National Leadership Grants for Libraries
The next competition is expected to have a February 3, 2014 deadline. The FY 2014 guidelines will be made available approximately 90 days before the deadline. Until then, stations are encouraged to use the FY 2013 guidelines as a reference.
Grant: National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Deadline: The deadline was February 1, 2013.
Description: National Leadership Grants (NLG) for Libraries supports projects that address challenges faced by the library and/or archive fields and that have the potential to advance practice in those fields.
Successful proposals will have national impact and generate results - new tools, research, models, services, practices or alliances - that can be widely adapted or replicated to extend the benefit of federal investment and that increase community access and participation. IMLS seeks to fund projects that have the following characteristics:
- National impact: Proposals should address key needs and challenges that face libraries and/or archives. They should expand the boundaries within which libraries and archives operate, show the potential for far-reaching impact, influence practice throughout the museum and/or archival communities and show support of current strategic initiatives in these fields.
- Innovation: A proposal should demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter and show how the project will advance the state of the art of library and/or archival service.
- Collaboration: While partners are not required in all National Leadership Grants categories, IMLS has found that involving carefully chosen partners with complementary competencies and resources can create powerful synergies that extend project impact.
IMLS continues its commitment to promote early learning. Partnerships are encouraged to address at least one of the challenges identified by the Campaign for Grade Level Reading including school readiness, summer reading loss and chronic school absence.
IMLS offers three types of funding within the National Leadership Grants program: Project Grants, Planning Grants and National Forum Grants. Within each funding type are three categories of grants:
- Advancing Digital.
- Research.
- Demonstration.
IMLS provides a thorough explanation of these categories in the program notice.
Fit for public broadcasting: In 2009, the National Leadership Grants program provided over $17 million to advance the ability of museums and libraries to preserve culture, heritage and knowledge while enhancing learning. WGBH Media Library and Archives, in collaboration with Northeast Historic Film, Cambridge Community Television, and the Boston Public Library, received $487,681 to develop a project titled "Boston TV News Digital Library: 1960–2000." The first online resource offering a city's commercial, noncommercial, and community cable TV news heritage to educators and the public. Stations that have the ability to collaborate with eligible libraries and/or archives, particularly in the area of digital resources, can position themselves to compete for awards in this contest.
Click here to search the IMLS database for a complete list of all National Leadership Grants recipients.
IMLS encourages collaboration for this grant program. Public broadcasting stations are encouraged to partner with museums, libraries and archives. Review the Partnership for a Nation of Learners report entitled "Joining Forces, Creating Value," a resource co-written by IMLS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, for more information about best practices in partnership.
Eligibility: IMLS provides broad eligibility for libraries, archives and partnerships. Please review the Institutional Eligibility section in program notice for complete details.
Anticipated funding: IMLS anticipates awarding between $50,000 and $500,000 for Project Grants, up to $50,000 for Planning Grants, and up to $100,000 for National Forum Grants. There is a 1:1 match for requests over $250,000, excluding research projects. Cost sharing of at least one-third is encouraged for requests under $250,000 and for research projects.
How to apply: Applications must be submitted electronically on 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.
Resources:
Program Notice
Program Website
IMLS is hosting two web conferences to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. The webinars will take place at 2:00 p.m. EST on December 4, 2012, and January 8, 2013. Instructions for participating can be found on the National Leadership Grants website.
