Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (2027)

The Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC-FY27) is a federal grant program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program is designed to build institutional capacity, nurture professional workforce development, and increase access to archival collections at African American museums and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Funding is available for projects lasting one to three years, with an anticipated performance period from August 1, 2027, to July 31, 2030. The program offers two funding tiers: Small Projects ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 with no cost share required, and Large Projects ranging from $100,001 to $500,000, which require at least a 1:1 non-federal cost share. All applicants must budget $3,000 per year for IMLS-designated travel. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov Workspace by November 14, 2026, and require an active SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The submission package must include a strictly limited 7-page narrative, a budget form, a schedule of completion, and a performance measurement plan, among other required PDF documents. Proposals are evaluated through a professional peer review process focusing on project justification, the work plan, and intended results, with a particular emphasis on alignment with program goals and the ability to sustain benefits beyond the award period. For awards exceeding $350,000, a risk assessment is conducted via SAM.gov. Post-award financial and performance reporting must be managed through eGMS Reach.