Opportunity Information: Apply for LB21 FY25
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY 2025) is a discretionary federal grant program from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) focused on strengthening the library and archives profession through education, training, and career development. The central purpose of the program is to build and sustain a capable, future-ready workforce by supporting projects that expand professional development opportunities for current practitioners, cultivate faculty and other information leaders, and recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals. A consistent emphasis is placed on advancing a diverse workforce so that libraries and archives are better equipped to meet the evolving information needs of the communities they serve.
This opportunity is designed for projects that have clear, workforce-centered outcomes, such as improving skills and competencies among library and archives staff, building leadership pipelines, and developing structured pathways into the profession. While the public summary does not list specific project models, the program’s stated goals commonly align with initiatives like curriculum development and modernization, institutes and training programs, mentorship and residency-style experiences, leadership development efforts, and other organized approaches to professional learning and advancement. Proposals are expected to demonstrate how the planned activities will meaningfully contribute to workforce development in libraries and archives, including how the work will help the field respond to current and emerging community information needs.
The funding instrument is a grant under the Arts and Humanities funding activity category, listed under CFDA number 45.313. The award ceiling for this competition is up to $1,000,000 per award, and IMLS anticipates making about 45 awards. The opportunity number is LB21 FY25, and the original application closing date is March 10, 2025. The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," which indicates that eligibility is not limited to a single standard applicant type in the summary listing; applicants are expected to consult the official Notice of Funding Opportunity for the full and controlling eligibility requirements, any cost share or match conditions, and other key compliance details.
In practical terms, this program is a strong fit for organizations aiming to improve how the profession is taught, how professionals are supported mid-career, and how new entrants are brought into and retained within library and archives work. Competitive projects typically articulate a well-defined need, a realistic plan for training or education delivery, a clear audience (for example, students, early-career professionals, or specialized practitioner groups), and measurable outcomes that contribute to a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient library and archives workforce.Apply for LB21 FY25
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts, humanities sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2025)" 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 2024-07-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-10. (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 45 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY 2025)?
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (LB21) (FY 2025) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It supports projects that strengthen the library and archives profession through education, training, and career development.
What is the central purpose of the LB21 program?
The central purpose is to build and sustain a capable, future-ready library and archives workforce. The program focuses on expanding professional development for current practitioners, cultivating faculty and other information leaders, and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals.
What types of outcomes is this grant intended to support?
This opportunity is designed for projects with clear, workforce-centered outcomes. Examples described in the opportunity summary include improving skills and competencies among staff, building leadership pipelines, and creating structured pathways into the library and archives profession.
What kinds of projects does LB21 commonly align with?
While the public summary does not list required project models, the stated goals commonly align with initiatives such as curriculum development and modernization, institutes and training programs, mentorship and residency-style experiences, leadership development efforts, and other organized approaches to professional learning and advancement.
Who is this funding meant to benefit?
The program is aimed at strengthening the library and archives workforce. Projects may target current practitioners, faculty and other information leaders, and individuals entering the profession. The summary also notes that competitive projects clearly define the audience, such as students, early-career professionals, or specialized practitioner groups.
How does this program address diversity in the profession?
A consistent emphasis is placed on advancing a diverse workforce so that libraries and archives are better equipped to meet evolving information needs in the communities they serve.
How should applicants demonstrate the value of their proposed activities?
Proposals are expected to show how planned activities will meaningfully contribute to workforce development in libraries and archives, including how the work will help the field respond to current and emerging community information needs.
What is the funding instrument and funding category for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant. The funding activity category is Arts and Humanities.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 45.313.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000 per award.
How many awards does IMLS anticipate making?
IMLS anticipates making about 45 awards.
What is the opportunity number for this competition?
The opportunity number is LB21 FY25.
When is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is March 10, 2025.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others" in the summary. This indicates eligibility is not limited to a single standard applicant type in the listing. Applicants are expected to consult the official Notice of Funding Opportunity for the full and controlling eligibility requirements.
Where can applicants find the official eligibility rules and compliance requirements?
The summary indicates that the official Notice of Funding Opportunity contains the full and controlling details, including eligibility requirements, any cost share or match conditions, and other key compliance information.
What makes a project a strong fit for LB21, based on the summary?
Based on the summary, a strong fit includes projects that improve how the profession is taught, strengthen support for mid-career professionals, and improve how new entrants are brought into and retained within library and archives work.
What characteristics are commonly associated with competitive proposals?
The summary notes that competitive projects typically include a well-defined need, a realistic plan for delivering training or education, a clear intended audience (such as students or early-career professionals), and measurable outcomes that contribute to a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient library and archives workforce.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (LB21 FY25) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2025) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY25 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2025) Apply for 21MP FY25 Funding Number: 21MP FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Museums for America (2025) Apply for MFA FY25 Funding Number: MFA FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Museums (2025) Apply for NLG M FY25 Funding Number: NLG M FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Inspire! Grants for Small Museums (2025) Apply for IGSM FY25 Funding Number: IGSM FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2025) Apply for AAHC FY25 Funding Number: AAHC FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2025) Apply for NANH FY25 Funding Number: NANH FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2025) Apply for ME FY25 Funding Number: ME FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture (2025) Apply for ALHC FY25 Funding Number: ALHC FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2025) Apply for NAG BASIC FY25 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2025) Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY25 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants (2025) Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY25 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY25 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grant (2026) Apply for NAG BASIC FY26 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2026) Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY26 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (2026) Apply for 21MP FY26 Funding Number: 21MP FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Museums for America (2026) Apply for MFA FY26 Funding Number: MFA FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (2026) Apply for LB21 FY26 Funding Number: LB21 FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museums Empowered (2026) Apply for ME FY26 Funding Number: ME FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (2026) Apply for NANH FY26 Funding Number: NANH FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Inspire Grants for Small Museums (2026) Apply for IGSM FY26 Funding Number: IGSM FY26 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts, Humanities Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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