Overview
Share ThisDeadline: February 4, 2025*
Application: To access the latest NOFO, visit Grants.gov or contact a program officer.
Grant Amount: $6,000 - $10,000
Grant Period: One Year
Cost Share Requirement: None
Program Overview: The Native American Basic Grants (NAB) program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAB program supports Native Communities across the country to address their individual information needs and priorities.
Program Goal: Improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community through the following objectives.
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Support the acquisition of library-related materials.
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Support programming for identified community priorities.
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Support training for library staff.
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Support project activities that include aspects of two or more of the objectives listed above
Click here to connect to IMLS’s Award Database to search by program, year, state, city, or keyword.
Eligibility: To be eligible for an award, your Native Community must be Federally recognized and offer library and/or archival services to the community. Such services may include, but are not limited to providing free access to:
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books, print and electronic media;
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research databases;
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job, employment, and career resources;
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reference desk services;
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space for reading, studying, and meeting; and
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events and activities such as programs, classes, and cultural events for all ages.
For the purposes of funding eligibility for Native Communities under this program, IMLS adheres to the criteria in our statute which utilizes the defined term “Indian Tribe”. 20 U.S.C. § 9161. “Indian Tribe” (or “Tribe” or “Native Community”) means “any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.)), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.” Id. at § 9101(5).
The Bureau of Indian Affairs publishes updated lists of Federally recognized Tribal and Native entities in the Federal Register. This list is periodically updated; the following link list was published to the Federal Register on December 11, 2024, list of Federally recognized Tribes in the Federal Register.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for details on eligibility for this program.
Applications involving partnerships or collaborations are welcome so long as the Tribe is the lead applicant. Potential partners can include other departments within the Tribe or Native Entity, Tribal colleges and universities, school libraries, or local non-Tribal libraries and non-profits. If the Tribe collaborates with a partner, the Tribe must meet all eligibility requirements, serve as the lead applicant, and administer the award on behalf of the other(s).
If you have questions, we encourage you to contact:
Jennifer Himmelreich
Senior Program Officer
202-653-4797
jhimmelreich@imls.gov
Click here to schedule a time to talk with Jennifer Himmelreich.
Sheena Afoakwa
Program Specialist
202-653-4718
safoakwa@imls.gov
*All grant programs are subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion.
