Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027)
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- LB21-FY27
- Applications due
- Award size
- $75,000 to $1,000,000
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 is soliciting applications for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program to fund workforce development projects for library and archives professionals, with applications due November 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Eligible applicants must be located in the United States, territories, or freely associated states and qualify as one of seven organization types: libraries or parent organizations administering libraries; academic units such as graduate schools of library and information science; digital libraries or archives providing public services; state or tribal library agencies; library or archives consortia; library or archives associations; or nonprofit organizations solely supporting specified libraries or archives.
IMLS will award approximately $8.5 million across roughly 35 awards. The program offers six project types with distinct funding ceilings: Planning ($75,000–$200,000), Forum ($75,000–$200,000), Community-Centered Implementation ($25,000–$100,000), National Implementation ($75,000–$1,000,000), Early Career Research ($75,000–$750,000), and Applied Research ($75,000–$750,000). Cost share is required only for National Implementation projects requesting more than $299,999 in IMLS funds, which must include at least 1:1 non-federal cost share. Projects span one to three years depending on type and begin August 1, 2027, running through July 31, 2030.
Applicants must align proposals with one of two goals: recruiting and educating future library and archives professionals, or training and retaining current professionals. Funded activities include recruitment and education of future professionals, professional development and training for current staff, and research supporting library and archives practice.
Required application components include SF-424S, IMLS Library Discretionary Program Information Form, ten-page narrative PDF, schedule of completion, IMLS Budget Form, budget justification, resumes of key staff, Digital Products Plan, and Performance Measurement Plan. Applications submit through Grants.gov Workspace. IMLS will notify applicants of award decisions by email in July 2027.
CFDA 45.313.
Synopsis
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities of all types and sizes and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
Eligibility
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility requirements.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| fy27-ols-lb21-NOFO.pdf |
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