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Welcome to the Institute of
Museum and Library Services

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Office of Museum Services
informational video, "Inspire

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Grants for Small Museums Grant
Program Applicant Information

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Session." The goal of this video
is to provide an overview of our

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Inspire Grants for Small Museums
grant program – which we call

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"Inspire" for short – and the
process of preparing an

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application for funding.

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This video is organized into
seven chapters:

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What is Inspire? This section
explains the purpose and design

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of the Inspire grant program.

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What can Inspire grants fund?
This section explains the types

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of projects that can be funded
in Inspire and the amount of

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funds that can be requested.

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Application components –
Introduction. This section

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describes the types of documents
that are needed to create an

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Inspire grant application.

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Application Components –
Organizational Profile. This

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section is where we talk about
your institution and make the

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case for being a small museum.

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Application Components –
Narrative. This section provides

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guidance on composing the
narrative part of the

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application.

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Application Components – Budget.
This section provides details on

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the information to include in
your project budget.

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Application Tips and Next Steps.
The concluding section provides

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a few tips and next steps.

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The complete set of instructions
for how to prepare and submit an

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Inspire grant application are
found in the Notice of Funding

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Opportunity, published on
Grants.gov and also available on

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the IMLS website.

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Please refer to the Notice of
Funding Opportunity for the most

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detailed information to prepare
your application.

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To get the most out of this
video, we recommend that you

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watch it in its entirety.

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This will give you an
understanding of the Inspire

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grant program, the types of
projects that can be funded, and

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the necessary application
components.

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You may also want to review the
Inspire Notice of Funding

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Opportunity before, during, and
after you watch the video.

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Notices of Funding
Opportunities, also known as

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NOFOs, are documents that detail
the requirements of each of our

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grant programs.

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All of our NOFOs can be found at
imls.gov/ grants.

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As you navigate the application
process, you can use this video

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as a reference tool.

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If you'd like to skip to a
specific section, please use the

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time bar below, or the links in
the description box, to navigate

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the chapters.

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What is Inspire?

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In this section, I will answer
the question, "What is Inspire?"

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providing information on the
purpose and intent of this grant

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program and who it is designed
to serve.

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Inspire! Grants for Small
Museums is a special initiative

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of the Museums for America
program.

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The overall goal of the program
is to support activities that

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strengthen the abilities of
individual small museums to

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serve their publics.

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This might be through activities
that reflect museums as active

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resources for lifelong learning,
as institutions important and

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improving the well-being of
their communities, or as good

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stewards of the nation's
collections.

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Inspire is all about what your
museum needs to better serve

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your public.

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Inspire projects are expected to
focus on a key component of your

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museum strategic plan.

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IMLS wants to support your
museum in priority areas that

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benefit your community.

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The priorities in your strategic
plan may connect to a range of

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activities from exhibitions,
educational/interpretive

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programs, digital learning
resources, professional

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development, institutional
planning, and/or collections

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management, curation, care and
conservation.

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These are the kinds of
activities that can be funded in

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the Inspire grant program.

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A characteristic of a successful
Inspire grant application is

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making the connection between
the proposed project and a key

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need or challenge that faces
your museum and whose resolution

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is identified in your strategic
plan.

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To help illustrate that
connection, in your grant

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application we ask for a summary
of your strategic plan so that

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reviewers will be able to
understand how your proposed

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project's activities will
further your institutional goals

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and objectives.

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The strategic plan summary is
your opportunity to make a

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thoughtful connection between
the proposed project and your

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museum's priorities.

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Inspire is a grant program for
museums.

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As a museum, you should keep in
mind that all applicants must

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meet certain requirements to be
eligible for federal funding.

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Your organization must be
located in one of the United

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States' 50 states, its
Territories, or the District of

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Columbia.

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Your organization must be a unit
of state, local, or tribal

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government or a private
nonprofit organization with tax

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exempt status.

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If you meet those two
requirements, then the next step

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is to consider what it means to
be eligible for IMLS funding as

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a museum.

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Museums must: have at least one
full time or equivalent

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professional staff person,
either paid or unpaid;

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have a physical location that it
owns or operates; have been open

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to the public for at least 120
days in the year prior to

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November 15th, 2024; and own or
use tangible objects.

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Museums may be standalone
organizations, or they may be

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part of a larger institution
such as a college, university,

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Tribe, or state or local
government.

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Inspire is a grant program for
all types of museums, and here's

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a brief list of some of the
types of museums that routinely

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apply to this grant program.

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There are a wide variety of
museum disciplines and

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geographic locations where
museums are located across the

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country,

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and determining an institution's
size may rest on a number of

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factors.

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As a result, IMLS invited
applicants to consider whether

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their organization is a good fit
for this special initiative and

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to make a case clearly within
the application's Organizational

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Profile document for why they
are a small museum.

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Reviewers will use the
information provided in the

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Organizational Profile to
determine if the applicant made

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a clear case for being a small
museum.

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Applicants should think about a
range of attributes that

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describe their organization,
such as: number of staff members

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and volunteers; an estimate of
total person-hours worked per

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week; operating budget and
sources of revenue; number and

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types of objects in the
collection; size of facility and

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property; types and numbers of
audiences served; and size

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relative to other organizations
of the same discipline or within

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the same geographic region.

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What can Inspire fund?

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In this section I will answer
the question "What can Inspire

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fund?" providing details on the
types of projects and associated

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goals and objectives within the
Inspire grant program, as well

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as offer some summary data on
the number and type of Inspire

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projects that were funded last
year.

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Inspire grants are designed to
support project-based

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activities, so let's take a
minute to consider just exactly

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what that means.

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The Project Management Institute
has a good definition, which is

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"a temporary endeavor undertaken
to create a unique product,

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service or result."

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They go on further to explain
that a project is temporary

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because it has a defined
beginning and an end in time

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and, therefore, defined scope
and resources.

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And a project is unique and that
it is not a routine operation

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but rather a specific set of
operations designed to

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accomplish a singular goal.

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We recommend that you keep this
definition in mind as you

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conceptualize your IMLS project.

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Think of it as a temporary,
non-routine set of activities,

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which collectively have a
beginning and an end in time, a

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defined scope requiring specific
resources, and which are

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designed to accomplish a
specific singular goal.

