Deadline: October 02, 2020
Application: The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY 2021 (PDF 500KB) is now available
Program Overview:
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) supports developing a diverse workforce of librarians to better meet the changing learning and information needs of the American public by enhancing the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and library leaders; and recruiting educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals.
All applications must designate one of the following project categories:
Lifelong Learning
Community Catalysts
National Digital Infrastructures and Initiatives
The application process for the LB21 program has two phases. For Phase I, all applicants must submit two-page preliminary proposals by the deadline listed above. For Phase II, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals (Invited Full Proposals). Only Invited Full Proposals will be considered for funding.
Invited Full Proposals will be due March 26, 2021.
Grant Amount: Planning Grants: up to $100,000. National Forum Grants: up to $150,000. Project Grants: up to $1,000,000. Research in Service to Practice Grants: up to $750,000.
Cost Share Requirement: Cost sharing is not considered in the review of applications, but is an eligibility criterion for certain LB21 projects, as follows.
Funding categoryAward amountCost sharing requirementPlanning GrantsUp to $100,000No cost share required.National Forum GrantsUp to $150,000No cost share required.Project GrantsUp to $1,000,000Projects requesting more than $249,999 in IMLS funds require at least 1:1 cost share, excluding student support costs.Research in Service to Practice GrantsUp to $750,000No cost share required.See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for further information on cost sharing.
Grant Period: One to two years for Planning Grants and National Forum Grants. One to three years for Project Grants and Research in Service to Practice Grants, except for doctoral program projects, which may be one to four years.
Eligibility: See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility criteria for this program.