Opportunity Information: Apply for LB21 FY20 P2
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY20) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to strengthen and modernize the library and archives workforce in the United States. The program is designed around a central idea: libraries and archives are facing fast-changing expectations related to learning, information access, technology, and community needs, and meeting those expectations requires a well-prepared, diverse, and future-focused professional pipeline. LB21 funding is intended to help institutions and partners build that pipeline through improved education, training, leadership development, and workforce recruitment and retention.
At a practical level, the opportunity supports projects that enhance training and professional development for current library and archives professionals, expand or improve the preparation of faculty and library leaders, and recruit, educate, and retain the next generation entering the field. The emphasis on diversity signals that proposals are expected to address representation and inclusion in meaningful ways, such as widening access to professional pathways, strengthening support structures for early-career professionals, or developing programs that prepare professionals to serve communities with varied cultural, educational, and informational needs.
This funding opportunity was issued as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under the broad activity category of Arts (with cultural affairs relevance, consistent with how library and museum services are often categorized in federal assistance listings). The CFDA number associated with the program is 45.313, which corresponds to IMLS library-related assistance.
The opportunity listing indicates an award ceiling of $1,000,000 per award, with an anticipated total of 24 awards expected under this competition cycle. The notice was created on February 18, 2020, and the original application closing date was March 30, 2020, giving applicants a defined window to propose workforce development initiatives aligned with LB21 priorities. Eligibility is noted as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text of the official announcement, which typically means applicants should confirm their organizational type and qualifications directly against the detailed IMLS eligibility requirements.
In summary, LB21 (2020) is aimed at long-term capacity building for the profession: improving how library and archives professionals are trained, helping institutions cultivate strong leaders and faculty, and ensuring the workforce is both diverse and equipped to meet the evolving learning and information needs of the American public.Apply for LB21 FY20 P2
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2020)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.313.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 18, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 30, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 24 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY20)?
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY20) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It is intended to strengthen and modernize the library and archives workforce in the United States.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The central purpose is to help libraries and archives respond to fast-changing expectations around learning, information access, technology, and community needs by supporting a well-prepared, diverse, and future-focused professional pipeline.
Who is the federal agency offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What types of projects does LB21 funding support?
The opportunity supports projects that build and strengthen the library and archives workforce, including initiatives to:
- Enhance training and professional development for current library and archives professionals
- Expand or improve the preparation of faculty and library leaders
- Recruit, educate, and retain the next generation entering the field
What kinds of workforce needs is the program responding to?
The program is responding to evolving expectations related to learning, information access, technology, and shifting community needs. The grant aims to help the profession adapt by improving education, training, leadership development, and recruitment/retention efforts.
Does this program emphasize diversity and inclusion?
Yes. The opportunity highlights diversity as a meaningful expectation for proposals. Examples described include widening access to professional pathways, strengthening support structures for early-career professionals, and preparing professionals to serve communities with varied cultural, educational, and informational needs.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
How is this opportunity categorized in federal assistance listings?
The activity category is listed as Arts, with cultural affairs relevance, consistent with how library and museum services are often categorized in federal assistance listings.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 45.313.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated for this competition cycle?
The listing indicates an anticipated total of 24 awards expected under this competition cycle.
When was this opportunity notice created?
The notice was created on February 18, 2020.
What was the application closing date listed for the opportunity?
The original application closing date was March 30, 2020.
What does the program aim to strengthen in the long term?
LB21 (2020) focuses on long-term capacity building for the profession by improving how library and archives professionals are trained, helping institutions cultivate strong leaders and faculty, and supporting a workforce that is diverse and equipped to meet evolving public needs.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is noted as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text of the official announcement. Applicants are expected to confirm their organizational type and qualifications against the detailed IMLS eligibility requirements in the official notice.
Do applicants need to consult the official announcement for eligibility details?
Yes. Because eligibility is summarized as "Others" and points to additional detail in the full eligibility text, applicants should verify eligibility directly using the official IMLS announcement.
Are libraries and archives both included in the intended workforce focus?
Yes. The opportunity repeatedly references both libraries and archives and is designed to strengthen and modernize the library and archives workforce.
Is the program focused on current professionals, future professionals, or both?
Both. It supports professional development for current library and archives professionals and also supports recruitment, education, and retention of the next generation entering the field.
What kinds of capacity-building activities are highlighted?
The description highlights capacity-building through improved education and training, leadership development, and workforce recruitment and retention, including efforts that increase diversity and future readiness.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA)
Next opportunity: Open Government Partnership Reforms
Previous opportunity: FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral English Language Student Exchange
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| FY21 Annual Program Statement Apply for BER APS FY21 001 Funding Number: BER APS FY21 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Germany Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $16,000 |
| PAS Budapest - Student Artist in Residence Apply for PAS BUD FY21 NOFO 100YEARS ART Funding Number: PAS BUD FY21 NOFO 100YEARS ART Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Hungary Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $5,000 |
| FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Cultural Grants Program - Open Competition Apply for DOS PAS SLO 2021 004 Funding Number: DOS PAS SLO 2021 004 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Slovenia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
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| Developing mini documentary film series with success stories of past and current U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) projects Apply for PAS COL 2021 AC Funding Number: PAS COL 2021 AC Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Tajik-American Battle of the Bands Apply for STI400 21 PAS CA 001 Funding Number: STI400 21 PAS CA 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Tajikistan Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Apply for PAS LUSAKA AFCP 2022 Funding Number: PAS LUSAKA AFCP 2022 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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