Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027)
🏛 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for library and information science programs, libraries, archives, and related organizations nationwide. Eligible applicants include ALA-accredited or ALISE-member graduate programs, academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, tribal libraries, and archival institutions. Projects must build workforce capacity through education, training, or recruitment initiatives. Geographic scope is national, supporting institutions serving communities of all types and sizes.
Activities funded include curriculum development, scholarship programs, student internships, professional development for librarians, and projects addressing workforce shortages. Cost sharing is required. Awards range from $75,000 to $1,000,000 for projects addressing documented workforce needs in library and information services.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities of all types and sizes and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (full eligibility criteria)
- Project narrative and objectives
- Needs assessment documentation
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
- Budget narrative and cost-sharing plan
- Letters of support from partners or institutions
- Organizational capacity documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Institute of Museum and Library Services
- 📧 imls-librarygrants@imls.gov
- 📞 202-653-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 45.313 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,507,574
-
$887,154
-
$798,489
-
$788,129
-
$707,924
-
$675,192
-
$671,369
-
$667,509
-
$658,250
-
$649,921
Top States by Funding
- IL 9 awards $5.4M
- TX 10 awards $3.7M
- NY 8 awards $2.8M
- WA 7 awards $2.7M
- CA 8 awards $2.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 45.313). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $10,045,501 | |
| 2025 | $5,892,010 | |
| 2026 est. | $8,500,000 |
FAQ
What types of organizations can apply?
Graduate library science programs, academic libraries, public libraries, school systems, archives, and library consortia can apply. Your institution must demonstrate capacity to execute workforce-building projects.
Is there a deadline and can I apply more than once?
The deadline is November 13, 2026 (fixed). Reapplication is typically allowed for rejected proposals.
What activities can I fund?
Eligible activities include curriculum innovation, scholarship programs, internships, recruitment initiatives, and professional development. Projects must address specific workforce gaps in library or archival services.
How competitive is this funding?
Very competitive. Successful proposals show clear workforce data, strong partnerships, and measurable outcomes. Budget is $8.5 million nationally, making per-award rate roughly 10-15% of submissions.
What's the typical funding amount and grant duration?
Awards range $75,000 to $1,000,000. Project periods are typically 2-3 years, though this varies by proposal scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Conduct a documented workforce needs assessment for your region or library type before writing. Reviewers want hard data, not assumptions.
- Build partnerships with academic programs, employers, or community organizations. Collaboration strengthens competitiveness and demonstrates sustainability.
- Focus on measurable outcomes. Include specific recruitment targets, graduate placement rates, or retention metrics in your evaluation plan.
- Address cost-sharing early. Budget your required match and explain how it comes from institutional or partner resources.
- Review past LB21 abstracts on IMLS website to understand successful project models and language that resonates with reviewers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak needs documentation. Vague or unmeasurable goals. Unclear cost-sharing plan or unrealistic budget projections. Weak evaluation metrics or no post-award tracking plan.
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