PKG00263043-instructions.pdf

OMB Control #: 3137-0095, Expiration Date: 8/31/2021

NATIVE AMERICAN/NATIVE HAWAIIAN

MUSEUM SERVICES

FY 2021 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Table of Contents

A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

C. Eligibility Information

D. Application and Submission Information

E. Application Review Information

F. Award Administration Information

G. Contacts

H. Other Information

Appendix One – IMLS Assurances and Certifications

Appendix Two – Required Federal Systems

Appendix Three – Explanation of Forms for Reference

Appendix Four – IMLS Products Guidance

Appendix Five – Conflict of Interest Requirements

OMB Control #: 3137-0094, Expiration Date: 8/31/2021

Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services

FY 2021 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Awarding Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services

Funding Opportunity Title: Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number:

NANH-FY21

Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance (CFDA) Number:

45.308

Due Date:

Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S.

Eastern Time on November 16, 2020.

Anticipated Date of Notification of Award Decisions:

June 2021 (subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion)

Beginning Date of Period of Performance:

Projects must begin on July 1, 2021.

Equal Opportunity IMLS-funded programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. For further information, email the Civil Rights Officer at CivilRights@imls.gov or write to the Civil Rights Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L’Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC, 20024-2135.

A. Program Description A1. What is this grant program?

The goal of the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (NANH) grant program is to support Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians in sustaining heritage, culture, and knowledge through exhibitions, educational services and programming, professional development, and collections stewardship.

mailto:CivilRights@imls.gov

A2. What are indicators of successful projects?

Indicators (characteristics) of successful projects in the NANH program are as follows:

• Institutional Impact: The project addresses an identified need or challenge facing an organization.

• In-depth Knowledge: The project design reflects a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter.

• Project-based Design: The work plan consists of a set of logical, interrelated activities tied directly to addressing the key need or challenge identified in the application.

• Demonstrable Results: The project generates measurable results that tie directly to the need or challenge it was designed to address.

A3. What are the IMLS Agency-Level Goals and Objectives?

The mission of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. We provide leadership through research, policy development, and grant making.

In FY2018-2022, each award funded under this program will support one of the following three goals and an associated objective from the IMLS strategic plan, Transforming Communities:

• Promote Lifelong Learning: IMLS supports learning and literacy for people of all ages through museums and libraries.

o Early, digital, information, health, financial, media, civic, and other literacies o Cross-disciplinary and inquiry-based learning methods o Continuous learning for families and individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs o Distinctive role of museums and libraries as trusted sources of information

• Build Capacity: IMLS strengthens the capacity of museums and libraries to improve the wellbeing of their communities.

o Recruitment, training, and development of library and museum workforces o Share and adopt best practices and innovations o Identify trends to help organizations make informed decisions o Serve as trusted spaces for community engagement and dialogue

• Increase Public Access: IMLS makes strategic investments that increase access to information, ideas, and networks through libraries and museums.

o Support stewardship of museum and library collections o Tools, technology, and training enabling discovery and use of collections and resources by all o Policies and partnerships to address access barriers to collections, programs, and information o Increased access to knowledge through effective communications

These agency goals and objectives focus on achieving positive public outcomes for communities and individuals; supporting the unique role of museums and libraries in preserving and providing access to collections and content; and promoting library, museum, and information service policies that ensure access to information for all Americans.

https://www.imls.gov/about-us/strategic-plan

IMLS places importance on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This may be reflected in a project in a wide range of ways, including efforts to serve individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; individuals with disabilities; individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; individuals having difficulty using a library or museum; underserved urban and rural communities, including children from families with incomes below the poverty line. This may also be reflected in efforts to recruit future professionals in the library or museum fields as well as strategies for building or enhancing access to collections and information.

A4. What are the project categories?

There are no project categories in the NANH program. You may apply for support of projects including, but not limited to, the following activities:

• Developing museum resources that foster various types of literacies;

• Creating and delivering interpretive public programs;

• Developing, designing, and fabricating exhibitions (non-construction);

• Developing, designing, and delivering digital learning resources;

• Providing programs designed for audiences of various backgrounds, circumstances, and abilities;

• Providing professional development/training for formal and informal educators;

• Creating partnerships with schools and developing museum resources and programs in support of K-12 school curricula;

• Creating programs and developing partnerships for out-of-school audiences; and

• Creating trusted spaces for community learning, debate, and dialogue;

• Building new partnerships to strengthen community connections through exhibitions, programs, and events;

• Designing programs in collaboration with specific audiences and relevant community partners to address community needs;

• Conducting community-focused planning activities;

• Developing and implementing data collection and evaluation activities.

