate your UEI, contact the Federal Service Desk at www.fsd.gov.

g. Congressional District: Enter your Tribe’s congressional district.

Use the following format: two-letter state abbreviation, followed by a hyphen, followed by a zero, followed by the two-digit district number. For example, if the Tribe is located in the 5th Congressional District of California, enter “CA-005.” For the

12th Congressional District of North Carolina, enter “NC-012.”

For states and territories with “At Large” Congressional Districts—that is, one representative or delegate represents the entire state or territory—use “001,” e.g., “VT-001. If your Tribe does not have a congressional district (e.g., it is located in a U.S. territory that does not have districts), enter “00-000.”

To determine your Tribe’s district, visit the House of Representatives website and use the “Find Your Representative” tool.

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.house.gov/ https://www.house.gov/

Prepare Your Application 25

SF-424S Item Instructions

Item 6. Project Information

a. Project Title: Enter a brief descriptive title for your project, using no more than 200 characters, including spaces.

IMLS may use this title for public information purposes.

b. Project Description: Enter a brief description (about 120 words) for your project. Briefly list the activities to be performed, the deliverables and expected outcomes, and the intended beneficiaries. Use clear language that readers who might not be familiar with the discipline or subject area can understand.

c. Proposed Project Start Date/End Date: Enter the start date of 05/01/2027 and end date of 04/30/2028 in the format mm/dd/yyyy.

NOTE: We use Login.gov for user authentication in our electronic grants management system, eGMS Reach.

Login.gov helps protect user identity through stronger passwords and two-factor authentication.

eGMS Reach requires that the email addresses entered for the Project Director, Primary Contact/Grants Administrator, and Authorized Representatives in Items 7, 8, and 9 on the SF- 424S Form be unique to those individuals.

General email addresses or those used by several people in a single office are not acceptable.

Item 7. Project Director

The Project Director has the primary responsibility for carrying out your project’s activities. Enter the requested information for this individual here.

We require that the Project Director be a different individual than the Authorized Representative.

https://login.gov/

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SF-424S Item Instructions

Item 8. Primary Contact/Grants Administrator

The Primary Contact/Grants Administrator has the main responsibility for administering the award. Enter the requested information for this individual here.

Please complete both items 8 and 9 if the Primary Contact/Grants Administrator is the same individual as the Authorized Representative.

In some Tribes this individual may be the same as the Project Director. If this is the case, check the box and skip to Item 9.

Item 9. Authorized Representative

The Authorized Representative has the authority to legally bind your Tribe. Enter the requested information for this individual here. The Authorized Representative cannot be the same individual as the Project Director.

By checking the “I Agree” box at the top of Item 9, this individual certifies the applicant’s compliance with the IMLS Assurances and Certifications and any other relevant Federal requirements.

Grants.gov automatically populates the “Signature of Authorized Representative” and “Date Signed” boxes upon submission of the application. This is the individual whose name is listed as your Tribe’s authorized representative in your Grants.gov registration.

Please note that this name might not be the same as the name and other information you entered in Item 9 above.

By submitting the electronic application, you acknowledge that your Tribe certifies compliance with relevant Federal requirements, including but not limited to the IMLS Assurances and Certifications, to the same extent as a signature does on a paper application.

https://www.imls.gov/grants/assurances-certifications https://www.imls.gov/grants/assurances-certifications https://www.imls.gov/grants/assurances-certifications https://www.imls.gov/grants/assurances-certifications

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IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form The IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form is part of the application package that you complete in Grants.gov Workspace. Sections of this form are dynamic, so your answers to certain questions will determine what questions you see next.

PIF Section Instructions

Section 1. Grant Program

Select Native American Basic Grants.

Grant Program Goals and Objectives

Refer to the NAB Program Goal and Objectives. Select the objective that best aligns with your proposed project.

Section 2. Applicant Information

Does this entity have an organizational unit (department, school, Tribal college or university, or non- Tribal library or non-profit) that will carry out the activities described in your application?

Refer to the entity listed in Item 5a of the Grants.gov SF-424S Form that you are submitting with your application and review the Helpful Definitions of organizational unit and legal applicant on the Program Information Form.

• Select YES if your Tribe has an organizational unit, then provide the requested information and select an institution type for the organizational unit.

• Select NO if your Tribe does not have an organizational unit, then select an institution type for your Tribe.

Section 3. Financial

You are not required to submit this information.

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PIF Section Instructions

Section 4. Funding Request

Refer to the Grant Fund total in Section 10 of the IMLS Budget Form (PDF, 1.67 MB) that you are submitting with your application. Provide the amount in dollars that you are requesting from IMLS (between $6,000 - $10,000). For Cost Share, enter “0” because this program does not allow cost share.

