NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS FOR MUSEUMS

Description: National Leadership Grants (NLG) support projects that address current and future needs of the museum field and that have the potential to advance practice in the profession so that museums can improve services for the American people.

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:

• Broad impact: Proposals should address key needs and challenges that face libraries, archives and museums. They should expand the boundaries within which libraries, archives and museums operate, show the potential for far-reaching impact, influence practice throughout the museum, archival and/or library communities, reflect awareness 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 museum, library and archival service. Innovative projects can implement a new or significantly improved product, process, program or organizational strategy in museum, archival and/or library services and practice.
• 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. Proposals should show understanding of the challenges of the collaboration and propose means for addressing them.

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.

In FY2013, the NLG for Museums opportunity now encompasses those types of proposals that were previously solicited through the 21st Century Museum Professionals Grants program.

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 museums, 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.Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to 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 designed to inform organizations about best practices in partnering. In addition, IMLS recommends that applicants review the report entitled Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills and respond with innovative solutions.Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to 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 designed to inform organizations about best practices in partnering. In addition, IMLS recommends that applicants review the report entitled Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills and respond with innovative solutions.Before submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to 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 designed to inform organizations about best practices in partnering. In addition, IMLS recommends that applicants review the report entitled Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills and respond with innovative solutions.

Eligibility:   IMLS provides broad eligibility for museums and partnerships. Please review the Institutional Eligibility section in program notice for complete details.

Anticipated funding:  IMLS estimates that grants will be in the range of $50,000 - $500,000. 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 five 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 between October 25, and December 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Access the program website for a full list on session dates and times, with information on how to participate.