NOFO linked document

http://www.imls.gov/resources/grant_program_webinars.aspx
Resources-Webinars
We invite you to participate in pre-application webinars to learn more about our grant programs,
ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants.

Upcoming Webinars
Webinar links will be moved to the Archived Webinar section below once a recording becomes
available.
Archived Webinars
Native Hawaiian Library Services
Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 3:00pm ET
Access recorded webinar
View transcript
Native American Library Services Basic Grants
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Access recorded webinar
View presentation slides and notes (PDF, 4.3MB)
Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants
Webinar #1: January 15, 2015
Access recorded webinar
Read transcript (PDF, 62KB)
Webinar #2: January 20, 2015
Access recorded webinar
Read transcript (PDF, 62KB)
National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Webinar #2: December 11, 2014
Access recorded webinar
Read transcript (PDF, 62KB)
Webinar #1: August 20, 2014
Access recorded webinar [Due to technical problems, the audio portion of the webinar begins at
4.49 in the program. Please contact program staff for any questions or plan to attend the 2nd
webinar scheduled for September 16, 2014.]
Acesss webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 6.6MB)
Office of Museum Services
Pre-Recorded Webinar
A general presentation on IMLS museum grants. We recommend that you view this presentation
before participating in a program-specific webinar.
Read transcript (PDF, 6.0MB)
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
October 21, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 2.0MB)
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program
October 22, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 2.0MB)
National Leadership Grants for Museums

October 15, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 10MB)
Sparks! Ignition Grants for Museums
October 16, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 8MB)
Museums for America
October 16, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 11MB)
Office of Library Services New Grantee Webinar
Webinar #1: October 7, 2014
Access recorded webinar
Webinar #2: October 8, 2014
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 3.4MB)
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
July 29, 2014 Webinar
Access recorded webinar
Access webinar slides/transcript (PDF, 4.4MB)

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/instructions_for_completing_budget_documents.aspx#costshare
Instructions for Completing Budget Documents
You must provide two budget documents to describe the costs of a proposed project:
 IMLS Budget Form
 Budget Justification
Note: If a separate IMLS Budget Form is included in an application for a project partner’s portion
of an overall project budget, please include the partner budget as a supporting document. Be
sure that the primary IMLS Budget Form and Budget Justification for the lead applicant include
summary explanations of all partner budget details. Project partner budgets must comply with all
instructions in this Notice of Funding Opportunity regarding allowable costs and methods of
budget calculation.
IMLS Budget Form
The IMLS Budget Form is designed to accommodate up to three years of project activities and
expenses. Project timelines, allowable costs, and other budget details vary by program. Be sure
to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the grant program/category to which you are
applying before you complete the IMLS Budget Form. Please also consult the cost principles in 2
CFR part 200 and 2 CFR part 3187. The Year 1 columns should include costs for activities that
begin on the project start date (as listed on 6c of the SF-424S) and end 12 months later. If the
project timeline exceeds one year, list the costs for the next 12 months in the Year 2 columns. If
the project extends beyond two years, list the costs for the next 12 months in the Year 3 columns.
If the program/category to which you are applying permits a fourth year as part of the budget,
enter Year 4 budget details on a second copy of the IMLS Budget Form.
The budget should include the project costs that will be charged to grant funds as well as those
that will be supported by cost sharing. In-kind contributions to cost sharing may include the value
of services (e.g., donated volunteer or consultant time) or equipment donated to the project
between the authorized start and end dates of your project. All the items listed, whether
supported by grant funds or cost share, must be necessary to accomplish project objectives,
allowable according to the applicable federal cost principles, auditable, and incurred during the
award period of performance. Charges to the project for items such as salaries, fringe benefits,
travel, and contractual services must conform to the written policies and established practices of
your organization. You must report all revenues generated with project funds during the award
period of performance as program income and apply it to your cost share.
1. Salaries and Wages: Include both temporary and permanent staff as well as volunteers
engaged in project activities. Document the method of cost computation (e.g., as percentage of a
person’s time devoted to the project, number of days, number of hours) in your Budget
Justification.
2. Fringe Benefits: Fringe benefits may include contributions for Social Security, employee
insurance, pension plans, etc. Limit direct cost fringe benefits to those not included in your
indirect cost pool. Fringe benefits may be claimed only on the portion of Salaries and Wages
identified for this project.
3. Travel: Before completing this section of the IMLS Budget Form, please consult the Notice of
Funding Opportunity for the program to which you are applying for any special guidance.
Explain the method of cost computation for each travel cost, including subsistence and
transportation, in your Budget Justification.
You must use the lowest available commercial fares for coach or equivalent accommodations,
and you must use U.S. flagged air carriers for foreign travel when such services are available, in
accordance with applicable U.S. legal requirements.
4. Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: List the costs of supplies, materials, and equipment
purchased specifically for the proposed project. For definitions and other information regarding
supplies, materials, and equipment, please see 2 CFR Part 200.Use the Budget Justification to
explain or describe these items in further detail.
5. Contracts and Subawards: List the costs of project activities to be undertaken by a third
party, including a formal partner, as a single line item that shows the amount that will be charged