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Keeping our focus on
project-based activities, let's

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look a little further at what
characteristics are most often

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seen in a successful Inspire
application.

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Institutional impact:

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The project addresses a key goal
identified in the institution's

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strategic plan.

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In depth knowledge:

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The project design reflects a
thorough understanding of

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current practice and knowledge
about the subject matter.

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Project based design: The work
plan consists of a set of

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logical, interrelated activities
tied directly to addressing the

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key need or challenge.

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Demonstrable Results: The
project generates measurable

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results that tie directly to the
need or challenge it was

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designed to address.

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Successful projects most often
exemplify all of these four

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characteristics and fit well
within the Inspire grant

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program.

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It's been our experience that
unfunded applications fail to

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deliver convincingly on one or
more of these areas.

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With that concept of "project"
in mind, let's turn to the

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program goal and its associated
objectives.

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You should align your proposed
project with one of these

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associated objectives.

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The choice of objective should
be identified clearly in the

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Narrative.

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Why is your decision about which
objective to choose so

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important?

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For one thing, your application
will be reviewed by museum

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professionals who have
experience and expertise in

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these general categories, and
for another, your application

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will be competing against others
who have chosen the same

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objective.

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In short, the entire review
process incorporates an

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assumption that your project
aligns with the objective you've

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identified, so it's an important
choice.

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So let's look at what kinds of
activities a project in each of

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these objectives might include.

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In this, and the two slides that
follow, we include a list of the

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types of projects that fit
within the associated objective.

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A project in Lifelong Learning
might include, but is not

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limited to, all or part of an
exhibit, program development for

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all types of audiences, creating
interpretive plans, media,

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training for teachers,
partnerships with schools or

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out-of-school audiences, or
program evaluation.

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As you plan your project under
this program objective, we

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strongly recommend starting with
the concept of "learner at the

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center" and build around it.

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Spend time really thinking
through who your learners in

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this project are and what their
needs are.

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It's not likely going to be
"everybody", so who is it,

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really?

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What do they want to learn,

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what do you want them to learn,

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And what's the best way to get
at it?

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We'll get to the whole idea of
problems and needs in a few

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minutes, but a major takeaway
here is to be focused in

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identifying your audience and in
thinking about how you are going

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to serve them.

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An Institutional Capacity
project is likely to include

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activities that contribute
directly to your work to build

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the capacity of your museum.

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A project in institutional
capacity might include, but is

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not limited to, institutional
planning and policy development

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and the recruitment, training,
and development of museum staff

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and volunteers.

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Our third program objective is
that of Collections Stewardship

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and Access, and this includes
just about anything you need to

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do for and with collections,
except acquire them.

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We are very open to projects
that have multiple components

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configured in ways that make
sense for you.

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One project might consist of
cataloging, taking digital

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photographs, and updating
database records, while another

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might combine digitization
activities with rehousing.

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We support conservation projects
of all kinds—general, detailed,

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and environmental surveys as
well as treatments and

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environmental improvements, and
you are welcome to incorporate

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aspects of training and/or
collections management into

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these projects if doing so makes
sense for your situation.

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It's important to note that in
this program objective, we

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encourage a step-by-step,
progressive approach to

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collections work, including
conservation.

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This means assessing needs,
creating a prioritized list of

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activities, and following
through by doing the most

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important things first.

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Before we close our discussion
of program objectives, I want to

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mention our guidance for
projects that could belong

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logically in more than one.

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Sometimes it's tough to choose,
and you might be tempted to

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think that the best strategy
would be to align with more than

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00:12:04.352 --> 00:12:05.720
one—two and maybe even three.

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00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:08.160
We advise against that for
several reasons.

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00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:11.544
The program objectives have
different goals, and we expect

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00:12:11.544 --> 00:12:14.521
that projects align with each,
will address different problems,

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00:12:14.521 --> 00:12:17.034
use different approaches, and
will measure success in

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00:12:17.034 --> 00:12:19.360
achieving the intended results
in different ways.

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00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.706
So how can you choose the best
program objective for your

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00:12:22.706 --> 00:12:23.080
project?

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00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:25.920
Here are three things we suggest
you try.

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00:12:26.640 --> 00:12:29.360
Think carefully about what is
"in the center" of your project.

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00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:32.790
Is it a learner, or people who
engage with you as a result of

255
00:12:32.790 --> 00:12:36.046
your project to create a new
exhibition in programming to go

256
00:12:36.046 --> 00:12:39.356
with it, acquire new knowledge,
develop a skill, experience a

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00:12:39.356 --> 00:12:42.240
change in attitude about the
subject in your exhibit?

258
00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:46.360
Or is it your institution that's
in the center of your thinking?

259
00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:49.933
Is your project one that will
address an important need within

260
00:12:49.933 --> 00:12:53.187
your museum and will it result
in an enhancement of technology

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00:12:53.187 --> 00:12:56.080
or new policy or staff that has
received a professional

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00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:57.320
development opportunity?

263
00:12:57.920 --> 00:12:59.920
Or is your project about the
collections?

264
00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:03.096
Will your project results in a
better managed, better cared

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00:13:03.096 --> 00:13:05.240
for, and more accessible set of
objects?

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00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:09.168
A second way to go with this
might be to think about who you

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00:13:09.168 --> 00:13:10.600
want to review your application.

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00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.074
If you apply under Lifelong
Learning, we will put your

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00:13:14.074 --> 00:13:17.029
application in front of
educators, learning theorists,

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00:13:17.029 --> 00:13:20.252
and professionals with deep
experience in understanding how

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00:13:20.252 --> 00:13:22.240
people learn in museum
environments.

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00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:25.517
Would you rather we put it in
front of a combination of

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00:13:25.517 --> 00:13:28.022
experts in museum planning,
website design, or policy

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00:13:28.022 --> 00:13:28.440
creation?

275
00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:32.322
If that sounds right, then it
may push you toward

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00:13:32.322 --> 00:13:33.520
Institutional Capacity.

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00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:37.055
And if you apply under
Collection Stewardship and

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00:13:37.055 --> 00:13:40.188
Access, you can be confident
that your application will be

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00:13:40.188 --> 00:13:43.163
reviewed by some combination of
registrars, collections

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00:13:43.163 --> 00:13:45.765
managers, curators,
conservators, or collections

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00:13:45.765 --> 00:13:47.039
information specialists.