• Planning for the management, curation, care, and conservation of collections;

• Preparing to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters on collections and collections information through planning and training for preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience;

• Cataloging, inventorying, documenting, and registering collections;

• Acquiring, implementing, and enhancing collections management systems;

• Planning and implementing digitization activities, including purchasing equipment and software, scanning, photography, managing digital output, and implementing preservation processes for digital objects and metadata;

• Developing strategies for addressing barriers to accessing museum collections and related information;

• Conducting conservation surveys (Click here to learn more about general, detailed, and environmental surveys);

• Performing conservation treatments;

• Rehousing collections; and

• Planning and implementing environmental improvements (non-construction) for museum collections storage and exhibit areas.

Click here for samples of recently funded applications in the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services grant program.

https://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/sample-applications https://www.imls.gov/grants/apply-grant/sample-applications

A5. Where can I find examples of projects funded by this program?

Click here to search awarded grants by program, category, and/or key word.

A6. Where can I find the authorizing statute and regulations for this funding opportunity?

Statute: 20 U.S.C. § 9101 et seq.; in particular, § 9173 (d) (Services for Native Americans); and Federal law, as applicable

Regulations: 45 C.F.R. ch. XI and 2 C.F.R. ch. XXXI

Note: You are required to follow the IMLS regulations that are in effect at the time of the award.

Note: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) can be found at 2 C.F.R. pt.

200. With certain IMLS-specific additions, IMLS regulations at 2C.F.R. pt. 3187 formally adopt the 2 C.F.R. pt.

200 Uniform Guidance.

B. Federal Award Information Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this

$1,772,000

Anticipated number of awards 20

Expected amounts of individual awards

$5,000 - $100,000

Average amount of funding per award experienced in previous years

$87,000

Anticipated start dates for new awards Projects must begin on July 1, 2021.

Anticipated period of performance July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022, or June 30, 2023.

Project activities may be carried out for up to two years.

Type of assistance instrument Grant

The funding in the above Federal Award Information table is subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion. IMLS is not bound by any estimates in this announcement.

If your request for federal funding, including all direct and indirect costs, is less than $5,000 or more than $100,000, your application will be rejected from consideration for funding in this program.

https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded-grants https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded-grants

Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new awards.

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

C. Eligibility Information C1. What are the eligibility requirements for this program?

To be eligible for an award under this NANH notice of funding opportunity, you must be:

• an Indian tribe or

• an organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians.

For the purpose of funding under this program, “Indian tribe” 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. A list of eligible entities is available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

For purposes of funding under this program, an “organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians” is any nonprofit organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians, as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7517. In order for a museum to be eligible, it must demonstrate that it is established as an organization that meets this statutory eligibility criteria.

We recognize the potential for valuable contributions to the overall goals of the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services program by entities that do not meet the eligibility requirements above. Although such entities may not serve as the lead applicant organization, they are encouraged to participate in projects as partners. Such entities may, for example, assist the lead applicant with project activities. Federally operated libraries and museums may not apply for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services grants, but they may serve as nonessential partners to applicants if they do not receive IMLS grant funds as a result of the project. Please note that federally appropriated funds, whether they are disbursed directly to you by an agency of the federal government or indirectly through another organization, do not count toward your cost share, if any.

Contact us before submitting an application involving a federal agency or federal collection.

C2. What are the cost-sharing requirements for this program?

Cost sharing is allowed but not required for the NANH program and will not be considered in the review of the application.

Cost sharing that appears in your project budget should be carefully calculated. Grantees are expected to meet their cost share commitments.

Click here for further information on cost sharing.

C3. Other Information C3a. How many applications can we submit under this announcement?

There is no limit on the number of applications you may submit under this announcement.

C3b. What if our organization fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of the application deadline?

