National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- NLG-LIBRARIES-FY26
- Applications due
- Award size
- $25,000 to $1,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
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- 45.312 National Leadership Grants
- 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) seeks applications for the National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program, which supports projects that develop, enhance, or adapt replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services across the United States. Eligible applicants include units of state, local, or tribal government; private nonprofit organizations; academic institutions; and organizations affiliated with libraries or archives located in the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and freely associated states. Projects must address one of four priority areas: serving public learning needs through libraries and archives, improving community prosperity, providing broad access to and preservation of information and collections, or delivering emergency and disaster services. Peer reviewers will evaluate applications based on project justification, work plan feasibility, staff qualifications, and the potential for results to be adapted, generalized, and disseminated across the library field. The application deadline is March 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with award notifications anticipated in August 2026.
Approximately $11.5 million will be distributed across approximately 45 awards, with funding ranges varying by project type: Planning and Forum projects ($75,000–$200,000), Community-Centered Implementation ($25,000–$100,000), National Implementation ($75,000–$1,000,000), and Applied Research ($75,000–$750,000). All projects must begin September 1, 2026, with performance periods of one to three years ending August 31, 2029. Cost share requirements apply only to National Implementation projects requesting more than $299,999, which must include at least 1:1 cost share from non-federal sources; all other project types have no cost share requirement. Projects may be performed at eligible applicant locations throughout the United States and its territories.
Synopsis
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L) supports projects that develop, enhance, or adapt replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public. The program supports projects that serve the learning needs of the public through libraries and archives; improve community prosperity through libraries and archives; provide broad access to and preservation of information and collections through libraries and archives; or provide services to affected communities in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| fy26-ols-nlgl-NOFO.pdf | ||
| fy26-ols-nlgl-NOFO.pdf |
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