IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant: deadline, amount and who can apply
The IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant is a $100,000 to $500,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for museums, museum associations and universities. The current deadline is November 13, 2026, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Only for museums, museum associations or universities building training and career pathways for museum workers. A 1:1 non-federal cost share is required. Checked November 6, 2026.
IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant at a glance
| Amount | $100,000 to $500,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | November 13, 2026 |
| Who can apply | Museums, museum associations or universities building training and career pathways for museum workers. A 1:1 non-federal cost share is required |
| Application fee | No fee listed on the funder's page |
| Official application | Apply on the Institute of Museum and Library Services site ↗ (opens in a new tab) |
| Last verified | November 6, 2026 How we verify |
| Funder | Institute of Museum and Library Services |
IMLS grants of $100,000 to $500,000 for projects that build career pathways, training and professional networks for museum workers, open to museums, museum associations and universities. A 1:1 non-federal cost share is required. About 8 awards. Due November 13, 2026.
Eligibility
What the Institute of Museum and Library Services page requires, as recorded when we checked it. The funder's own rules are the final word.
- Open to nonprofits in any U.S. state
- Only for museums, museum associations or universities building training and career pathways for museum workers. A 1:1 non-federal cost share is required.
How to apply
Applications go through the Institute of Museum and Library Services directly, on its own site. Read the current rules and deadline there before you start.
Apply on the Institute of Museum and Library Services site ↗ (opens in a new tab)Straight answers
When is the IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant deadline?
The IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant deadline is November 13, 2026. The Institute of Museum and Library Services lists November 13, 2026 as the close of the current round.
Who can apply for the IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant?
Open to nonprofits in any U.S. state. Only for museums, museum associations or universities building training and career pathways for museum workers. A 1:1 non-federal cost share is required. These are the requirements recorded when we checked the funder's page on November 6, 2026. The Institute of Museum and Library Services decides who is selected.
How much is the IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant?
The IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant is $100,000 to $500,000, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
How do I apply for the IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant?
Applications go through grants.gov, the federal grants site. No fee is listed on the funder's page.
Is the IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant legit?
The IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals Grant is run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. WinAGrant checked the funder's own page for this grant on November 6, 2026. WinAGrant is not affiliated with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
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