OpenFederal grantAAHC-FY27

Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027)

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesCloses Nov 13, 2026(31 days left)$5,000 – $500,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a federal program for African American museums and HBCUs, funding staff development, institutional capacity, and access to museum and archival collections. For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietorships, cannot apply at all, so owners of those should not spend a week on this. Nonprofits, governments, tribes, and universities connected to African American museum work are the realistic applicants.

Best for
African American museums, HBCUs running museum or archival collections, Nonprofits and government entities focused on African American history and culture, Tribal entities and higher education institutions with relevant museum programs
Not for
For-profit businesses of any size, including small businesses and sole proprietorships, Organizations with no connection to African American museums, HBCUs, or museum and archival collections, Applicants unable to meet the cost-sharing requirement
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: Reserved for minority-owned businesses, which your profile does not…
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: Reserved for minority-owned businesses, which your profile does not…
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: Reserved for minority-owned businesses, which your profile does not…
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
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
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Reserved for minority-owned businesses, which your profile does not…
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
Capacity building, Professional development, Collections access, Operating support
Who can apply
Nonprofits, State and local governments, Colleges and universities, Tribal governments and organizations
Award range
$5,000 – $500,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 2026-11-13.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $5,000 to $500,000. The program expects to make about 32 awards from a total of $6,000,000, and cost sharing is required.
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government entities, higher education institutions, and tribal entities may apply. The program targets African American museums and HBCUs, and the detailed eligibility rules are in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, cannot apply. Only nonprofits, government entities, higher education institutions, and tribal entities are eligible.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are among the eligible applicant types, provided they fit the program's focus on African American museums and museum professional development.

About this grant

The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) program builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums. The program supports projects that nurture museum professionals, build institutional capacity, and increase access to museum and archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

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 information.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Arts
  • Community development

Set-asides

  • Minority owned

Program contact

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

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