Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2027)

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the federal awarding agency for the Native American Basic Grants program, Funding Opportunity Number NAG-BASIC-FY27 and Assistance Listing Number 45.311. IMLS advances, supports, and empowers museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. The Native American Basic Grants program assists eligible Native Communities in establishing, sustaining, and improving library services and operations within their communities. Its goal is to improve library and archival services for accessing, learning, and preserving information with the community. Program objectives support the acquisition of library related materials, programming for identified community priorities, training for library staff, and projects that combine aspects of two or more of these objectives. IMLS expects to award a total of $1,700,000 through this announcement, subject to the availability of funds and agency discretion. Approximately 170 awards are anticipated, with individual awards expected to range from $6,000 to $10,000. Projects must begin May 1, 2027, and the anticipated period of performance is May 1, 2027 through April 30, 2028. Allowable costs may include personnel salaries, wages and fringe benefits, project related travel, materials, supplies, software and equipment, accessibility technologies, participant support costs, third party costs, design and publication costs, program evaluation, data collection and management, staff and volunteer training, paid internships or fellowships, and stipends or honoraria. Pre award costs may be allowed only at agency discretion and with prior written approval. Unallowable costs include general fundraising, endowment contributions, indirect costs, general promotional advertising or public relations, construction or renovation, and social activities, receptions, or entertainment. Federal funds also cannot be provided to a federal agency serving as a third party. Eligible applicants must be Federally recognized Native Communities and must offer library and or archival services to their communities. Under the program definition, an eligible Indian Tribe includes a tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including an Alaska Native village, regional corporation, or village corporation, that is recognized as eligible for special federal programs and services because of its status. Library or archival services may include free access to books and other media, research databases, employment and career resources, reference services, reading and meeting spaces, and programs, classes, or cultural events. Partnerships and collaborations are welcome, but the Tribe must be the lead applicant, satisfy all eligibility requirements, administer the award, and remain programmatically, fiscally, and legally responsible. Only one application may be submitted under this announcement. Cost sharing is not required and will not be accepted if voluntarily offered. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier, an active SAM.gov registration, and an active Grants.gov registration with an approved Authorized Organization Representative. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov Workspace or an approved Grants.gov system to system solution. IMLS will reject applications submitted by email, postal mail, or delivery service. A complete application consists of the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance Short Organizational Form, SF-424S; the IMLS Library - Discretionary Program Information Form; a Library Services Plan submitted as Plan.pdf; and the IMLS Budget Form submitted as Budget.pdf. The Library Services Plan is recommended to be no more than two single spaced numbered pages and must contain Narrative and Budget Summary sections. The Narrative addresses proposed activities, partners, expected results, and methods for monitoring and measuring success. The Budget Summary explains each line item and how amounts were determined, as well as the planned frequency for drawing down funds. Applications are due through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on November 13, 2026. IMLS generally rejects late applications, although it retains discretion in rare circumstances and has provisions for certain emergency extensions. The total federal request must be between $6,000 and $10,000, and the project and budget must comply with all funding restrictions and application instructions. IMLS estimates that completing the full application will require an average of 10 hours. Applicants may use imls-librarygrants@imls.gov for IMLS library grant information, while Grants.gov technical support is available at support@grants.gov and 1-800-518-4726. Basic Grants are noncompetitive awards. IMLS conducts eligibility and completeness checks and will not consider applications that fail program eligibility requirements or are submitted after the deadline. Awards are made only to eligible applicants that submit complete applications, including required attachments, through Grants.gov on or before the deadline. The Director makes final funding decisions consistent with the requirements in the notice. The program uses effectiveness and timeliness as performance measures, including the extent to which activities achieve intended program results and whether tasks and activities are completed within the proposed timeframe. IMLS anticipates notifying applicants of funding decisions by email in April 2027, subject to the availability of funds and agency discretion. Successful applicants receive instructions for accessing eGMS Reach, where the Official Award Notification, award letter, reporting schedule, and approved budget are made available. The Official Award Notification is the document that obligates funds and authorizes performance. Awardees must submit financial and performance reports according to the schedule contained in their official award documents and must comply with applicable federal and IMLS administrative requirements. The source does not state that this funding opportunity recurs annually or on another fixed schedule, so no recurring cycle is recorded.

Confirm eligibility and required federal registrations well before submission. Keep the federal request between $6,000 and $10,000 and do not include cost share or indirect costs. Make the Library Services Plan clear and concise and directly address activities, partners, intended results, effectiveness, and timeliness. Explain every proposed expense and ensure costs are necessary, allowable, auditable, and incurred during the performance period. Follow required PDF file names and attachment order and submit a complete application through Grants.gov by the deadline.