Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program– FY16 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program– FY16 Notice of Funding Opportunity
Federal Awarding Agency:

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Funding Opportunity Title:

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Announcement Type:

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Number:

LB21-FY16-2

Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance
(CFDA) Number:

45.313

Preliminary Proposal Due Date:

Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on
February 2, 2016

Full Proposal Due Date:

Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on June
1, 2016 (by invitation only)

Anticipated Date of Notification of Award
Decisions:

August 2016 (subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion)

Beginning Date of Period of
Performance:

Not earlier than October 1, 2016.Projects must begin on October 1,
November 1, or December 1, 2016.

Equal Opportunity
IMLS-funded programs do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, disability, or age. For further information, email the Civil Rights
Officer at [email protected] or write to the Civil Rights Officer, Institute of
Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC
20036-5802.

Contents
A.

Program Description

B.

Federal Award Information

C.

Eligibility Information

D.

Application and Submission
Information

A. Program Description

E.

Application Review Process

What is this grant program?

F.

Award Administration
Information

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) supports professional
development, graduate education and continuing education to help libraries and
archives develop the human capital capacity they need to meet the changing
learning and information needs of the American public.

G. Contacts
H.

Other Information

For FY16, there are two Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program funding opportunities with two separate
deadlines. In addition to the opportunity described in this Notice of Funding Opportunity, an additional LB21 funding
opportunity was announced in September 2015 with an application submission due date in October 2015.

What are the characteristics of successful projects?
We are especially interested in supporting proposals to address the following agency priorities:
•
National digital platform
•
Learning in libraries
We conducted a series of IMLS Focus convenings in 2015 that identified issues in the National Digital Platform and
Learning in Libraries areas, among other topics. The reports synthesizing key takeaways from this year’s Focus
convenings may help inform the development of projects..
In particular, we wish to support academic programs, professional development and continuing education programs
that address the issues raised at these convenings. These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Digital services (content curation, user services, and infrastructure design & management)
Participatory or lifelong learning services (maker spaces, learning labs, digital media studios, etc.)
Community engagement, especially engagement that leads to broadband adoption
Applied research that fosters meaningful connections among researchers, practitioners, and constituencies
Mentorship, service learning, and practical models for development
Supporting STEM learning
Supporting projects that build capacity to embrace open-ended design challenges and proactive service
developments.

What are the IMLS Agency-level goals?
The mission of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is to inspire libraries and museums to advance
innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. We provide leadership through research, policy
development, and grant making.
U.S. museums and libraries are at the forefront in the movement to create a nation of learners. As stewards of
cultural and natural heritage with rich, authentic content, libraries and museums provide learning experiences for
everyone. In FY2016, each award under this program will support one of the following three goals of the IMLS
strategic plan for 2012-2016, Creating a Nation of Learners:
1.

IMLS places the learner at the center and supports engaging experiences in libraries and museums that
prepare people to be full participants in their local communities and our global society.

2.

IMLS promotes museums and libraries as strong community anchors that enhance civic engagement,
cultural opportunities, and economic vitality.

3.

IMLS supports exemplary stewardship of museum and library collections and promotes the use of
technology to facilitate discovery of knowledge and cultural heritage.

The goals focus on achieving positive public outcomes for communities and individuals; supporting the unique role of
museums and libraries in preserving and providing access to collections and content; and promoting library, museum,
and information service policies that ensure access to information for all Americans.
What are the funding categories and project categories for this program?
Funding categories
st
The four Laura Bush 21 Century Librarian Program funding categories are as follows:
Project Grants support fully developed projects for which needs assessments, collaboration development, feasibility
analyses, prototyping, and other planning activities have been completed.
Planning Grants allow project teams to perform preliminary planning activities, such as analyzing needs and
feasibility, solidifying collaboration, developing project work plans, or developing prototypes or proofs of concept.
These activities should have the potential to lead to a full project, such as those described in Project Grants above.

National Forum Grants provide the opportunity to convene qualified groups of experts and key stakeholders to
consider issues or challenges that are important to libraries or archives across the nation. Grant-supported meetings
are expected to produce reports for wide dissemination with ideas for activities or research that address a key
challenge identified in the proposal. The ideas resulting from these meetings are intended to inform and be a
resource for future applications to IMLS grant programs. National Forum Grant recipients are required at the end of
the project to submit to us a brief whitepaper for public distribution summarizing those expert opinions, which we will
post online.
Research Grants support the investigation of key questions important to library or archival practice, including
research to support the successful recruitment and education of the next generation of librarians. The term “research”
includes systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. It. also
includes activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize the same
facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not included in the instruction
function.
Project Categories
Your application must designate one of the following three project categories on the Program Information Sheet. The
same proposal may not be submitted to IMLS under more than one category.
Note: If your application has a recruitment component, you should address ways to bring to the profession skills
required to enhance library and/or archives services; and broaden participation in the library profession, including but
not limited to members of traditionally underserved groups and communities.
1.

Masters-level and Doctoral-level Programs
Master’s Programs
•
Educate the next generation of librarians and archivists in nationally accredited graduate library
programs to meet the evolving needs of the profession and society.
Doctoral Programs
•
Develop faculty to educate the next generation of library and archives professionals. In particular,
increase the number of students enrolled in doctoral programs that will prepare faculty to teach master’s
students who will work in school, public, academic, research, and special libraries and archives.
•
Develop the next generation of library and archives leaders to assume positions as managers and
administrators.

2.

Research and Early Career Development
Research
•
Investigate issues and trends affecting library and archival practices.
•
For all research projects, except Early Career Development Projects, all eligible library entities may
apply, either individually or collaboratively.
Early Career Development
•
Support the early career development of new faculty members in library and information science by
supporting innovative research by untenured, tenure-track faculty. (Proposed research should be in the
investigator’s own field of inquiry and need not relate to library education or librarianship as a career.)
For more information on the Early Career Development category, contact Mary Alice Ball ([email protected] or
202-653-4730) or Sandra Toro ([email protected] or 202-653-4662), and see Special Conditions of Eligibility for
Institutions of Higher Education. See also the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the IMLS Early Career
Development Program.
We encourage internships and residency programs and are especially interested in developing a diverse
workforce of librarians and archivists..

3.

Continuing Education and Programs to Build Institutional Capacity
Continuing Education
•
Improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of library and archives staff through programs of continuing
education, both formal and informal, including post-master’s programs such as certificates of advanced
study, residencies, enhanced work experiences, and other training programs for professional staff.