IMLS will not review applications from ineligible applicants. We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your institution is determined to be ineligible.

C3c. What if our organization fails to meet an eligibility criterion at the time of award?

IMLS will not make awards to ineligible applicants. In order to receive an IMLS award, your organization must be eligible, be in compliance with applicable requirements, and be in good standing on all active IMLS awards.

D. Application and Submission Information D1. How can we find the application package?

This announcement contains all application materials needed to apply. Use one of the following identifiers to locate the application package in Grants.gov:

• CFDA No. 45.308 or

• Funding Opportunity Number: NANH-FY21

D1a. Can we request an audio recording of this announcement?

Yes, call 202-653-4744 to request it.

D1b. Can we request a paper copy of this announcement?

Yes, call 202-653-4744 to request it.

Persons with hearing difficulty are welcome to use Teletype (TTY/TDD) 202-653-4614.

D2. What content and forms are required to make a complete application?

The Table of Application Components below will help you prepare a complete application. You will find links to more information and instructions for each application component in the table.

Applications missing any Required Documents or Conditionally Required Documents from this list will be considered incomplete and may be rejected from further consideration. (See 2 C.F.R. § 3187.9.)

D2a. Table of Application Components

Component Format File name to use

Required Documents Please see the guidance in Section D2c for more information.

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

Grants.gov form n/a

IMLS Supplementary Information Form (including Abstract)

Grants.gov form n/a

IMLS Museum Program Information Form Grants.gov form n/a

Organizational Profile (one page max.) PDF document Organizationalprofile.pdf

Narrative (five pages max.) PDF document Narrative.pdf

Schedule of Completion (one page per year max.)

PDF document Scheduleofcompletion.pdf

IMLS Budget Form IMLS PDF form Budget.pdf

Budget Justification PDF document Budgetjustification.pdf

List of Key Project Staff and Consultants (one page max.) PDF document Projectstaff.pdf

Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants (two pages each max.)

PDF document Resumes.pdf

Conditionally Required Documents Please see the guidance in Section D2d for more information.

Proof of Private, Nonprofit Status (for organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians)

PDF document Proofnonprofit.pdf

Proof of Eligibility (for organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians)

PDF document Proofeligibility.pdf

Final Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement PDF document Indirectcostrate.pdf

Digital Product Form IMLS PDF form Digitalproduct.pdf

Detailed Condition Reports and/or Conservation Treatment Proposals

PDF document Treatment.pdf

Supporting Documents Please see the guidance in Section D2e for more information.

Information that supplements the Narrative and supports the project description provided in the application

PDF document Supportingdoc1.pdf Supportingdoc2.pdf Supportingdoc3.pdf

D2b. How should we format, name, and sequence the application components?

Document format: Aside from the SF-424S, the IMLS Supplementary Information Form (including Abstract), and the IMLS Museum Program Information Form which are created in Grants.gov Workspace, all application components must be submitted as PDF documents.

Page limits: Note page limits listed in the table above. We will remove any additional pages, and we will not send them to reviewers as part of your application.

Naming convention: Use the naming conventions indicated in the table above. IMPORTANT: You are limited to using the following characters in all attachment file names: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, period. If you use any other characters when naming your attachment files, your application may be rejected by Grants.gov.

Attachment order: In Grants.gov, attach all application components in the sequence listed in the table above. Use all available spaces in the “Attachments Form” first. Attach any additional application components using the “Other Attachment File(s)” boxes.

Complete applications: Use the table above as a checklist to ensure that you have created and attached all necessary application components.

D2c. Instructions for Required Documents

1. The 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.

Click here for instructions on completing the SF-424S.

2. IMLS Supplementary Information Form (including Abstract)

The IMLS Supplementary Information Form (including Abstract) is part of the application package that you complete in Grants.gov Workspace. Click here for instructions on completing it.

3. IMLS Museum Program Information Form

The IMLS Museum Program Information Form is part of the application package that you complete in Grants.gov Workspace. Click here for instructions on completing it.

4. Organizational Profile

Create a one-page Organizational Profile, addressing the following, and save it as a PDF.

