National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Funds projects that develop, test or adapt replicable practices, models and tools to strengthen library and archival services, including a dedicated Applied Research grant category ($75,000-$750,000).
- Indicative award
- $25k–$1M (total award)Ranges published by project type: Planning $75,000-$200,000; Forum $75,000-$200,000; Community-Centered Implementation $25,000-$100,000; National Implementation $75,000-$1,000,000 (1:1 cost share required above $299,999); Applied Research $75,000-$750,000.
- Timing
- Annual cycleAnnual cycle · Mar, NovPublished deadline: 2026-11-13 — 91 days awayPage lists a November 13, 2026 deadline, marked tentative and subject to availability of funds; the FY2026 cycle closed March 13, 2026. Grant periods are 1-2 years (planning/forum/community-centered) or 1-3 years (national implementation and applied research).
- Who can apply
- Any faculty rank, Practitioner, Community organisation, Mid-career & senior
- Eligibility
- Applicants are libraries, archives and library/archival service organizations and their partners; IMLS directs applicants to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the specific eligibility list. Grants.gov and SAM.gov registration required.
- SSWR clusters
- Topics
- libraries · archives · applied research · community information access · digital preservation
- Apply at
- https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/national-leadership-grants-for-libraries
- This entry
- Curated by the working group. Written 2026-08-07. The funder link has not yet been machine-checked.
Amounts and dates on this page are indicative and are maintained by people rather than scraped. Funders change ceilings, windows and eligibility without notice; confirm all details at the source above before applying.
Also on the Communities and Neighborhoods shelf
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- Research grants and visiting scholarsRussell Sage Foundationup to $200k · Several times a year · Jan, May, Aug
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- Faculty grant programLois and Samuel Silberman Fundup to $50k · Annual cycle