Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2027)

The Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants program is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS advances, supports, and empowers museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. The Native Hawaiian Library Services program is intended to assist Native Hawaiian-serving organizations in sustaining and improving library services with their communities. Its goal is to develop, enhance, or disseminate practices, programs, models, tools, or staff training that strengthen library and archival services with Native Hawaiian organizations. Applicants must select the program objective that best aligns with their proposed project: serving community learning needs and interests, improving Native Hawaiian well-being, providing access to and preservation of information and collections, or providing services to communities affected by emergencies or disasters. Projects may include educational programming for all ages, Native Hawaiian language and culture education, oral history collection and documentation, digital media and technology enhancements, institutional planning and policy development, professional training, internships and mentorships, engagement with cultural practitioners and scholars, research and development of language and cultural materials and tools, digitization and digital preservation, collections stewardship, community memory activities, and furnishing library spaces within existing constructed spaces. Generally allowable costs include personnel salaries, wages and fringe benefits, project-related travel, materials, supplies, software and equipment, accessibility technologies and services, participant support costs, third-party costs, design and publication costs, program evaluation, staff and volunteer training, paid internships and fellowships, and stipends or honoraria. Construction and renovation, contributions to endowments, general operating support, general fundraising, certain promotional advertising and public relations, and social activities, receptions, or entertainment are unallowable. IMLS grant funds also cannot be provided to a federal agency serving as a third party. IMLS expects to award a total of 750000 dollars through this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and agency discretion. The agency anticipates making five awards ranging from 50000 dollars to 150000 dollars. Projects may last one or two years and must begin July 1, 2027, with the overall anticipated period of performance extending through June 30, 2029. Cost share is allowed but is not required and is not considered during merit review. Applicants choosing to include cost share must meet those commitments if awarded. Indirect costs may be calculated using an applicable current federally negotiated rate, an eligible proposed federal rate that is finalized before award, or a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs for an eligible organization without a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Applicants may also elect not to charge indirect costs. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians, as defined by federal statute, and that offer library services to the community. Such services may include free access to books and other print or electronic media, research databases, employment and career resources, reference services, spaces for reading, studying and meetings, and free programs, classes, cultural events, and other activities. Applicants must provide charter documents, including articles of incorporation, demonstrating that they primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians, as well as acceptable proof of private nonprofit status. An eligible nonprofit may collaborate with partners, but it must remain the lead applicant, satisfy all eligibility requirements, administer the award, and retain programmatic, fiscal, and legal responsibility. An organization may submit only one application under this announcement, and applications cannot propose to renew or add funding to an active IMLS award. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov Workspace or an appropriate Grants.gov system-to-system solution. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier, an active SAM.gov registration, and an active Grants.gov registration with an approved Authorized Organization Representative. Required application materials include the SF-424S, IMLS Library - Discretionary Program Information Form, Organizational Profile, Narrative, Schedule of Completion, Performance Measurement Plan, IMLS Budget Form, Budget Justification, resumes of key project staff and consultants, Proof of Eligibility, and Proof of Private, Nonprofit Status. Depending on the project, applicants may also need a current Final Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and a Digital Products Plan. The Narrative is organized under Project Justification, Project Work Plan, and Project Results. Optional supporting documents may include commitment or support letters, references, planning reports, contractor quotes, equipment specifications, needs assessments, and other materials that directly supplement the Narrative. IMLS first assesses applications for eligibility and completeness. Applications may be rejected if the applicant is ineligible, required or conditionally required components are missing, the funding request is outside the permitted range, the application is late, or the project does not follow program funding restrictions and guidelines. Complete applications from eligible organizations undergo peer review by professionals with relevant knowledge and expertise. Reviewers assess the alignment of the project with the program goal, the demonstrated need or opportunity, definition of the primary audience, appropriateness and realism of project resources, use of stakeholders and existing assets, applicable digital product practices, communication of results, intended results, measurability of success, accessibility of project products, and sustainability of project benefits. Applicants must also prepare a Performance Measurement Plan addressing effectiveness, quality, and timeliness. Applications are due through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 13, 2026. IMLS expects to notify applicants of funding decisions by email in June 2027, subject to the availability of funds and agency discretion, and funded projects must begin July 1, 2027. The notice does not establish a recurring application schedule or provide a future-cycle deadline beyond this competition. Programmatic and administrative questions may be directed to IMLS, and the source provides imls-librarygrants@imls.gov and 202-653-4744. Grants.gov technical assistance is available at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. Applicants should begin federal registrations well before the deadline because SAM.gov registration can take several weeks and Grants.gov registration can take several days.

Align the proposal clearly with the selected Native Hawaiian Library Services program objective and document the need using reliable sources. Define the primary audience specifically and demonstrate its involvement in planning. Present realistic time, financial, personnel, and other resources and explain how stakeholders, organizational assets, community resources, and partners will contribute. Define meaningful and measurable results, explain how results will reach the primary audience, and provide a practical sustainability strategy. Ensure applicable digital products follow appropriate creation, access, availability, and sustainability practices. Keep all required components complete and consistent with the funding range, project dates, funding restrictions, and application instructions.