30 Jul Funding Alert! Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grants
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Last week, we highlighted a grant program that funds capacity-building work for libraries. This week, we are looking at an opportunity that specifically supports workforce development and training for libraries and museums. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) recently opened applications for its Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program. Projects may fall into one of five categories (described below) and should align with one of IMLS’s three goals for this program: 1) recruit, train, develop, and retain a diverse workforce of library and archives professionals; 2) develop faculty, library, and archives leaders through institutional capacity-building work; or 3) enhance the training and professional development of these professionals in accordance with community needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible organizations must be domestic and either a unit of state or local government or a private nonprofit organization. In addition, applicants must qualify as one of six types: 1) a library or parent organization responsible for administration of a library; 2) an academic or administrative unit that is part of an institution of higher education; 3) a digital library; 4) a governmental library agency; 5) a consortium of local, statewide, interstate, or international library entities; or 6) a library association that serves libraries or library professionals.
What do these projects look like?
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program applicants may propose one of the following project types:
- Planning (up to $150,000, 1- to 2-year period of performance): can include planning or exploratory activities, such as creating and distributing needs/feasibility assessments; developing partnerships, workplans, prototypes, or proofs of concept or pilot studies; and other activities that support future implementation.
- Forum (up to $150,000, 1- to 2-year period of performance): gathering qualified experts and stakeholders to help explore current or emerging needs, issues, and opportunities that are relevant to professional development and education-related issues for libraries and museums.
- Implementation (up to $1,000,000, 1- to 3-year period of performance): developing faculty, library, and archives leaders; supporting professional development and retention of library and archives staff; or developing or expanding resources that serve new audiences or in new contexts. Projects should be adaptable, scalable, sustainable, and easily implemented across the field. Note that Implementation grants over $249,999 require a 1:1 cost share/match.
- Early Career Research Development (up to $750,000, 1- to 3-year period of performance): supports the research of untenured tenure-track faculty in library and information science, to further the faculty member’s long-term research agenda, career, and professional development.
- Applied Research (up to $750,000, 1- to 3-year period of performance): investigating the questions that are relevant to library and archive tools and services, building on existing empirical, theoretical, or exploratory work. These projects involve sharing information learned throughout the period of performance, with broad-reaching efforts that extend beyond publishing journal articles and presenting at conferences.
For complete descriptions of the project types, program goals, and associated objectives, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), pages 3-6. This application process is divided into two phases, with Phase I preliminary proposals due September 24, 2021. For Phase II, IMLS will invite selected applicants to submit full proposals by March 25, 2022.
What makes a project a good fit?
IMLS will evaluate Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program projects using four performance measures to understand how well the grant program is meeting its goals and how individual projects are being managed:
- Effectiveness: the extent to which activities contribute to achieving the intended results;
- Efficiency: how well resources (e.g., funds, expertise, time) are used and costs are minimized while generating maximum value for the target group;
- Quality: how well the activities meet the requirements and expectations of the target group; and
- Timeliness: the extent to which each task/activity is completed within the timeframe proposed.
IMLS also emphasizes that funded projects should advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. As such, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program projects should consider ways to reflect this DEI commitment in the recruitment and development of future library or museum professionals, in building or enhancing access to collections and information, and in appropriately compensating project participants.
What if I am ready to apply?
To move your application forward, take the following action steps ASAP:
- Read through the program description page for more information regarding the funder goals, project types, and program officer contacts.
- Watch the recorded informational webinar for prospective applicants and/or view the webinar transcript and slides.
- Browse the archive of previously funded Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian projects.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and that you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://sam.gov/content/status-tracker.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
Check out other opportunities to work with IMLS. The agency website provides resources regarding other upcoming grant programs, partnerships, and funding opportunities, as well as examples of previously funded projects.
How do I learn more about federal grant proposal writing, so my application is more likely to be successful?
AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series throughout 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit leaders and faculty at institutions of higher education before and during the application process. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
AGS blogs, funding alerts, and trainings are aligned with the Grant Professional Certification Institute’s Competencies and Skills
Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs
Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy
Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization
Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs