Institute of Museum and Library Services
Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2027)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Nov 13, 2026 · 36 days left
- Award size
- $50K – $150K
- Total available
- $750K · about 5 awards
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Set by the official notice: see Who can apply below
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Only tribes or Native American / Native Hawaiian organizations can apply
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/35cad05a-b088-46b5-b9d0-a998cbf9a6b1 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/e45dcda3-c90f-4875-b16d-78e652c5fc51
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
More from Institute of Museum and Library Services
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- 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027) · Due Nov 13, 2026 · 36 days left
- Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2027) · Due Nov 13, 2026 · 36 days left
- Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027) · Due Nov 13, 2026 · 36 days left
About this grant
The Native Hawaiian Library Services (NH) program is designed to assist Native Hawaiian serving organizations in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Native Hawaiian organizations must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The program supports organizations across the islands and country to address their individual information needs and priorities.
Who can apply, from the official notice
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for program eligibility criteria.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct8
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Oct23
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Nov6
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Nov11
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Nov13
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
Writing the need statement? Davidson County facts with citations.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice fy27-ols-nh-NOFO.pdf (66 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. 37
“You must include $3,000 per year of proposed budget for a minimum of one staff to travel to attend an IMLS-designated meeting.” Open page 37
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 organization 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. 14
“You must explain all proposed expenses in your Budget Justification.” Open page 14
Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 15
“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 does not have a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate…” Open page 15
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 45
“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 45
Length limits
Character limit (see quote): 200 characters max · p. 27
“Enter a brief descriptive title for your project, using no more than 200 characters, including spaces.” Open page 27
Abstract: 3,000 characters max · p. 31
“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 31
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. 8
“Cost Share Requirements Cost share is allowed but not required for the NH program.” Open page 8
Cost share / match · p. 30
“Enter “0” if your budget includes no cost share/match.” Open page 30
Cost share / match · p. 38
“Cost share is not required for this program.” Open page 38
Cost share / match · p. 57
“Cost share is not required for this program and is not considered in merit review of applications.” Open page 57
Dates in the notice
November 13, 2026 · p. 1
“FY 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity Applications Due November 13, 2026 Native Hawaiian Library Services 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. 8
“The amount of cost share, if included in an application, will not be considered in the merit review of applications.” Open page 8
Not an eligible applicant: We will notify you if your application will not be reviewed because your organization is determined to be... · p. 9
“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,…” Open page 9
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. 24
“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 24
Over the length limit: Narrative - Required Format Page Recommendation: 5 - 8 numbered pages We will remove any pages over the... · p. 32
“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 32
About the federal program
Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services
Program number 45.311 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · The Institute of Museum and Library Services · Project grant, direct payment for a set purpose
How applications are judged
Native American Library Services Basic Grants are non-competitive awards available to eligible applicants.
Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants and Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants are competitive grant programs. Successful proposals in these grant programs are structured to result in improved digital services, improved educational programs related to specific topics and content areas of interest to library patrons and community-based users; and enhanced preservation and revitalization of Native American and Native Hawaiian cultures and languages.
Match
None required (federal program listing).