Programs to Build Institutional Capacity
•
Develop or enhance curricula within graduate schools of library and information science to better meet
the needs of cultural heritage and information professionals.
•
Broaden the library and information science curriculum by incorporating perspectives from other
disciplines and fields of scholarship.
•
Develop projects or programs of study to increase the abilities of future library and archives
professionals in developing the 21st century skills of their users, including information and digital literacy
skills. (See Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills.)
Only eligible graduate programs in Library and Information Science or School Library Media may apply to this
category (see Article C: Eligibility).
Applicants may choose to submit a Project Grant, Planning Grant, or National Forum Grant proposal in any of the
three LB21 project categories. Your application must designate one of these project categories. The same proposal
may not be submitted to IMLS under more than one category.
How much money can my institution apply for?
The award amount limitations for each funding category are as follows:
•
•
•
•

Project Grants: $50,000 - $1,000,000
Planning Grants: up to $50,000
National Forum Grants: up to $100,000
Research Grants: up to $500,000

Where can I find additional examples of projects funded by this program?
Click here to search awarded grants by program, category, and/or key word.
Where can I find the Authorizing Statute and Regulations for this Funding Opportunity?
st

Statute: 20 U.S.C. §9101 et seq., in particular §9165 (Laura Bush 21 Century Librarian Program)
Regulations: 45 CFR Chapter XI and 2 CFR Chapter XXXI
You are required to follow the IMLS regulations that are in effect at the time of the award.
PLEASE NOTE: The recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) final guidance on Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Grant Reform) has streamlined and
consolidated grant requirements. The Grant Reform can be found at 2 CFR Part 200. With certain IMLS-specific
additions, IMLS regulations at 2 CFR Part 3187 formally adopt the 2 CFR Part 200 Grant Reform. The Grant Reform
as adopted by IMLS at 2 CFR Part 3187 will be effective for all awards made after December 26, 2014.

B. Federal Award Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded

$10,000,000

Anticipated number of awards

22

Range of awards

$50,000-$1,000,000

Average amount of funding per award

$336,000

Type of assistance instrument

Grant

Anticipated start date

Not earlier than October 1, 2016 Projects must begin on
October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2016.

Anticipated period of performance

October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2019. The actual
completion dates of periods of performance may vary;
project activities generally last between one to three
years.

The funding in the above Federal Award Information is subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion.

C. Eligibility Information
What are the eligibility requirements for this program?
To be eligible for LB21, you must be either a unit of State or local government or a private nonprofit organization that
has tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code and be located in one of the 50 States of the United States
of America, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
In addition, you must be one of the following six types of organizations:
•

•

•

•
•

•

A library or a parent organization, such as a school district, a municipality, a State agency, or an academic
institution, that is responsible for the administration of a library. Eligible libraries include the following:
o Public libraries
o Public elementary and secondary school libraries
o College and university libraries
o Research libraries and archives that are not an integral part of an institution of higher education and that
make publicly available library services and materials that are suitable for scholarly research and not
otherwise available (Research libraries must be under the supervision of at least one permanent
professional staff person and must be either generally recognized as possessing unique scholarly
research materials and services that are made available to the public, or able to demonstrate that such
is the case when submitting an application to IMLS.)
o Private or special libraries that have been deemed eligible to participate in this program by the State in
which the library is located
An academic or administrative unit, such as a graduate school of library and information science that is part
of an institution of higher education through which it would make application (See below for additional
conditions of eligibility that might apply to such applicants)
A digital library, if it makes library materials publicly available and provides library services, including
selection, organization, description, reference, and preservation, under the supervision of at least one
permanent professional staff person
A library agency that is an official agency of a State or other unit of government and is charged by the law
governing it with the extension and development of public library services within its jurisdiction
A library consortium that is a local, statewide, regional, interstate, or international cooperative association of
library entities that provides for the systematic and effective coordination of the resources of eligible libraries,
as defined above, and information centers that work to improve the services delivered to the clientele of
these libraries
A library association that exists on a permanent basis; serves libraries or library professionals on a national,
regional, state, or local level; and engages in activities designed to advance the well-being of libraries and
the library profession

We recognize the potential for valuable contributions to the overall goals of the LB21 program by entities that do not
meet the eligibility requirements above. Although such entities may not serve as the official applicants, they are
encouraged to participate in projects. Federally operated libraries and museums may not apply for LB21 grants, but
they may participate with applicants. Contact us before submitting a proposal involving a federal agency or federal
collection. Non-Federal entities may serve as subrecipients or contractors and may receive IMLS grant funds as a
result of the project. Consult with us about any eligibility questions before submitting an application.
Are there special conditions for institutions of higher education?
Yes, institutions of higher education have the following special conditions:
Programs to Build Institutional Capacity
All graduate schools of library and information science and school library media graduate programs are eligible to
apply for funding to build institutional capacity, either individually or collaboratively. Libraries, library associations, and
other library entities are not eligible for funding in this category.
Doctoral Programs
•

Only graduate schools of library and information science offering programs of study at the doctoral level are
eligible to apply for funding of doctoral level scholarships and fellowships, either individually or
collaboratively.

Master’s Programs
•

Graduate schools of library and information science and graduate schools that provide school library media
certification programs are eligible to apply for funds to educate students at the master’s level only if they
apply in a collaboration that includes one or more eligible library entities. Any of the eligible applicants in the
collaboration may serve as the lead applicant.

Research
•

For all research projects, except Early Career Development Projects, all eligible entities may apply, either
individually or collaboratively.

Early Career Development Projects
•
•

•
•

Projects must have a single principal investigator with no co-investigators. Consultants and students may be
included in the project.
Only tenure-track, untenured faculty in graduate schools of library and information science and graduate
school library media education programs that prepare master’s and doctoral-level students are eligible to
serve as principal investigators/project directors on Early Career Development projects.
The principal investigator/project director must hold a doctoral degree and have both educational and
research responsibilities.
A letter of departmental endorsement, including verification of principal investigator eligibility, must be
included in the application packet.

Note to applicants: In order to receive an IMLS award, you must be in compliance with applicable
requirements and be in good standing on all active IMLS awards.
What are the requirements for cost sharing?
In order to receive an LB21 Project Grant, you must provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount that is
equal to or greater than the amount of the grant after subtraction of student support costs. Cost sharing is not
expected for Research Grants, Early Career Development Grants, or for applications for grants under $250,000, and
will not be considered in the review of the application. Click here for further information on cost sharing.
How many applications can we submit to this program?
You may submit as many applications as you wish; however, the same proposal may not be submitted to IMLS under
more than one category. Generally, single institutions will receive only 1-2 grants per program during any one cycle.

What if I fail to meet the eligibility requirements?
We will not review or make awards to ineligible applicants. In order to receive an IMLS award, you must be eligible
and in compliance with applicable requirements and be in good standing on all active IMLS awards.
Additional Eligibility Information
Only invited full proposals will be considered for funding. (Please see “What is the process for applying” section and
further related information below).

