The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), US, has announced the release of grant guidelines for Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums. This new grant programme will provide one-year grants of $10,000 to $25,000 for innovative projects that respond to the challenges and opportunities facing cultural heritage institutions in a rapidly changing information environment. The submission deadline is November 15, 2010.
Successful proposals will address problems, challenges, or needs of broad relevance to museums, libraries, or archives; will test innovative responses to these problems; and will make the findings of these tests widely and openly accessible. Grant funding may include all activities associated with planning, deploying, and evaluating the innovation, as long as the expenses are allowable under federal and IMLS guidelines.
The Sparks! Ignition Grants initiative is structured to encourage participation by museums and libraries of all types and sizes. Libraries and library organisations and that fulfill the general criteria for libraries may apply. Also, museums and museum organisations that fulfill the general criteria for museums may apply. Partnerships are permitted, but not required. No cost sharing is required for these grants.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services claims to be the primary source of federal support for the US' 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.
To access our daily STM news feed through your iPhone, iPad, or other smartphones, please visit www.myscoope.com for a mobile friendly reading experience.
