IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums

The goal of IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (IGSM) is to support projects that strengthen the ability of small museums to serve their community. This new initiative will specifically support small museums by funding relevant activities that are clearly linked to an individual institution’s organizational priorities and broader community needs. IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is being offered as a special initiative with funding from the Museums for America Program. In this clearance submission (3137-0111) and justification, IMLS is requesting approval of non-substantive changes to a previously approved clearance for the FY2026 NOFO for Inspire Grants for Small Museums, a discretionary grant program that supports the Nation’s museums. The changes consist of: • Updating the application due date, date of notification of award decisions, and beginning date of the period of performance. • Making copyedits to further simplify descriptions and streamline instructions. • Updating the Executive Summary to further comply with 2 C.F.R. 200 updates. • Updating the program goals and objectives to combine elements and comply with Administration policies and priorities. • Updating instructions on how to complete and submit the IMLS Museum Program Information Form. • Removing the requirement to select Keywords on the IMLS Museum Program Information Form. • Updating the simplified acquisition threshold to $350,000 (Section 6 - Risk Assessment). • Updating the requirement for reporting matters related to recipient integrity and performance detailed in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII (Section 8 - Reporting)

The latest form for IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums expires 2027-08-31 and can be found here.