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00:13:47.520 --> 00:13:50.323
If that seems appropriate, then
this is most likely your best

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00:13:50.323 --> 00:13:50.640
choice.

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00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:55.493
Lastly, a third strategy to try
might be to make a list of all

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00:13:55.493 --> 00:13:58.668
the activities you plan to carry
out. Then assign each to a

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00:13:58.668 --> 00:14:01.895
program objective, and then
count to see where most of these

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00:14:01.895 --> 00:14:05.176
activities occur and where most
of the time and money will be

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00:14:05.176 --> 00:14:07.239
spent. That might provide your
answer.

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00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:12.995
Inspire supports projects of all
sizes, but there is a specific

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00:14:12.995 --> 00:14:15.440
range of funding available in
this program.

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00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:19.635
For a small project, your
project budget can request a

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00:14:19.635 --> 00:14:23.998
minimum of $5000 to a maximum of
$25,000 in federal funds with no

293
00:14:23.998 --> 00:14:25.320
cost share required.

294
00:14:25.920 --> 00:14:29.750
For a large project, your
project budget can request a

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00:14:29.750 --> 00:14:33.441
minimum of $25,001.00 to a
maximum of $75,000 with a

296
00:14:33.441 --> 00:14:35.600
one-to-one cost share required.

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00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:40.506
If you ask for less than $5000
or for more than $75,000 in

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00:14:40.506 --> 00:14:44.504
federal grant funds, your
application may be rejected and

299
00:14:44.504 --> 00:14:45.400
not reviewed.

300
00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.239
Remember to keep your budget
aligned to the scope and scale

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00:14:49.239 --> 00:14:52.640
of your project, including all
costs necessary to complete the

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00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:53.720
proposed activities.

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00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.520
Cost share can take a number of
forms—

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00:14:56.520 --> 00:15:00.705
among them are cash, staff time,
volunteer time, third party

305
00:15:00.705 --> 00:15:04.616
contributions, grants from
foundations, and support from

306
00:15:04.616 --> 00:15:06.400
state or local government.

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00:15:06.760 --> 00:15:09.640
Cost share cannot come from
other federal sources.

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00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:15.247
In the Inspire program, small
project budgets are not required

309
00:15:15.247 --> 00:15:18.364
to have cost share. In the graph
on the screen there are 4

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00:15:18.364 --> 00:15:18.839
examples.

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00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:23.408
The first example is of a total
project budget of $25,000 with

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00:15:23.408 --> 00:15:26.320
no cost share. In the three
other examples,

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00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:29.701
the IMLS request amount never
exceeds $25,000, but the

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00:15:29.701 --> 00:15:32.960
applicant is choosing to include
partial cost share.

315
00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:38.494
Large project budgets in the
Inspire program are required to

316
00:15:38.494 --> 00:15:41.664
have at least a one-to-one
non-federal cost share. In the

317
00:15:41.664 --> 00:15:43.960
graph on the screen there are 4
examples.

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00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:47.833
In all examples the IMLS request
amount and the cost share are

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00:15:47.833 --> 00:15:48.440
one-to-one.

320
00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.943
Applicants can choose to have
more than the required

321
00:15:51.943 --> 00:15:52.920
one-to-one cost share

322
00:15:52.920 --> 00:15:54.000
for large projects.

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00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:59.054
The number of applications
received, and the number of

324
00:15:59.054 --> 00:16:00.840
awards made can vary from year
to year.

325
00:16:01.280 --> 00:16:04.552
Here is a snapshot of our most
recent application and award

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00:16:04.552 --> 00:16:04.880
cycle.

327
00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:11.094
In FY24, IMLS made 78 Inspire
awards with a total of $3.32

328
00:16:11.094 --> 00:16:13.440
million in federal funds.

329
00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.554
We received 234 Inspire
applications last year,

330
00:16:17.554 --> 00:16:21.480
resulting in 33% of those
applications being funded.

331
00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:26.076
About 44% of the Inspire awards
were for project supporting the

332
00:16:26.076 --> 00:16:29.893
Lifelong Learning objective, 39%
of the projects supported the

333
00:16:29.893 --> 00:16:33.588
Collections Stewardship and
Access objective, and 17% of the

334
00:16:33.588 --> 00:16:36.314
project supported the
Institutional Capacity

335
00:16:36.314 --> 00:16:36.919
objective.

336
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:41.887
In this slide, you can see how
many projects were funded across

337
00:16:41.887 --> 00:16:44.905
the two funding levels – large
projects and small projects –

338
00:16:44.905 --> 00:16:46.440
organized by program objective.

339
00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:52.007
And lastly, you can see that we
supported an equal number of

340
00:16:52.007 --> 00:16:54.040
small and large projects in
FY24.

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00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:58.943
In this section, we will
introduce the components of an

342
00:16:58.943 --> 00:17:01.757
Inspire grant application, and
provide an overview about the

343
00:17:01.757 --> 00:17:04.018
required, conditionally
required, and supporting

344
00:17:04.018 --> 00:17:04.480
documents.

345
00:17:07.040 --> 00:17:10.078
The Inspire Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) includes a

346
00:17:10.078 --> 00:17:12.560
complete list of all the
application components.

347
00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:16.332
Most of these components are
created by applicants and saved

348
00:17:16.332 --> 00:17:19.719
as a PDF for uploading as part
of your application package in

349
00:17:19.719 --> 00:17:20.320
Grants.gov.

350
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.589
The Table of Application
Components lists which

351
00:17:23.589 --> 00:17:26.478
application components are
required, as well as those that

352
00:17:26.478 --> 00:17:27.799
are conditionally required.

353
00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:31.662
For example, some components are
included in the application

354
00:17:31.662 --> 00:17:34.401
depending on the type of
applicant or the type of

355
00:17:34.401 --> 00:17:34.840
project.

356
00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:39.929
Aside from the SF-424S and the
IMLS Museum Program Information

357
00:17:39.929 --> 00:17:43.984
Form, which are completed in the
Grants.gov workspace, all

358
00:17:43.984 --> 00:17:48.040
application components must be
submitted as PDF documents.

359
00:17:50.360 --> 00:17:52.000
These are the required
documents.

360
00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:55.280
All applications must include
the documents listed here.

