Opportunity Information: Apply for 21MP FY27
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027), a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: 21MP FY27) focused on strengthening the museum workforce. The program is designed to support projects that help people enter, advance, and thrive in museum careers by building clearer career pathways, expanding and reinforcing professional networks, and identifying, improving, and sharing effective education and training practices across the field. In practical terms, the funding is meant for initiatives that improve how museum professionals are recruited, trained, mentored, and connected to one another, while also helping the sector better understand what workforce strategies actually work and how they can be adopted more broadly.
This opportunity falls under the Arts and Humanities funding activity category and is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 45.032. The funding instrument is a grant, and the eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," which signals that eligibility can extend beyond a narrow set of organization types, though the specific criteria, restrictions, and any required organizational characteristics are defined in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Applicants should rely on the NOFO for the authoritative eligibility rules, required partnerships (if any), allowable costs, project length, reporting requirements, and other compliance details.
IMLS anticipates making about 8 awards under this competition, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per grant. That ceiling represents the maximum amount an applicant can request, not a guaranteed award size, and actual awards may vary depending on project scope, competitiveness, and available funding. The original application closing date is November 13, 2026. The opportunity record was created on September 1, 2026.
Overall, this grant is aimed at projects that have field-wide relevance, meaning they do more than benefit a single institution in isolation. Competitive proposals are likely to emphasize concrete workforce outcomes (such as stronger training pipelines, improved professional development models, mentorship and peer-learning networks, and better dissemination of proven practices), along with clear plans for sharing results so that other museums and professionals can learn from and replicate what is developed. For full program requirements and eligibility, IMLS directs applicants to consult the NOFO for the 21st Century Museum Professionals (21MP) program.Apply for 21MP FY27
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts, humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.032.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027)
What is the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027)?
The 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) focused on strengthening the museum workforce. It supports projects that help people enter, advance, and thrive in museum careers.
Who is offering this grant?
This opportunity is offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 21MP FY27.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this grant?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this program is 45.032.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity falls under the Arts and Humanities funding activity category.
What is the purpose of this grant program?
The purpose of the program is to strengthen the museum workforce by supporting initiatives that improve how museum professionals are recruited, trained, mentored, and connected. The program also emphasizes identifying, improving, and sharing effective education and training practices across the field.
What kinds of projects does IMLS want to fund under this program?
IMLS is looking for projects that build clearer career pathways, expand and reinforce professional networks, and develop or improve education and training practices for museum professionals. Projects are expected to focus on helping people enter museum careers, progress within them, and succeed over time.
Does this grant prioritize workforce outcomes?
Yes. The opportunity is aimed at concrete workforce outcomes, such as stronger training pipelines, improved professional development models, mentorship and peer-learning networks, and broader adoption of proven practices.
Is this funding meant for projects that benefit only one museum?
The program is aimed at projects with field-wide relevance. This means projects should be designed to benefit the museum field broadly, not just a single institution in isolation.
How many awards does IMLS expect to make?
IMLS anticipates making about 8 awards under this competition.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000 per grant. This is the maximum amount that can be requested.
Does the $500,000 award ceiling mean every award will be $500,000?
No. The ceiling is the maximum request amount, not a guaranteed award size. Actual award amounts may vary based on project scope, competitiveness, and available funding.
When is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is November 13, 2026.
When was this opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on September 1, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," which suggests eligibility may extend beyond a narrow set of organization types. However, the authoritative eligibility requirements, restrictions, and any required organizational characteristics are defined in the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Where can applicants find the official eligibility rules and program requirements?
IMLS directs applicants to consult the official NOFO for the 21st Century Museum Professionals (21MP) program for eligibility rules, required partnerships (if any), allowable costs, project length, reporting requirements, and compliance details.
Are partnerships required to apply?
The information provided indicates that any required partnerships (if any) are defined in the NOFO. Applicants should rely on the NOFO for the authoritative requirement.
What costs are allowable under this grant?
The allowable costs are not specified in the information provided. Applicants should consult the NOFO for authoritative guidance on allowable and unallowable costs.
How long can the project be (project period/length)?
The project length is not stated in the information provided. The NOFO is the authoritative source for project period limits and related requirements.
What are examples of the types of workforce strategies this program supports?
Based on the description provided, supported strategies may include clearer career pathways, recruitment improvements, training and education enhancements, mentorship models, peer-learning networks, professional networking expansion, and efforts to identify and disseminate effective workforce practices that other museums can adopt.
Does the program emphasize sharing results beyond the funded project?
Yes. Competitive proposals are likely to include clear plans for sharing results so other museums and professionals can learn from and replicate what is developed.
What makes a proposal more competitive based on the opportunity description?
Based on the description, competitive proposals are likely to emphasize field-wide relevance, concrete workforce outcomes, and strong dissemination plans that enable broader learning and replication across the museum field.
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary grant.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (21MP FY27) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Museums for America (2027) Apply for MFA FY27 Funding Number: MFA FY27 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2027) Apply for IGSM FY27 Funding Number: IGSM FY27 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027) Apply for AAHC FY27 Funding Number: AAHC FY27 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2027) Apply for ME FY27 Funding Number: ME FY27 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $350,000 |
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