Data / Federal grants / IGSM-FY27
Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2027)
Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting applications until November 13, 2026. It lists awards of up to $75,000, 75 awards expected, $3 million in total. Cost sharing is required.
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Key facts
- Opportunity number
- IGSM-FY27
- Status
- Posted, open
- Posted
- September 1, 2026
- Closes
- November 13, 2026
- Award ceiling
- $75,000
- Award floor
- $5,000
- Expected awards
- 75
- Total funding
- $3,000,000
- Cost sharing
- Required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
- Arts, Humanities
- Assistance listing
- 45.301 Museums for America
- Contact
- Institute of Museum and Library Services · [email protected] · 202-653-4634
Who can apply
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility information.
What the agency says
Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire) is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or small remote institutions and small museums that have not previously received federal funding. The program funds project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. The goal of the Inspire program is to build the capacity of small museums to provide museum services to their communities through supporting the development of experiential learning and discovery in small museums, and the management and care of collections in small museums.
Other open grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
| Opportunity | Status | Closes | Award ceiling | Total funding | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027) 21MP-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $500,000 | $2,000,000 | grants.gov |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2027) LB21-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $1,000,000 | $8,500,000 | grants.gov |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027) AAHC-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $500,000 | $6,000,000 | grants.gov |
| Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2027) ALHC-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $500,000 | $6,000,000 | grants.gov |
| Museums Empowered (2027) ME-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $350,000 | $4,299,000 | grants.gov |
| Museums for America (2027) MFA-FY27 | Open | Nov 13 | $350,000 | $21,699,000 | grants.gov |
· Everything closing in November 2026
Read from the Grants.gov API, last updated 2026-10-24. The agency's notice on Grants.gov is the official record; check it before you apply.