361
00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:59.202
Omission of even just one might
result in your application's

362
00:17:59.202 --> 00:17:59.760
rejection.

363
00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:03.216
Also important to note, there is
a 5-page limit for the

364
00:18:03.216 --> 00:18:03.720
narrative.

365
00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:06.902
If you exceed the page limit
specified in the Notice of

366
00:18:06.902 --> 00:18:09.792
Funding Opportunity, we must
remove the extras before your

367
00:18:09.792 --> 00:18:11.359
application goes out for review.

368
00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:16.128
The second category of
application components is that

369
00:18:16.128 --> 00:18:18.200
of the conditionally required
documents.

370
00:18:18.760 --> 00:18:22.278
Some applications must include
one, two, or even all four of

371
00:18:22.278 --> 00:18:25.623
these, and it's your job to
figure out which are required

372
00:18:25.623 --> 00:18:26.200
for yours.

373
00:18:26.880 --> 00:18:29.816
If you are applying as a
nonprofit, then you must include

374
00:18:29.816 --> 00:18:32.955
your proof of nonprofit status
issued by the Internal Revenue

375
00:18:32.955 --> 00:18:33.360
Service.

376
00:18:34.040 --> 00:18:37.360
We will not accept a letter of
state sales tax exemption as

377
00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.800
proof of nonprofit status.

378
00:18:39.560 --> 00:18:42.729
If you are using a federally
negotiated indirect cost rate in

379
00:18:42.729 --> 00:18:45.593
your budget, then you must
include a copy of your final

380
00:18:45.593 --> 00:18:46.360
rate agreement.

381
00:18:47.320 --> 00:18:50.077
If you will create digital
products during the course of

382
00:18:50.077 --> 00:18:52.882
your project, then you must
complete and submit a digital

383
00:18:52.882 --> 00:18:53.560
products plan.

384
00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:57.732
If you are requesting support
for conservation treatment, then

385
00:18:57.732 --> 00:19:00.801
you must include detailed
condition reports and/or formal

386
00:19:00.801 --> 00:19:02.600
conservation treatment
proposals.

387
00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:07.198
Just like the required
documents, omission of even one

388
00:19:07.198 --> 00:19:09.760
might result in your
applications rejection's.

389
00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:15.051
Please note that the term
"digital product" includes: (1)

390
00:19:15.051 --> 00:19:19.172
digitized and born-digital
content, resources, and assets;

391
00:19:19.172 --> 00:19:20.360
and (2) software.

392
00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:23.516
If you are creating any of these
types of materials, you must

393
00:19:23.516 --> 00:19:25.320
include the form with your
application.

394
00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:30.363
The third group of application
components is supporting

395
00:19:30.363 --> 00:19:32.880
documents, and here is a partial
list of examples.

396
00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:35.080
Supporting documents are
optional.

397
00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:37.120
You may submit some or none.

398
00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:40.320
Include only those items that
will supplement your proposal.

399
00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:43.640
This is not the place to
introduce brand new information,

400
00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:46.925
rather, they should lend support
to your project justification,

401
00:19:46.925 --> 00:19:49.890
work plan, and intended results
that you've already spelled out

402
00:19:49.890 --> 00:19:51.280
in your application narrative.

403
00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:56.323
For example, have you identified
a partner whose involvement is

404
00:19:56.323 --> 00:19:57.920
key to the project's success?

405
00:19:58.280 --> 00:20:01.304
If so, a letter of support or
commitment would reassure

406
00:20:01.304 --> 00:20:04.328
reviewers that they are 'on
board' and the project will

407
00:20:04.328 --> 00:20:04.760
succeed.

408
00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:08.616
Pictures can help give reviewers
– who may not be familiar with

409
00:20:08.616 --> 00:20:11.459
your institution, programs,
collections, or community – a

410
00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:13.909
better idea of what you're
describing within your

411
00:20:13.909 --> 00:20:14.400
narrative.

412
00:20:15.040 --> 00:20:18.186
Vendor quotes or equipment
specifications show you've done

413
00:20:18.186 --> 00:20:21.546
some of the legwork and getting
appropriate estimates for your

414
00:20:21.546 --> 00:20:22.240
project cost.

415
00:20:22.760 --> 00:20:25.499
We recommend that you be
respectful of your reviewers'

416
00:20:25.499 --> 00:20:28.040
time and avoid including
excessive extra material.

417
00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:32.023
Being judicious really does work
to your benefit, as supporting

418
00:20:32.023 --> 00:20:34.240
documents can make or break an
application.

419
00:20:34.640 --> 00:20:37.377
Include what is important,
helpful, and directly relevant

420
00:20:37.377 --> 00:20:38.840
to your project and stop there.

421
00:20:40.760 --> 00:20:43.791
In the following sections of
this presentation, we will focus

422
00:20:43.791 --> 00:20:46.968
on these application components,
the Organizational profile, the

423
00:20:46.968 --> 00:20:48.240
narrative, and the budget.

424
00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:51.396
Go to the Notice of Funding
Opportunity for complete

425
00:20:51.396 --> 00:20:54.050
instructions on how to prepare
and complete all of the

426
00:20:54.050 --> 00:20:55.160
application components.

427
00:20:57.280 --> 00:21:00.217
In this section, we will go over
the Organizational Profile and

428
00:21:00.217 --> 00:21:03.200
what you need to include on each
page of this required document.

429
00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:07.860
We ask that you create a
two-page document describing

430
00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.840
your organization.

431
00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:12.515
On the first page, we ask that
you address your organization's

432
00:21:12.515 --> 00:21:14.200
mission or statement of purpose;

433
00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:17.775
your organization's governance
structure, including if your

434
00:21:17.775 --> 00:21:21.134
museum is an organizational unit
under a larger "parent"

435
00:21:21.134 --> 00:21:24.787
organization (for instance, if
the applicant is an art museum

436
00:21:24.787 --> 00:21:28.381
under a university) and the
level of support provided by the

437
00:21:28.381 --> 00:21:29.560
parent organization;

438
00:21:29.800 --> 00:21:33.520
your service area; and a brief
history of your organization.

439
00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:37.268
On page two of this document, we
ask that you describe your

440
00:21:37.268 --> 00:21:40.311
organization's size using the
range of attributes that we

441
00:21:40.311 --> 00:21:42.200
shared earlier in the
presentation.