D. Application and Submission Information
Are there registration requirements in order to submit an application?
Before submitting an application, your organization must have a current and active D-U-N-S® Number, SAM.gov
registration, and Grants.gov registration. Check your materials and registrations well in advance of the application
deadline to ensure that they are accurate, current, and active.
If your D-U-N-S® and SAM.gov registrations are not active and current at the time of submission, your application will
be rejected; if they are not active and current at the time of an award, your application cannot be funded.
What is a D-U-N-S® Number and how do I get one?
Before submitting an application, your organization must have a current and active D-U-N-S® Number, SAM.gov
registration, and Grants.gov registration. Check your materials and registrations well in advance of the application
deadline to ensure that they are accurate, current, and active.
Click here to learn more about getting a D-U-N-S® Number.
What is the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and how do I register?
Click here to learn more about SAM.gov Registration.
If your DUNS and SAM.gov registrations are not active and current at the time of submission, your application will be
rejected; if they are not active and current at the time of an award, your application cannot be funded.
What is Grants.gov?
Grants.gov is your place to FIND and APPLY for federal grants.
The Grants.gov program management office was established, in 2002, as a part of the President's Management
Agenda. Managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Grants.gov is an E-Government initiative
operating under the governance of the Office of Management and Budget.
Under the President's Management Agenda, the office was chartered to deliver a system that provides a centralized
location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities. Today, the Grants.gov system houses
information on over 1,000 grant programs and vets grant applications for 26 federal grant-making agencies.
How can I find the application package on Grants.gov?
st

Use one of the following identifiers to locate the Laura Bush 21 Century Librarian Grant program package in
Grants.gov:

•
•

CFDA No: 45.313, or
Funding Opportunity Number: LB21-FY16-2

You must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting your application package. The multi-step registration process
generally cannot be completed in a single day. If you are not already registered, you should allow at least two weeks
for completing this one-time process. Do not wait until the day of the application deadline to register.
You do not need to complete the registration process to download the application package and begin to prepare your
material. However, you will need your Grants.gov User ID and password that you obtain during the registration
process to submit your application when it is complete.
We require all applicants to apply through Grants.gov. Please note that the entire completed application must be
submitted online through Grants.gov.
Click here to learn more about Grants.gov registration and Tips for Using Grants.gov.
Can I request an audio recording of this publication?
Upon request, we will provide an audio recording of this publication. Use Teletype (TTY/TDD) (for persons with
hearing difficulty): 202-653-4614
Can I request a paper copy of this publication?
If needed because of difficulty using Internet or for other accessibility reasons, you may also request paper copies of
the materials. Use the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program web page for IMLS contact information. We are
available by phone at 202-653-4700.
What is the process for applying?
The application process for this round of the LB21 program is a two phase process. In the first phase, all applicants
must submit a two page preliminary proposal by February 2, 2016, describing the proposal, its relevance to one of the
two agency priorities (if applicable), its potential impact, its projected performance goals and outcomes and its
estimated budget. Those applicants, whose preliminary proposals are the most promising and best aligned with the
IMLS’s funding priorities, will be invited to participate in the second phase of the process by submitting a full proposal
and complete application by June 1, 2016. The review process and criteria are described in section E.
What federal laws do I agree to comply with when I submit my application?
Click here to read the IMLS Assurances and Certifications
When and where must I submit my application?
st

For the first phase (Preliminary Proposals) of the FY16 Laura Bush 21 Century Librarian Grant Program, Grants.gov
will accept applications through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on February 2, 2016.
st

For the second phase (invited Full Proposals) of the FY16 Laura Bush 21 Century Librarian Grant Program,
Grants.gov will accept applications through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on June 1, 2016.
We strongly recommend that you REGISTER EARLY for DUNS and SAM.gov and COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE
APPLICATION EARLY. We make grants only to eligible applicants that submit complete applications, including
attachments, through Grants.gov, on or before the deadline.
Contact the Grants.gov help line (1-800-518-4726) for assistance with hardware and software issues, registration
issues, and technical problems. The help line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for federal
holidays, on which it is closed.
What happens after I submit my application to Grants.gov?

Once Grants.gov has received your submission, Grants.gov will send email messages regarding the progress of your
application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails. The first will confirm
receipt of your application by the Grants.gov system and the second will indicate that the application has either been
successfully validated by the system prior to transmission to the grantor agency (IMLS) or has been rejected due to
errors. Once your submission is retrieved by the grantor agency, you will receive a third email. You can check the
status of your application(s) after submission in Grants.gov, by using the "Track My Application" feature. You may
also check the status of a submission by logging into your Grants.gov account using the Applicant Login and clicking
on the "Check Application Status" link.
What documents are required to make a complete Preliminary Proposal application?
The required documents for the first phase of the application process (“Preliminary Proposal”) are: a completed SF424S form; a two-page preliminary proposal description; and the Program Information Sheet. These documents must
be submitted through Grants.gov, on or before the deadline of February 2, 2016. A Preliminary Proposal application
is required in order to be considered for invitation for a Full Proposal application (“Full Proposal”).
The Table of Application Components (Preliminary Proposal) below will help you prepare a complete and eligible
application. You will find links to more information and instructions for completing each application component in the
table. Applications missing any Required Documents from this list will be considered incomplete and will be rejected
from further consideration.
How should the application components for the Preliminary Proposal be formatted, named, and sequenced?

•
•
•
•
•

Document format: Aside from the SF424 listed below which is created in Grants.gov, all application
components must be submitted as PDF documents.
Page limits: Note page limits listed below. We will remove any pages above the limit, and we will not send
them to reviewers as part of your application.
Naming convention: Use the naming conventions indicated in the table. IMPORTANT: You are limited to
using the following characters in all attachment file names: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space,
period. If you use any other characters when naming your attachment files, your application will be rejected.
Document order: In Grants.gov, attach all application components in the sequence listed below. Use all
available spaces in the "Mandatory Documents for Submission" box first. Attach any remaining application
components using the "Optional Documents for Submission" box.
Complete applications: Use the table below as a checklist to ensure that you have created and attached all
necessary application components.

Any document you create must be converted to PDF format before submitting it. Click here for assistance in
converting documents to PDF. Do not send secured or password-protected PDFs; we cannot process these files.

Note that IMLS does not permit the authorized representative to be the same person as the project director
on the SF-424-S.

Table of Application Components (Preliminary Proposal)
Format

File name to use

Grants.gov
form

n/a

Component
Required Documents
The Application for Federal Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF424S)

Preliminary proposal description (two pages, max.)

