NLG-LIBRARIES-FY26: National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026)
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2027) (NLG-LIBRARIES-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 45 awards worth $11.5 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$11.5 million
- Expected awards45
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeGrant
Other notices with this title
| Notice | Posted | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY27 | September 1, 2026 | Closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left) | Open |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY25 | July 18, 2024 | Closed March 10, 2025 | Closed |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY24 | July 13, 2023 | Closed March 20, 2024 | Closed |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY23 | July 7, 2022 | Closed March 17, 2023 | Closed |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY22-P2 | January 26, 2022 | Closed March 25, 2022 | Closed |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY22 | July 1, 2021 | Closed September 24, 2021 | Closed |
| NLG-LIBRARIES-FY21-P2 | February 3, 2021 | Closed March 26, 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 National Leadership Grants awards averaged $196,184; 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 National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L) supports projects that develop, enhance, or adapt replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public. The program supports projects that serve the learning needs of the public through libraries and archives; improve community prosperity through libraries and archives; provide broad access to and preservation of information and collections through libraries and archives; or provide services to affected communities in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Who has won National Leadership Grants grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Leadership Grants (45.312) awarded $137 million across 698 grant awards, an average of $196,184 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICA250.ORG, Inc. | District of Columbia | 1 | $14.0 million |
| Association of Tribal Archives Libraries & Museums | Oklahoma | 1 | $4.3 million |
| Foundation for Advancement in Conservation | District of Columbia | 4 | $3.6 million |
| Zoological Society of Cincinnati | Ohio | 5 | $3.3 million |
| The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 2 | $3.2 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, NLG-LIBRARIES-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 NLG-LIBRARIES-FY26 still open?
No. It closed on March 13, 2026. A newer notice is open: NLG-LIBRARIES-FY27, closes November 13, 2026 (6 days left).
Who can apply for National Leadership Grants for Libraries (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 National Leadership Grants for Libraries (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 $11.5 million in total across about 45 awards.
Who has won National Leadership Grants grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were AMERICA250.ORG, Inc., Association of Tribal Archives Libraries & Museums, Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. The program made 698 awards worth $137 million in that time.