Museum Assistance Program Grants

The Museum Assistance Program (MAP) is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), a division of the Maryland Department of Planning that supports the preservation and interpretation of Maryland history and cultural heritage. MAP is designed to strengthen Maryland museums and institutional collections by providing operational funding and technical support to historical and cultural museums across the state. For Fiscal Year 2026, the program received $285,000 in statewide funding and will distribute grants as operational support awards. The grant program focuses on helping museums improve organizational sustainability, maintain core services, and preserve public access to Maryland’s historical and cultural resources. The program is specifically intended for museums that interpret Maryland’s cultural heritage, history, natural history, or the history of science and technology. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local governments that administer museums which have been open and operating for at least three years prior to the application date. Nonprofit applicants must be in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation and either possess federal tax-exempt status or have applied for recognition as a tax-exempt organization with the Internal Revenue Service. Local governments operating multiple museums may submit applications for more than one institution, but each museum must submit a separate application. Museums operated wholly or partially by the state or federal government are not eligible to receive funding through the program. The guidelines define a museum as an organization that collects, preserves, and interprets objects and materials for public benefit. The FY26 MAP grants support operational expenses and institutional capacity building rather than capital improvements or major programmatic initiatives. Eligible expenses include staff salaries, contractual services, professional development and training for staff and volunteers, accounting and insurance costs, environmental monitoring systems such as humidity and pest management, utilities and rent, routine building maintenance, security systems, emergency planning, governance planning, and accreditation-related activities. Some programmatic activities related to operations may also qualify, including limited research, documentation, conservation, and interpretation activities. However, the program explicitly excludes major capital construction, restoration, rehabilitation, exhibit installation, architectural planning services, and expenses incurred before award notification. The grant program is intended to stabilize museum operations and help institutions maintain responsible stewardship of facilities and collections. Applicants may request up to $20,000 in funding, although typical awards are expected to range from $10,000 to $15,000. There is no matching requirement associated with the grant program. Awards are issued for project periods of up to twelve months, with possible extensions of up to six additional months if circumstances warrant. Successful applicants must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws related to equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, accessibility, and workplace safety. Grantees are also required to sign a grant agreement with the Maryland Department of Planning and may be subject to additional compliance requirements and expenditure verification procedures. A small percentage of awardees may be selected for financial spot checks and required to provide receipts, invoices, or other supporting documentation during the final reporting process. The application process requires applicants to review the current grant guidelines, confirm institutional eligibility, prepare required attachments, and submit a completed online application through the designated grants portal before the published deadline. Required documentation may include cost estimates, photographs, and proof of ownership or site control depending on the proposed operational activities. The FY26 grant guidelines specify that completed applications must be submitted online by December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. The application period opens during August 2025. Awards are expected to be announced in early April 2026, although summary program materials also indicate a general award notification timeframe of December or January for future cycles. Once award notifications are issued, approved grantees may begin incurring eligible project expenses even before execution of the formal grant agreement. Applications are evaluated by Maryland Historical Trust staff and a Review Panel appointed by state leadership, including representatives selected by the Secretary of Planning, the Maryland Speaker of the House, and the Maryland Senate President. The review process is intended to reflect geographic and institutional diversity across Maryland. Reviewers evaluate applications based on organizational capacity, demonstrated financial need, impact of funding, mission alignment, stewardship practices, and equitable geographic distribution of cultural resources. Strong proposals are expected to demonstrate stable leadership, sound financial management, community relevance, and the ability to use grant funding effectively to sustain operations and public service. The review panel submits recommendations to the MHT Board of Trustees, which forwards recommendations to the Secretary of Planning for final funding decisions. Grantees are required to submit both a midpoint progress report and a final report documenting use of funds and outcomes achieved. The program is recurring and administered annually as part of Maryland’s ongoing support for museum sustainability and preservation initiatives.

Strong proposals clearly demonstrate operational need institutional stability financial stewardship community impact and alignment with Maryland cultural heritage priorities. Applicants should emphasize organizational capacity and explain how funding will sustain essential museum functions and public access to collections.