442
00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:45.320
This is where you make your case
for being a small museum.

443
00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:50.603
In this section, we will go over
the questions you will need to

444
00:21:50.603 --> 00:21:53.776
answer in your project Narrative
and offer details on the review

445
00:21:53.776 --> 00:21:55.679
criteria associated with each
section:

446
00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:59.160
Project Justification, Project
Work Plan, and Project Results.

447
00:22:01.280 --> 00:22:03.480
Now let's talk about the
Narrative of your proposal.

448
00:22:03.560 --> 00:22:06.819
You have five pages to cover
three very important issues, and

449
00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:09.501
the Notice of Funding
Opportunity provides lengthy

450
00:22:09.501 --> 00:22:11.920
guidance on what the Narrative
should cover. 

451
00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.800
First is the Project
Justification.

452
00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:17.415
What need, problem, or challenge
will your project address, and

453
00:22:17.415 --> 00:22:18.480
how was it identified?

454
00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:21.801
Describe how you have used
demographic information,

455
00:22:21.801 --> 00:22:25.003
economic circumstances,
condition assessments, and other

456
00:22:25.003 --> 00:22:28.149
relevant data from reliable
sources to define the need,

457
00:22:28.149 --> 00:22:31.070
problem, or challenge and
develop the scope for the

458
00:22:31.070 --> 00:22:31.519
project.

459
00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:35.274
Who is the primary audience for
your project and how have they

460
00:22:35.274 --> 00:22:36.720
been involved in the planning?

461
00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:40.589
The primary audience refers to
those who will be most

462
00:22:40.589 --> 00:22:43.720
immediately and positively
affected by your project.

463
00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:46.721
Identify the number of
individuals in the primary

464
00:22:46.721 --> 00:22:49.798
audience, or in each primary
audience, if you have more than

465
00:22:49.798 --> 00:22:49.999
one.

466
00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:54.240
Who are the ultimate
beneficiaries for this project?

467
00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:57.773
Beneficiaries refers to those
who are likely to be aided in

468
00:22:57.773 --> 00:22:59.320
the long term by your project.

469
00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:02.800
They may or may not be the same
as your primary audience.

470
00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:05.717
Identify the number of
individuals who will benefit

471
00:23:05.717 --> 00:23:08.816
from your project in the long
term, if reliable and defensible

472
00:23:08.816 --> 00:23:09.800
counts are possible.

473
00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.590
Otherwise, describe the
characteristics of the

474
00:23:12.590 --> 00:23:15.440
beneficiaries you expect to be
served eventually by your

475
00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.840
project.

476
00:23:17.760 --> 00:23:20.833
In step six of the Notice of
Funding Opportunity, under Peer

477
00:23:20.833 --> 00:23:24.159
Review criteria, you will find a
list of questions that reviewers

478
00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:26.880
are asked to consider when they
review your proposal.

479
00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.905
It's a good idea to refer to
these as you craft your

480
00:23:29.905 --> 00:23:32.881
narrative to be certain you're
providing reviewers clear, solid

481
00:23:32.881 --> 00:23:33.440
information.

482
00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:36.350
You will see that they
correspond directly with the

483
00:23:36.350 --> 00:23:38.520
prompts you were given to write
your narrative.

484
00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:43.448
Because the need, problem, or
challenge is foundational in

485
00:23:43.448 --> 00:23:45.560
your application, keep these
points in mind.

486
00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:48.841
The federal government wants its
investment to result in

487
00:23:48.841 --> 00:23:50.000
something getting better.

488
00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:53.097
As you define your need,
problem, or challenge,

489
00:23:53.097 --> 00:23:56.375
articulate what will get better
as a result of your project as

490
00:23:56.375 --> 00:23:57.520
precisely as possible.

491
00:23:58.040 --> 00:24:00.941
Will someone learn something,
develop a skill, change an

492
00:24:00.941 --> 00:24:01.400
attitude?

493
00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:04.834
Will an institutional policy be
created to help move your

494
00:24:04.834 --> 00:24:05.840
institution forward?

495
00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:08.920
Will staff receive professional
development opportunities?

496
00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.840
Will collections be better cared
for?

497
00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.600
Will their lifespan be extended?

498
00:24:13.040 --> 00:24:16.042
Will access to your collections
and the information surrounding

499
00:24:16.042 --> 00:24:16.840
them be expanded?

500
00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:20.136
Identify why it is important
that this particular change

501
00:24:20.136 --> 00:24:20.520
happens.

502
00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:24.113
Hone your problem definition
carefully in clear, succinct

503
00:24:24.113 --> 00:24:24.440
terms.

504
00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:27.800
Gather and present data that
support your problem definition.

505
00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.600
Project Work Plan.

506
00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:34.908
If the Project Justification
section was the "why," the

507
00:24:34.908 --> 00:24:37.962
Project Work Plan section is
where you identify the "who,

508
00:24:37.962 --> 00:24:41.174
what, when, and how." Who will
do what activities, when, and

509
00:24:41.174 --> 00:24:42.280
using what resources.

510
00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:45.826
You should explain how you will
track your progress toward

511
00:24:45.826 --> 00:24:49.228
achieving your attended results
and what you'll do if you need

512
00:24:49.228 --> 00:24:50.200
to correct course.

513
00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:53.775
We also ask you to think about
risks that are inherent in your

514
00:24:53.775 --> 00:24:56.587
particular project and tell us
how you've taken that into

515
00:24:56.587 --> 00:24:57.800
account in your planning.

516
00:24:58.520 --> 00:25:00.440
I'll say more about this in a
few minutes.

517
00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:05.239
Reviewers will evaluate your
proposal on how well your

518
00:25:05.239 --> 00:25:08.162
activities are informed by
appropriate theory and practice,

519
00:25:08.162 --> 00:25:10.549
and whether the goals,
assumptions, or risks are

520
00:25:10.549 --> 00:25:11.280
clearly stated.

521
00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:14.992
Reviewers want to see that the
team you've put together has the

522
00:25:14.992 --> 00:25:17.536
experience and skills necessary
to complete the work

523
00:25:17.536 --> 00:25:20.272
successfully, and whether your
schedule is realistic and

524
00:25:20.272 --> 00:25:20.800
achievable.

