ο»ΏThe Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has released its slate of Fiscal Year 2026 grant opportunities, offering critical federal funding to strengthen libraries, museums, and cultural institutions nationwide. These programs support capacity building, workforce development, community engagement, preservation, and leadership across institutions of all sizes, including small, rural, and tribal-serving organizations.


Below is an overview of the IMLS FY 2026 grant programs currently available through Grants.gov, with direct links to each funding opportunity.


πŸ“š Library-Focused Grant Programs


 

  • Native American Library Services Basic Grant (FY 2026)

 

This program provides noncompetitive, foundational funding to eligible Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages to support core library services, collections, and operations.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361141


 

  • National Leadership Grants for Libraries (FY 2026)

 

Supports projects that advance library services nationwide through innovation, research, and scalable models. Ideal for projects with regional or national impact.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361140


 

  • Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (FY 2026)

 

Focuses on education, training, and professional development for current and future library professionals, with an emphasis on leadership and workforce sustainability. 

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361139




πŸ›οΈ Museum-Focused Grant Programs


  • Museums for America (FY 2026)

IMLS’s flagship museum grant program, supporting projects that strengthen institutional capacity, enhance learning experiences, and improve collections stewardship.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361142


  • Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (FY 2026)

Designed specifically for small museums, this program funds projects in lifelong learning, institutional capacity, and collections care.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361145


  • Museums Empowered (FY 2026)

Supports professional development and leadership training for museum staff, fostering stronger, more resilient museum workforces.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361149


  • National Leadership Grants for Museums (FY 2026)

Funds high-impact projects that address critical challenges facing the museum field and generate models that can be replicated nationally.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361147




🌎 Culturally Specific & Community-Centered Museum Programs


  • Native American / Native Hawaiian Museum Services (FY 2026)

Provides funding to support tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations in sustaining, strengthening, and advancing culturally specific museum services.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361148


  • Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (FY 2026)

Supports the preservation and interpretation of African American history, life, art, and culture through museum-based projects.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361144


  • Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (FY 2026)

Funds projects that enhance the representation and understanding of Latino history and culture within the nation’s museums.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361146




πŸŽ“ Workforce & Professional Development


  • 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (FY 2026)

Invests in professional growth, leadership development, and skills-building initiatives for museum professionals at all career stages.

πŸ”— https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361143



June 5, 2026
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Receives 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations
June 5, 2026
Five Southwest Georgia Communities Awarded CHIP Housing Grants
May 22, 2026
Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Staff Participate in 2026 GARC Economic Development Conference
May 22, 2026
SWGRC Staff Attend HUD Healthy Homes Program Manager Training
May 22, 2026
Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Cycle
By 183:935661903 May 18, 2026
RRP Lead-Based Paint Certification Training Coming to Camilla
May 14, 2026
Miller County Transit Development Plan (TDP) in Development
April 28, 2026
The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is currently developing a Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Lee County. This effort aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration while supporting local planning and informational needs. The plan is funded through a planning grant from GDOT (5304) and is intended to serve as a guiding resource for the county and its municipalities. This plan is prepared with data compiled from several sources, including U.S. Census Bureau data, American Community Survey results, the community’s most recent Comprehensive Plan, GDOT’s adopted Regional Transit Development Plan, GDOT’s Statewide Transit Plan, community input survey results, community websites, and Southwest Georgia Regional Transit trip data. Lee County, its municipalities, and GDOT, will be encouraged to use this plan to help inform future decisions related to rural public transit services. Community Input Meetings Two meetings are scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the Leesburg Library 1:00 PM-2:00 PM at the Oakland Library Download the flyer which includes a QR code for easy access to the survey. The survey does not have to be completed at the scheduled meetings. The survey can be completed at any time, and a direct link to the survey is also provided here . Additionally, I encourage anyone to reach out to me by phone if they do not have internet access or cannot attend the meeting using the contact information below: Amanda Nava-Estill Director of Transportation (229) 552-3552 x108
April 22, 2026
BJA FY25 De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, and sheriff’s departments in developing, implementing, or expanding de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education with on-campus police departments, public or state-controlled hospitals with on-campus police departments (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- BJA FY25 Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative This funding opportunity seeks to support local law enforcement in rural jurisdictions to prevent, respond to, and reduce violent crime. The goal is to equip rural law enforcement agencies and prosectors’ offices with the resources necessary to implement a violent crime reduction strategy to solve a specific violent crime challenge. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- OJJDP FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program This funding opportunity supports the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and violence and promote public safety. These strategies will help to prevent youth from joining gangs, discontinue involvement in gangs, and prevent and reduce additional youth gang violence. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 21, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 1, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.
April 22, 2026
Bainbridge, GA October 28-29, 2026 In-Person: 2-day conference The DCA Office of Planning, in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association, offers a series of classes called the Community Planning Institute to Georgia’s planning commissioners, elected officials and local government staff. The Institute provides information about planning for land use, growth and development. This is especially helpful for those communities that will be updating their local comprehensive plan in the coming year. Registration opens in June. $300
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