The Institute of Museum and Library Services
21st Century Museum Professional Program
Key facts
- Open now
- 1 grant
- Type of help
- Grant
- Typical award
- In FY24, awards ranged from $116,770 to $369,159. Average = $250,000. In FY2025, requests may range from $100,000 to $500,000.
- Deadlines
- Jan 13, 2026 to Mar 15, 2026
Open now
- 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027) · Due Nov 13, 2026 · 36 days left
What it pays for
21MP has two program goals and two objectives associated with each goal: GOAL 1, Support the professional development of the museum workforce. Obj 1.1: Develop new or enhanced professional development and training programs for the museum workforce. Obj 1.2: Support assessment and evaluation of training and professional development programs to identify and share effective practices. GOAL 2, Recruit and train future museum professionals. Obj 2.1: Expand pathways into the museum field by adapting higher education programs to be more responsive to the needs of the museum workforce. Obj 2.2: Support assessment and evaluation of recruitment, training, and higher education programs to identify and share effective practices.
Who can apply
Museums, museum consortia and associations, institutions of higher education (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 9165(b)), and other entities that the IMLS Director determines appropriate.
How applications are judged
Successful applications in this grant program will reflect a thorough understanding of current practice related to training museum professionals; employ inclusive outreach strategies to reach target audiences at multiple institutions; engage museum staff, leadership, and volunteers at any stage of career development; follow a set of logical, interrelated activities tied directly to addressing a key need or challenge; and generate measurable results.
Match
One-to-one cost share from non-federal sources is required for all requests. Cost share requirements are mandatory.