Opportunity Information: Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY26
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under CFDA 45.312. It is designed to fund projects that strengthen library and archival services for the American public by developing, improving, or adapting approaches that can be replicated elsewhere. In practice, this means IMLS is looking for work that produces transferable results such as proven programs, scalable service models, reusable tools, or broadly applicable practices that other libraries and archives can adopt or build on rather than one-off efforts that only benefit a single site.
The program’s priorities center on four main outcomes. First, it supports projects that address the learning needs of the public through libraries and archives, which can include initiatives that expand literacy, digital skills, workforce-related learning, or other forms of lifelong learning delivered through these institutions. Second, it funds efforts that improve community prosperity through libraries and archives, reflecting the role libraries can play in economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and community capacity building. Third, it encourages projects that expand access to information and collections while also improving preservation, including strategies, tools, and workflows that help institutions provide broader public access and ensure long-term stewardship of physical and digital materials. Fourth, it includes support for services to communities affected by emergencies or disasters, emphasizing preparedness, response, and recovery approaches that libraries and archives can apply when facing disruption or community-wide crises.
Key administrative details include an application deadline of March 13, 2026, with the funding opportunity number listed as NLG LIBRARIES FY26. Individual awards can be as large as $1,000,000, and IMLS anticipates making about 45 awards. The eligible applicant category is listed as “Others,” which signals that eligibility can be broader than a single traditional entity type, but applicants should rely on the official Notice of Funding Opportunity for the precise eligibility requirements and any conditions, limitations, or mandatory components of an application.Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY26
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts, humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.312.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-03-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 45 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) - FAQs
What is the National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) program?
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under CFDA 45.312. It funds projects intended to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The main goal is to support projects that develop, improve, or adapt approaches that can be replicated elsewhere. In other words, IMLS is looking for work that produces transferable results other libraries and archives can adopt, reuse, or build on.
What kinds of results does IMLS consider "transferable" or replicable?
Based on the opportunity description, transferable results can include proven programs, scalable service models, reusable tools, or broadly applicable practices that other libraries and archives can implement. The emphasis is on outcomes that extend beyond a single institution.
Are one-off projects that only benefit one site a good fit?
The description suggests they are not the primary focus. IMLS is emphasizing replicable approaches and broadly usable outputs rather than efforts that only benefit a single location without producing lessons, tools, or models that can be applied elsewhere.
What are the program priorities or outcome areas?
The opportunity highlights four main outcomes: (1) addressing learning needs of the public through libraries and archives, (2) improving community prosperity through libraries and archives, (3) expanding access to information and collections while improving preservation, and (4) supporting services to communities affected by emergencies or disasters.
What does "address the learning needs of the public" include?
The description indicates this can include initiatives that expand literacy, digital skills, workforce-related learning, or other forms of lifelong learning delivered through libraries and archives.
What does "improve community prosperity" mean in this context?
It reflects the role libraries can play in economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship support, and community capacity building. Projects aligned with these themes may fit within this outcome area.
What types of projects fit under access, collections, and preservation?
The opportunity mentions strategies, tools, and workflows that help institutions provide broader public access to information and collections and ensure long-term stewardship of both physical and digital materials.
What does the program mean by emergency or disaster-related services?
This outcome area focuses on services to communities affected by emergencies or disasters, emphasizing preparedness, response, and recovery approaches that libraries and archives can apply during disruptions or community-wide crises.
Who is the funder for this opportunity?
The funder is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 45.312.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is NLG LIBRARIES FY26.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline provided is March 13, 2026.
How much funding can a single award provide?
Individual awards can be as large as $1,000,000.
How many awards does IMLS expect to make?
IMLS anticipates making about 45 awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," which suggests eligibility may be broader than a single traditional organization type. However, applicants are expected to rely on the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the precise eligibility requirements and any conditions or limitations.
Should applicants rely on this summary for eligibility and requirements?
No. The information provided indicates that applicants should rely on the official Notice of Funding Opportunity for precise eligibility requirements, conditions, limitations, and any mandatory components of the application.
What is IMLS looking for in terms of project impact?
The description emphasizes impact that extends beyond a single institution, with outputs that can be replicated, scaled, reused, or adapted by other libraries and archives to strengthen services for the American public.
Does the grant focus only on libraries, or also on archives?
The opportunity explicitly references both libraries and archives, including library and archival services, approaches that other libraries and archives can adopt, and outcome areas tied to both types of institutions.
Is preservation limited to physical materials?
No. The description explicitly mentions long-term stewardship of both physical and digital materials.
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Previous opportunity: FY 2026 International Visitor Leadership Program’s National Program Agencies
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NLG LIBRARIES FY26) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2026) Apply for 21MP FY26 Funding Number: 21MP FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Museums for America (2026) Apply for MFA FY26 Funding Number: MFA FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2026) Apply for LB21 FY26 Funding Number: LB21 FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2026) Apply for ME FY26 Funding Number: ME FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2026) Apply for NANH FY26 Funding Number: NANH FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2026) Apply for IGSM FY26 Funding Number: IGSM FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026) Apply for AAHC FY26 Funding Number: AAHC FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2026) Apply for NLG M FY26 Funding Number: NLG M FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2026) Apply for ALHC FY26 Funding Number: ALHC FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2026) Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY26 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2026) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY26 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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