OpenFederal grantIGSM-FY27

Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2027)

Institute of Museum and Library ServicesCloses Nov 13, 2026(31 days left)$5,000 – $75,000

Does this fit your business?

Inspire Grants for Small Museums fund project-based work by small museums of any discipline, with priority attention to small rural or remote institutions and museums that have never received federal funding. Money goes to educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship, and cost sharing is required. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, should not apply; this program is not open to them.

Best for
Small museums of any discipline, Small rural or remote museums, Museums applying for federal funding for the first time, Nonprofits, governments, and tribes running museum services
Not for
For-profit businesses and small businesses, Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, Organizations that are not museums
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Arts & CultureMatches your industry (museum)
80
Strong Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (education, learning)
79
Strong Match
Social Services & NonprofitMatches your industry (community)
70
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
Capital projects, Education, Equipment, Operating support, Planning, Technical assistance
Who can apply
Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations
Award range
$5,000 – $75,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
Applications are due November 13, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $5,000 to $75,000. The program expects to make about 75 awards from a total of $3,000,000.
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government entities, and tribal entities may apply. The program is for small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or remote institutions and museums that have not previously received federal funding. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, cannot apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, are not eligible, and a sole proprietor or single-member LLC is a for-profit business.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are among the applicant types that may apply.

Summary

Inspire Grants for Small Museums fund project-based efforts by small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or remote institutions and first-time federal applicants. Funds support educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship to build small museums' capacity to serve their communities. Cost sharing required.

About this grant

Inspire Grants for Small Museums (Inspire) is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program designed to support small museums of all disciplines, including small rural or small remote institutions and small museums that have not previously received federal funding. The program funds project-based efforts to serve the public through educational programs and exhibits, community partnerships, and collections stewardship activities. The goal of the Inspire program is to build the capacity of small museums to provide museum services to their communities through supporting the development of experiential learning and discovery in small museums, and the management and care of collections in small museums.

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
  • Education

Set-asides

  • Rural

Program contact

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

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