• Your organization’s mission or statement of purpose, noting the source, approving body, and date of the official document in which it appears

• Your service area (i.e., communities and/or audiences served, including size, demographic characteristics, and geographic area)

• A brief history of your organization, focusing on the unit that will be directly involved in carrying out the work

If your proposal is selected for funding, the Organizational Profile may be published online, or otherwise shared, by IMLS. As such, it must not include any sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information.

5. Proposal Narrative

Write a Narrative that addresses the questions listed under each section heading, and save it as a PDF.

• Limit the Narrative to five numbered pages. We will remove any additional pages, and we will not send them to reviewers as part of your application.

• Consider each Narrative question and be mindful of each section’s review criteria.

• Be clear and concise with a minimum of technical jargon and acronyms.

• Include references throughout your Narrative to any Supporting Documents that help make your case.

• Make sure your organization’s name appears at the top of each page.

• Use at least 0.5-inch margins on all sides and a font size of at least twelve points.

If your proposal is selected for funding, the Narrative may be published online, or otherwise shared, by IMLS. As such, it must not include any sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information.

Organize your Narrative using these section headings: Project Justification, Project Work Plan, and Project Results.

Project Justification

• What need, problem, or challenge will your project address, and how was it identified?

• Who or what will benefit from your project?

• How will your project strengthen museum services?

• How will your project address the goal of the Native American/Native Hawaiian

Museum Services program (as described above in Section A1) to support Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians?

Review Criteria:

• Is the need, problem, or challenge to be addressed clearly identified and supported by relevant evidence?

• Are the stakeholders and/or people who will benefit from the project clearly identified, and have they been involved in planning the project?

• If applicable, are the collections and/or records that are the focus of the project and their current condition described and quantified in sufficient detail?

• Are the ways in which this project strengthens museum services specific, actionable, and measurable?

• Does the project address the goals of the grant program in appropriate ways that are likely to be effective?

Project Work Plan

• What specific activities, including evaluation, will you carry out?

• What are the risks to the project and how will you mitigate them?

• Who will plan, implement, and manage your project?

• When and in what sequence will your activities occur?

• What time, financial, personnel, and other resources will you need to carry out the activities? Note: You must include $3,000 per year in award funds for travel to attend IMLS-designated meetings.

• How will you track your progress toward achieving your intended results?

• How and with whom will you share your project’s results?

Review Criteria:

• Are the proposed activities informed by appropriate theory and practice?

• Are the goals, assumptions, and risks clearly stated?

• Are the proposed evaluation activities appropriate for the project? Will they result in valid, reliable, and generalizable findings?

• Do the identified staff, partners, consultants, and service providers possess the experience and skills necessary to complete the work successfully?

• Is the schedule of work realistic and achievable?

• Are the time, financial, personnel, and other resources identified appropriate for the scope and scale of the project?

• Is a clear methodology described for tracking the project’s progress and adjusting course when necessary?

• Is there an effective plan for communicating results and/or sharing discoveries?

Project Results

• What are your project’s intended results and how will they address the need, problem, or challenge you have identified?

• How will the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or attitudes of the intended audience change as a result of your project?

• What data will you collect and report to measure your project’s success?

• If applicable, how will the care, condition, management, access to, or use of the collections and/or records that are the focus of your project improve?

• What tangible products will result from your project?

• How will you sustain the benefit(s) of your project?

Review Criteria:

• Are the project’s intended results clearly articulated, realistic, actionable, and linked to the need, problem, or challenge addressed by the project?

• Is the plan to effect meaningful change in knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or attitudes solidly grounded and appropriately structured?

• Is the plan for collecting and reporting data well designed and feasible?

• If applicable, will the care, condition, management, access to, or use of the museum collections and/or records improve as a result of the project?

• Will the tangible products be useful?

• Is there a reasonable and practical plan for sustaining the benefits of the project beyond the conclusion of this award?

Please be advised that reviewers may also choose to visit your organization's website, as listed on the SF-424S form provided with your application.

6. Schedule of Completion

The Schedule of Completion should reflect each major activity identified in your application Narrative and the project dates identified on the SF-424S and the IMLS Budget Form. It should show when each major project activity will start and end. The schedule must be no longer than one page per project year. See the sample Schedule of Completion below. Save this document as a PDF.

If your proposal is selected for funding, the Schedule of Completion may be published online, or otherwise shared, by IMLS. As such, it must not include any sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information.

