Alaska Native villages and tribes can apply for IMLS library grants by Nov. 13

Federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and ANCSA regional or village corporations can now apply for federal library grants worth up to $150,000. Applications for the 2027 round are due Nov. 13, 2026.

The Alaska State Library announced the Institute of Museum and Library Services funding round in its Sept. 16 Library Development News.

Basic Grants offer $6,000 to $10,000 for one year of materials, programming or training. Enhancement Grants offer $50,000 to $150,000 for projects lasting up to two years. Neither grant type requires matching funds, and eligibility falls under 20 U.S.C. § 9161.

The grants cannot be used for construction. Tribal library staff say that limit constrains what small, remote libraries can do even with the largest awards.

Alaska has roughly 50 tribal libraries, according to the state library's 2023-2027 LSTA plan. Anchorage Library Advisory Board documents from May 2025 reported that the Klukwan Library cut its hours from 35 a week to four after earlier IMLS grants were canceled.