Opportunity Information: Apply for LB21 FY23
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21 FY23) is a discretionary grant program run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that focuses on strengthening the library and archives profession through education, training, and career development. The core purpose is to build a strong, well-prepared, and more diverse workforce of library and archives professionals who can meet changing community information needs. In practice, the program is designed to support projects that improve how current and future professionals are recruited, prepared, supported, and advanced, with an emphasis on efforts that can be scaled or replicated and that produce benefits beyond a single institution.
LB21 is centered on three broad goals. First, it aims to recruit, train, develop, and retain a diverse pipeline of library and archives professionals, meaning projects can target entry into the field, successful completion of education or training, and long-term workforce stability. Second, it seeks to develop faculty and library and archives leaders by increasing the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and graduate programs connected to library and information science; this often points to initiatives that strengthen instruction, mentorship, leadership development, and organizational readiness. Third, it supports enhanced professional development for the existing workforce so that staff can better respond to local needs, new service models, evolving technologies, and the realities of community-focused information work.
The funding opportunity is listed under the activity areas of Arts and Humanities (with reference to cultural affairs in CFDA contexts) and carries CFDA number 45.313. The maximum award amount is $1,000,000, and IMLS anticipated making about 37 awards under this competition. While the eligibility category is shown as "Others," applicants are directed to consult the opportunity materials for the detailed eligibility rules and any clarifications about which types of organizations can apply.
A key feature of LB21 is its two-phase application process, and applicants are required to start with Phase I. Phase I consists of submitting a preliminary proposal by the stated deadline (September 23, as noted in the opportunity description). Only applicants selected from Phase I are invited to continue to Phase II. Phase II requires a full proposal, and invited full proposals for this cycle were due March 17, 2023 (the original closing date listed). The guidance also highlights a practical submission issue: applicants must submit materials to the correct phase in Grants.gov, because the system will block submissions if documents are uploaded to the wrong phase application package.
Administrative details in the public listing indicate the opportunity title as "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2023)" with funding opportunity number "LB21 FY23." The posting was created July 7, 2022, and the awarding agency is IMLS. Overall, the program is best understood as a national investment in the people and training systems that keep libraries and archives effective, future-ready, and representative of the communities they serve.Apply for LB21 FY23
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2023)" 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 Jul 07, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 17, 2023. (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 37 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (LB21 FY23) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2023) Apply for NANH FY23 Funding Number: NANH FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2023) Apply for AAHC FY23 Funding Number: AAHC FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2023) Apply for ME FY23 Funding Number: ME FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2023) Apply for IGSM FY23 Funding Number: IGSM FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2023) Apply for NLG M FY23 Funding Number: NLG M FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Museums for America (2023) Apply for MFA FY23 Funding Number: MFA FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2023) Apply for NAG BASIC FY23 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2023) Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY23 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2023) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY23 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| American Latino Museum Internship and Fellowship Initiative Apply for ALIF FY23 Funding Number: ALIF FY23 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2024) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY24 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2024) Apply for LB21 FY24 Funding Number: LB21 FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2024) Apply for AAHC FY24 Funding Number: AAHC FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2024) Apply for IGSM FY24 Funding Number: IGSM FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Museums for America (2024) Apply for MFA FY24 Funding Number: MFA FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2024) Apply for ME FY24 Funding Number: ME FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2024) Apply for NLG M FY24 Funding Number: NLG M FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2024) Apply for NANH FY24 Funding Number: NANH FY24 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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