Section 5. Indirect Costs Indirect costs are not allowed in this program. Please select “Applicant chooses not to include indirect costs.”

Section 6. Abstract Write a brief summary of your Library Services Plan.

You may choose to simply reuse the Project Description written for the SF424S.

If your proposal is selected for funding, the Abstract may be published online, or otherwise shared, by IMLS.

As such, it must not include any sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information.

Library Services Plan Create a document using these guidelines and tips as you respond to questions for the two sections below:

• We recommend limiting the Library Services Plan to two single-spaced, numbered pages.

• Use at least 0.5-inch margins on all sides, standard font, and font size of at least eleven points.

• Be clear and concise and limit the use of technical jargon and acronyms.

• Save your document as a PDF and use Plan.pdf as its file name.

Organize your Library Services Plan into two section headings: Narrative and Budget Summary. Please address the following questions in each section.

https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/imls-budget-form.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/imls-budget-form.pdf

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Narrative

• What activities will be the focus of your work this year?

• Will you partner with other departments or institutions, inside or outside the library, Tribe, or community? If so, please provide a list of partners.

• What results do you plan to achieve?

• How will you monitor and measure success? (When completing the final performance report, you will be asked to assess how well you believe you completed the award in terms of effectiveness and timeliness).

See below for an example of what the Narrative section of a Library Services Plan might look like.

Figure 1 - Example Library Services Plan Narrative

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Budget Summary

• Follow the order of the IMLS Budget Form’s section headings and explain how you determined each line-item dollar amount.

• How frequently will you draw down funds (as spent, quarterly, or only once at the end of the year)?

See below for an example of what the Budget Summary section of a Library Services Plan might look like.

Figure 2 - Example Library Services Plan Budget Summary

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IMLS Budget Form Make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your web browser. Download the IMLS Budget Form (PDF, 1.67 MB) to your computer and work on it outside your web browser. When you’ve completed the form, save it as a PDF and upload it as part of your application through Grants.gov.

The IMLS Budget Form accommodates up to three years of project activities and expenses, but this program will only require use of the “Year 1, Grant Fund” column.

Tips for completing your budget form:

The budget should include the project costs that will be charged to grant funds.

The total federal funding requested on your IMLS Budget Form must be within the allowable funding range set forth in this NOFO.

All items listed must be necessary to accomplish project objectives, allowable according to the applicable Federal cost principles, auditable, and incurred during the award’s period of performance.

Charges to the project for items such as salaries, fringe benefits, travel, and contractual services must conform to the written policies and established practices of your Tribe.

If you need more lines for a specific section, summarize the information in the IMLS Budget Form and explain it further in the Budget Summary.

Watch the pre-recorded webinar Preparing a Budget and Budget Justification for information on how to prepare these application components.

Learn more about the regulations and requirements related to cost principles for Federal awards:

• 2 C.F.R. § 200 Subpart E - Cost Principles

• 2 C.F.R. § 3187 Subpart C Allowable Costs https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/imls-budget-form.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/imls-budget-form.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/budgetform.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41tpuBfcdnU&list=PL3dRqLcqcFkXaFG-KnpOXbC5jA3hkN9GX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41tpuBfcdnU&list=PL3dRqLcqcFkXaFG-KnpOXbC5jA3hkN9GX https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXI/part-3187/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR1c38957a8249b7e

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Budget Form Section Instructions

1. Salaries and Wages

Include both temporary and permanent staff engaged in project activities. Document how you calculated salaries and wages in your Budget Summary by including the base salary or wages for each person and the percentage of time each person is allocated to project activities, which may be shown as a percentage of time, number or days, or number of hours.

2. Fringe Benefits Fringe benefits can be claimed as a direct cost for only those positions included in your direct cost pool and only for the portion of salaries and wages identified for this project. Indicate your Tribe’s fringe benefit rate (in percent) and the base (in dollars) to which the rate is applied (e.g., 20% x $175,089.00).

3. Travel

Explain how you calculated amounts for each travel cost, including subsistence, lodging, and transportation, in your Budget Justification.

You must use the lowest available commercial fares for coach or equivalent accommodations, and you must use U.S. flagged air carriers for foreign travel when such services are available, in accordance with applicable requirements.

4. Supplies, Materials, and Equipment

List the costs of supplies, materials, and equipment purchased specifically for the proposed project. For definitions and other information, please see 2 C.F.R.

§200.1 - Definitions. Explain or describe these items in further detail in the Budget Summary.

