National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2027)
🏛 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for libraries, archives, and museums advancing public services through innovation. Eligible applicants typically include public libraries, academic libraries, special collections, and library consortia. State and local government entities, nonprofits, and tribal organizations may apply. Projects must address literacy, cultural heritage, emergency response, technology adoption, or community partnerships in library services.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) projects enhance the quality of library services nationwide. The program supports projects that: promote adult reading, and health and financial literacies; focus on programming and archival practices related to our shared American history; manage and preserve the national information infrastructure; serve the public’s information and education needs; enhance library and information services through effective and efficient use of new and emerging technologies; improve community prosperity; provide emergency services to communities during disasters and emergencies; and build collaborative partnerships between libraries, archives, and museums that benefit the communities they serve.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Support/Partnership Agreements
- Evaluation Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Institute of Museum and Library Services
- 📧 imls-librarygrants@imls.gov
- 📞 202-653-4634
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 45.312 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$10,142,920
-
$4,316,712
-
$3,868,200
-
$3,121,324
-
$2,728,016
-
$2,500,689
-
$1,762,277
-
$1,499,943
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$1,499,810
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$1,156,316
Top States by Funding
- DC 8 awards $21.9M
- VA 11 awards $8.7M
- CA 10 awards $7.7M
- NY 9 awards $6.3M
- IL 9 awards $5.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 45.312). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $24,935,000 | |
| 2025 | $25,631,463 | |
| 2026 est. | $24,635,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for National Leadership Grants for Libraries?
Public libraries, academic libraries, special collections, library consortia, and their collaborative partners. State/local government, nonprofits, and tribal organizations are eligible.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
Adult literacy, health/financial literacy, cultural programming, archives preservation, disaster response, technology innovation, and library-museum-archive partnerships.
Is there a deadline for this grant?
Yes, the deadline is November 13, 2026 (fixed deadline). Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity for submission details.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $25,000 to $1,000,000 depending on project scope and complexity.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, applicants must provide matching funds. The specific percentage will be in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on demonstrating national impact or model replicability across libraries nationwide.
- Build partnerships (libraries with archives, museums, or community organizations) to strengthen competitiveness.
- Align your project with one of the program's priority areas: literacy, technology, preservation, or emergency services.
- Be specific about outcomes and metrics for measuring success and community benefit.
- Emphasize sustainability: show how the project will continue beyond the grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague project goals that don't connect to national library leadership priorities. Weak partnerships or collaboration letters from community partners. Underestimating match requirements or unclear funding sources for cost-share.
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