May 9, 2012 Press Release: Draft Museum Grant Guidelines Available for Public Comment

Guidelines for the current fiscal year are made available approximately 90 days before the grant deadline. Until that time, guidelines from the previous year are available for your reference, but you must use the current fiscal year’s guidelines when you apply. Access FY 2012 Grant program Guidelines Online

National Leadership Grants (NLG) for Museums support projects that address current and future needs of the museum field and that have the potential to advance practice in the profession so that museums can improve services for the American public. Successful proposals will generate results such as models, new tools, research findings, services, practices, and/or alliances that can be widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated to extend and leverage the benefits of federal investment.

Distinguishing features of all National Leadership projects are:

• Broad Impact: Your proposal should address key needs and challenges that face museums. Your project should show the potential for far-reaching impact, influence practice throughout the museum profession; and reflect awareness and support of current strategic initiatives and agendas in the field.
• Innovation: Your proposal should demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter, and show how the project has the potential to strengthen and improve museum services to benefit the audiences and communities being served.
• Collaboration: While partners are not required in all NLG projects, partnerships can help demonstrate a broad need, field-wide buy-in and input, access to appropriate expertise, and sharing of resources.

Your application should align with one of the following three funding categories:

• creating engaging learning experiences
• supporting the role of museums as community anchor institutions
• enhancing collections stewardship

Note to applicants: The FY 2013 National Leadership Grant program now incorporates proposals previously solicited through the 21st Century Museum Professionals program.

Museums that fulfill the general criteria for museums may apply. Public or private nonprofit agencies, organizations, or associations that engage in activities designed to advance museums and the museum profession may also apply. In addition, institutions of higher education, including public and non-profit universities, are eligible.