OpenFederal grantMFA-FY27

Museums for America (2027)

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesCloses Nov 13, 2026(31 days left)$5,000 – $350,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a federal program for museums of all sizes and disciplines, funding projects in education, exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship. Only nonprofits, governments, tribes, and higher education institutions can apply, so for-profit businesses and small businesses should not bother. Cost sharing is required, so applicants need their own matching funds.

Best for
Museums of any size or discipline, Nonprofit organizations running museum or education programming, Government, tribal, or university-affiliated museum entities
Not for
For-profit businesses and small businesses, Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, Organizations outside the museum field
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Arts & CultureMatches your industry (museum)
80
Strong Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (education)
74
Good Match
Social Services & NonprofitMatches your industry (community)
72
Good Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Programming, Exhibits, Collections stewardship, Community partnerships, Planning
Who can apply
Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)
Award range
$5,000 – $350,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is November 13, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $5,000 to $350,000. The program expects to make about 122 awards from a total of $21,699,000.
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government entities, tribes, and higher education institutions may apply. The full eligibility requirements are in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, are not eligible applicants.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are among the applicant types that may apply.

Summary

IMLS Museums for America funds project-based museum efforts in education, exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship. Eligibility is defined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity; typically museums and related nonprofit, government, tribal, or university entities. For-profit businesses are not eligible applicants.

About this grant

he Museums for America (MFA) program invests in museums of all sizes – from small to large – and disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligibility requirements.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Arts
  • Education
  • Community development

Program contact

Institute of Museum and Library Servicesimls-museumgrants@imls.gov202-653-4634

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