7. IMLS Budget Form

Download and complete the current IMLS Budget Form (PDF, 1.67MB). Click here for instructions on completing it. Java Script must be enabled in your web browser.

8. Budget Justification

Write a budget justification to identify each expense and show the method of cost computation used to determine each dollar amount, including any that you may have consolidated and summarized on the IMLS Budget Form. Save this document as a PDF. Click here for detailed instructions on completing it.

https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/budgetform.pdf

9. List of Key Project Staff and Consultants

Write a one-page list of only those staff and consultants whose expertise is essential to the success of the project and save it as a PDF. Do not list all staff involved in the project. If you cannot identify key project staff by the application deadline, then list the position title(s) instead. This list must include the Project Director listed in Item 7 of the SF-424S.

10. Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants

Provide a resume of no more than two pages for each individual whose expertise is essential to the success of the project. Save all the resumes in a single PDF. You must include the resume of the Project Director listed in Item 7 of the SF-424S. If you cannot identify key project staff by the application deadline, then (in lieu of a resume) provide position description(s) including the qualities, range of experience, and education necessary to successfully implement and complete project activities.

(Back to Table of Application Components)

D2d. Conditionally Required Documents These are documents that may be required, depending upon the circumstances. Please see the table below.

Failure to provide a conditionally required document will result in your application’s being considered incomplete, and it may be rejected from further consideration.

If you are: Then you must provide: Notes:

Applying as a private, nonprofit institution, as indicated by choosing “M” as the Applicant Type code in 5d of the SF-424S form

A copy of the IRS letter indicating your eligibility for nonprofit status under the applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

You must submit this letter with each application whether or not you have submitted it with other applications in the current year or in previous years.

We will not accept a letter or State sales tax exemption as proof of nonprofit status.

An organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians

The organization’s charter documents, including the articles of incorporation and

Either a copy of the IRS letter indicating that organization’s nonprofit status or an official document identifying the organization as a unit of state or local government or other tax-exempt multipurpose organization (if prepared specifically for this application, the certification must be on the parent organization’s letterhead and certified by an official of the parent organization).

You must submit these documents with each application whether or not you have submitted it with other applications in the current year or in previous years.

Using a federally negotiated indirect cost rate in your budget

A current copy of your Final Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

If you are eligible for and are choosing the option of claiming an indirect cost rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (see 2 C.F.R. part 200, including 2 C.F.R. 200.68, 200.414(f), and 200.510(b)(6)), you do not need to provide any documentation.

Proposing to generate digital products, software, and/or research data

A completed Digital Product Form (PDF, 2MB; Word, 40.4KB).

Click here for Guidance for Projects that Develop Digital Products, Software, and Research Data.

Proposing to undertake conservation treatment as part of your project

Detailed condition reports and/or treatment proposals for each object, specimen, or group to be treated.

(Back to Table of Application Components) https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/digitalproduct.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/digitalproduct.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/digitalproduct.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/digitalproduct.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/digitalproduct.docx

D2e. Supporting Documents You may submit a reasonable number of supporting documents that supplement your Narrative and support the project description. Supporting documents should help IMLS staff and reviewers envision your project in greater detail, but they should not be used to introduce new topics nor to continue answers to the narrative questions. Give each document a clear, descriptive title at the top of the first page. You may wish to consider the following:

• Letters of commitment from any third party that will receive grant funds or from entities that will contribute substantive funds to the completion of project activities

• Letters of commitment from partners or other groups who will work closely with you on your project

• Bibliography or references relevant to your proposed project design or evaluation strategy

• Letters of support from experts and stakeholders

• Relevant images to support your proposed project

• Exhibit design plans

• Reports from planning activities

• Contractor quotes

• Equipment specifications

• Products or evaluations from previously completed or ongoing projects of a similar nature

• Collections, technology, or other departmental plans for the organization as applicable to the proposed project

• Web links to relevant online materials

• Needs assessments

(Back to Table of Application Components)

D3. What are the registration requirements for submitting an application?

Before submitting an application, your organization must have a current and active D-U-N-S® number (a unique entity identifier), System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov registration.

Check your materials and registrations well in advance of the application deadline to ensure that they are accurate, current, and active.

