The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting
grant applications for the agency's FY 2008 Museums for America (MFA)
program. Through the MFA program, the Institute provides support for
essential and worthy projects that help museums further their missions,
achieve their goals, and provide value to their communities. Museums for
America grants benefit museums of all sizes and types, in all parts of
the country. This year's guidelines have been modified to make the application
process quicker and more user-friendly.
The grant categories have been
clarified to underscore the goal of the program: to build the capacity
of museums to serve the public. The three categories of Museums for
America activities include:
1. Engaging Communities (Education, Exhibition, and Interpretation)
2. Building Institutional Capacity (Management, Policy and Training)
3. Collections Stewardship
Through these new, broad categories, the grants will provide funds for
the full range of museum programs and activities, including
digitization, staff training, research, exhibitions, educational
programs, community partnerships and collections management.
Applicants are required to demonstrate that proposed grant activities
are clearly linked to the institution's strategic plan and enhance the
museum's ties and value to its community. Although we invite proposals
for specific projects, we ask that applicants show that the activities
are an investment in the museum's long-term capacity.
Application guidelines and instructions are available at
www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/forAmerica.shtm. Please note that the
Institute will only accept applications submitted through Grants.gov,
the federal government's online application system. All applicants who
are using Grants.gov must register with Grants.gov before submitting
their application. Applicants who are not already registered should
allow at least two weeks to complete this one-time process. For more
information on registration, visit
www.imls.gov/applicants/grantsgov/checklist.shtm. Please direct any
questions about the MFA program to Sandra Narva, Senior Program Officer,
202/653-4634, snarva@imls.gov or Steve Shwartzman, Senior Program
Officer, 202/653-4641, sshwartzman@imls.gov.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
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