AAHC-FY26: Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027) (AAHC-FY27). Status: Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left). It is in our archive of Institute of Museum and Library Services notices from 2026.
Institute of Museum and Library Services offered grants of up to $500,000 (at least $5,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 35 awards worth $6.0 million in total. Applications closed on March 13, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed January 28, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$500,000
- Award floor$5,000
- Total funding$6.0 million
- Expected awards35
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Other notices with this title
| Notice | Posted | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAHC-FY27 | September 1, 2026 | Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left) | Open |
| AAHC-FY25 | August 15, 2024 | Closed November 15, 2024 | Closed |
| AAHC-FY24 | August 15, 2023 | Closed November 15, 2023 | Closed |
| AAHC-FY23 | August 15, 2022 | Closed November 15, 2022 | Closed |
| AAHC-FY22 | August 16, 2021 | Closed November 15, 2021 | Closed |
Key dates
| Posted | January 13, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 13, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility information.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Museum Grants for African American History and Culture awards averaged $165,080; this notice allows up to $500,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (100% over five years) went to state and local governments.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) program builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. The program supports projects that nurture museum professionals, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Who has won Museum Grants for African American History and Culture grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (45.309) awarded $25.4 million across 154 grant awards, an average of $165,080 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Blues Museum | Missouri | 4 | $1.1 million |
| The Museum of the African Diaspora | California | 3 | $985,872 |
| Motown Historical Museum | Michigan | 3 | $884,046 |
| Florida a & M University | Florida | 2 | $862,321 |
| Center for African American Military History, Inc | Texas | 3 | $856,250 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, AAHC-FY27, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is AAHC-FY26 still open?
No. It closed on March 13, 2026. A newer notice is open: AAHC-FY27, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).
Who can apply for Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026)?
Institute of Museum and Library Services accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2026)?
Closed March 13, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $500,000 each. About $6.0 million in total across about 35 awards.
Who has won Museum Grants for African American History and Culture grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Blues Museum, The Museum of the African Diaspora, Motown Historical Museum. The program made 154 awards worth $25.4 million in that time.