OARS funding Libraries & Museums

For the purposes of this call, community-based archives are defined as collections of materials gathered, collected, and shared primarily by members of a marginalized community to document their collective histories. These archives play an important role in combatting what UCLA Assistant Professor of Archival Studies Michelle Caswell calls the "symbolic annihilation" of marginalized communities from mainstream memory institutions, and in recognizing that they are essential to the creation of a more inclusive and polyvocal American story.

The goal of the FY2020 IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries program is to support the role of museums and libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), with funding support from the US State Department Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, seeks applicants for a short-term directed fellowship in Textile Conservation to take place in Mongolia between August and December, 2020. The fellow will work with ACMS on a joint US-Mongolia textile conservation project sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar's U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant titled, "Conserving and Preserving Mongolia's Endangered Textile Traditions and Collections." The program will provide $4,000 to support the selected fellow's participation in the project, which will primarily take place at the National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar. The fellow will have the opportunity for in-depth examination and treatment of fabrics and textiles, costumes, and accessories representing Eurasian steppe cultures roughly spanning 2,000 years. Fabrics and textiles deriving from animal sources (silk, fur, wool, skin) feature prominently in combination with various other mediums. Most work will take place at the National Museum of Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar. The fellow will work under the direction of a lead textile conservator, and in collaboration with a Mongolian fellow and cultural heritage/museum professionals with varying language proficiency. The fellow will conduct research and take part in all aspects of piloting and implementing a nationwide program aimed at advancing the professional development of textile conservation competencies in: Conservation examination and documentation methodologies, Improvement of atypical storage environments, Exhibition mounting and display, Archaeological textile salvage and stabilization, and Treatments including humidification, removal of previous repairs, cleaning, drying of wet/damp material, consolidation and stabilization of losses and tears, and compensation for loss.

To that end, grants will be awarded to museums and cultural institutions in support of efforts to conserve works of art that are in danger of deterioration, including works that have been designated as national treasures. To qualify for the program, works of art must be significant to the cultural heritage of the country or region, or important to the history of art; on view to the public (or will be on view once conservation is complete); and be a painting, work on paper, photograph, sculpture, architectural or archeological piece, important book or manuscript, tapestry or work of decorative or applied art in danger of deterioration.

The Korean Collections Consortium of North America (KCCNA) was created in 1992 with generous grants from the Korea Foundation. Its members cooperatively develop and share specialized Korean Studies scholarly resources and provide library services to a wider audience beyond their own academic communities. Current membership consists of the thirteen largest Korean Studies academic libraries in the US and Canada.  The KCCNA Research Travel Grants program was created to assist scholars who need to travel a long distance in order to access the resources and services of KCCNA member libraries.  

The library's special collections document over two centuries of United States history, from abolition to transgender rights. Manuscripts, books, periodicals, audiovisual material, photographs, and other objects make up the collections. These materials illuminate the lives of ordinary women as well as American icons such as suffragist Alice Paul, Harlem renaissance writer Dorothy West, civil rights activist Pauli Murray, feminist Betty Friedan, the Republican Party activist Anna Chennault, poet June Jordan, chefs Zarela Martinez, and zine author Cindy Crabb, among many more. Applications will be evaluated on the significance of the research and the project's potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge, along with its creativity in drawing on the library's collections. The awards may be used to cover travel and living expenses, scanning, and other incidental research expenses, but not for the purchase of durable equipment or travel to other research sites. Complete grant information and access to the application portal is available here: https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library/grants

Libraries and Autism: We're Connected promotes inclusion by connecting libraries and the autism community and brings awareness of the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families to the library community. To that end, the organization is accepting applications for its Autism Welcome Here: Library Programs, Services and More, grant program. Through the annual program, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to support projects and services for any age group. Applicants may propose to initiate a new, creative program or service, bring an already-existing, successful program or service to their library for the first time, or enhance a program or service they already offer. All programs or services proposed must benefit people with autism or their families, directly or indirectly. Funds may be used to hire a trainer to present a workshop, to buy program materials, to pay for staff, etc.

