Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2027)

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice fy27-ols-nae-NOFO.pdf (69 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.

Award size and project length

• Award amounts here are per year · p. 39

  “You must include $3,000 per year of proposed budget for a minimum of one project staff to travel to attend an IMLS-designated meeting.” Open page 39

Registrations you need first (4)

• SAM.gov · p. 3

  “Register in SAM.gov (registration can take several weeks).” Open page 3

• Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 3

  “Your Tribe must have an active SAM.gov account and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before you apply.” Open page 3

• Grants.gov · p. 3

  “Register in Grants.gov (registration can take several days).” Open page 3

• Login.gov · p. 3

  “You’ll need an active SAM.gov account and a Login.gov account to register and access Grants.gov.” Open page 3

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

What to submit

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 16

  “You must explain all proposed expenses in your Budget Justification.” Open page 16

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 17

  “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 Tribe does not have a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement…” Open page 17

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 25

  “Resumes.pdf Conditionally Required Documents You must include these components if they are applicable to your Tribe or your project.” Open page 25

Length limits

• Character limit (see quote): 200 characters max · p. 29

  “Enter a brief descriptive title for your project, using no more than 200 characters, including spaces.” Open page 29

• Abstract: 3,000 characters max · p. 32

  “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 32

Formatting rules

• 11-point font · p. 34

  “PDF Font Size: 11-point or higher Margins: 0.5 inches or greater Components:” Open page 34

Cost share or match

• Cost share / match · p. 9

  “Cost Share Requirements Cost share is allowed but not required for the NAE program.” Open page 9

• Cost share / match · p. 32

  “Enter “0” if your budget includes no cost share/match.” Open page 32

• Cost share / match · p. 40

  “Cost share is not required for this program.” Open page 40

• Cost share / match · p. 60

  “Cost share is not required for this program and is not considered in the merit review of applications.” Open page 60

Dates in the notice

• November 13, 2026 · p. 1

  “FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity Applications Due November 13, 2026 Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Funding Opportunity Number:” Open page 1

Mistakes that get applications rejected (4)

• Could get your application rejected: The amount of cost share, if included in an application, will not be considered in the merit review of... · p. 9

  “The amount of cost share, if included in an application, will not be considered in the merit review of applications.” Open page 9

• Not an eligible applicant: We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your organization is determined to be... · p. 10

  “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 Tribe must be determined to be eligible and must comply with all applicable IMLS, administrative, and…” Open page 10

• 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. 26

  “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 26

• Over the length limit: Narrative - Required Format Page Recommendation: 5 - 8 numbered pages We will remove any pages over the... · p. 34

  “Narrative - Required Format Page Recommendation: 5 - 8 numbered pages We will remove any pages over the eight-page limit and will not send them to peer review; any additional pages will not be considered part of your application.” Open page 34