PDF document

Preliminaryproposal.pdf

IMLS Program Information Sheet

IMLS PDF form

Programinfo.pdf

Required Documents
The Application for Federal Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S)
Click here for instructions on:
How to Fill Out the SF-424S
Preliminary Proposal
To frame a Preliminary Proposal, you may wish to review the documentation from the IMLS focus meetings, research
the issues identified as critical and work with other professionals to develop a practical, collaborative proposal. The
Preliminary Proposal should be no longer than two pages and should describe the project director and partners; the
proposed work plan; its relevance to one of the two agency priorities (if applicable) its potential impact; its projected
performance goals and outcomes; and its estimated budget.
IMLS Program Information Sheet
Download IMLS Program Information Sheet:
Adobe® PDF (318 KB)
1. Applicant Information:
a.

Legal Name: From 5a on the SF424S.

b.

Organizational D-U-N-S® Number: From 5f on the SF424S.

c.

Expiration date of your SAM.gov registration: Enter the expiration date of your SAM.gov registration in the
fill-in field. Please note that before submitting an application, your organization must have a current
SAM.gov registration.

d.

Organizational Unit Name: If you cannot apply for grants on your own behalf, then enter your organizational
unit’s name and address in these spaces. For example, if your library is part of a parent organization, such
as a university, then enter the name of the university under Legal Name, and the library as the
Organizational Unit.

e.

Organizational Unit Address: Be sure to include the four-digit extension on the ZIP code.

f.

Organizational Unit Type: Select the one that most accurately describes your organization.

2. Organizational Financial Information: a-d. All applicants must provide the information requested.
3. Grant Program Information: Select a. Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
4. Performance Goals: Select one of the three IMLS agency-level goals (a – c). Check at least one of the
performance goals listed beneath it. Note: If you select a performance goal(s) under agency-level goals a) Learning
or b) Community, click on the link below it to review the specific performance measure statement choices and the
information you will be required to collect and report on throughout the award period of performance.
5. Funding Request Information:
a.

IMLS Funds Requested: Enter the amount in dollars sought from IMLS.

b.

Cost Share Amount: Enter the amount of non-federal funding you are providing.
In order to receive an LB21 Project Grant, you must provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount

that is equal to or greater than the amount of the grant after subtraction of student support costs.. Cost
sharing is not expected for Research Grants, Early Career Development Grants, or for applications for
grants under $250,000, and will not be considered in the review of the application. Click here for further
information on cost sharing.
6. Population Served: Check the boxes that reflect the population(s) to be served by your project.
7. and 8. Skip this section, as it pertains only to Museums for America and National Leadership Grants for Museums
Applicants Only.
Full Proposal
What documents are required to make a complete Full Proposal application?
If you are invited to submit a Full Proposal you must submit a complete application by June 1, 2016. We make grants
only to eligible applicants that submit complete Full Proposal applications through Grants.gov, on or before the
deadline. Complete applications will be accepted only from applicants who have submitted Preliminary Proposals and
have been invited to submit a Full Proposal.
The Table of Application Components (Full Proposal) below will help you prepare a complete and eligible application.
Links to more information and instructions for completing each component are provided in the table. Applications
missing any Required Documents or Conditionally Required Documents from this list will be considered incomplete
and will be rejected from further consideration.
How should the application components for the Full Proposal be formatted, named, and sequenced?

•
•
•
•
•

Document format: Aside from the SF424 listed below which is created in Grants.gov, all application
components must be submitted as PDF documents.
Page limits: Note page limits listed below. We will remove any pages above the limit, and we will not send
them to reviewers as part of your application.
Naming convention: Use the naming conventions indicated in the table. IMPORTANT: You are limited to
using the following characters in all attachment file names: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space,
period. If you use any other characters when naming your attachment files, your application will be rejected.
Document order: In Grants.gov, attach all application components in the sequence listed below. Use all
available spaces in the "Mandatory Documents for Submission" box first. Attach any remaining application
components using the "Optional Documents for Submission" box.
Complete applications: Use the table below as a checklist to ensure that you have created and attached all
necessary application components.

Any document you create must be converted to PDF format before submitting it. Click here for assistance in
converting documents to PDF. Do not send secured or password-protected PDFs; we cannot process these files.

Note that IMLS does not permit the authorized representative to be the same person as the project director
on the SF-424-S.

Table of Application Components (Full Proposal)
Format
Component
Required Documents

File name to use

The Application for Federal Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF424S)

Grants.gov
form

n/a

Abstract (one page, max.)

PDF
document

Abstract.pdf

IMLS Program Information Sheet

IMLS PDF
form

Programinfo.pdf

Organizational Profile (one page, max.)

PDF
document

Organizationalprofile.pdf

Narrative (ten pages, max.)

PDF
document

Narrative.pdf

Schedule of Completion (one page per year, max.)

PDF
document

Scheduleofcompletion.pdf

IMLS Budget Form

IMLS PDF
form

Budget.pdf

Budget Justification

PDF
document

Budgetjustification.pdf

List of Key Project Staff and Consultants (one page, max.)

PDF
document

Projectstaff.pdf

Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants that appear on the list
above (two pages each, max.)

PDF
document

Resumes.pdf

Conditionally Required Documents
Proof of Nonprofit Status

PDF
document

Proofnonprofit.pdf

Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

PDF
document

Indirectcostrate.pdf

Digital Stewardship Supplementary Information Form

IMLS PDF
form

Digitalstewardship.pdf

Sample curriculum or equivalent description of training activities

PDF
document

Curriculum.pdf

Service Expectations/Recruitment Documentation (if applicable)

PDF
document

Serviceexpectations.pdf

Student Placement Documentation (if applicable)

PDF
document

Studentplacement.pdf

Information that supplements the narrative and supports the project
description provided in the application

PDF
document

Supportingdoc1.pdf
Supportingdoc2.pdf
Supportingdoc3.pdf
etc.

Partner Letter of Commitment

PDF
document

PartnerCommitment1.pdf
PartnerCommitment2.pdf
PartnerCommitment3.pdf
etc.

Supporting Documents

Required Documents
The Application for Federal Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S)
Click here for instructions on:
How to Fill Out the SF-424S
Abstract
A project abstract must be no more than one page and address the following:
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Who is the lead applicant and, if applicable, who are the formal collaborators?
What do you plan to accomplish and why?
What is the time frame for the project?
What community needs will the project address?
Who is the intended audience for the activities? For projects where the intended outcomes involve building
capacity of a program or organization, what are the targeted outcomes from intended project activities in
terms of measurable, quantitative indicators?
For projects where the intended outcomes involve audience members, what are the targeted outcomes from
intended project activities in terms of measurable, quantitative changes in knowledge, attitudes and/or
behaviors?
For projects involving research and/or plans, what are the targeted results and products from project
activities?
How many students or individuals will benefit from the scholarship or training activity?

