21st Century Museum Professionals
Grant: 21st Century Museum Professionals
Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Deadline: March 15, 2012; Projects must begin October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2012.
Description: The goal of the 21st Century Museum Professionals (21MP) program is to increase the capacity of museums to connect people to information and ideas by improving the knowledge and skills of museum staff in multiple institutions.
Museums play a critical role in the education of the public in the United States by preserving the world’s rich cultural heritage and helping to transmit it from one generation to the next. 21MP works to achieve these goals through grants that help museum professionals acquire, improve, and maintain their knowledge and skills.
Intended to reach a broad group of museum professionals, grant funds may support a wide range of activities. These include:
- The development and implementation of classes, seminars and workshops.
- The creation of resources to support leadership development.
- The collection, assessment, development and/or dissemination of information that leads to better museum operations.
- Establishing activities that strengthen the use of contemporary technology tools to deliver programs and services.
- Supporting the enhancement of pre-professional training programs.
- The development of internship and fellowship programs.
IMLS staff will host two pre-application web conferences to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. More details can be found on the program website. Applicants are encouraged to attend one of the following meetings:
- Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
Fit for public broadcasting: Interested applicants are encouraged to partner with eligible museums in their area. Public broadcasting has a history of participating in professional development projects targeting both classrooms and the community. Stations can use their experience in technology and new media, and become an active partner in the creation of professional and leadership development.
In 2011, the New York Institute of Technology, partnering with the Albany Institute of History and Art received $229,125 to develop a model for technology-based partnerships between museum educators and classroom teachers. To read more about this project and other grant recipients, see the IMLS website.
Eligibility: In addition to museums that fulfill the eligibility criteria, public or private not-for-profit agencies, organizations or associations that engage in activities designed to advance museums and the museum profession, are also encouraged to apply. Institutions of higher education including public and nonprofit universities are also eligible.
Partnerships are encouraged through this program; however, all partners involved must be active contributors of the proposed project’s activities.
Anticipated funding: IMLS will grant awards between $15,000 and $250,000, for a project period of up to three years. A one to one match is required of recipients. In order to receive a 21MP grant, recipients must provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of the grant.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the grant deadline. Please note that applications and all attachments must be submitted in PDF file format.
Resources:
Program notice
Program website
Past grant recipients
IMLS will host two webinars about the 21MP program on Wednesday February 1, 2012, and February 8, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST. For details see the program website.