to IMLS grant funds and any cost sharing that will be contributed by the third party. Itemize these
third party costs in the Budget Justification. List any individuals or groups who will provide
consulting services for the project and their fees. Identify each individual or group as either a
contract or subaward. Explain the method of computation for fees in your Budget Justification.
Click here for more information on partners, contracts, and subawards.
6. Student Support: If you are applying for a program that allows student support, enter those
costs in this section. Student support can include costs such as scholarships or fellowships or
student participant support costs. Other student items such as wages, materials including books
or other supplies, student memberships in professional organizations, and travel should be
included elsewhere in the budget (e.g., under supplies, contracts and/or travel categories) and
identified as student items (e.g. “student wages”).
7. Other Costs: Use this section for costs that are not assignable to other categories. Please do
not use the "Other Costs" section to list items that did not fit in the number of lines allotted for
another section. If you need more lines for a specific section, summarize the information in the
IMLS Budget Form and explain it further in the Budget Justification.
8. Total Direct Costs: These amounts will total automatically.
9. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are the same as "overhead" or "administrative costs." They are
costs that are incurred for common or joint objectives and cannot be easily identified with a
particular project. Examples are charges for utilities, general insurance, use of office space and
equipment that you own, local telephone service, and the salaries of the management and
administrative personnel of the organization. Before completing this section of the IMLS Budget
Form, please consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the program to which you are applying
for any special guidance regarding indirect costs. Click here for more information about Indirect
Cost Options.
10. Total Project Costs: These amounts will total automatically.
IMLS Budget Form:
Adobe® PDF (212KB)
Cost Share
Cost share is that portion of the project costs that is not charged to IMLS funds. These costs may
be supported by your cash outlays; contribution of property and services; and in-kind
contributions, such as staff or volunteer time that support project activities.
For more information regarding cost sharing, refer to the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity
for the grant program to which you are applying.
All listed expenses, including cost sharing, must be incurred during the award period of
performance unless otherwise specified. Federal funds may not be used for cost sharing. All
federal, agency, and program instructions regarding use of funds apply to both requested IMLS
funds and cost sharing.
Budget Justification
Use the Budget Justification to explain all the costs included in your IMLS Budget Form. Address
the purpose for each expense and explain the basis or method of cost computation used to
determine each dollar amount. Itemize and explain any costs that you consolidated and
summarized in the IMLS Budget Form. Follow the format of the IMLS Budget Form’s section
headings.
We encourage you to contribute as cost share the salaries of permanent staff to be employed on
a project in proportion to the amount of time they will spend on the project. If you are requesting
IMLS funding for salaries of permanent staff, explain the reason for the request and how the
regular duties of these individuals will be performed during the award period of performance.
Explain the role of any outside consultants and contractors to be employed on the project and
how each was identified and selected. Document costs for third party service providers through
bids or similar means.
List the cost of project activities to be undertaken by a third party under "Contracts and
Subawards" on the IMLS Budget Form as a single line item that shows the amount that will be
charged to IMLS grant funds and the cost sharing that will be provided by the third party. Include
a complete itemization of these costs as part of the Budget Justification. If there is more than one
contractor or subrecipient, list the costs of each contract or subaward separately on the IMLS

Budget Form and include an itemization as part of the Budget Justification. Click here for
guidance for writing a budget justification.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grantsgov_tips.aspx
Grants.gov Registration and Tips

Grants.gov Registration
You must register with Grants.gov before submitting your application to IMLS. Click here to learn
more about the multistep registration process. Make sure your D-U-N-S® Number and SAM.gov
registration are accurate, current, and active. We recommend that you allow 4 weeks to complete
all steps in the Grants.gov registration process. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE WEEK OF THE
APPLICATION DEADLINE TO REGISTER.
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.
Tips for Working with Grants.gov
1. Start early! Click here to learn more about Grants.gov resources, which include
checklists, FAQs, and online tutorials to assist you in preparing your organization to
submit applications.
2. You must designate at least one Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) to use
Grants.gov. Consider designating more than one AOR when you register. This will help
avoid last-minute crises in the event that your one AOR is unavailable when you are
ready to submit your application. Also, you should update the AOR at Grants.gov when
staff at your organization changes, and make sure passwords are current.
3. Make effective technological choices.
o Download the most recent version of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® onto your
computer for best results. Make sure to submit all documents in Adobe® PDF
format.
o Follow the instructions in the Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity to
convert your documents into PDFs. Click here to learn more about PDF
conversion programs. Use Internet Explorer® as your browser when submitting
the application to Grants.gov. Click here for more information about browsers.
4. 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, when it is closed.

NOTE:
If you create a document in Microsoft® Word, you must convert it to PDF format before submitting
it. Click here for assistance in converting documents to PDF. Do not send secured or passwordprotected PDFs; we cannot process these files.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/sf424s.aspx
How to Fill Out the SF-424S
The SF-424S is the "Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short Organizational Form" on
Grants.gov.
Items 1-4 are automatically filled in by Grants.gov
Item 5. Applicant Information
a. Legal Name: Enter your organization’s legal name as it appears in its SAM.gov registration.
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility details. If your organization is eligible but
does not have the authority to apply directly for funding, enter the name of the parent organization
that is submitting the application on your organization’s behalf. In that case, enter the name of
your organization in the space provided for "Organizational Unit" on the Program Information
Sheet, Question 1d.
b. Address: For Street1, enter your organization’s street address or post office box number,
whichever is used for its U.S. Postal Service mailing address. Street2 is not a required field and
should be used only when a suite or room number or other similar information is part of the
address.
In the ZIP+4/Postal Code box, enter the full nine-digit ZIP code assigned by the U.S. Postal
Service. Click here to retrieve your full ZIP code.
c. Web Address: Enter the Web address of the legal applicant organization.
d. Type of Applicant: Select the one code that best characterizes your organization from the
menu in the first dropdown box. Leave the other boxes blank.
e. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Enter the Employer or Taxpayer
Identification Number (EIN or TIN) assigned to your organization by the Internal Revenue
Service.
f. Organizational DUNS: Enter your organization’s D-U-N-S® Number received from Dun and
Bradstreet. Click here for guidance in obtaining a D-U-N-S® Number.
g. Congressional District: Enter your organization’s Congressional District. Use the following
format: two-letter state abbreviation, followed by a hyphen, followed by a zero, followed by the
two-digit district number. For example, if the organization is located in the 5th congressional
district of California, enter "CA-005." For the 12th district of North Carolina, enter "NC-012." For
states and territories with "At Large" congressional districts—that is, one representative or
delegate represents the entire state or territory—use "001," e.g., "VT-001.
If your organization does not have a congressional district (e.g., it is located in a U.S. territory that
does not have districts), enter "00-000." To determine your organization’s district, visit the House
of Representatives website by clicking here and using the "Find Your Representative" tool.
Item 6. Project Information
a. Project Title: Enter a brief descriptive title for your project. IMLS may use this title for public
information purposes.
b. Project Description: Enter a brief description (about 120 words) of your specific project. Tell
us what your project will do, for whom or what, and why. Use clear language that can be
understood readily by readers who might not be familiar with the discipline or subject area. Note:
There is a character limit (including spaces) for this section in Grants.gov! Your
application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.
c. Proposed Project Start Date/End Date: Enter the proposed period of performance start date
and end date for your project in the format mm/dd/yyyy. Your project must begin on the first day
of a month and end on the last day of a month, as directed in the program Notice of Funding
Opportunity.
Item 7. Project Director
Enter the requested information for the person who will have primary responsibility for carrying
out your project’s activities. Please select a prefix.
Item 8. Primary Contact/Grants Administrator
Enter the requested information for the individual who has primary responsibility for administering
the award. If the Primary Contact/Grants Administrator is the same as the Authorized
Representative, please complete both Items 8 and 9.

