21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2026)

The 21st Century Museum Professionals (21MP) Program, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is a competitive federal funding opportunity designed to support workforce development within the museum field. As the primary federal agency supporting museums and libraries across the United States, IMLS leverages this program to strengthen the nation's cultural infrastructure through the training and professional advancement of current and future museum professionals. The 21MP program emphasizes innovative approaches to training, upskilling, and credentialing that meet the evolving needs of museums nationwide. The primary purpose of the program is twofold: to support the professional development of the current museum workforce and to recruit and train future museum professionals. The program encourages projects that foster meaningful career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and document and share effective workforce practices. Grants may support a variety of activities including new or enhanced professional development programs, alternative credentialing pathways, evaluation and assessment of training models, and adaptations of higher education curricula to better serve the museum sector. Projects that serve early-career professionals, non-traditional applicants, and underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged. Grants range from $100,000 to $500,000 and require a one-to-one cost share from non-federal sources. The total anticipated funding available for FY 2026 is approximately $2,000,000, with an estimated eight awards expected. Projects can span one to three years, with start dates beginning on September 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 13, 2026. Only complete applications submitted by eligible organizations will be reviewed. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based museums and museum-related organizations, including nonprofits, state, local, and Tribal government entities, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations affiliated with museums. Organizations must be located in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, or freely associated states. Museums must meet specific criteria related to staffing, educational purpose, and public exhibition. Museums embedded within larger parent organizations may apply independently if they meet financial and operational criteria. Applications are evaluated through a peer review process based on three major criteria: project justification, project work plan, and project results. Reviewers assess alignment with program goals, clarity of objectives, audience engagement, evaluation strategies, feasibility, and sustainability. Award notifications are anticipated in August 2026. Required components of the application include a project narrative, budget form and justification, performance measurement plan, key staff resumes, schedule of completion, and optional digital products plan when applicable. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program officer for guidance. The primary contact is Mark Isaksen, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist, who can be reached at [email protected] or 202-653-4667. Additional support resources include pre-recorded webinars on budgeting and preparing applications, as well as access to scheduling consultations through the IMLS website. The program supports projects aligned with IMLS’s broader goals of lifelong learning, community engagement, and stewardship of collections, with a special emphasis this cycle on AI education, alternative credentialing, and equitable access to museum careers.

Emphasize alignment with 21MP program goals; clearly define your audience and impact; ensure sustainability of results and rigorous evaluation plans.