National Leadership Grants for Museums (2027)

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice fy27-oms-nlgm-NOFO.pdf (84 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Registrations you need first (2)

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI), Grants.gov · p. 5

  “Set up your SAM.gov (including Unique Entity Identifier) and Grants.gov registrations now.” Open page 5

• Login.gov · p. 5

  “You’ll need an active SAM.gov account and a Login.gov account to register and access Grants.gov.” Open page 5

Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 22

  “However, the rate must be finalized by the time your budget is approved before we make an award;  use a rate not to exceed 15 percent of the Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC) if your organization currently does not have a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost…” Open page 22

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 36

  “Budget Justification Write a Budget Justification to identify how each expense supports your proposed activities, detail how you calculated all costs, and provide supporting documentation, including any dollar amounts that you may have consolidated and…” Open page 36

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 37

  “Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants Provide a resume for each person whose expertise is essential to the success of the project.” Open page 37

• Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 41

  “Forms (follow form and Grants.gov instructions) □ SF-424S □ IMLS Museum Program Information Form Files Formatting Instructions □ Organizational Profile □ Narrative □ Schedule of Completion □ IMLS Budget Form □ Budget Justification □ List of Key Project Staff…” Open page 41

Length limits

• Page limit (see quote): 1 page (suggested, not required) · p. 27

  “PDF Page Limit: 1 page (recommended).” Open page 27

• Page limit (see quote): 10 pages max · p. 27

  “PDF Page Limit: 10 pages max.” Open page 27

• Page limit (see quote): 2 pages (suggested, not required) · p. 28

  “PDF Page Limit: 2 pages each (recommended) File Name:” Open page 28

• Character limit (see quote): 200 characters max · p. 64

  “Enter a brief descriptive title for your project, using no more than 200 characters, including spaces.” Open page 64

• Abstract: 3,000 characters max · p. 68

  “Abstract Write an Abstract of no more than 3,000 characters (including spaces) in a concise narrative format for experts as well as for a general audience.” Open page 68

Formatting rules

• 11-point font · p. 32

  “PDF Font Size: 11-point or higher Margins: 0.5 inches or greater Components:” Open page 32

Cost share or match

• Cost share / match · p. 14

  “Research $50,000–$750,000 No cost share required Learn more about Cost Sharing in the Budget” Open page 14

• Cost share / match · p. 19

  “Project Types 17 Project Type Project Characteristics Research 1-3 years $50,000 - $750,000 No cost share required Research projects:” Open page 19

• Cost share / match · p. 67

  “Enter “0” if your budget includes no cost share/match.” Open page 67

Dates in the notice

• November 13, 2026 · p. 3

  “FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity Applications Due November 13, 2026 National Leadership Grants for Museums F unding Opportunity Number:” Open page 3

Mistakes that get applications rejected (4)

• Not an eligible applicant: We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your organization is determined to be... · p. 13

  “We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your organization is determined to be ineligible.  To receive an IMLS award, your organization must be determined to be eligible and must comply with all applicable IMLS, administrative and…” Open page 13

• Could get your application rejected: If cost share is proposed, it will not be considered in the merit review of applications. · p. 19

  “If cost share is proposed, it will not be considered in the merit review of applications.” Open page 19

• Over the length limit: We will remove any pages over the stated limits and they will not be sent to peer review; any additional... · p. 30

  “We will remove any pages over the stated limits and they will not be sent to peer review; any additional pages will not be considered part of your application.” Open page 30

• Over the length limit: Narrative - Required Format Page Limit: 10 numbered pages We will remove any pages over this limit and... · p. 32

  “Narrative - Required Format Page Limit: 10 numbered pages We will remove any pages over this limit and will not send them to peer review; any additional pages will not be considered part of your application.” Open page 32