In some organizations, particularly smaller ones, this individual may be the same as the Project
Director. If this is the case, check the box and skip to Item 9.
Item 9. Authorized Representative
Enter the name and contact information of the person who has the authority to enter into legal
agreements in the name of your organization. The Authorized Representative cannot be the
same person as the Project Director. By checking the "I Agree" box at the top of Item 9, this
individual certifies the applicant’s compliance with relevant federal requirements (the IMLS
Assurances and Certifications). IMLS will address written correspondence to the Authorized
Representative whose information you enter in Item 9.
The "Signature of Authorized Representative" and "Date Signed" boxes will be automatically
populated by Grants.gov upon submission of the application. This will be the person whose name
was listed as your organization’s Authorized Representative when you registered with
Grants.gov. Please note that this name might not be the same as the name and other information
you entered in Item 9 above; however, the person whose name appears in the “Signature of
Authorized Representative” box must have authorization from your organization to submit this
application on behalf of your organization. Submission of the electronic application
acknowledges that your organization certifies compliance with relevant federal requirements,
including but not limited to the IMLS Assurances and Certifications, to the same extent as the
signature does on a paper application.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/organizational_profile.aspx
Organizational Profile
An Organizational Profile must be no more than one page and include the following information:
 Your organization’s mission or statement of purpose, noting the source, approving body,
and date of the official document in which it appears. If your organization’s mission
statement is longer than one page, you may excerpt from it or summarize it to convey the
essential points.
 Your service area (communities and/or audiences served, including size, demographic
characteristics, and geographic area).
 A brief history of your organization, focusing on the unit that will be directly involved in
carrying out the work.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/schedule_of_completion.aspx
Schedule of Completion
The Schedule of Completion should reflect each major activity identified in your application
narrative and the project dates identified on the Application for Federal Domestic
Assistance/Short Organizational Form (SF-424S) and IMLS Budget Form. It should show when
each major project activity will be undertaken, mark important milestones for the project, and be
no longer than one page per project year. If any proposed activity is part of a larger project, make
sure the IMLS-funded portion is clearly identified. Click image below for a larger view.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/project_staff_and_consultant_documents.aspx#list
Project Staff and Consultant Documents
List of Key Project Staff and Consultants
Provide a one-page list of the staff and consultants whose expertise is essential to the completion
of the project. Do not list the entire staff involved in the project. This list must include the Project
Director listed in Item 7 of the SF-424S. Any changes to these key project staff and consultants
must be approved by IMLS.
Resumes of Key Project Staff and Consultants
Provide resumes of no more than two pages each for all project staff and consultants identified on
the List of Key Project Staff and Consultants described above.
If you cannot identify key project personnel by the application deadline, then submit position
descriptions instead. A position description does not identify a specific individual; it identifies the
qualities and range of experience and education necessary to successfully implement and
complete project activities.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/proof_of_nonprofit_status.aspx
Proof of Nonprofit Status
If your organization is a private, nonprofit institution, you must submit a copy of the IRS letter
indicating your eligibility for nonprofit status under the applicable provision of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1954, as amended. We will not accept a letter of State sales tax exemption as
proof of nonprofit status.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/indirect_cost.aspx
Indirect Costs
What are indirect costs?
An indirect cost is an organization’s incurred cost that cannot be readily isolated or identified with
just one project or activity. These types of costs are often referred to as “overhead costs.” Typical
examples of indirect costs are general telephone service, postage, office supplies, office space
expenses, and administrative or financial operations for an entire organization. (See 2 CFR part
200 for additional guidance).
What are my options for calculating and including indirect costs in my project budget?
You can choose to:
1. Use a rate not to exceed your current indirect cost rate already negotiated with a federal
agency;
2. Use an indirect cost rate proposed to a federal agency but not yet approved;
3. Use a rate not to exceed 10% of modified total direct costs if you have never had a
federally negotiated indirect cost rate and you are not subject to other requirements (e.g.,
for States and Local Governments and Indian Tribes); or
4. Not include any indirect costs.
What is a federally negotiated indirect cost rate, and how do I use one?
Federally negotiated indirect cost rates are negotiated agreements between federal agencies and
non-profit organizations. If your organization already has an existing negotiated indirect cost rate
in effect with another federal agency, you may use this rate to calculate total project costs, as
long as you apply the rate in accordance with the terms of the negotiated agreement and include
a copy of the current negotiated agreement with your grant application. You may also choose to
use a rate lower than your current federally negotiated indirect cost rate. We will only accept
federally negotiated indirect cost rates that are current by the award date.
How do I use the 10% indirect cost rate?
Except for those non-federal entities described in Appendix VII to 2 CFR Part 200, you may
choose to charge a de minimis rate of up to 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) if you have
never had a federally negotiated indirect cost rate. See 2 CFR part 200 for additional guidance. If
you choose to use this rate, you must be careful to avoid double-charging and should exclude, as
necessary, from the budget all indirect-cost-type items, such as general telephone service,
postage, office supplies and office space expenses, and administrative or financial operations for
the applicant's entire organization.
As long as you meet the applicable requirements and have never had a federally negotiated
indirect cost rate, you may use this rate with no additional documentation required.
What if my organization is currently in indirect cost rate negotiations with a federal
agency, or my organization’s current indirect cost rate will change or expire before grants
are awarded in this IMLS program?
If your organization is in the process of negotiating an indirect cost rate with a federal agency, you
may use the indirect cost rate that was proposed to the federal agency to estimate total project
costs. You must include with your grant application a copy of the indirect cost proposal. In such
situations, if we award a grant, we will accept the rate only if the negotiations are final by the
award date and a copy of the final agreement is submitted to us. It is possible that we may reduce
the amount of the award if the final negotiated rate is less than the rate that was used for budget
estimates in the application budget. However, we will not increase the amount of the award if the
final negotiated indirect cost rate is higher than the rate that was used for budget estimates in the
application budget.
Can I apply my indirect cost rate to the cost sharing portion of my application budget?
Yes. You may apply your indirect cost rate to the cost sharing portion of your total direct costs,
but you must count it as cost share. IMLS funds can be used for indirect costs, but only for the
portion of the total direct costs for which you are requesting IMLS funds (the Grant Fund column).
Are there any other project costs that cannot be included in my indirect cost calculations?
If you have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, you must follow its conditions and
requirements.