525
00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:24.309
They'll also be looking at
whether the time, personnel, and

526
00:25:24.309 --> 00:25:27.267
financial resources identified
are appropriate for the scope

527
00:25:27.267 --> 00:25:28.480
and scale of the project.

528
00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.703
They will consider if you've
described a clear methodology

529
00:25:31.703 --> 00:25:34.680
for tracking your progress and
adjusting course when necessary.

530
00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:39.963
Your work plan will be built on
activities, so it's important to

531
00:25:39.963 --> 00:25:41.760
be clear about what an activity
is.

532
00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.960
An activity is something that
someone does.

533
00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:46.732
It has a beginning and an end
(just like projects) and you

534
00:25:46.732 --> 00:25:49.504
know when it's finished because
it doesn't need to be done

535
00:25:49.504 --> 00:25:49.880
anymore.

536
00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:51.640
It is no longer on your To-Do
List.

537
00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:55.720
An activity is not a goal, a
result, or an outcome.

538
00:25:56.040 --> 00:25:58.775
Rather, it is something you do
as part of striving to achieve

539
00:25:58.775 --> 00:25:59.040
those.

540
00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:02.673
Aim for a reasonable level of
granularity in identifying your

541
00:26:02.673 --> 00:26:03.240
activities.

542
00:26:04.760 --> 00:26:07.768
We also ask that you think about
risks that are inherent in your

543
00:26:07.768 --> 00:26:10.453
project and to tell us how
you've taken that into account

544
00:26:10.453 --> 00:26:11.239
in your planning.

545
00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:14.944
Think of it as answering the
question, "what if?" There is no

546
00:26:14.944 --> 00:26:17.440
checklist of risks, but every
project has them.

547
00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:20.576
The best proposals will show
that you are aware of them and

548
00:26:20.576 --> 00:26:22.800
have thought through a plan for
dealing with them.

549
00:26:23.320 --> 00:26:25.880
Look at your activities and
think about what could go wrong.

550
00:26:26.040 --> 00:26:29.516
Focus on the ones where your
experience (your own or that of

551
00:26:29.516 --> 00:26:32.822
a group) tells you, "yes that
could happen," and identify

552
00:26:32.822 --> 00:26:34.760
steps you would take in
response.

553
00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:38.120
IMLS knows things go differently
than expected.

554
00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:41.376
We just want you to prepare by
identifying implementable

555
00:26:41.376 --> 00:26:41.800
options.

556
00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:44.940
Here are some examples of risk
that might be a part of a

557
00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:47.240
project for which you might seek
Inspire funding:

558
00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:50.623
A project may be structured
around interns, who will be

559
00:26:50.623 --> 00:26:53.440
selected and trained according
to well thought out processes.

560
00:26:53.920 --> 00:26:56.680
What will happen if one or more
interns drops out?

561
00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:59.000
What's the plan for replacing
them mid-project?

562
00:26:59.840 --> 00:27:02.361
A project might involve
rehousing collections into new

563
00:27:02.361 --> 00:27:03.920
museum-quality collection
storage

564
00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:07.671
furniture might run into delays
in preparing the space or in the

565
00:27:07.671 --> 00:27:08.960
delivery of the cabinets.

566
00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:11.080
What happens to the collection
items then?

567
00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:14.264
How will the institution ensure
that they remain safe and

568
00:27:14.264 --> 00:27:14.600
secure?

569
00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.680
Project Results.

570
00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.741
The third section of your
Narrative should be devoted to

571
00:27:20.741 --> 00:27:22.760
articulating your project's
intended results.

572
00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:25.765
This section is your chance to
convince the reviewers that your

573
00:27:25.765 --> 00:27:27.760
project will result in something
getting better.

574
00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:30.692
The need or problem you
identified in your Project

575
00:27:30.692 --> 00:27:33.522
Justification will be addressed
directly, and it will be

576
00:27:33.522 --> 00:27:35.360
diminished or eliminated
altogether.

577
00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:39.102
We ask you to tell us what data
you will collect and report in

578
00:27:39.102 --> 00:27:41.200
order to measure your project's
success.

579
00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:44.712
If your project will generate
tangible products (and most do),

580
00:27:44.712 --> 00:27:47.540
here's the opportunity to
describe them and make the case

581
00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:48.760
that they will be useful.

582
00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:52.110
And last, but not least, we ask
that you tell us how you will

583
00:27:52.110 --> 00:27:53.800
sustain the benefit of the
project.

584
00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:56.777
How will this improvement that
you propose to make continue

585
00:27:56.777 --> 00:27:57.840
once your grant is over?

586
00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:02.493
Reviewers will give us their
opinions on how well you've

587
00:28:02.493 --> 00:28:05.413
designed a feasible plan for
collecting and reporting data;

588
00:28:05.413 --> 00:28:08.479
how likely the improvements that
you propose will be realized;

589
00:28:08.479 --> 00:28:11.545
will the tangible products you
plan to create be accessible to

590
00:28:11.545 --> 00:28:14.172
the primary audience you
identified; and whether your

591
00:28:14.172 --> 00:28:17.238
plan for sustaining the benefits
of the project are reasonable

592
00:28:17.238 --> 00:28:17.920
and practical.

593
00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:22.382
We often hear that defining
intended results and success

594
00:28:22.382 --> 00:28:24.980
measures is challenging for
applicants, so it's worth

595
00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.760
spending a bit of time on this
here.

596
00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:29.789
Let's think back to the
questions we referenced a couple

597
00:28:29.789 --> 00:28:32.053
of slides ago when we talked
about defining the need,

598
00:28:32.053 --> 00:28:34.360
problem, or challenge that your
project is addressing.

599
00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:37.480
If you said someone will learn
something, how will you know?

600
00:28:38.520 --> 00:28:41.384
If your problem is related to
segments of your community being

601
00:28:41.384 --> 00:28:44.203
better able to work together,
how will you know when that has

602
00:28:44.203 --> 00:28:44.840
been achieved?

603
00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:48.045
If collections will be better
cared for, how will you be sure

604
00:28:48.045 --> 00:28:49.720
and how will you measure
"better?"

605
00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:53.076
If you're digitizing to expand
accessibility, how will you know

606
00:28:53.076 --> 00:28:54.000
when you've done it?

