Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2024) | LB21 FY24

Opportunity Information: Apply for LB21 FY24

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21 FY24) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) focused on strengthening the library and archives profession through high-impact training, education, and professional development projects. The program is designed to help build the capacity of libraries, archives, and graduate programs tied to library and information science by supporting efforts that prepare current and future professionals to meet evolving community information needs. A central expectation is that proposed projects both advance knowledge and understanding in the field and produce clear public benefits, ensuring that federal investments translate into meaningful outcomes for society.

At its core, LB21 prioritizes projects that recruit, educate, train, develop, and retain a diverse pipeline of library and archives professionals. The program also emphasizes leadership and faculty development, aiming to grow the number and strength of information leaders and educators who can expand institutional capacity over the long term. In addition, the opportunity supports initiatives that enhance the skills of the existing workforce so libraries and archives can better respond to real-world challenges and community priorities, including changes in technology, access needs, and local service demands. The overall intent is not just to run a one-time training activity, but to generate approaches, models, and results that can have far-reaching impact across the field.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are highlighted as essential values within IMLS-funded work, and applicants are encouraged to reflect these priorities in their project design, audience, partnerships, and outcomes. This can include improving services or opportunities for people from diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as supporting individuals with disabilities, limited functional literacy, or limited information skills. The program also calls attention to communities that may face barriers to using libraries or museums and to underserved urban and rural areas, including children in families living below the poverty line. In practice, this means competitive proposals will often show a thoughtful understanding of who is underserved, what barriers exist, and how training and workforce development can directly improve access, representation, and service quality.

The application process is structured in two phases. All applicants must start with Phase I by submitting a Preliminary Proposal by the published deadline of September 20 (as referenced in the Notice of Funding Opportunity). Only applicants selected after Phase I will be invited to proceed to Phase II. In Phase II, invited applicants submit Full Proposals, and only these invited full submissions are eligible for funding consideration. For FY24, invited Full Proposals are due March 20, 2024, which is also listed as the original closing date for the opportunity.

Key program details include an award ceiling of up to $1,000,000 per grant and an estimated 31 awards expected. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity categories are aligned with arts and humanities (Cultural Affairs). The program is associated with CFDA number 45.313. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details provided in the official notice, so prospective applicants typically need to consult the full IMLS guidance to confirm organizational fit and any specific requirements. The opportunity is identified as "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2024)" with funding opportunity number "LB21 FY24," and the record indicates a creation date of July 13, 2023.

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2024)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.313.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2024. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 31 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for LB21 FY24

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