21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2026)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- 21MP-FY26
- Applications due
- Award size
- $100,000 to $500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Arts
- Humanities
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is seeking grant applications to support projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and develop workforce education and training practices in the museum field. Eligible applicants include museums, museum service organizations, affiliated nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and government units located in the United States or its territories. Projects must address one of two primary goals: supporting professional development of the current museum workforce or recruiting and training future museum professionals. Applicants will be evaluated on project justification, work plan feasibility, alignment with program objectives, evidence-based approaches, stakeholder involvement, realistic outcomes, and sustainability plans. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on March 13, 2026, with award notifications expected by August 2026.
IMLS will distribute approximately $2 million across an anticipated 8 grants, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 and an average award of $250,000. All funded projects will operate over a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. Applicants must provide a mandatory 1:1 cost share from non-federal sources, and all projects must be performed by eligible organizations located within the United States or its territories.
Synopsis
The 21st Century Museum Professional (21MP) grant program supports projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and identify and share effective workforce education and training practices in the museum field.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| fy26-oms-21mp-NOFO.pdf | ||
| fy26-oms-21mp-NOFO.pdf |
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