5. Subawards and Contracts

List each third party that will perform project activities and their associated costs as individual line items on your IMLS Budget Form. Designate each third party as either a subaward or a contract using the dropdown menu on each line. Itemize these third-party costs in your Budget Summary.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1

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Budget Form Section Instructions

6. Student Support If your project includes Student Support costs, enter them in this section. Refer to Student Support Costs in the Budget for a definition and examples.

7. Other Costs Use this section for costs that cannot be assigned to other categories. Do not use this section to list items that do not fit in the lines allotted for another section.

8. Total Direct Costs These amounts will total automatically.

9. Indirect Costs Indirect costs are not accepted for this funding opportunity.

10. Total Project Costs These amounts will total and round up to the nearest dollar automatically.

The total federal funding requested on your IMLS Budget Form must be within the allowable funding range set forth in this NOFO.

Student Support Costs in the Budget Students are:

• Individuals enrolled in a middle school, high school, community college, undergraduate, or graduate program of study;

• Individuals participating in post-master’s or post-doctoral programs that are focused on supporting their careers or professional development; or

• Library, archives, and museum staff participating in education and training activities focused on their careers or professional development.

Examples of Student Support include:

• Tuition support for students participating in the project;

• Salaries or stipends for graduate assistant work, if their work is focused on research and teaching activities (therefore contributing to their education);

• Pay and benefits for a resident or fellow to work in a position that is intended to support their learning outcomes or professional development;

Prepare Your Application 34

• Costs for travel and conference registration provided to support a student or participant’s learning outcomes or professional development; or

• Costs of supplies and equipment provided to students to support a student’s learning outcomes or professional development.

Activities not considered Student Support include:

• Students employed in roles that are primarily administrative or clerical, doing work that is not primarily focused on their career or professional development. These costs should be listed in the Salaries and Wages section of the budget, and tuition paid on behalf of these students is not considered Student Support.

See 2 C.F.R. § 200.466 (Scholarships, student aid costs, and tuition remission); see also 2 C.F.R. § 200.430 (Compensation – personal services).

Application Checklist Use this checklist to make sure you have everything required to submit a complete application.

General Readiness

□ Review the Readiness Checklist and make sure your Tribe has a UEI, and that your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations are current and active.

Forms (follow form and Grants.gov instructions)

□ SF-424S

□ IMLS Library – Discretionary Program Information Form

Files

□ Library Services Plan

□ IMLS Budget Form

□ Double-check format, file names, and attachment order for the two PDF documents.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.466 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.430 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.430

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Disclosure of Information in Applications We may share grant applications, products, and reports to further the agency’s mission and the development of museum, library, archival, and information services. As a general practice, and except for information that is privacy-protected, information contained in IMLS applications that receive funding may be made public. Please identify any information in your application that you consider to be confidential and/or proprietary and seek to have protected.

Submission Instructions 36

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Submission Instructions You must submit your applications for funding using Grants.gov Workspace. Do not submit your application to IMLS via email, U.S. postal mail, or a delivery service; IMLS will reject applications not submitted via the Grants.gov Workspace.

Review the Registration Requirements and time frames. We strongly recommend that you obtain a UEI number, register with SAM and Grants.gov, and complete and submit your application early. Leave plenty of time and use the contact information below to reach out to IMLS, the Federal Service Desk, or Grants.gov for questions and technical difficulties.

Programmatic, Administrative and Technical Support Contacts

IMLS

IMLS staff are available by phone and email to answer programmatic and administrative questions relating to this grant program. Also, we offer pre-recorded webinars to introduce potential applicants to funding opportunities. For more information, see the NAB program page on the IMLS website.

Federal Service Desk Visit the Federal Service Desk for questions about registering or renewing your registration with Login.gov or SAM.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/native-american-library-services-basic-grants https://www.fsd.gov/

Submission Dates and Times 37

Grants.gov Visit Grants.gov Support, email support@grants.gov, or call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 for assistance with software issues, registration issues, and technical problems.

Be sure to obtain a case number when contacting the Federal Service Desk or Grants.gov for support.

Submission Dates and Times For the NAB Program, Grants.gov will accept applications through 11:59 p.m.

U.S. Eastern Time on November 13, 2026.

We award grants only to eligible applicants that submit complete applications, including attachments, through Grants.gov, on or before the deadline, as indicated by the date stamp generated by Grants.gov. Grants.gov will generate a series of emails confirming the status of each application. For further details, visit Track My Application at Grants.gov.

Emergency Extensions Under certain rare circumstances, we allow an extension of grant application deadlines for…