607
00:28:54.760 --> 00:28:57.515
All of your results should tie
back to your need, problem, or

608
00:28:57.515 --> 00:28:57.960
challenge.

609
00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:01.213
You may well experience
tangential benefits and or

610
00:29:01.213 --> 00:29:04.413
positive outcomes, but make sure
you identify them as "in

611
00:29:04.413 --> 00:29:07.558
addition to" and not "instead
of" your original intended

612
00:29:07.558 --> 00:29:08.000
results.

613
00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:10.640
Reviewers are likely to see that
as a disconnect.

614
00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:15.197
So to recap: your narrative has
three sections—Project

615
00:29:15.197 --> 00:29:18.326
Justification, Project Work
Plan, and Project Results, and

616
00:29:18.326 --> 00:29:19.600
you have 5 pages for it.

617
00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:22.560
The sections are all equally
important.

618
00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:25.573
Write clearly, address what we
ask you to address, and keep an

619
00:29:25.573 --> 00:29:26.960
eye on those review criteria.

620
00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:30.080
We're telling you here exactly
what the reviewers will look

621
00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:32.720
for, so make it easy for them to
find it and understand it.

622
00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:38.022
In this section, we will provide
information on what to include

623
00:29:38.022 --> 00:29:41.042
in your project budget and
budget justification and provide

624
00:29:41.042 --> 00:29:43.560
some examples of allowable and
unallowable costs.

625
00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:48.240
An important component of your
application is the budget.

626
00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:51.566
This is the part of the
application where you specify

627
00:29:51.566 --> 00:29:54.400
all the costs associated with
your proposed project.

628
00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:57.839
The budget consists of two
required components – the IMLS

629
00:29:57.839 --> 00:30:00.040
Budget Form and the Budget
Justification.

630
00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:03.741
The IMLS Budget Form is a
fillable PDF that accommodates

631
00:30:03.741 --> 00:30:06.680
up to three years of project
activities and expenses.

632
00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:10.641
The budget should include the
project costs that will be to

633
00:30:10.641 --> 00:30:14.269
charged grant funds, as well as
those that will be supported by

634
00:30:14.269 --> 00:30:15.800
cost share, if applicable. 

635
00:30:15.800 --> 00:30:19.114
In-kind contributions to cost
share may include the value of

636
00:30:19.114 --> 00:30:22.103
services (e.g., donated
volunteer or consultant time),

637
00:30:22.103 --> 00:30:25.309
or equipment donated to the
project between the authorized

638
00:30:25.309 --> 00:30:27.319
start and end dates of your
project.

639
00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:31.484
All the items listed, whether
supported by grant funds or cost

640
00:30:31.484 --> 00:30:34.560
share, must be necessary to
accomplish project objectives,

641
00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:37.467
allowable according to the
applicable federal cost

642
00:30:37.467 --> 00:30:38.000
principles,

643
00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:41.440
auditable, and incurred during
the award period of performance.

644
00:30:42.040 --> 00:30:45.166
The IMLS Budget form can be
downloaded directly from the

645
00:30:45.166 --> 00:30:45.880
IMLS website.

646
00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:51.293
As you develop your budget, keep
in mind that there are certain

647
00:30:51.293 --> 00:30:54.343
costs that are either allowable
or unallowable according to

648
00:30:54.343 --> 00:30:55.360
federal regulations.

649
00:30:55.760 --> 00:30:59.152
The allowability of a cost item
for all federal grants are

650
00:30:59.152 --> 00:31:02.200
specified in the Code of Federal
Regulation, or CFR,

651
00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:06.140
sometimes referred to as "2 CFR
200" for short, but the full

652
00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:10.145
title is "Title 2, Subtitle A,
Chapter II, Part 200 - Uniform

653
00:31:10.145 --> 00:31:13.763
Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit

654
00:31:13.763 --> 00:31:15.960
Requirements for Federal
Awards."

655
00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:20.312
Using the 2 CFR 200 as a basis,
we've developed a short list of

656
00:31:20.312 --> 00:31:23.640
allowable costs that are most
common to Inspire projects.

657
00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:27.384
See page 18 of the Inspire
Notice of Funding Opportunity,

658
00:31:27.384 --> 00:31:30.692
which includes a partial list of
the most common examples of

659
00:31:30.692 --> 00:31:31.560
allowable costs.

660
00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:34.939
This short list of allowable
costs is also shown on this

661
00:31:34.939 --> 00:31:35.240
slide.

662
00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:39.490
These costs may be part of what
you ask IMLS to pay for with

663
00:31:39.490 --> 00:31:42.608
federal funds or what you will
pay for as part of your cost

664
00:31:42.608 --> 00:31:42.919
share.

665
00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:46.673
The rules about allowability
apply equally to grant funds as

666
00:31:46.673 --> 00:31:47.680
well as cost share.

667
00:31:48.360 --> 00:31:51.454
When completing your project
budget, be sure to check that

668
00:31:51.454 --> 00:31:54.338
all the costs you include,
whether grant funds or cost

669
00:31:54.338 --> 00:31:55.439
share, are allowable.

670
00:31:57.600 --> 00:32:01.171
There are also some costs which
are unallowable according to the

671
00:32:01.171 --> 00:32:03.040
federal regulations in 2 CFR
200.

672
00:32:04.280 --> 00:32:07.505
In the Inspire Notice of Funding
Opportunity, we also provide an

673
00:32:07.505 --> 00:32:09.440
abbreviated list of unallowable
costs.

674
00:32:09.520 --> 00:32:11.360
These are also listed on this
slide.

675
00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:15.154
Unallowable costs may not be
part of what you asked IMLS to

676
00:32:15.154 --> 00:32:18.668
pay for, nor can they be part of
what you will pay for as part of

677
00:32:18.668 --> 00:32:19.520
your cost share.

678
00:32:19.800 --> 00:32:23.425
In fact, unallowable expenses
can't show up anywhere in your

679
00:32:23.425 --> 00:32:23.960
proposal.

680
00:32:24.520 --> 00:32:28.026
As you prepare your application,
it's a good idea to compare your

681
00:32:28.026 --> 00:32:31.161
list of proposed expenses
against these lists of allowable

682
00:32:31.161 --> 00:32:34.189
and unallowable costs and
against the appropriate set of

683
00:32:34.189 --> 00:32:35.040
cost principles.

