Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2020) | LB21 FY20 P2

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.

• 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).

Apply for LB21 FY20 P2

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