After almost a year of existential uncertainty resulting from a White House executive order bent on gutting federal agencies, followed by a permanent injunction in a lawsuit to preserve those agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has opened its discretionary grant funding cycle for fiscal year 2026.
“To help kick off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday,” IMLS wrote on January 13, the application portal is open. The agency added that “IMLS funding opportunities play a crucial role in furthering the Trump administration’s commitment to heritage preservation, workforce development, and civic education.”
In its Notice of Funding Opportunity, the Office of Library Services wrote that it welcomed projects including those that “meaningfully engage and educate communities about our nation’s great history and the incredible story of America’s founding, in fitting commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.” OLS added, “We welcome projects that refocus cultural institutions on what unites us by fostering respectful civil dialogue. In doing so, we acknowledge our core Constitutional Rights, including Free Exercise of Religion.”
The OLS letter is signed by acting director Keith Sonderling and by Lisa Solomson, identified as the “senior official performing the duties of IMLS director.”
IMLS library grant programs include the Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program, the National Leadership Grants for Libraries, and basic grants for Native American library services. Eight museum grant programs also are active once again. Applications are due March 13, and no award notification date has yet been specified.