This abstract may be used for public information purposes, so it should be informative to other persons working in the
same or related fields, as well as to the lay reader. The abstract must not include any proprietary or confidential
information.
IMLS Program Information Sheet
Download IMLS Program Information Sheet:
Adobe® PDF (318 KB)
1. Applicant Information:
a.

Legal Name: From 5a on the SF424S.

b.
c.

Organizational D-U-N-S® Number: From 5f on the SF424S.
Expiration date of your SAM.gov registration: Enter the expiration date of your SAM.gov registration in the
fill-in field. Please note that before submitting an application, your organization must have a current
SAM.gov registration.

d.

Organizational Unit Name: If you cannot apply for grants on your own behalf, then enter your organizational
unit’s name and address in these spaces. For example, if your library is part of a parent organization, such
as a university, then enter the name of the university under Legal Name, and the library as the
Organizational Unit.

e.

Organizational Unit Address: Be sure to include the four-digit extension on the ZIP code.

f.

Organizational Unit Type: Select the one that most accurately describes your organization.

2. Organizational Financial Information: a-d. All applicants must provide the information requested.
3. Grant Program Information: Select one funding category under a. Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
Program.
4. Performance Goals: Select one of the three IMLS agency-level goals (a – c). Check at least one of the
performance goals listed beneath it. Note: If you select a performance goal(s) under agency-level goals a) Learning
or b) Community, click on the link below it to review the specific performance measure statement choices and the
information you will be required to collect and report on throughout the award period of performance. Performance
Measure Statements and Information to be Collected and Reported for Learning and Community Projects
5. Funding Request Information:
a.

IMLS Funds Requested: Enter the amount in dollars sought from IMLS.

b.

Cost Share Amount: Enter the amount of non-federal funding you are providing.
In order to receive an LB21 Project Grant, you must provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount
that is equal to or greater than the amount of the grant after subtraction of student support costs. Cost
sharing is not expected for Research Grants, Early Career Development Grants, or for applications for
grants under $250,000, and will not be considered in the review of the application. Click here for further
information on cost sharing.

6. Population Served: Check the boxes that reflect the population(s) to be served by your project.
7. and 8. Skip this section, as it pertains only to Museums for America and National Leadership Grants for Museums
Applicants Only.
Narrative
Write a narrative that addresses the components listed and explained below. Limit the narrative to ten single-spaced,
numbered pages. We will remove any pages above the ten-page limit and we will not send them to reviewers as part
of your application.

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Use Supporting Documents to provide supplementary material.
Make sure your organization’s name appears at the top of each page. Use at least 0.5-inch margins on all
sides and a font size of at least twelve points.
Be certain that your narrative clearly states how it fits into IMLS funding priorities.

Be certain to address the bullet points under each of the narrative sections as you write. Address the sections of the
narrative separately and in the same order in which they are listed below.
Please be advised that reviewers may also choose to visit your organization’s website, as listed on the SF-424S form
provided with this application.
1. Statement of Need

Provide a justification for the proposed project as it relates to a field-wide need or challenge. Include information such
as the following:
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Awareness of similar projects completed by other institutions and a clear statement of whether and how this
project replicates, improves or expands upon past practice
Identification of the audience(s) that will benefit from the project
Assessment of the audience’s needs along with a description of the process used to determine those needs
Statement of how the proposed project, as planned, will meet the identified need
Early Career Development applicants should clearly explain how the proposed research will address current
issues in the research literature and how the findings can be used to improve the services of libraries and
archives.

Review Criteria:
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Evidence that the literature review includes relevant research and/or projects
Evidence that the needs assessment clearly articulates the project audience and its needs
Evidence that project activities and goals directly address the needs of the identified audience

2. Impact
Describe the intended performance goals and benefits of this project for the library or archive fields, as follows:
Address issues such as the following:
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How the project will build greater skills and abilities in the library and archives workforce
How the project is likely to contribute to results or products that will benefit multiple institutions and diverse
constituencies
How the project will transform practice
The likelihood that the project will be adopted by other institutions
For each benefit, what performance indicators will be measured, and how will they be assessed against the
originally stated goals?

Review Criteria:
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Evidence that the project will increase the number of qualified professionals for employment as librarians or
archivists
Evidence that the project will build greater skills and abilities to meet the needs of today’s library and
archives workforce
Evidence that the project will contribute to results or products that can extend beyond a single institution to
benefit multiple institutions and diverse constituencies
Evidence that project outcomes will meet library service needs not only in the communities served but also
be generalizable to libraries of similar size and type
Evidence that the benefits of the project justify the costs
Evidence that this project will transform practice (innovative approaches will be given high consideration)
Strength of the proposed indicators as well as their target values (i.e. the targets you aim to reach)
Incorporating Evaluation into Your Project
Click here for helpful information about evaluation.

3. Project Design
Describe the proposed project's design. Include information such as the following:
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Clearly stated project goals and objectives
The activities required to implement the project and the applicant’s plan to ensure that normal operations are
not disrupted
The design, integration, and implementation of an evaluation approach that will measure project results,
findings, or products

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Information about the roles and commitments of any collaborators, if applicable
Information about any preliminary work or planning (If the project or one closely related to it has been
supported by IMLS or other funding agencies, indicate what has been accomplished and the degree to
which the project has met its established goals. List any print or electronic publications produced so far, with
web addresses, statistics on use, and other relevant information. Submit this list as a Supporting Document
if necessary.)
Rationale for using any procedures that deviate from accepted practice and explanation of whether the
results would be compatible with other resources that follow existing standards
Description of how the project will test the potential applicability of any innovative techniques and
procedures that the project is likely to develop. For training projects, description of the proposed curriculum,
including training materials, training methods, audience served, and intended benefits for the applicant and
trainees. For projects involving distance education, you should include information about both the
synchronous and asynchronous elements of any courses designed (e.g., face-to-face, streaming audio or
video, webinars, web-based course content, etc.). Explain the technical requirements for the institution and
for the students and describe the course management system, if any, that will be used to offer or support the
course. Describe who will be able to take the course both during and after the grant period; how the course
and course content would be made available to other entities who might wish to use or adapt the courses
(including the conditions of use and any assistance that would be provided to users); what costs would be
charged to students both during and after the grant period; and how potential students and/or providers will
be made aware of the course, e.g., through a searchable portal or clearinghouse.