If you are eligible for and using the 10% de minimis rate, you may include 10% of the modified
total direct costs (MTDC) in your indirect cost calculations. (Please see above section on this
10% rate as well as 2 CFR sections 200.414(f) and 200.68.)

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/guidance_for_research_proposals.aspx
Guidance for Research Applications
An effective research application should answer the following questions:
What are the specific research questions your project will attempt to answer?
List the question or questions that will drive your proposed activities. Research questions should
be clear and concise to help reviewers understand what you wish to learn.
What is the relevance of your proposed research for current practice?
Demonstrate how the research will lead to improved museum or library practice and that you are
familiar with current research literature.
What research methods will you use to conduct the research?
Detail the methods you will use and why they are the most appropriate for addressing the
question at hand. The methods must be replicable and based on the best practices identified in
the scientific literature or by relevant professional associations. Identify the interpretive framework
or context you will use.
What type of data will you gather?
Describe the type of research data you will collect and what measures you will take to ensure its
validity and reliability. Detail the methods for collecting the information along with any potential
privacy or human subjects concerns that may arise. List potential challenges in gathering data
and explain how you will address them.
How will you analyze and use the data?
Describe how you will analyze the results of your research and compare them to your research
questions. If applicable, outline an analysis plan that links a set of testable hypotheses to the
proposed research question(s). Identify the variables of interest that are key to the investigation,
and explain how you will deal with alternative explanations for the observed phenomena.
How will you report the information?
Address how you will communicate the results to a variety of target audiences with different levels
of expertise.
How will you manage the research data and make it available for future use (as
applicable)?
Explain how you will manage, share, preserve, and document the information and research
products you will create during the project. To do this, complete the Digital Stewardship
Supplementary Information Form and include it as part of the application to IMLS.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/evaluating_your_project.aspx
Evaluating Your Project
Your proposed plan for tracking and measuring your success in achieving your intended results is
a significant element in the review process. You should include specific and sufficient resources
dedicated to evaluation activities in your detailed work plan, project budget, and schedule of
completion. Examples of relevant costs associated with evaluation include payments for
consultants or qualified project staff, development of effective instruments, information collection,
and analysis of project data. Include the costs of evaluation, reporting, and sharing project results
in your project budget. You may budget any of these as grant funds or as cost share. Keep in
mind that effective evaluation strategies often use multiple techniques not just to measure and
analyze final project outputs and outcomes but also to inform and help shape your project design
as the project progresses.
Your evaluation plan should:
 clearly link the Agency-Level Goal and the Performance Goal(s) identified in your
application as well as the Performance Measure Statement(s), and the Project-Level
Results you intend to measure to the program/project you are proposing;
 identify the primary beneficiaries (people or organizations) of the project and the
methodology for collecting outcome information from them (if applicable);
 explain how things will be different as a consequence of this project and what data you
will collect to determine whether or not these changes occurred;
 indicate the methods you will use to analyze your data and to judge the overall
effectiveness of the project;
 describe the qualifications of staff and consultants involved in evaluation activities;
 include all plans you have to monitor the project’s effectiveness on an ongoing basis so
that you can make needed midcourse corrections;
 describe how you intend to use the evaluation results and how they may affect long-term
program planning; and
 describe how you will share the evaluation results with people and organizations outside
your organization.
Your application narrative should address as many of these points as possible. If you do not have
all this information at the time you submit your application, your application should explain how
you will obtain it if the project is funded by IMLS.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/projects_that_develop_digital_content.aspx
Requirements for Projects that Develop Digital Content
What are the requirements for projects that develop digital content?
IMLS is committed to expanding public access to federally-funded research, data and other digital
products. The assets you create with IMLS funding require careful stewardship to protect and
enhance their value, and they should be freely and readily available for use and re-use by
libraries, archives, museums, and the public. However, applying these principles to the
development and management of digital products is not always straightforward. Because
technology is dynamic and because we do not want to inhibit innovation, we do not want to
prescribe set standards and best practices that could become quickly outdated. Instead, we ask
that you answer a series of questions that address specific aspects of creating and managing
digital assets. Your answers will be used by IMLS staff and by expert peer reviewers to evaluate
your application, and they will be important in determining whether your project will be funded.
The form consists of four parts. Part I contains questions relevant to any kind of digital project,
while Parts II, III, and IV focus specifically on projects creating digital content, software, and
datasets. The form’s embedded instructions will help you decide which questions to answer. You
need answer only those questions relevant to your project.
Additionally, IMLS participates in the Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative (FADGI),
a collaborative effort by federal agencies to define common standards, guidelines, methods, and
best practices for creating digital collections. The FADGI website includes a growing list of links to
relevant standards, recommendations, and other resources. While this list is not exhaustive—nor
do we endorse any specific resource—applicants considering digital projects may find the
information useful.
Related Links
Digital Stewardship Supplementary Information Form
Adobe® PDF (87 KB)
Microsoft Word (50 KB)
Resources for Projects Developing Digital Products
www.digitizationguidelines.gov

