Institute of Museum and Library Services (45.301)
Program
45.301 Institute of Museum and Library Services
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
Authorization
Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, Title II, Public Law 104-208.
Program Number
45.301
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support the efforts of museums to conserve the Nation's historic, scientific, and cultural heritage; to maintain and expand museums and libraries educational roles; and to ease the financial burden borne by museums and libraries as a result of their increasing use by the public.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants; Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Museums may use the funds for building public access; expanding educational services; reaching families and children, and using technology more effectively in support of these goals.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
A museum located in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, The Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, or the District of Columbia may apply for a grant under the Act. A public or private nonprofit organization, such as a municipality, college, or university which is responsible for the operation of a museum may, if necessary, apply on behalf of the museum. A museum operated by a department or agency of the Federal government is not eligible to apply. Under the IMLS definition, a museum is a public or private nonprofit institution which is organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes and which, using a professional staff: (1) Owns or uses tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate; (2) cares for these objects; and (3) exhibits them to the general public on a regular basis. A museum must have at least one staff member, paid or unpaid, who devotes his or her time primarily to the acquisition, care or exhibition of objects. The definition makes clear that the term "museum" includes aquariums and zoological parks; botanical gardens and arboretums; nature centers; art, history, (including historic buildings and sites), natural history, children's, general and specialized museums, science and technology centers and planetariums.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Public nonprofit museums and private nonprofit museums.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations also applies.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Applications are submitted directly to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 609, Washington, DC 20506. Telephone: (202)606-8539. An application requesting support should include the following materials organized in the order listed: Face sheet; statement of purpose/mission statement; institutional plan summary; institutional financial statements; narrative; schedule of completion; budget; partnership agreement statement, if applicable; proof of nonprofit status, if applicable; list of key project staff and consultants; resumes for key project personnel; other attachments; grants processing information sheet; and signed assurances form. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Proposals are reviewed by field reviewers, panels of experts, and the Director to determine the grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements awarded by IMLS to eligible applicants.
Deadlines
Contact the Institute of Museum and Library Services for deadlines at (202) 606-8539 or imlsinfo@imls.gov.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals may be made in writing to the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Renewals
The Institute of Museum and Library Services may extend particular grants at the discretion of the Director.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
45 CFR 1180. Awards will not exceed $150,000 and must be matched one-to-one, but may include in-kind contributions.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects may be carried out for a period of up to 36 months from the project start date.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The IMLS requires interim and final financial and narrative reports from Learning Opportunities Grants recipients.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grant and contract recipients will be required to maintain standard financial statements.
Program Accomplishments
For fiscal year 2002, 839 General Operating Support applications were received and 179 were funded. For Learning Opportunities Grants in fiscal year 2003, IMLS expects a similar response.
Financial Information
Account Identification
59-0300-0-1-503.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $15,700,000; FY 03 $15,483,000; and FY 04 not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$5,000 to $150,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Contact the website for the latest program data at www.imls.gov.
Related Programs
45.302, Museum Assessment Program; 45.303, Conservation Project Support; 45.304, Conservation Assessment Program; 45.312, Institute of Museum and Library Services_National Leadership Grants; 15.904, Historic Preservation Fund Grants-In-Aid; 15.914, National Register of Historic Places; 15.915, Technical Preservation Services.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 510, NW., Washington, DC 20506. Contacts: Christine Henry at (202) 606-8687 or chenry@imls.gov, Public Affairs at (202) 606-8339, or imlsinfo@imls.gov. General information is available by calling (202) 606-5226 for information on library programs and (202) 606-8539 for information on museum programs. The TTY number is (202) 606-8636.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
IMLS anticipates funding projects to assist museums in meeting their institutional missions in the areas of building public access, expanding educational services, reaching families and children, and using technology more effectively in support of these goals.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The following criteria apply to the evaluation of all applications for Learning Opportunities Grants: 1. Grant program goals-Degree to which the project or program addresses one or more of the following strategic goals: Building public access; expanding educational services; reaching families and children; using technology more effectively in support of the above goals. 2. Strategic plan/mission and finances-Evidence that the museum's strategic (institutional, long range, master) plan had community, board, and staff involvement, and supports the goals and needs of both the museum and its community. Evidence that the planning activities of the museum also ensure the long term financial stability of the museum (please note: a required attachment is financial statement or audits for the applicant's two previous fiscal years prior to application.) 3. Project-how the project fits into strategic plan and mission- Evidence that the project or activities fit into and further the institution's strategic (institutional, long range, master) plan and mission. Extent to which the project is of sufficient scope to effect systemic change within the organization and/or expand institutional capacity to carry out the above strategic goals. 4. Project appropriateness forinstitution, audience-Evidence that the project designers have identified an audience, performed a formal or informal assessment of their needs, and have designed this project as the best solution to answer those needs. 5. Project-design-Extent to which the project proposes efficient, effective, and successful approaches to accomplish clear goals and objecctives. If technology purchase is requested, extent to which it will support the project or activity goals, and further the institution's strategic plan. If partnerships are supported by the grant, evidence that all partners are active contributors to and beneficiaries of the partnership activities. 6. Project-resources: Time and budget-Evidence that the project activities will be effectively completed, that the applicant institution is capable of carrying out the project to its successful conclusion through the deployment and management of resources including money, facilities, equipment, and supplies, and that financial management will be sound. Appropriateness and cost efficiency of budget to complete project activities. 7. Project-resources: Personnes-Evidence that the project personnel are qualified to accomplish project goals and activities. Extent to which personnel commit adequate time to manage and implement the project activities. Extent to which personnel demonstrate appropriate experience and expertise in the specific area the project addresses.