Review Criteria:
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Evidence of a cost-effective approach that will support a clear return on investment
Evidence of sound project management principles that adequately address budget, timeline, and personnel
Evidence that the project uses existing or emerging standards or best practices in the technical or
disciplinary area to which the project relates
Evidence of a sound evaluation plan that clearly explains how the project will be assessed, using methods
and procedures that result in valid, reliable, and/or generalizable findings

Additional Review Criteria Specific to Early Career Development Proposals:
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Evidence that the proposal clearly articulates research questions and adequately addresses timeline and
personnel
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Evidence that methods chosen are the most appropriate for addressing the research questions that were
posed based on the current scientific literature
4. Diversity Plan [if applicable]
Describe how the project engages diverse communities and their shared experiences, world views, and ways of
learning. Include information such as the following:
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Identification of the diverse communities that will be served by the project
Description of the unique service needs for the identified population that will be served by the proposed
project
Explanation for why this particular population was chosen
Explanation of how the proposed project will address the library service needs of those communities,
particularly the needs of traditionally underserved groups and/or communities.

Review Criteria:
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Evidence that the institution has the capacity to serve the identified diverse communities based on past
performance or other relevant criteria

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Evidence of how, exactly, the identified diverse communities will benefit from the proposed project in ways
that would not be possible without IMLS support

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Evidence that the proposed activities will serve the needs of diverse communities

5. Project Resources: Personnel, Time, Budget

Describe the resources required to implement and complete the project, including both those funded by the grant and
those funded by the applicant organization as cost sharing (Early Career Development, Planning, and Research
Grants, as well as grants under $250,000 ,are not expected to provide cost sharing). Include information such as the
following:
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Identification of key project staff, their duties, and their qualifications for successfully completing their project
tasks;
Identification of consultants and service providers involved in project activities, the process for selecting
them, and how they will work with project staff;
Qualifications of personnel assigned to manage project finances;
A timeline for specific activities, showing how the results of one stage of the project carry over into the next
one;
The amount of time that key project staff will devote to the project and how they will balance project
responsibilities with other ongoing duties;
The facilities, equipment, and supplies necessary to support the project;
Source(s) of matching funds and/or in-kind contributions, if applicable;
Source(s) and use of revenues that will be derived from the project, if applicable; and
Contributions to and benefits from the project for both the applicant and partner organization(s), if applicable.

Review Criteria:

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Evidence that the applicant will complete the project activities in the time allocated through the effective
deployment and management of resources, including personnel, money, facilities, equipment, and supplies
Evidence of sound financial management coupled with an appropriate and cost-efficient budget
Evidence that the applicant has the ability to meet any applicable cost share requirement
Evidence that the project personnel have appropriate experience and expertise and will commit adequate
time to accomplish project activities
If the project includes collaborators, evidence that all are active contributors to the project activities

6. Communications Plan [Not required for Planning Grants]
Describe the project’s communication plan. Include information such as the following:
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The variety of media and other means the project will use to reach library, archive, museum, and other
audiences that might benefit from its work
Description of the steps this project will take to ensure that new products and services will reach the target
audiences (See www.imls.gov/recipients/grantee.aspx for ideas.)
The extent to which results, products, models, findings, processes, and other benefits of this project will be
transparent, adaptable and accessible through effective communication channels to the library field and to
other professional organizations and communities that might benefit
Examples of communications methods might include but are not limited to webcasts, podcasts, e-mailings,
press releases, conference presentations, publications, websites, project blogs, and community outlets.
Multiple and interactive dissemination methods that extend throughout the life of the project, from initial
funding through final evaluation, are desirable. You are encouraged to develop communication plans that
have the potential to reach beyond your usual communities of interest.

Review Criteria:
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Evidence that the results, products, models, findings, processes, and benefits of this project will be
communicated effectively to the library field and to other professional organizations and communities
Evidence that communication activities will be ongoing throughout the project lifecycle rather than occur
simply at the end of the project
Evidence that the project will seek feedback from various stakeholders
Evidence that the communities described in the Needs Assessment section can be reached and served
through the proposed communications plan
Evidence that the project will make every reasonable attempt to communicate lessons learned and the
results of the project beyond standard professional audiences and communities of interest

7. Sustainability [Not required for Planning Grants, National Forum Grants, or Research Grants]

Describe how the project, or portions or impacts of the project, will continue after the end of the funded grant
activities. Include information such as the following:
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The extent of ongoing institutional support of project activities or products, including websites
The continuing benefits resulting from the development of institutional expertise and capacity or through
continuing access to project findings or products
The extent to which the project can lead to systemic change within the institution as well as within the library
field
For education and training projects, you should identify who would own copyright on the course content and
describe any restrictions placed on use of the course and course content during and after the grant period.
You should also describe plans for preservation and maintenance of the course and course content during
and after the grant period.

Review criteria:
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Evidence that the project’s benefits have the potential to be sustained beyond the grant period
Evidence that the project plan addresses issues of copyright and access on the course and course content
during and after the grant period
For projects involving distance education, evidence that there are plans for preservation and maintenance of
course and course content during and after the grant period
Evidence that the findings from research projects will inform practice and/or future research agendas

For this section of the application, reviewers will consider information provided in the Narrative, Budget Forms,
Budget Justification, and Resumes.

In addition to following the instructions above, research project applications should also address each of the following
questions within the three sections of the Narrative portion.
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What are the specific research questions this investigation will attempt to answer?
What is the relevance of the proposed research for current practice?
What research method(s) will be used to conduct the research?
What type of data will be gathered?
How will the data be analyzed?
How will the information be reported?
How will the research data be managed and made available for future use (as applicable)?

If an electronic dataset will be created as a result of the proposed research, you should complete the Digital
Stewardship Supplementary Information Form and include this form as part of your application. This form asks you to
summarize the dataset’s original purpose and scope; provide technical information about the dataset’s format,
structure, and content; explain what metadata will be created about the dataset and what standards and formats will
be used for the metadata; list any relevant hardware, software, or other dependencies for using the data; identify a
repository where the data and metadata will be archived, managed, and made accessible (if applicable); and describe
the long-term preservation plan for the dataset. If you do not expect your project to generate data, please state this
clearly in your narrative Click here to learn more about the elements of an effective research application.

Schedule of Completion
Click here for instructions on:
How to create the Schedule of Completion

Budget Form and Budget Justification
Click here for instructions on:

How to complete the Budget Documents
LB21 DOCTORAL CATEGORY APPLICANTS ONLY
Instructions for Completing the Budget Form: If you are applying for four years of funding, combine years 3 and
4 in the Year 3 column of the budget form and provide details for each year in the budget justification.

