# Museums Empowered (2026)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/me-fy26-museums-empowered-2026/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361149

> Institute of Museum and Library Services offered grants of up to $300,000 (at least $5,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 20 awards worth $4.3 million in total. Applications closed on March 13, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | ME-FY26 |
| Agency | Institute of Museum and Library Services |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | March 13, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $300,000 |
| Award floor | $5,000 |
| Expected awards | 20 |
| Total funding | $4.3 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 45.301 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for program eligibility criteria.

## What the grant funds

Museums Empowered (ME) is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program that supports projects that use professional development and training to generate change and growth within museums of all types and sizes.

## Questions people ask

### Is ME-FY26 still open?

No. It closed on March 13, 2026. A newer notice is open: ME-FY27, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).

### Who can apply for Museums Empowered (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 Museums Empowered (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 $300,000 each. About $4.3 million in total across about 20 awards.

### Who has won Museums for America grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Portland Art Museum, George Eastman Museum, Discovery Children's Museum. The program made 922 awards worth $132 million in that time.