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/getting_a_duns_number.aspx
Getting a D-U-N-S® Number
All non-federal entities are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (D-U-N-S®) Number in order to apply for, receive, and report on a federal award.
You should verify that your organization has a D-U-N-S® Number. If you find you do not, you can
acquire one at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free D-U-N-S® Number request line at 1-866705-5711 or by visiting www.dnb.com/get-a-duns-number/html.
Be sure that the D-U-N-S® Number is the same as the number you use in the System for Award
Management (SAM) as part of Grants.gov registration.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/sam_registration.aspx
SAM.gov Registration
The System for Award Management (SAM) is a federal repository that centralizes information
about grant applicants and recipients. You must be registered with SAM.gov before registering
with Grants.gov. Click here to find information about registering with SAM.gov.
Registration cannot be completed in a single day. Some information must be validated by outside
parties before your registration can be activated. This includes TIN (Taxpayer Identification
Number) validation with the Internal Revenue Service and CAGE (Commercial and Government
Entity) validation/assignment with the Department of Defense. The activation timeframe may be
longer if the information you provide is flagged for manual validation by any party. You will receive
an email alerting you when your registration is active.
You must renew and revalidate your registration in SAM.gov at least every 12 months from the
date you last certified and submitted the registration in SAM.gov--and sooner, if your information
changes. An expired registration will affect your ability to receive awards or payments, submit
applications via Grants.gov, and receive certain payments from some federal government
agencies.
Please note that grant payments will be made to the bank account that is associated with your
SAM.gov registration.
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.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/partnerships.aspx
Partnerships
Many IMLS-funded projects involve collaboration. The successful completion of project activities
often requires organizations to work together. These partnerships or collaborations can take
many forms, both informal and formal. Sometimes partners provide cost share toward a project;
sometimes the grantee provides federal grant funds to a partner. Below are some frequently
asked questions about partnerships within IMLS grants.
In projects that involve partnerships, what are the responsibilities of the lead applicant
and its partners?
In a project that involves one or more partners, the organization that submits the application
becomes the grantee if the application is funded.
Partners who receive federal funds must be identified in the application as either a contractor or
subrecipient.
The grantee is legally responsible for the use of all grant funds and for ensuring that the project is
carried out by the partner(s) in accordance with the terms of the grant and all applicable federal
laws, regulations, and requirements. The grantee must be the fiscal agent but may provide
federal grant funds to its partners for specific activities or services. Each partner is legally
responsible for carrying out the activities that it agrees to perform and for complying with the
terms of the award and all applicable federal laws, regulations, and requirements.
The general rules for situations where federal funds are provided by the grantee to its partner,
whether through a contract or a subaward can be found at 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Click
here to find these regulations.
We encourage the lead applicant to include a letter of commitment from each partner, detailing
the activities that the partner plans to perform and indicating that the partner agrees to comply
with the terms of the award and all applicable federal laws, regulations, and requirements. Letters
of commitment should be signed by a person authorized to sign on behalf of the partner
organization.
Are partnerships with federal agencies permitted?
You may partner with federal agencies when appropriate. However, no IMLS grant funds may be
provided to the federal agency partner. In addition, it is important to remember that federally
appropriated funds, whether they are disbursed directly to you by a federal agency or indirectly
through another organization, do not count toward your cost share. Click here for more
information about cost share.
Are international partnerships permitted?
While we do not make awards to non-U.S. entities, such entities may partner with eligible U.S.
organizations on IMLS-funded projects, subject to applicable law.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/acknowledgement_of_imls_support.aspx
Acknowledgement of IMLS Support
What are the requirements for acknowledging work done with IMLS grant funding?
We require acknowledgement of IMLS assistance in all publications and other products resulting
from the project, such as research reports, websites, and presentations. All work products should
reference IMLS and include the associated grant award numbers. Grant recipients will receive
further instructions on how to acknowledge IMLS support and tips on how to share information
about their projects.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/acknowledgement_of_imls_support.aspx
Sharing the Work Products of IMLS-Supported Projects
How is information shared about IMLS projects and for what purposes?
We encourage creators of works resulting from IMLS funding to share their work openly
whenever possible through forums such as institutional or discipline-based repositories, openaccess journals, or other media. Wide dissemination of the results of IMLS-funded projects
advances the body of knowledge and professional practice in museum, library, and information
services.
We require that your final report include one copy of each written product you create, unless
otherwise instructed. We may share grant applications, products, and reports with grantees,
potential grantees, and the general public to further the mission of the agency and the
development of museum, library, and information services. These materials may be disseminated
broadly and made available in a variety of ways and formats, including online.
What do I need to know about copyright and works produced with IMLS support?
You may copyright any work that is subject to copyright and was developed under an award or for
which ownership was purchased. However, we reserve, for federal government purposes, a
royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise
use the work and authorize others to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work.
All work products resulting from IMLS funding should be distributed for free or at cost unless we
have given you written approval for another arrangement. We expect you to ensure that final
peer-reviewed manuscripts resulting from research conducted under an award are made
available in a manner that permits the public to access, read, download, and analyze the work
without charge.
What do I need to know about digital assets produced with IMLS support?
IMLS is committed to expanding public access to IMLS-funded assets, including research data
and other digital products: the assets you create with IMLS funding require careful stewardship to
protect and enhance their value. They should be freely and readily available for use and re-use
by libraries, archives, museums and the public. Applying these principles to the development of
digital products is not straightforward; because technology is dynamic and because we do not
want to inhibit innovation, the IMLS does not want to prescribe set standards and best practices
that would certainly become quickly outdated. Instead, IMLS defines the digital assets your
projects should achieve in a series of questions; your answers are used by IMLS staff and by
expert peer reviewers to evaluate your application; and they will play a critical role in determining
whether your grant will be funded. Together, your answers will comprise the basis for a work plan
for your project, as they will address all the major components of the development process. See
the Digital Stewardship Supplementary Information Form for more information.
Data sharing is an essential component of research and expedites the translation of research
results into new knowledge and practices. If your project involves the collection and analysis of
data, we expect you to include, as part of your application, a data management plan (Part IV of
the Digital Stewardship Supplementary Information Form) that provides for long-term preservation
and access. We expect you to deposit data resulting from IMLS-funded research in a broadly
accessible repository that allows the public to use the data without charge no later than the date
upon which you submit your final report to IMLS. The data should be deposited in a machinereadable, non-proprietary digital format to maximize search, retrieval, and analysis.
Your project budget may include the costs of preparing the data for public release and for making
the data publicly available. In your final report to IMLS, you will be required to identify where your
data has been deposited and can be accessed by the public
We recognize that data sharing may be complicated or limited in some cases by institutional
policies; local Institutional Review Board (IRB) rules; and local, state, and federal laws and
regulations, including those protecting confidentiality and personal privacy. The rights and privacy
of people who participate in IMLS-supported research must be protected at all times. Thus, data
intended for broader use should be free of anything that could lead to disclosure of the identity of
individual participants. You should identify and explain the reasons for any limitations in your data
management plan.