Are there funding restrictions?
You may only use IMLS funds, and your cost sharing, for allowable costs as found in IMLS and OMB governmentwide cost-principle rules.
PLEASE NOTE: The recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) final guidance on Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Grant Reform) has streamlined and
consolidated grant requirements. The Grant Reform can be found at 2 CFR Part 200. With certain IMLS-specific
additions, IMLS regulations at 2 CFR Part 3187 formally adopt the 2 CFR Part 200 Grant Reform. The Grant Reform
as adopted by IMLS at 2 CFR Part 3187 will be effective for all awards made after December 26, 2014.
What are some examples of allowable and unallowable costs?
The following list includes some examples of allowable costs, both for IMLS funds and for cost share (if applicable), in
this grant program. Please consult 2 CFR Part 200 for additional guidance on allowable costs.
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tuition and fees;
course buyouts, summer session salary;
project personnel (contract or in-house) whose time is necessary for the proper and efficient execution of the
project;
project consultants and their travel;
workshops, conference attendance, and other professional development activities;
mentoring programs/internships/residencies/fellowships;
educational materials, staff time, and supplies for sharing the impact of the activities;
evaluation to show the extent to which the project has met its goals;
dissemination/communication activities;
publication of articles in open access journals;
preservation of digital assets; and
indirect or overhead costs

You must explain all proposed expenses in your Budget Justification.
The following list includes some examples of unallowable costs, both for IMLS funds and for cost share (if applicable),
in this grant program. Please consult the appropriate cost principles for additional guidance on unallowable costs.
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salary substitution for regular employees;
fundraising costs, such as development office expenditures or other staff time devoted to general
fundraising;
general advertising or public relations costs designed solely for promotional activities other than those
related to the specific project;
advocacy;
contributions to endowments;
acquisition of collections;
social activities, ceremonies, receptions, or entertainment;
construction and/or renovation of facilities; and
pre-award costs.

(Note: If you have questions about the allowability of specific activities, call IMLS staff for guidance.)
Are partner-related costs allowable?

Yes. Click here to learn more information about incorporating partners into your project.

Subawards and Contracts
In addition to the activities that you carry out directly, some project activities may be carried out by utilizing IMLS
funds for either subawards or contracts. It is your responsibility to make a case-by-case determination as to whether
each agreement you make for the disbursement of federal program funds casts the party receiving the funds in the
role of a subrecipient or a contractor. (See 2 CFR 200.330 (Subrecipient and contractor determinations)).
There are particular requirements for subawards that you must follow as a pass-through entity (a non-federal entity
that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out part of a federal program). (See 2 CFR 200.74 (Pass-through
entity) and 2 CFR 200.331 (Requirements for pass-through entities)). There are other requirements that you must
follow if you contract for activities. (See sections 200.317 through 326 (Procurement Standards))
Please Note: You may not make a subaward unless expressly authorized by IMLS. (See 2 CFR 200.3187
(Subawards)).
See 2 CFR Part 200 (in particular, sections 200.330 through 332 (Subrecipient Monitoring and Management) and
sections 200.317 through 326 (Procurement Standards) and 2 CFR Part 3187 for further information.

What are the requirements regarding costs for foreign travel?
All air transportation of persons or property that is paid in whole or in part with IMLS funds must be performed in
accordance with applicable law, including but not limited to the Fly America Act (49 U.S.C. §40118) (see also 41 CFR
301-10.131 through 10.143). Each separate foreign trip must be itemized in the budget approved by IMLS. Foreign
travel that is not included in the approved project budget must be specifically approved in writing by the appropriate
IMLS program officer.
What are my choices regarding indirect costs?
You can choose to:

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use a current indirect cost rate already negotiated with a federal agency
use an indirect cost rate proposed to a federal agency for negotiation, but not yet approved, as long as it is
approved by the time of award
if you have never had a federally negotiated indirect cost rate and you are otherwise eligible, use a rate not
to exceed 10% of total modified direct costs or
not include any indirect costs

Click here for further information on indirect costs.

List and Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants
Click here for instructions on:
How to create the Project Staff and Consultant Documents

Conditionally Required Documents
Link to information on providing:
Proof of Nonprofit Status

Please consult the table below to determine if any additional documents are required. If any of the conditions in the
left column apply to your project, then the documents described in the right column are required. If you do not provide
them, your application will be considered incomplete and will be rejected from further consideration.
If your project involves …

Then you must include …

A federally negotiated indirect cost rate

A current copy of your Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost
Rate Agreement.

A digital product (IMLS defines digital products very
broadly. If you are developing anything through the use
of information technology, you should assume that you
need to complete this form.)

A Digital Stewardship Supplementary Information
Form; click here for Requirements for Projects that
Develop Digital Content

Please note that if you are eligible for and are choosing the option of claiming an indirect cost rate of 10 percent of
modified total direct costs, you do not need to provide any documentation. Click here for further information on
indirect costs.
Supporting Documents
You may submit other attachments of your choosing as part of your application package in the second phase of the
application (Full Proposal), but these attachments should include only information that will supplement the narrative
and support the project description provided in the application. They should help IMLS staff and reviewers envision
your project, but they should not be used to answer narrative questions. You may wish to consider the following:

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Letters of commitment from subrecipients who will receive grant funds or from entities that will contribute
substantive funds to the completion of project activities
Bibliography of references relevant to your proposed project design or evaluation strategy
Letters of support from experts and/or stakeholders
Reports from planning activities
Products or evaluations from previously completed or ongoing projects of a similar nature
Collections, technology, or other departmental plans for the institution as applicable to the proposed project
Web links to relevant online materials
Needs assessments

Note: When attaching these documents, give each one a specific title for clear identification. All Supporting
Documents should include dates of creation and authorship.

E. Application Review Process
What are the characteristics of successful applications?
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Broad Impact: Your proposal should address key needs and challenges that face libraries and/or archives.
Your project should show the potential for far-reaching impact, influence practice throughout the library
and/or archival communities, and reflect awareness and support of current strategic initiatives and agendas
in these fields.
Innovation: Your proposal should demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge
about the subject matter and show how the project has the potential to strengthen and improve library and/or
archive services to benefit the audiences and communities being served.
Collaboration: While collaboration is not required, it can help demonstrate a broad need, field-wide buy-in
and input, access to appropriate expertise, and sharing of resources.

