LB21-FY26: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2026)
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 2026.
Institute of Museum and Library Services offered grants of up to $1.0 million (at least $25,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 35 awards worth $8.5 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$1.0 million
- Award floor$25,000
- Total funding$8.5 million
- Expected awards35
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Other notices with this title
| Notice | Posted | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LB21-FY27 | September 1, 2026 | Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left) | Open |
| LB21-FY25 | July 18, 2024 | Closed March 10, 2025 | Closed |
| LB21-FY24 | July 13, 2023 | Closed March 20, 2024 | Closed |
| LB21-FY23 | July 7, 2022 | Closed March 17, 2023 | Closed |
| LB21-FY22-P2 | January 26, 2022 | Closed March 25, 2022 | Closed |
| LB21-FY22 | July 1, 2021 | Closed September 24, 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 requirements.
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
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.
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-FY26 still open?
No. It closed on March 13, 2026. A newer notice is open: LB21-FY27, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).
Who can apply for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (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 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (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 $1.0 million each. About $8.5 million in total across about 35 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.