IMLS NAE Grants Program - Application Deadline

Description

Application: The FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (PDF, 747KB) is now available.  

IMLS Priorities Cover Letter: NAE Cover Letter (PDF, 144KB)

Program Overview: The Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program (NAE) is designed to assist eligible Native Communities in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. As information needs change, Tribal libraries must be able to serve as knowledge and resource centers to benefit their users and the wellness of their communities. The NAE program supports Native Communities across the country to address their individual information needs and priorities.

NAE projects may involve, but are not limited to, activities such as:

• educational programming for all ages;
• oral history collection and documentation;
• digital media and technology enhancements;
• institutional planning and policy development;
• professional training, internships, and mentorships;
• supporting and engaging with cultural practitioners and scholars;
• research and development of language and cultural material and tools;
• digitization and digital preservation, and
• furnishing of library spaces for staff and public, within existing constructed spaces (please note that IMLS funds are not allowed for construction).

Program Goal: Develop, enhance, or disseminate practices, programs, models, tools, or library staff training to strengthen library and archival services for Native American Tribes through the following objectives:

• Serve the learning needs and interests of the community.
• Improve community well-being.
• Provide access to and preservation of information and collections.
• Provide services to affected communities in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Eligibility:  To be eligible for an award under this NAE Notice of Funding Opportunity, your Native Community must be Federally recognized and offer library and/or archival services to the community. Such services may include, but are not limited to providing free access to:

• books, print and electronic media;
• research databases;
• job, employment, and career resources;
• reference desk services;
• space for reading, studying, and meeting; and
• events and activities such as programs, classes, and cultural events for all ages.

For the purposes of funding eligibility for Native Communities under this program, IMLS adheres to the criteria in our statute which utilizes the defined term “Indian Tribe”. 20 U.S.C. § 9161. “Indian Tribe” (or “Tribe” or “Native Community”) means any “tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.)), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.” Id. at § 9101(5).

The Bureau of Indian Affairs publishes updated lists of Federally recognized Tribal and Native entities in the Federal Register. This list is periodically updated; the following list was published to the Federal Register on December 11, 2024: list of Federally recognized Tribes in the Federal Register.

Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for details on eligibility for this program.

Applications involving partnerships or collaborations are welcome so long as the Tribe is the lead applicant. Potential partners can include other departments within the Tribe, Tribal colleges and universities, school libraries, or local non-Tribal libraries and non-profits. If the Tribe collaborates with a partner, the Tribe must meet all eligibility requirements, serve as the lead applicant, and administer the award on behalf of the other(s).

Program Contact: If you have questions, please contact imls-librarygrants@imls.gov.

Applicant Webinar: We invite you to watch a pre-application webinar to learn more about the grant program.

*All grant programs are subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion. Deadlines are tentative.