For the purposes of this section, “data” is defined consistent with OMB guidance (please see 2
CFR 200.315). We reserve a royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to: (1)
obtain, reproduce, publish or otherwise use the data first produced under a grant; and (2)
authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for federal purposes.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/conflict_of_interest_requirements.aspx
Conflict of Interest Requirements
What Conflict of Interest requirements must I follow?
As a non-federal entity, you must follow IMLS conflict of interest policies for federal awards. You
must disclose in writing any potential conflict of interest to an IMLS Program Officer, or to the
pass-through entity if you are a subrecipient or contractor. This disclosure must take place
immediately whether you are an applicant or have an active IMLS award.
The IMLS conflict of interest policies apply to subawards as well as contracts, and are as follows:
1. As a non-federal entity, you must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts
of interest and governing the performance of your employees engaged in the selection,
award, and administration of subawards and contracts.
2. None of your employees may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a
subaward or contract supported by a federal award if he or she has a real or apparent
conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer, or
agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization
which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or
other interest in or a tangible personal benefit from an organization considered for a
subaward or contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the non-federal entity must
neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from
subrecipients or contractors or parties to subawards or contracts.
3. If you have a parent, affiliate, or subsidiary organization that is not a State, local
government, or Indian tribe, you must also maintain written standards of conduct covering
organizational conflicts of interest. Organizational conflicts of interest means that
because of relationships with a parent company, affiliate, or subsidiary organization, you
are unable or appear to be unable to be impartial in conducting a subaward or
procurement action involving a related organization.

http://www.imls.gov/reviewers/become.aspx
How to Become a Reviewer
All IMLS competitive awards are reviewed by library and museum professionals who know the
needs of communities, can share promising practices, and are well versed in the issues and
concerns of museums and libraries today. Peer reviewers dedicate their time and expertise to
advance the highest professional practices in the field. The IMLS review process is well
respected, and the success of our grant programs is largely due to the expertise of our reviewers.
Museum reviewers
The IMLS Office of Museum Services offers opportunities to serve as a field reviewer for the
following grant programs: Museums for America, National Leadership Grants for Museums,
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program, and Museum Grants for African
American History and Culture. Applications are reviewed by experts in specific funding
categories. If you would like to be included in our database of potential reviewers, please provide
us with your information on the museum reviewer application form.
Library reviewers
The IMLS Office of Library Services manages competitive awards in three program areas:
Librarians for the 21st Century, and Native American/Native Hawaiian Library Services, and
National Leadership Grants for Libraries. If you would like to be in our database of potential
reviewers, please provide us with your information on the library reviewer form.

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/imls_assurances_and_certifications.aspx
IMLS Assurances and Certifications
As a Federal agency, IMLS is required to obtain from all applicants certifications, including those
regarding Nondiscrimination, Debarment and Suspension, Federal Debt Status, and Drug-Free
Workplace. Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in grant funds must also certify regarding
lobbying activities and may be required to submit a "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities" form
(Standard Form LLL). Some applicants will be required to certify that they will comply with other
federal statutes that pertain to their particular situation. These requirements are incorporated in
the Assurances Statement below. The authorized representative must review the statement and
provide the certification in item 9 on the Application for Federal Domestic Assistance/Short
Organizational Form (SF-424s).
Assurances Statement
By signing the application form, the authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, assures
and certifies that, should a grant be awarded, the applicant will comply with the statutes outlined
below and all related IMLS regulations (for example, see 2 C.F.R. Chapter XXXI and 45 C.F.R.
Chapter XI). These assurances are given in connection with any and all financial assistance from
IMLS after the date this form is signed, but may include payments after this date for financial
assistance approved prior to this date. These assurances shall obligate the applicant for the
period during which the federal financial assistance is extended. The applicant recognizes and
agrees that any such assistance will be extended in reliance on the representations and
agreements made in these assurances, and that the United States Government has the right to
seek judicial enforcement of these assurances, which are binding on the applicant, its
successors, transferees, and assignees, and on the authorized official whose signature appears
on the application form.