If your D-U-N-S® number and SAM registration are not active and current at the time of submission, your application will be rejected; if they are not active and current at the time an award is made, we may determine that you are not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

D3a. What is a D-U-N-S® number and how do we get one?

A D-U-N-S® number is a unique nine-digit number assigned to all types of business organizations, including nonprofits and government entities. Click here to learn more about getting a D-U-N-S® number.

D3b. What is the System for Award Management (SAM) and how do we register?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is a federal repository that centralizes information about grant applicants and recipients. There is no fee to register with SAM. Click here to learn more about SAM registration.

D3c. What is Grants.gov and how do we register?

Grants.gov is the centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for Federal funding opportunities.

You must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting your application package. The multistep registration process generally cannot be completed in a single day. If you are not already registered, you should allow several weeks before the application deadline to complete this one-time process. Do not wait until the day of the application deadline to register.

You will need your Grants.gov user ID and password that you obtain during the registration process to submit your application when it is complete.

Click here to learn more about Grants.gov registration and tips for using Grants.gov.

D4. When and how must we submit our application?

You must submit your application through Grants.gov. Do not submit through email or postal mail to IMLS.

For the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services program, Grants.gov will accept applications through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 16, 2020.

We strongly recommend that you obtain a D-U-N-S® number, register with SAM and Grants.gov, and complete and submit the application early. We make 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.

Contact Grants.gov at support@grants.gov or call their help line at 1-800-518-4726 for technical assistance. The help line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for federal holidays.

D4a. What happens after we submit our application through Grants.gov?

Grants.gov will generate a series of emails confirming the status of your application. You can check the status of your application in Grants.gov using the “Track My Application” feature. For further details, please consult Grants.gov.

D5. Is there an intergovernmental review?

No. This funding opportunity is not subject to intergovernmental review per Exec. Order No. 12372.

D6. Are there funding restrictions?

You may only use IMLS funds, and your cost sharing, for allowable costs as found in IMLS and OMB government-wide cost-principle rules. Please consult 2 C.F.R. pt. 200 and 2 C.F.R. pt. 3187 for additional guidance on allowable costs.

The following list includes some examples of generally allowable costs, both for IMLS funds and for cost share (if applicable), under this announcement:

• personnel salaries, wages, and fringe benefits

• travel expenses for key project staff and consultants

• materials, supplies, software, and equipment related directly to project activities

• equipment to improve collections storage and exhibit environments https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html

• third-party costs

• publication design and printing

• staff and volunteer training

• internships/fellowships

• indirect or overhead costs

You must explain all proposed expenses in your Budget Justification.

The following list includes some examples of unallowable costs, both for IMLS funds and for cost share (if applicable), under this announcement:

• general fundraising costs, such as development office staff or other staff time devoted to general fundraising

• contributions to endowments

• general operating support

• acquisition of collections (see 2 C.F.R. § 3187.15(b))

• 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, ceremonies, receptions, or entertainment

• research projects (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.87)

Note: If you have questions about whether specific activities are allowable, call IMLS staff for guidance.

D6a. How do we include costs for third parties?

Your project may require you to provide federal funds to third parties (such as partners, consultants, collaborators, subgrantees, subawardees, vendors, and/or service providers). It is your responsibility to determine whether a third party should be designated as a subrecipient or a contractor. The designation must be reflected in the terms of each agreement you make with each third party. (See 2 C.F.R. § 200.330 (Subrecipient and contractor determinations)). IMLS grant funds may not be provided to any federal agency serving as a third party.

D6b. What are our options for including indirect costs in our budget?

You can choose to:

• use a rate not to exceed your current indirect cost rate already negotiated with a federal agency;

• use an indirect cost rate proposed to a federal agency for negotiation, but not yet finalized, as long as it is finalized by the time of the award;

• use a rate not to exceed 10% of the total modified direct costs if you have never had a federally negotiated indirect cost rate and you are otherwise eligible; or

• not include any indirect costs.

Click here for further information on indirect costs.

E. Application Review Information E1. What are the review criteria?

Reviewers are instructed to evaluate applications according to the review criteria included within the Narrative instructions in Section D2 of this document. Reviewers consider all Required, Conditionally Required, and Supporting Documents, as listed in Section D2.

