Institute of Museum and Library Services
Museums Empowered (2027)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 13, 2026 · 38 days left
- Award size
- $5,000 – $350K
- Total available
- $4.3M · about 20 awards
- Cost share / match
- Required
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- Requires a cost share / match
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 16
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov
About this grant
Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program, designed to support projects that use learning and training to generate change and growth within museums of all types and sizes.
Eligibility (from the notice)
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for program eligibility criteria.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
16 awards to Tennessee recipients in 8 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Brooks Museum Of Art | Memphis, Shelby County | $250K | 2024 |
| Memphis Brooks Museum Of Art | Memphis, Shelby County | $250K | 2023 |
| Creative Discovery Museum | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $250K | 2020 |
| Tennessee Aquarium | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $250K | 2020 |
| Creative Discovery Museum | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $215K | 2022 |
| National Ornamental Metal Museum, Inc. | Memphis, Shelby County | $198K | 2022 |
| Tennessee Technological University | Cookeville, Putnam County | $173K | 2020 |
| Children'S Museum Corporation Of Rutherford County | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | $169K | 2020 |
| Children'S Museum Corporation Of Rutherford County | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | $167K | 2026 |
| Memphis Brooks Museum Of Art | Memphis, Shelby County | $50K | 2020 |
| Memphis Brooks Museum Of Art | Memphis, Shelby County | $47K | 2021 |
| George L Carter Railroad Museu | Johnson City, Washington County | $25K | 2026 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (45.301)
Museums for America — Museums for America; Museums Empowered; Inspire Grants for Small Museums
How applications are judged
Successful applications in this grant program are structured to address a key goal identified in the institution�s strategic plan; reflect a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter; present a work plan consisting of a set of logical, interrelated activities tied directly to addressing the key need or challenge identified in the application; and are designed to generate measurable results that tie directly to the identified need or challenge.
IMLS staff review applications for eligibility and completeness. IMLS uses a peer review process to evaluate all eligible and complete applications. Peer reviewers are experts in the field with relevant knowledge and expertise in the types of project activities identified in the applications. IMLS instructs reviewers to evaluate applications according to the review criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Peer reviewers must comply with Federal ethics and conflicts of interest requirements.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Museums for America and Museums Empowered (special initiative): At least one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources is required.
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (special initiative): For FY2025, cost sharing is allowed but not required for projects requesting between $5,000 and $25,000 in federal support. At least one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources is required for projects requesting between $25,001 and $75,000 in federal support.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.