Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2027)
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- IGSM-FY27
- Applications due
- Award size
- $5,000 to $75,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 45.301 Museums for America
- 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 is soliciting applications for Inspire Grants for Small Museums, a project-based funding initiative for small museums of all disciplines, with an application deadline of November 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Small project awards ($5,000 to $25,000) carry no cost share requirement, while large project awards ($25,001 to $75,000) require at least 1:1 non-federal cost share.
Eligible applicants are state, local, or tribal government units and private nonprofit organizations that qualify as museums with professional staff, permanent educational or cultural purposes, tangible collections, and regular public exhibition. Applicants must be located in the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories, or freely associated Pacific states. The program prioritizes small museums, including rural or remote institutions and those that have not previously received federal funding.
The program will distribute $3 million across approximately 75 awards. Projects must begin September 1, 2027, and operate for one to three years through August 31, 2030. Applicants must align proposals with one of two objectives: Lifelong Learning (experiential learning and discovery) or Collections Stewardship and Access (management and care of collections).
The NOFO is available under Assistance Listing 45.301 (Museums for America). Required application materials include SF-424S, organizational profile, strategic plan summary, narrative (5-page maximum), schedule of completion, IMLS Budget Form, budget justification, key staff resumes, and a Performance Measurement Plan addressing effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and timeliness. Peer reviewers will evaluate applications based on project justification, work plan quality, and anticipated results. Award notifications are anticipated in August 2027. Awardees must comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 200, 2 C.F.R. Part 3187, and IMLS General Terms and Conditions, including reporting requirements via eGMS Reach.
Synopsis
Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire) is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or small remote institutions and small museums that have not previously received federal funding. The program funds project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. The goal of the Inspire program is to build the capacity of small museums to provide museum services to their communities through supporting the development of experiential learning and discovery in small museums, and the management and care of collections in small museums.
Eligibility
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility information.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| fy27-oms-igsm-NOFO.pdf |
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