E1a. Is cost sharing considered in the review process?

Cost sharing is not considered in the review of applications. Cost sharing requirements for this grant program are addressed in Section C2.

E2. What is the review and selection process?

We use a peer review process to evaluate all complete applications from eligible institutions. Reviewers are professionals in the field with relevant knowledge and expertise in the types of project activities identified in the applications. We instruct reviewers to evaluate applications according to the review criteria. Peer reviewers must comply with IMLS’s Federal ethics and conflicts of interest requirements.

The Director takes into account the input provided by the review process and makes final funding decisions consistent with the purposes of the agency’s mission and programs.

E3. What is the designated integrity and performance system and how does IMLS comply with its requirements?

IMLS, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $ 250,000 but periodically adjusted), is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. § 2313 and 41 U.S.C. § 134).

An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered.

IMLS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in considering the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.205 (Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants).

E4. When will we be notified of funding decisions?

We will not release information about the status of an application until the applications have been reviewed and all deliberations are concluded. We expect to notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants of the final decisions by June 2021.

F. Award Administration Information F1. How will we be notified of funding decisions?

We will notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants of funding decisions by email.

F2. What are the administrative and national policy requirements?

Organizations that receive IMLS grants or cooperative agreements are subject to the IMLS General Terms and Conditions for IMLS Discretionary Grant and Cooperative Agreement Awards (PDF, 370KB) and the IMLS Assurances and Certifications. Organizations that receive IMLS funding must be familiar with these requirements and comply with applicable law.

As an applicant for Federal funds, you must certify that you are responsible for complying with certain nondiscrimination, debarment and suspension, drug-free workplace, and lobbying laws. These are set out in more detail, along with other requirements, in the IMLS Assurances and Certifications. By signing the application form, which includes the Assurances and Certifications, you certify that you are in compliance with these requirements and that you will maintain records and submit any reports that are necessary to ensure compliance. Your failure to comply with these statutory and regulatory requirements may result in the suspension or termination of your award and require you to return funds to the government.

F3. What are the reporting requirements?

At a minimum, you will be required to submit a performance report and financial report annually.

Reports are due according to the reporting schedule that is part of your official award notification.

Grantees must submit reports using the IMLS electronic grants management system, eGMS. In support of the agency’s commitment to open government, interim and final performance reports may be made accessible on the IMLS website to engage the public in communities of practice and to inform application development and grant making strategies.

For details and forms, please see the Manage Your Grant: Grant Administration page on the IMLS website .

You must also comply with 2 C.F.R. §§ 180.335 and 180.350 and 2 C.F.R. pt. 3185 with respect to providing information regarding all debarment, suspension, and related offenses information, as applicable.

F3a. What do we need to know if the Federal share of our award is more than $500,000 over the period of performance?

If the Federal share of your award is more than $500,000 over the period of performance, you should refer to the post-award reporting requirements reflected in 2 C.F.R. pt. 200, Appendix XII – Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/gtc-after-july-1-2020.pdf https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/gtc-after-july-1-2020.pdf https://www.imls.gov/grants/manage-your-grant https://www.imls.gov/grants/manage-your-award

G. Contacts G1. Whom should we contact if we have questions?

Click here for IMLS staff contact information for this program. IMLS staff are available by phone and email to answer programmatic and administrative questions relating to this grant program.

Contact Grants.gov or call their help line at 1-800-518-4726 for assistance with software issues, registration issues, and technical problems.

G2. How can we access a webinar for this IMLS funding opportunity?

Program staff provide pre-recorded webinars to introduce potential applicants to funding opportunities. Click here for a list of pre-recorded webinars and instructions for accessing them from your computer.

H. Other Information H1. What do we need to know about acknowledging IMLS support?

Grantees must include an acknowledgement of IMLS support in all grant products, publications, websites, and presentations developed with IMLS funding. All work products should reference IMLS and include the associated grant award number(s). Click here for the Grantee Communications Kit, which provides guidance for fulfilling these requirements.

H2. What should we do if we are including confidential or proprietary information in our application?

IMLS may share grant applications, work products, and reports with grantees, potential grantees, and the general public to further the mission of the agency and the development of museum, library, and information services. These materials may be disseminated broadly and made available in a variety of ways and formats.