Certifications Required of All Applicants:
Financial, Administrative, and Legal Accountability
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant has legal
authority to apply for federal assistance and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability
(including funds sufficient to pay the non-federal share of project costs) to ensure proper
planning, management, reporting, recordkeeping, and completion of the project described in this
application.
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will cause to
be performed the required financial and compliance audits in accordance with applicable law.
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply
with the provisions of applicable OMB Circulars and regulations.
Nondiscrimination
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply
with the following nondiscrimination statutes and their implementing regulations:


Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2000 et seq.), which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (note: as clarified by
Executive Order 13166, the applicant must take reasonable steps to ensure that limited
English proficient (LEP) persons have meaningful access to the applicant’s programs
(see IMLS guidance at 68 Federal Register 17679, April 10, 2003));







Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. §701 et seq.,
including §794), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability (note: IMLS
applies the regulations in 45 C.F.R. Part 1170 in determining compliance with section 504
as it applies to recipients of federal assistance);
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. §1681–83,
§1685–86), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs; and
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. §6101 et
seq.), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age.
the requirements of any other nondiscrimination statute(s) which may apply to the
application.

Debarment and Suspension
The applicant shall comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 3185 and 2 C.F.R. Part 180, as applicable. The
authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her knowledge
and belief that neither the applicant nor any of its principals:





are presently excluded or disqualified;
have been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in 2
C.F.R. § 180.800(a) or had a civil judgment rendered against it or them for one of those
offenses within that time period;
are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental
entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any of the offenses listed in 2 C.F.R. §
180.800(a); or
have had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated within the
preceding three years for cause or default.

Where the applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, he or she
shall attach an explanation to this application.
The applicant, as a primary tier participant, is required to comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 180 subpart C
(Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) as
a condition of participation in the award. The applicant is also required to communicate the
requirement to comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 180 subpart C (Responsibilities of Participants
Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) to persons at the next lower tier
with whom the applicant enters into covered transactions.
As noted in the preceding paragraph, applicants who plan to use IMLS awards to fund contracts
should be aware that they must comply with the communication and verification requirements set
forth in the above Debarment and Suspension provisions.
Federal Debt Status
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her
knowledge and belief that the applicant is not delinquent in the repayment of any federal debt.
Drug-Free Workplace
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies, as a condition of the award,
that the applicant will or will continue to provide a drug-free workplace by complying with the
requirements in 2 C.F.R. Part 3186 (Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance)). In particular, you as the recipient must comply with drug-free workplace
requirements in subpart B (or subpart C, if the recipient is an individual) of 2 C.F.R. Part 3186,
which adopts the Governmentwide implementation (2 C.F.R. Part 182) of sec. 5152-5158 of the
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D; 41 U.S.C. 701-707).

This includes, but is not limited to: making a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, to maintain a
drug-free workplace; publishing a drug-free workplace statement; establishing a drug-free
awareness program for your employees; taking actions concerning employees who are convicted
of violating drug statutes in the workplace; and identifying (either at the time of application or
upon award, or in documents you keep on file in your offices) all known workplaces under your
federal awards.
Trafficking in Persons
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies, as a condition of the award,
that the applicant will comply with the trafficking in persons requirements that are set out in the
General Terms and Conditions for IMLS Discretionary Awards (2 C.F.R. 175.15 Award Term.).
Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities (Applies to Applicants Requesting Funds in
Excess of $100,000) (31 U.S.C. §1352)
The authorized representative certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, that:
(a) No federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the authorized
representative, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of
an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a
Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any federal contract, the making of any
federal grant, the making of any federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and
the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any federal contract, grant,
loan, or cooperative agreement.
(b) If any funds other than federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any
person (other than a regularly employed officer or employee of the applicant, as provided in 31
U.S.C. 1352) for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a
Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of
Congress in connection with this federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the
authorized representative shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, "Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities," in accordance with its instructions.
(c) The authorized representative shall require that the language of this certification be included in
the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts and contracts under
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose
accordingly.
This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed when the
transaction is made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or
entering into the transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. Code. Any person who fails
to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not
more than $100,000 for each such failure.
General Certification
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply
with all applicable requirements of all other federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and
policies governing the program.

Certifications Required of Some Applicants:

The following certifications are required if applicable to the project for which an application is
being submitted. Applicants should be aware that additional federal certifications, not listed
below, might apply to a particular project.
Subawards
Under IMLS regulations at 2 CFR 3187.14, a recipient may not make a subaward unless
expressly authorized by IMLS. A recipient may contract for supplies, equipment, and services,
subject to applicable law, including but not limited to applicable Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards set forth in 2 CFR part 200.
Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply
with the provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (25
U.S.C. §3001 et seq.), which applies to any organization that controls or possesses Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects, and which receives federal funding,
even for a purpose unrelated to the Act.
Historic Properties
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will assist the
awarding agency in ensuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. §470f), Executive Order (E.O.) 11593, and the
Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. §469 et seq.).
Environmental Protections
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will comply with
environmental standards, including the following:
(a) institution of environmental quality control measures under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.) and E.O. 11514;
(b) notification of violating facilities pursuant to E.O. 11738;
(c) protection of wetlands pursuant to E.O. 11990, as amended by E.O. 12608;
(d) evaluation of flood hazards in floodplains in accordance with E.O. 11988, as amended;
(e) assurance of project consistency with the approved State management program developed
under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. §1451 et seq.);
(f ) conformity of federal actions to State (Clean Air) Implementation Plans under section 176(c) of
the Clean Air Act of 1955, as amended (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.);
(g) protection of underground sources of drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act of
1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. §300f et seq.); and
(h) protection of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(16 U.S.C. §1531–1543).
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will comply with
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, as amended (16 U.S.C. §1271 et seq.), related to
protecting components or potential components of the national wild and scenic rivers system.
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the applicant will comply
with the flood insurance purchase requirements of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as
amended (42 U.S.C. §4001 et seq.), which requires recipients in a special flood hazard area to
participate in the program and to purchase flood insurance if the total cost of insurable
construction and acquisition is $10,000 or more.
Research on Human Subjects

The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will comply with
45 C.F.R. Part 46 regarding the protection of human subjects involved in research, development,
and related activities supported by this award of assistance.
Research on Animal Subjects
The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies that the project will comply with
the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. §2131 et seq.) pertaining to
the care, handling, and treatment of warm-blooded animals held for research, teaching, or other
activities supported by this award of assistance.

