Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2021) | NAG HAWAIIAN FY21

Opportunity Information: Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY21

The Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2021) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) intended to strengthen and modernize core services offered by Native Hawaiian libraries for the communities they serve. Positioned within the broader cultural, arts, and humanities funding space (CFDA 45.311), the program is focused on practical improvements that directly benefit library patrons and community-based users, with an emphasis on access, learning, and cultural continuity.

A central aim of the grant is to improve digital services in ways that respond to real community needs. This includes strengthening library support for education and lifelong learning, helping people build skills tied to workforce development, and expanding resources that assist with economic and business development. The program also highlights the importance of health information access, as well as building critical thinking and digital literacy skills, which can include improving access to technology, training, online resources, and other services that help community members navigate and use information effectively.

Another major goal is to expand and improve educational programs offered through Native Hawaiian libraries. These programs are meant to reflect topics and content areas that matter to local patrons and community users, which can include targeted workshops, learning series, community classes, and other educational activities designed around the interests and priorities of the people the library serves. The intent is to make libraries stronger community learning hubs, not only places to borrow materials.

The opportunity also explicitly prioritizes the preservation and revitalization of Native Hawaiian culture and language. This cultural goal supports efforts that help safeguard heritage materials and knowledge while also encouraging active use and renewal of language and cultural practices. In practice, this can align with activities such as cultural documentation, community-centered collections care, language resources, programming that features Native Hawaiian perspectives, and other initiatives that help ensure cultural materials and knowledge remain accessible and living within the community.

In terms of funding structure, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $150,000 per grant and anticipates making about six awards. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity is categorized as discretionary. The original application window opened around March 11, 2021, with an original closing date of May 11, 2021. Eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility text, indicating the program is intended for specific Native Hawaiian library entities rather than general public libraries or unrelated organizations.

• 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 "Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant (2021)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.311.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 11, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 11, 2021. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY21

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: