← Back to search

The Institute of Museum and Library Services

Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services

Federal program · program number 45.311 (the federal Assistance Listing number)

Key facts

Open now
3 grants
Type of help
Project grant, direct payment for a set purpose
Typical award
Native American Library Services Basic Grants: FY2022 awards ranged from $6,000 to $90,000. Average = $11,089. FY2023 awards ranged from $6,000 to $90,000. Average = $10,852. FY2024 awards ranged from $6,000 to...
Deadlines
Jan 13, 2026 to Mar 14, 2026 Jan 22, 2026 to Apr 10, 2026

Open now

What it pays for

The Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services programs (NANH-L) are designed to assist Native American tribes and Native Hawaiians in improving core library services for their communities. NANH-L Basic Grants assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations with their communities. NANH-L Basic Grants has one program goal and four objectives. Program Goal: Improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community. Objective 1: Support the acquisition of library-related materials. Objective 2: Support programming for identified community priorities. Objective 3: Support training for library staff. Objective 4: Support project activities that include aspects of two or more of the objectives listed above. NANH-L Enhancement Grants assists eligible Native Communities in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. NANH-L Enhancement Grants has one program goal with four associated objectives. Program Goal: Develop, enhance, or disseminate practices, programs, models, tools, or library staff training to strengthen library and archival services for Native American Tribes. Objective 1: Serve the learning needs and interests of the community. Objective 2: Improve community well-being. Objective 3: Provide access to and preservation of information and collections. Objective 4: Provide services to affected communities in the event of an emergency or disaster. The Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (NH) is designed to assist Native...

Who can apply

An applicant to Native American Library Services Basic or Enhancement grant program must be an Indian tribe, meaning any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. An applicant to Native Hawaiian Library Services must be a nonprofit organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians. The term "Native Hawaiian" refers to an individual who is a citizen of the United States and a descendant of the aboriginal people who, before 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now comprises the State of Hawaii.

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).

Official program listing (SAM.gov) Program website