21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2027)

Does this fit your business?

This is an IMLS program for museums and museum-serving organizations to fund staff training, career pathways, and professional networks, with awards of $100,000 to $500,000 and required cost sharing. For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietors, cannot apply at all. If you are not a museum or museum-serving nonprofit, government, university, or tribal entity running workforce or training projects, do not bother.

Best for

Museums and museum associations, Nonprofit arts and education organizations, Government agencies and tribal entities running museum workforce programs, Universities offering museum professional training

Not for

For-profit businesses of any size, Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, Organizations outside the museum field with no workforce or training role

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

Training, Professional development, Workforce development, Capacity building

Who can apply

Nonprofits, State and local governments, Colleges and universities, Tribal governments and organizations

Award range

$100,000 – $500,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?

November 13, 2026. The notice was posted September 1, 2026.

How much funding can an applicant receive?

Awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. The program expects to make about 8 awards from a total of $2,000,000, and cost sharing is required.

Who can apply for this grant?

Nonprofits, government entities, higher education institutions, and tribal organizations may apply. The notice points to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed eligibility criteria.

Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?

No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, cannot apply, and a sole proprietor or single-member LLC is a for-profit structure.

Can a nonprofit apply?

Yes. Nonprofits are among the eligible applicant types.

Summary

IMLS 21st Century Museum Professionals program funds projects that build career pathways, strengthen professional networks, and share effective workforce education and training practices in the museum field. Eligibility per the Notice of Funding Opportunity; awards $100,000–$500,000 with cost sharing required.

About this grant

Who can apply

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

Topics and uses of funds

Program contact