Simpler Grants.gov #ME-FY27

Museums Empowered Grant Program for Professional Development (2027)

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Office of Museum Services is seeking proposals for the Museums Empowered grant program, focused on professional development for museum staff. - Government Buyer: - Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - Office of Museum Services (OMS) - Program Focus: - Supports projects that enhance professional development for museum staff - Emphasis on digital technology, evaluation, and organizational management - Encourages apprenticeships and alternative pathways for upskilling early-career professionals - Special consideration for rural, remote, and underserved communities - Products/Services Requested: - Professional development initiatives (learning, training, apprenticeships) - Projects leveraging new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve museum operations and visitor experience - No specific OEMs or vendors; this is a grant for services and capacity-building - Funding Details: - Total funding pool: approximately $4,300,000 - Individual awards range from $5,000 to $350,000 - Up to 20 projects supported - Cost-sharing or matching requirement applies - Unique Requirements: - Projects must build workforce skills and capacity - Open to U.S.-based museums and parent entities (government units, nonprofits) - Focus on inclusion of non-traditional applicants and institutions new to federal funding

Description

Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program, designed to support projects that use learning and training to generate change and growth within museums of all types and sizes. The program aims to build the capacity of individual museums to grow their own professional development programs using apprenticeships and alternative pathways to upskill early-career professionals and provide opportunities for non-traditional applicants to enter the museum workforce. The initiative encourages projects that preserve America's history, foster appreciation for the country's heritage, and creatively use new technologies including artificial intelligence to improve visitor experience and collections. Institutions serving rural and remote communities and those not traditionally recipients of federal funding are especially welcomed to apply.

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