###
For further information on these certifications, contact IMLS, 1800 M Street, NW, 9th Floor,
Washington, DC 20036. Or call 202/653-IMLS (4657).

http://www.imls.gov/applicants/helpful_information_about_collection_surveys.aspx
Helpful Information About Collection Surveys
Museums for America (MFA) Collections Stewardship grants may fund general conservation
surveys, detailed conservation surveys, and environmental surveys, all of which are described
here:
General Conservation Survey
A general conservation survey is a broad assessment of all your collections and environmental
conditions. Its purpose is to generally describe conditions, identify conservation problems, and
suggest future conservation activities. For most institutions, it is the logical first step in collections
conservation.
The general conservation survey report should include the following:

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





an executive summary
general information about your museum
the goals of the survey
an overview of your collections, their condition, and policies governing their care
descriptions of the condition of your building, facilities, and all exhibition and storage
areas
descriptions of climate control and environmental conditions
information about staffing, including training needs
recommendations for future conservation care in order of priority (to be used as the basis
of a long-range conservation plan)

Detailed Conservation Survey
A detailed conservation survey is a systematic, item-by-item examination of all or part of your
museum’s collections by a conservation professional. The end product of a detailed conservation
survey should be a set of condition reports that identifies the condition of each object or
specimen, its treatment priority, and the cost and method of treatment. A detailed conservation
survey should precede any request for an MFA Collections Stewardship Grant proposal to fund
treatment.
This type of survey can help your museum identify conservation problems specific to a particular
collection, object, or specimen, including the need for treatment; establish priorities for treatment;
and determine the resources and time necessary to address any issues.
Environmental Survey
An environmental Survey is an assessment of your museum’s environmental conditions, including
but not limited to temperature, relative humidity, and light. It is conducted by a conservation
professional with input from other types of consultants as needed. MFA funds may be used to
survey environmental conditions in exhibition areas, storage areas, and other places where
collections are housed.
An environmental survey can help a museum




identify specific environmental problems,
set priorities for making environmental improvements,
design specific solutions for correcting environmental problems,




develop a monitoring program to better determine existing environmental conditions, and
map collections (for living plants).

LINKED PAGE: Applicants seeking support for Learning and Community projects will
arrive at this page by clicking a link on the Program Information Sheet and elsewhere in
each grant program NOFO. The intent is to help them understand our expectations for
performance measure statements and the information to be collected and reported on a
minimal, required basis.
Performance Measure Statements and Information to be Collected and Reported for
Learning and Community Projects
On the Program Information Sheet, you selected an IMLS agency-level goal of Learning or
Community with which your project best aligns, and you selected at least one performance goal
that reflects a measurable change or outcome that you intend for your project to achieve.
Below is a list of pre-determined performance measure statements that will help IMLS document
the collective achievements of the Learning and Community projects we fund.
IMPORTANT: You will be required to provide specific information directly relating to these
performance measure statement(s) in your Final Performance Report. You may design and
administer a more elaborate survey than what will be required to gather this specific information..
These information-gathering activities must be incorporated into your application narrative, your
work plan, your schedule of completion, and your budget, as necessary.
IMLS Agency-Level Goal 1: Learning
Performance Goal

Train and develop
museum and library
professionals.

Support communities of
practice

Performance Measure Statement
Survey Respondent:
Program/Project Participants
My understanding has increased as
a result of this program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

My interest in this subject has
increased as a result of this
program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I am confident I can apply what I
learned in this program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
My understanding has increased as
a result of this program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree

Information You Will Be
Expected to Report
Data to be Collected

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


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Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses

Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses
Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses
Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per

Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Develop and provide
inclusive and accessible
learning opportunities



My interest in this subject has
increased as a result of this
program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I am confident I can apply what I
learned in this program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
My understanding has increased as
a result of this program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree




My interest in this subject has
increased as a result of this
program/training:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree





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
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answer option
Number of non-responses

Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses
Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses
Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses

Number of participants
Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses

IMLS Agency-Level Goal 2: Community
Performance Goal

Strengthen museums
and libraries as essential
partners in addressing
the needs of their
communities.

Performance Measure Statement
Outcome Based
Survey Respondent: Grantee
My organization is better prepared
to provide a program or service that
addresses community needs.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
My organization is better able to
engage my community.
Strongly Agree
Agree

Information to be Collected
and Reported
Data to be Collected
 Number of total
responses
 Number of responses per
answer option
 Number of non-responses




Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option

Neither Agree, Nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
My organization is better prepared
to develop and maintain on-going
relationships with community
partners.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
My organization is better prepared
to share knowledge and other
resources as an active contributor to
problem solving in the community.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Survey Respondent: Community
Partner(s)
The museum or library offers
programs, services, or resources
that address community needs.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
The museum or library is an active
contributor to problem solving in the
community.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree, nor Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree



Number of non-responses



Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses

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

Number of total
responses
Number of non-responses
Number of responses per
answer option

Data to be Collected
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Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses

Number of total
responses
Number of responses per
answer option
Number of non-responses