Through its fellowships and travel grants, the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation supports research projects that present creative approaches to the study of invention and innovation in American society. Projects may include (but are not limited to) historical research and documentation projects resulting in dissertations, publications, exhibitions, educational initiatives, documentary films, or other multimedia products.

With funding generously provided by The Recording Academy, the GRAMMY Museum Grants Program awards grants each year to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of North America, and research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition.

The Inspire! Grants for Small Museums program helps museums implement projects that address priorities identified in their strategic plans. The program funds efforts that focus on providing rich learning experiences for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances; supporting partnerships aimed at assessing and addressing the needs of their communities; strengthening the role of museums as trusted stewards of the collections in their care; and expanding access to collections and associated resources. The application deadline is November 15, 2019.

The Caxton Club, founded in 1895 to support "the literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books," extends its call for entries for its 2019 - 2020 grants. Grants are awarded for expenses of up to $2,500 (each) for book-related projects to be completed during academic year 2019 - 2020. Grants totaling up to $10,000 will be awarded. Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a Midwestern university graduate program during the academic year 2019 - 2020 with a project in one of the following areas:   Bibliography Book arts History of the book Library studies Print culture studies Zines Library workers and other professionals seeking additional training in the above fields are encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to submit samples of work in support the grant application. Book arts applicants should submit either a mock up dummy of the project, if available, or previous work. Bibliography and history applicants may include samples of their previous written work.

The Caxton Club, an organization devoted to "the literary study and promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books," offers annual grants for expenses of up to $2,500 (each) for book-related projects. The grant will cover expenses, such as travel, materials, and tuition fees. In the 2018-2019 academic year, Caxton Club grants were offered to Midwestern graduate students with projects in the following areas: bibliography, book arts, history of the book, literary studies, pring culture studies, and zines.

Please read all the information below to determine if your library is eligible for a grant under the Children's Book Project Program. The Pilcrow Foundation does not offer grants to libraries outside of the 50 United States, libraries in urban or metropolitan areas, or libraries with substantial operating budgets. Do not apply if your library is not located within the United States. The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children's Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children's books.

Submit an application if you are a successful top-rank junior researcher from abroad, only completed your doctorate with distinction in the last six years, and have published work in prestigious international journals or publishing houses. The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award allows you to spend five years building up a working group and working on a high-profile, innovative research project of your own choice at a research institution of your own choice in Germany.

Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries (APP) is a special initiative of the National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program. The goal of this initiative is to support projects that strengthen the ability of small and rural libraries and archives to serve their communities. IMLS invites applications that focus on the following topics: transforming school library practice community memory digital inclusion

The Larry J. Hackman Research Residency Program supports advanced work on New York State history, government, or public policy with grants to qualified applicants to defray travel-related expenses for on-site research at the New York State Archives in Albany, NY.

The Miami Initiative for Advancing, Mentoring and Investing in Women (M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN) awarded nearly $104,000 in Giving Circle grants to students and faculty during the annual Leadership Symposium on April 12, 2018. Finalists pitched their projects the previous evening at the inaugural Hawk Tank event. This grant fund is open again for the 2018-2019 cycle.

To that end, Franklin awards of up to $6,000 will be awarded to help meet the costs of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the purchase of microfilm, photocopies, or equivalent research materials; costs associated with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses.

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to issue a notice of funding opportunity for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation 2019 Large Grants. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Administration of this program will be subject to the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2019. Purpose of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and Background: The AFCP Large Grants Program supports the preservation of major ancient archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, and major museum collections that are accessible to the public and protected by law in the host country.

The U.S. Mission to Nigeria of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to issue a notice of funding opportunity for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation 2019. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Administration of this program will be subject to the availability of funds for fiscal year (FY) 2019. Purpose of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and Background: The AFCP supports the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects, and forms of traditional cultural expression in more than 100 countries around the world, including Nigeria. AFCP-supported projects include the restoration of ancient and historic buildings, assessment and conservation of rare manuscripts and museum collections, preservation and protection of important archaeological sites, and the documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques and indigenous languages.