Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), through its Office of Library Services, administers the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) Program, a federal initiative designed to build a resilient, skilled, and diverse library and archival workforce that can meet the evolving information needs of communities across the United States. The LB21 program supports projects that advance professional training and development for existing professionals, foster the education of emerging leaders and faculty, and recruit and retain new generations of librarians and archivists. It seeks to strengthen institutional capacity within libraries, archives, and graduate programs in library and information science nationwide. This program is particularly important as the field faces challenges related to technology adoption, community engagement, and workforce succession. The LB21 Program offers six project types: Planning, Forum, Community-Centered Implementation, National Implementation, Early Career Research, and Applied Research. These categories are tailored to meet different stages and focuses of professional and institutional development. Planning and Forum grants support exploratory activities or expert convenings that can inform future projects. Community-Centered Implementation grants focus on adapting existing models to specific organizational contexts. National Implementation projects aim to create or scale tools and practices that can be broadly implemented across the profession. Early Career and Applied Research projects support faculty conducting research with practical implications for library and archival practices. Award amounts and grant periods vary by project type. Planning and Forum grants offer between $75,000 and $200,000 over one to two years. Community-Centered Implementation grants range from $25,000 to $100,000. National Implementation grants offer up to $1,000,000, with cost sharing required for requests above $299,999. Early Career and Applied Research grants may receive between $75,000 and $750,000 each, with up to three years of funding. The total expected funding available under this notice is $8,500,000, with approximately 35 awards anticipated. Notably, most project types do not require cost sharing, except for National Implementation grants exceeding the specified threshold. Eligible applicants include libraries, archives, graduate schools of library and information science, library associations, consortia, and nonprofit organizations affiliated with libraries or archives. All applicants must be either a unit of state, local, or tribal government or a nonprofit organization located in the United States or its territories. Applicants must meet one of seven specific organizational types outlined in the program guidelines. Partnerships are encouraged, though one organization must serve as the lead applicant and assume full legal and fiscal responsibility for the award. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov no later than March 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The application package must include required components such as the SF-424S form, program information form, narrative, budget documents, and relevant appendices. Optional and conditionally required documents may also apply based on the applicant’s organization type or proposed project activities. Awards are expected to be announced in August 2026, and projects must begin on September 1, 2026. All project activities must be completed within one to three years, depending on project type. Peer review will be conducted by qualified professionals in the field, who will assess applications based on justification, work plan, and results. Evaluation criteria include effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and timeliness. Successful applicants must also comply with IMLS administrative and national policy requirements, including federal cost principles and reporting standards. Public access to research findings and digital products is a program priority, and grantees must submit detailed plans outlining how such products will be shared, preserved, and sustained. For further assistance, applicants may contact the program via the official email address: [email protected]. Additional guidance, including webinars and FAQs, can be found on the IMLS website. All program activities are contingent on the availability of federal funds and agency discretion. The official NOFO is accessible at https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/fy26-ols-lb21-NOFO.pdf.

Focus your project on one of the defined LB21 goals and objectives; ensure your chosen project type matches your proposed activities.