IMLS releases NA and H applicant session: $5,000–$250,000 grants due Nov. 15, 2024

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released an Applicant Information Session video outlining how to apply for the Native American Native Hawaiian (NA and H) Museum Services Grant Program and what reviewers will look for.

In the video an IMLS presenter summarized who may apply and what the grants fund, saying the program’s “overall goal ... is to build the capacity of Native American tribes, including Alaska Native villages and corporations, as well as Native Hawaiian organizations to provide museum services to their communities.” The presenter told viewers the lead applicant must be either a federally recognized Indian tribe (including Alaska Native villages or corporations) or a nonprofit organization that primarily serves and represents Native Hawaiians; other entities such as museums, schools, tribal colleges, or nonprofits may participate as partners but cannot apply as lead applicants on their own.

IMLS described NA and H awards as project-based grants intended for temporary, non-routine activities with defined beginnings and ends. The agency said projects must be at least one year and no longer than three years. Applicants may request a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $250,000 in federal funds; requests outside that range may be rejected. The presenter emphasized that cost share is not required and is not considered in review, but if included it must be met by the end of the award period and cannot be funded by another federal source.

The video reviews application components and page limits: required forms (including the SF-424 and the IMLS Museum Program Information form completed in the grants.gov workspace), a narrative limited to seven pages that addresses three sections (project justification, project work plan, and project results), and supporting or conditionally required documents such as IRS proof of nonprofit status, indirect cost rate agreements if used, digital products plans for any digital deliverables, and condition-specific attachments (for example, conservation treatment proposals and condition reports when requesting conservation funding).

On budgeting, IMLS said applicants must submit the IMLS budget form and a budget justification that shows how each expense was computed; budgets must conform to federal cost principles and the allowability rules in 2 CFR Part 200. The presenter advised applicants to attach vendor quotes or estimates when appropriate and to ensure math and funding sources align with project scope.

IMLS warned that omission of any required component can result in rejection and urged applicants to avoid including extraneous materials that introduce new information. The agency recommended consulting the archive of awarded grants on the IMLS website to see examples of funded projects and amounts.

Practical application tips included starting early, using the grants.gov workspace (which provides upfront validation and collaboration tools), and ensuring active registrations on SAM.gov and grants.gov with a current unique entity identifier (UEI). The presenter warned that registration expirations and missing account access are not acceptable reasons for late submission and encouraged applicants to coordinate with their organization’s authorized representatives and financial or grants offices.

Key deadlines in the video: IMLS said the FY2025 NA and H Notice of Funding Opportunity is typically posted in mid-August (about 90 days before the deadline). For this funding cycle applications must be received through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 15, 2024; the timestamp is auto-generated by grants.gov and is non-negotiable. IMLS said staff will check submissions for completeness and eligibility after the deadline, peer reviewers will score applications based only on materials in the application, and award decisions and reviewer comments will be emailed to applicants in June 2025. Awarded projects must be scheduled to start on July 1, 2025.

IMLS closed by offering program-level assistance: contact information appears on the NA and H program landing page, and applicants may schedule virtual counseling calls with program staff via a scheduling link. The presenter encouraged applicants to consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov for full instructions and cautioned that the NOFO contains the authoritative details for preparing and submitting applications.

The session contains practical, procedural guidance rather than new policy decisions; applicants should rely on the NA and H NOFO, grants.gov, and IMLS program pages for specific instructions and filings.