LB21-FY21-P2: Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program (2021)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027) (LB21-FY27). Status: Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left). It is in our archive of Institute of Museum and Library Services notices from 2021.
Institute of Museum and Library Services offered grants of up to $1.0 million (at least $50,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 25 awards worth $8.0 million in total. Applications closed on March 26, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed February 3, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$1.0 million
- Award floor$50,000
- Total funding$8.0 million
- Expected awards25
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | February 3, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 26, 2021 |
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)
Please see Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility requirements. Applicants to this opportunity must have been invited by the agency to submit a full proposal. New applications that were not invited from the first phase of this funding process will not be eligible for consideration.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program awards averaged $246,823; this notice allows up to $1.0 million 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 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) supports developing a diverse workforce of librarians to better meet the changing learning and information needs of the American public by enhancing the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and library leaders; and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals. * The application process for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program consists of two phases. In Phase I, all applicants must submit two-page preliminary proposals. Grants.gov will accept preliminary proposal applications through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on October 2, 2020. For Phase II, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals (Invited Full Proposals). Grants.gov will accept Invited Full Proposal applications through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on March 26, 2021.
Who has won Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (45.313) awarded $43.7 million across 177 grant awards, an average of $246,823 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois | Illinois | 7 | $2.6 million |
| University of North Texas | Texas | 10 | $2.6 million |
| Califa Group | California | 6 | $1.9 million |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland | 4 | $1.7 million |
| University of South Carolina | South Carolina | 7 | $1.5 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, LB21-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 LB21-FY21-P2 still open?
No. It closed on March 26, 2021. A newer notice is open: LB21-FY27, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).
Who can apply for Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program (2021)?
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 Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program (2021)?
Closed March 26, 2021. 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 $1.0 million each. About $8.0 million in total across about 25 awards.
Who has won Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were University of Illinois, University of North Texas, Califa Group. The program made 177 awards worth $43.7 million in that time.