Reviewers of all applications will use the criteria listed in Section D. Application and Submission Information
(above) for evaluating individual parts of an application.
Is cost sharing considered in the review process?
In order to receive an LB21 Project Grant, you must provide funds from non-federal sources in an amount that is
equal to or greater than the amount of the grant after subtraction of student support costs. Click here for further
information on cost sharing.
Cost sharing is permitted, but not expected, for Research, Early Career Development, as well as grants of less than
$250,000 and will not be considered in the review of the application. However, if you chose to include cost sharing in
an application in such category(s), your projected cost share in the project budget should be carefully calculated;
grantees are expected to meet the cost share and other commitments that are set forth in their awards.
What is the review and selection process?
A two phase review process will be used in this grant cycle. We are incorporating the Preliminary Proposal into our
application process so that applicants will find out before doing the work of putting together a complete application
package for a Full Proposal – whether or not their application is competitive. Because of the shorter format,
applicants invest less time upfront and will receive feedback early on in the process.
1. Preliminary Proposal Applications
In the first phase, all eligible and complete Preliminary Proposal applications will be reviewed and evaluated. Full
Proposals applications will be invited from those applicants whose Preliminary Proposal applications:
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most directly and practically address one of the two agency priorities (if applicable);
have the potential for the greatest impact upon the library and archival services and practices;
provide a sound basis and means for measuring impact;
support IMLS digital stewardship policy (where applicable);
provide for collaboration with other entities in the course of the project; and
demonstrate appropriate project management skills and capacity.

If you are invited to submit a Full Proposal application you will receive written comments for the improvement and
development of your Full Proposal application, and you will be encouraged to contact program officers for additional
details.
If you are not invited to submit a Full Proposal application your Preliminary Proposal application will be rejected as
not being competitive at this time. The decision to invite or not invite a Full Proposal application from an applicant is
binding.
2. Full Proposal Applications
In the second phase of the process (Full Proposal applications), all invited, eligible and complete applications will be
reviewed and evaluated. In addition to the criteria listed above, reviewers will use the criteria listed in Section D
(above) for evaluating individual parts of a complete application. Full Proposal applications that were not invited will
be returned without review. An invitation to submit a Full Proposal application is no guarantee of funding.
We use a peer review process to evaluate all eligible and complete applications, including both Preliminary and Full
Proposals. Reviewers are professionals in the field with relevant knowledge and expertise in the types of project
activities identified in the applications. They are instructed to evaluate applications according to the Review Criteria
above. Reviewer conflicts of interest are identified prior to review, and reviewers who may have conflicts with
particular applications are reassigned to review other projects.
The Director takes into account the advice provided by the review process and makes final funding decisions
consistent with the purposes of the agency’s programs.
Reviewers are directed to follow the review criteria described in Section D above.

When will awards be announced?
We will not release information about the status of an application until the applications have been reviewed and all
deliberations are concluded. For Full Proposals, we expect to notify both funded and unfunded applicants of final
decisions by late August 2016. Funded projects may not begin earlier than October 1, 2016.

F. Award Administration Information
How will we be notified about the results of the grant process?
Official Award Notifications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements will be sent electronically. The award packet sent
to the Authorized Representative/Authorizing Official will contain the following:

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cover letter(s)
the Official Award Notifications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
links to the applicable documents, including general terms and conditions, reporting forms, etc.

The Project Director will receive the following:

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copies of the cover letter(s)
a copy of the Official Award Notifications for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
links to the applicable documents, including general terms and conditions, reporting forms, etc.
when appropriate for a particular funding category, reviewer comments

Applicants who do not receive awards will be notified at the same time.
What is the award period of performance?
The award period of performance will run from the first day of the month in which project activities are undertaken and
will end on the last day of the month in which these activities are completed.
What are the administrative and national policy requirements?
Organizations that receive IMLS grants or cooperative agreements are subject to the IMLS General Terms and
Conditions for IMLS Discretionary Awards and the IMLS Assurances and Certifications. Organizations that receive
IMLS funding must be familiar with these requirements and comply with applicable law.
As an applicant for federal funds, you must certify that you are responsible for complying with certain
nondiscrimination, debarment and suspension, drug-free workplace, and lobbying laws. These are set out in more
detail, along with other requirements, in the Assurances and Certifications. By signing the application form, which
includes the Assurances and Certifications, you certify that you are in compliance with these requirements and that
you will maintain records and submit any reports that are necessary to ensure compliance. Your failure to comply with
these statutory and regulatory requirements may result in the suspension or termination of your grant and require you
to return funds to the government.
What are the reporting requirements?
Reports are due according to the reporting schedule that accompanies your Official Award Notification for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements. Please note that recipients must submit performance reports in the format defined by the
IMLS; both interim and final performance reports may be accessible on the IMLS website to support the agency’s
commitment to open government, to engage the public in communities of practice and to inform application
development and grant making strategies.
For details and forms, please see: www.imls.gov/recipients/administration.aspx
What do I need to know about acknowledgement of IMLS support?

Read more about acknowledgement of IMLS support.
What do I need to know about sharing IMLS-supported work products and copyright, and management of
digital assets produced with IMLS support?
Read more about sharing IMLS-supported work products and copyright, and management of digital assets produced
with IMLS support.

G. Contacts
How can I contact program staff?
See the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program web page for IMLS contact information. We are available by
phone and through e-mail to discuss general issues relating to LB21 Program grants.
How can I participate in a webinar?
We are available by phone and through e-mail to discuss general issues relating to the Laura Bush 21st Century
Librarian Program grants. We also invite you to participate in one of two pre-application web conferences to learn
more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. See
the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program web page for more information and exact dates of the webinars.

H. Other Information
What are the requirements regarding conflict of interest?
You must comply with IMLS’ conflict of interest requirements. These requirements include disclosing in writing to
IMLS or pass-through entity any potential conflict of interest.
What are the requirements regarding the designated integrity and performance system?
i. IMLS, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition
threshold [currently $150,000], is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the
designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313);
ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible
through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is
currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;
iii. IMLS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity
and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of
performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in §200.205
Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

How long should it take to complete this application?
We estimate the average amount of time needed for one applicant to complete the narrative portion of this application
to be 40 hours. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and writing and reviewing the answers.
We estimate that, in addition to the time needed for you to answer the narrative questions, it will take you an average
of 15 minutes per response for the IMLS Program Information Sheet and three hours per response for the IMLS
Budget Form.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Institute of Museum and Library Services at 1800 M Street, NW, 9th
Floor, Washington, DC 20036-5802, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project
(3137-0029), Washington, DC 20503.

How can I become a reviewer?
If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, you may submit your information through our online reviewer
application at www.imls.gov/reviewers/become.aspx. Please remember to attach your resume. Your information will
be considered and, if accepted, your name will be entered into our reviewer database. You will be contacted prior to
the next deadline regarding your availability to serve as a reviewer.
There are many benefits to reviewing applications, including enhancing your professional knowledge and serving the
museum and library communities. If you are selected to serve, you will be helping IMLS and strengthening our grant
review process.

Office of Management and Budget Clearance Numbers
Notices of Funding Opportunity: OMB No. XXXXX; Expiration Date: XXXXX.
Forms: OMB No. XXXXX; Expiration Date: XXXXX.