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The National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) program is a federal grant program run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and listed under Assistance Listing 45.312. It funds projects that produce replicable models, practices, tools and research for the nation’s library and archive fields. For the FY 2027 cycle, the IMLS program page lists a deadline of November 13, 2026.
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Suggested question: “What is the maximum award amount for National Leadership Grants for Libraries?”
What it is and who runs it
National Leadership Grants for Libraries is run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal grantmaking agency of the United States government. The program is designed to address significant challenges facing the library and archive fields by funding projects that produce benefits beyond a single institution. IMLS notes that all of its grant programs are subject to the availability of funds and to IMLS discretion.
The program is also referred to as IMLS National Leadership Grants. For researchers examining the scope of these institutions, definitions such as what is library science and what is information science show how applied research projects funded by IMLS connect theory and library practice.
Eligibility
Eligibility is restricted to organizations; individuals, foreign entities and for-profit organizations are not eligible. The Grants.gov listing refers applicants to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the full eligibility requirements. Eligible applicant types include:
- Academic, public and school libraries.
- Tribal libraries and organizations.
- Permanent library and archive associations.
- Units of state and local government and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
What it funds or requires
The IMLS program page lists five project types with set award amounts, grant periods and cost-share rules:
- Planning Grants ($75,000 to $200,000; 1 to 2 years): no cost share required.
- Forum Grants ($75,000 to $200,000; 1 to 2 years): no cost share required.
- Community-Centered Implementation Grants ($25,000 to $100,000; 1 to 2 years): no cost share required.
- National Implementation Grants ($75,000 to $1,000,000; 1 to 3 years): cost share is required for requests of more than $299,999 in IMLS funds, at least a 1:1 match from non-federal sources.
- Applied Research Grants ($75,000 to $750,000; 1 to 3 years): no cost share required.
The Grants.gov listing for FY 2027 (opportunity number NLG-LIBRARIES-FY27) shows an award range of $25,000 to $1,000,000, total program funding of $11,500,000 and 45 expected awards.
Projects involving digital scholarly outputs and datasets often use persistent identifiers such as a DataCite DOI in their data management plans to support long-term access and citation.
Application or compliance steps
Applications are made through Grants.gov under the opportunity number and Assistance Listing 45.312:
- Find the opportunity: Search Grants.gov for NLG-LIBRARIES-FY27.
- Read the NOFO: The NOFO sets out eligibility, project types, required materials and review criteria.
- Check the cost-share rule: A National Implementation Grant request above $299,999 needs a 1:1 non-federal match.
- Submit by the deadline: The FY 2027 deadline listed on Grants.gov and the IMLS page is November 13, 2026.
For budgeting context on indirect costs, see the Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs.
Cost share and budget points to check
- National Implementation requests: a request above $299,999 needs the 1:1 non-federal match; the IMLS page notes that cost share is not considered in review but is an eligibility criterion for certain project types.
- Project type fit: each type has its own award range and grant period, so a request outside the range for its type does not fit that track.
Related programs
IMLS and other federal bodies administer other funding programs for libraries, archives and researchers:
| Funding Program | Administering Agency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries | IMLS (Assistance Listing 45.312) | Replicable library and archive models, tools and research; $25,000 to $1,000,000 across project types |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program | IMLS | Library education and workforce development |
| Museums for America | IMLS | Museums and cultural heritage institutions |
| NSF CAREER Award | National Science Foundation | Early-career faculty research and education. See the NSF CAREER award entry. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum award amount for National Leadership Grants for Libraries?
National Implementation Grants go up to $1,000,000. Applied Research Grants go up to $750,000, while Planning and Forum Grants go up to $200,000.
Is cost sharing required for IMLS National Leadership Grants?
Cost sharing is not required for Planning, Forum, Community-Centered Implementation or Applied Research Grants. National Implementation Grant requests of more than $299,999 in IMLS funds require at least a 1:1 match from non-federal sources.
What is the application deadline?
The FY 2027 deadline listed by IMLS and on Grants.gov is November 13, 2026.
Are individual researchers eligible to apply directly?
No. Individuals are not eligible; applicants must be eligible organizations, so a researcher would work through an eligible institution.
Sources
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). “National Leadership Grants for Libraries.” Accessed 2026-11-07. https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grant-programs/national-leadership-grants-for-libraries
- Grants.gov. “NLG-LIBRARIES-FY27, National Leadership Grants (Assistance Listing 45.312).” Accessed 2026-11-07. https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/363766
