Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

To support the development of a diverse workforce of librarians by enhancing the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and library leaders; and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals.

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports projects to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians, faculty, and library leaders; to support early career research; and to assist in the professional development of librarians and library staff. Funding has been used to develop information literacy curricula, culturally responsive teaching methodologies, mentoring frameworks, immersive discipline-specific training programs, enhancement of training opportunities to improve service to patrons with disabilities, toolkits for school readiness and early learning opportunities, and program and service evaluation through summer institutes, workshops, research programs, certificate programs, and online networks.

An applicant must meet geographic and governance criteria and qualify as one of the following six types of organizations: 1. A library or a parent organization, such as a school district, a municipality, a State agency, or an academic institution, that is responsible for the administration of a library; 2. an academic or administrative unit, such as a graduate school of library and information science that is part of an institution of higher education through which it would make an application; 3. a digital library, if it makes library materials publicly available and provides library services under the supervision of at least one permanent professional staff librarian; 4. a library agency that is an official agency of a State or other unit of government and is charged by the law governing it with the extension and development of public library services within its jurisdiction 5. a library consortium that is a local, statewide, regional, interstate, or international cooperative association of library entities that provides for the systematic and effective coordination of the resources of eligible libraries, as defined above, and information centers that work to improve the services delivered to the clientele of these libraries; or 6. a library association that exists on a permanent basis; serves libraries or library professionals on a national, regional, State, or local level; and engages in activities designed to advance the well-being of libraries and the library profession.

2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Grant funds must be used for the purposes outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, and in accordance with the Institute of Museum and Library Services General Terms and Conditions. Examples of allowable costs include personnel salaries, wages, and fringe benefits for project staff; travel expenses for key project staff and consultants; materials, supplies, software, and equipment related directly to project activities; third-party costs; publication design and printing; staff and volunteer training; student tuition and fees; internships/fellowships; and indirect or overhead costs.

Projects must begin on August 1 or September 1, 2021. Planning Grants and National Forum Grants may be carried out for one to two years. Doctoral-level Project Grants may be carried out for one to four years. All other Project Grants may be carried out for one to three years. Research in Service to Practice Grants may be carried out for one to three years.

1. Ensure that required registrations are active and user names and passwords are in place. 2. Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity carefully to get all the information required for applying. 3. Compose the Preliminary Application, using resources available through imls.gov (e.g. live and on-demand webinars, instructions, Sample Applications, Outcome Based Evaluations, Shaping Outcomes tutorial, Reviewer Resources). 4. Contact an IMLS staff member to ask any questions about the application and review process. 5. Submit the application via Grants.gov by the deadline of October 2, 2020. 6. If contacted to submit an Invited Full Proposal, reread the Notice of Funding Opportunity paying special attention to the requirements for a full proposal. 7. Compose the Invited Full Proposal, using resources available through www.imls.gov. 8. Submit the application via Grants.gov by the deadline of March 26, 2021.

Successful proposals in this grant program are structured to result in broad impact in training and educating library and archives professionals; address a critical issue or opportunity for library and archives professionals and build on current strategic initiatives, knowledge, and agendas in these fields; involve key stakeholders and partners in strategic collaborations; employ a team possessing demonstrated expertise; and address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

IMLS staff review applications for eligibility and completeness. IMLS uses a peer review process to evaluate all eligible and complete applications. Peer reviewers are experts in the field with relevant knowledge and expertise in the types of project activities identified in the applications. IMLS instructs reviewers to evaluate applications according to the review criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Peer reviewers must comply with Federal ethics and conflicts of interest requirements. The IMLS 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.

The application process for the LB21 program consists of two phases. For Phase I, all applicants must submit two-page Preliminary Proposals. For Phase II, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals (Invited Full Proposals). For both phases, applicants must submit their materials by the deadlines indicated. Only Invited Full Proposals will be considered for funding.

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

IMLS may extend particular grants at the discretion of the Director.

IMLS will provide copies of reviewer comments and scores to all unsuccessful applicants and invite them to consult with specific IMLS staff when determining whether to revise the proposal and submit it again to IMLS or another funding agency.