For the above reasons, you should not include in your application any information that you consider to be confidential or proprietary. However, if you do decide to provide information that you consider confidential or proprietary, you must clearly identify it as such. IMLS will handle confidential and proprietary information in accordance with applicable law (e.g., Freedom of Information Act [FOIA], Privacy Act).

https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/native-americannative-hawaiian-museum-services-program https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/national-leadership-grants-libraries http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://www.imls.gov/webinars https://www.imls.gov/webinars https://www.imls.gov/grants/grant-recipients/grantee-communications-kit https://www.imls.gov/grants/grant-recipients/grantee-communications-kit

H3. What do we need to know about sharing and copyright of IMLS-supported work products and managing digital products?

Read more about sharing and copyright of IMLS-supported work products and management of digital products (including digitized and born-digital content, resources, or assets; software; and research data) produced with IMLS support.

H4. What conflict of interest requirements must we follow?

As a non-federal entity, you must follow IMLS conflict of interest policies for federal awards. Click here for more information about IMLS conflict of interest requirements.

H5. Where can we find additional information about IMLS?

You can check the IMLS website for information on IMLS and IMLS activities.

H6. Is IMLS obligated to make an award as a result of this announcement?

IMLS is not obligated to make any Federal award or commitment as a result of this announcement.

H7. How can I become a peer reviewer?

If you are interested in serving as a peer reviewer, you may enter your contact information, identify your experience and expertise, and upload your resume through our online reviewer application at https://www.imls.gov/grants/become-reviewer. If you are identified as a potential reviewer, we will notify you by email prior to the next review period to confirm your availability.

H8. How long should it take us to complete an application?

Complete applications include the elements listed in the Table of Application Components in Section D2a. We estimate the average amount of time needed for one applicant to complete the narrative portion of this application to be 35 hours. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and writing and reviewing the answers.

We estimate that it will take you an average of 15 minutes per response each for the IMLS Supplementary Information Form and the IMLS Museum Program Information Form and three hours per response for the IMLS Budget Form. We estimate that it will take you an average of 60 minutes per response for the Digital Products Form.

Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Institute of Museum and Library Services at 955 L’Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC, 20024-2135, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (3137-0091), Washington, DC, 20503.

http://www.imls.gov/ https://www.imls.gov/grants/become-reviewer

H9. PRA Clearance Number:

OMB Control #: 3137-0095, Expiration date: 8/31/2021

Appendix One – IMLS Assurances and Certifications As a federal agency, IMLS is required to obtain from all applicants certifications, including those regarding Nondiscrimination, Debarment and Suspension, Federal Debt Status, and Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in grant funds must also certify regarding lobbying activities and may be required to submit a “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form (Standard Form LLL). Some applicants will be required to certify that they will comply with other federal statutes that pertain to their particular situation. These requirements are incorporated in the Assurances Statement below. The authorized representative must review the statement and provide the certification in item 9 on the SF-424S.

Assurances Statement

By signing the application form, the authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, assures and certifies that, should a Federal award be made, the applicant will comply with the statutes outlined below and all related IMLS regulations (for example, see 2 C.F.R. Chapter XXXI and 45 C.F.R. Chapter XI).

These assurances are given in connection with any and all financial assistance from IMLS after the date this form is signed, but may include payments after this date for financial assistance approved prior to this date. These assurances shall obligate the applicant for the period during which the federal financial assistance is extended. The applicant recognizes and agrees that any such assistance will be extended in reliance on the representations and agreements made in these assurances, and that the United States Government has the right to seek judicial enforcement of these assurances, which are binding on the applicant, its successors, transferees, and assignees, and on the authorized representative whose signature appears on the application form.

Certifications Required of All Applicants Financial, Administrative, and Legal Accountability

The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant has legal authority to apply for federal assistance and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay the non-Federal share of project costs) to ensure proper planning, management, reporting, recordkeeping, and completion of the project described in this application.

The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will cause to be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with applicable law. The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply with the provisions of applicable OMB Circulars and regulations.

Nondiscrimination

The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply with the following nondiscrimination statutes and their implementing regulations:

1. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 2000 et seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (note: as clarified by Exec. Order No.