FY 2010 Deadline:

November 2, 2009

Grant Amount:

$5,000–$150,000

Grant Period:

Generally up to two years; three years with strong justification

Matching
Requirement:

1:1

Program Contacts:

Sandra Narva, Senior Program Officer
Phone: 202/653-4634
E-mail: snarva@imls.gov

Steven Shwartzman, Senior Program Officer
Phone: 202/653-4641
E-mail: sshwartzman@imls.gov

Reagan Moore, Program Specialist
Phone: 202/653-4637
E-mail: rmoore@imls.gov

Tim Carrigan, Program Specialist
Phone: 202/653-4639
E-mail: tcarrigan@imls.gov

Conference Calls
The Institute has scheduled two conference calls to give prospective applicants an opportunity to ask the IMLS staff questions pertaining to Museums for America grants.

Thursday, September 17 at 3:00pm ET
Call-in Number: (800) 603–9527
Conference ID: 27057606

Thursday, October 1 at 3:00pm ET
Call-in Number: (800) 603-9527
Conference ID: 27060256

Program Overview
Museums for America is the Institute’s largest grant program for museums, supporting projects and ongoing activities that build museums’ capacity to serve their communities.

Museums for America grants strengthen a museum’s ability to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institution’s mission and strategic goals. Museums for America grants are designed to be flexible: funds can be used for a wide variety of projects, including ongoing museum work, research and other behind-the-scenes activities, planning, new programs, purchase of equipment or services, and activities that will support the efforts of museums to upgrade and integrate new technologies. IMLS also welcomes proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st century communities, citizens, and workers.

Grants are awarded in the following categories:

• Engaging Communities (Education, Exhibitions, and Interpretation)
• Building Institutional Capacity (Management, Policy, and Training)
• Collections Stewardship

Eligibilty
Museums that fulfill the eligibility criteria for museums may apply.