Institute of Museum and Library Services
National Leadership Grants for Museums (2027)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 13, 2026 · 38 days left
- Award size
- $50K – $750K
- Total available
- $8M · about 17 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: 7
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov
About this grant
The National Leadership Grants for Museums program (NLG-M) invests in projects that address critical needs of the museum field. NLG-M projects have the potential to advance practice in the profession to strengthen museum services for the public through the development and replication of model practices, tools, research findings, and collaborations, including through the creative and effective use of new and emerging technologies.
Eligibility (from the notice)
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for program eligibility criteria.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
7 awards to Tennessee recipients in 5 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children'S Museum Corporation Of Rutherford County | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | $806K | 2021 |
| Nashville Public Library Foundation | Nashville, Davidson County | $602K | 2021 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, Rutherford County | $550K | 2023 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $393K | 2024 |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, Montgomery County | $100K | 2026 |
| Memphis Library Foundation | Memphis, Shelby County | $100K | 2026 |
| University Of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | $99K | 2026 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (45.312)
National Leadership Grants — National Leadership Grants for Libraries and National Leadership Grants for Museums
How applications are judged
Successful proposals in National Leadership Grants are structured to result in far-reaching impact beyond the institution and influencing practice across one or more disciplines within the library/archive or museum profession; reflect a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter and an awareness of current strategic initiatives and agendas in the field; employ novel approaches or techniques to strengthen library or museum services; incorporate audience, stakeholders, and/or other partners in strategic collaborations; and have the potential to generate new tools, research findings, models, services, practices, and/or alliances that can be widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated to extend the benefits of Federal investment.
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.
NLG-Libraries: One-to-one cost share from non-federal sources is required for National Implementation Project requests of more than $299,999, excluding Student Support costs. Cost share is allowed but not required for all other project types.
NLG-Museums: One-to-one cost share from non-federal sources is required for Non-Research Grant requests. Cost share is allowed but not required for Research Grant requests.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.