684
00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:38.881
If after that you have specific
questions, please contact us and

685
00:32:38.881 --> 00:32:40.000
we'll be happy to help.

686
00:32:41.680 --> 00:32:45.161
In addition to the IMLS budget
form, you will also prepare a

687
00:32:45.161 --> 00:32:46.360
Budget Justification.

688
00:32:46.760 --> 00:32:49.437
This is an opportunity to
provide a more detailed

689
00:32:49.437 --> 00:32:52.972
narrative format, an explanation
or justification for the project

690
00:32:52.972 --> 00:32:53.240
cost.

691
00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:57.116
The Budget Justification should
be written to follow the cost

692
00:32:57.116 --> 00:32:57.600
categories

693
00:32:57.800 --> 00:33:01.505
in the IMLS Budget form. In the
justification, you will identify

694
00:33:01.505 --> 00:33:04.982
each expense and show the method
of cost computation used to

695
00:33:04.982 --> 00:33:08.516
determine each dollar amount,
including any that you may have

696
00:33:08.516 --> 00:33:11.480
consolidated or summarized on
the IMLS Budget form.

697
00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:13.200
In other words, please show your
math.

698
00:33:13.800 --> 00:33:16.991
For example, in the section
Salaries and Wages, you should

699
00:33:16.991 --> 00:33:20.020
identify each person whose
salary or wages will be paid

700
00:33:20.020 --> 00:33:23.212
with IMLS funds or by cost
share, provide their names, and

701
00:33:23.212 --> 00:33:25.159
describe their role in the
project.

702
00:33:25.560 --> 00:33:28.735
Document the method of cost
computation by including the

703
00:33:28.735 --> 00:33:32.022
base salary or wages for each
person and the percentage of

704
00:33:32.022 --> 00:33:35.532
time each person is allocated to
the project activities, which

705
00:33:35.532 --> 00:33:39.098
may be shown as a percentage of
time, number of days, or number

706
00:33:39.098 --> 00:33:39.600
of hours.

707
00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:43.181
If cost share is being provided
by unpaid volunteers, explain

708
00:33:43.181 --> 00:33:46.208
how you arrived at the dollar
amount used to represent the

709
00:33:46.208 --> 00:33:47.440
value of their services.

710
00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:51.137
In this section for supplies,
materials, and equipment, you

711
00:33:51.137 --> 00:33:54.124
should list each type of supply,
material, and equipment you

712
00:33:54.124 --> 00:33:57.160
propose to purchase or provide
as cost share for the project.

713
00:33:57.640 --> 00:34:00.813
Detail the number and unit cost
for each item and explain how

714
00:34:00.813 --> 00:34:02.400
you arrived the dollar amounts.

715
00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:05.258
You may also provide vendor
quotes or price lists as

716
00:34:05.258 --> 00:34:07.400
supporting documents with your
application.

717
00:34:09.600 --> 00:34:12.156
In this section of our
presentation, we offer some

718
00:34:12.156 --> 00:34:13.760
application tips and next steps.

719
00:34:15.080 --> 00:34:18.070
We can only make grants to
eligible applicants that submit

720
00:34:18.070 --> 00:34:21.263
complete applications, including
attachments, on or before the

721
00:34:21.263 --> 00:34:21.720
deadline.

722
00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.680
So here are some tips to help
you do that.

723
00:34:24.160 --> 00:34:24.960
Start early.

724
00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:28.000
You've already done that by
participating in this webinar.

725
00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:31.120
Become familiar with
Grants.gov's Workspace.

726
00:34:31.160 --> 00:34:34.210
It has many good features,
including upfront validation

727
00:34:34.210 --> 00:34:37.478
which allows you to correct
errors prior to submission, and

728
00:34:37.478 --> 00:34:40.746
the opportunity to collaborate
with others in creating your

729
00:34:40.746 --> 00:34:41.400
application.

730
00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:45.033
Consider starting with the
Workspace overview and check out

731
00:34:45.033 --> 00:34:45.760
the tutorials.

732
00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:49.375
Do your background research.
Make it easy for reviewers to

733
00:34:49.375 --> 00:34:52.560
see that you are up to date and
know what you're talking about.

734
00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:55.200
Be sure your application is
complete.

735
00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:58.349
Check it against the Table of
Application Components and the

736
00:34:58.349 --> 00:34:59.800
Notice of Funding Opportunity.

737
00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:03.413
Make sure all application
components are in the proper

738
00:35:03.413 --> 00:35:06.080
format and follow the correct
naming conventions.

739
00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:09.922
Submit to Grants.gov early so
you can correct any errors and

740
00:35:09.922 --> 00:35:12.600
avoid any trauma created by
technology challenges.

741
00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:17.476
It's important to get your
application submitted online

742
00:35:17.476 --> 00:35:19.360
through Grants.gov before the
deadline.

743
00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:23.120
IMLS does not accept
applications by mail or email.

744
00:35:23.600 --> 00:35:27.230
In order to register with
Grants.gov, you must have an

745
00:35:27.230 --> 00:35:31.520
active SAM.gov registration and
Unique Entity Identifier Number.

746
00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:34.921
So make sure your registrations
for both of these sites are

747
00:35:34.921 --> 00:35:37.834
complete, your accounts are
active, and that any necessary

748
00:35:37.834 --> 00:35:38.919
passwords are current.

749
00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:42.106
These registrations expire
periodically, so do not wait

750
00:35:42.106 --> 00:35:44.685
until it's time to hit the
'submit' button to check on

751
00:35:44.685 --> 00:35:44.920
them.

752
00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:48.160
You should coordinate with any
other staff members, such as

753
00:35:48.160 --> 00:35:51.053
your Authorized Organization
Representative, who may hold the

754
00:35:51.053 --> 00:35:53.200
accounts and passwords you'll
need to submit.

755
00:35:54.120 --> 00:35:57.905
Both the SAM.gov and Grants.gov
websites have robust help

756
00:35:57.905 --> 00:35:59.080
features and FAQs.

757
00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:02.712
If you run into technical issues
with either of these sites, you

758
00:36:02.712 --> 00:36:05.896
should reach out to their help
desks and request a tracking,

759
00:36:05.896 --> 00:36:08.975
case, or ticket number in order
to document your issue and

760
00:36:08.975 --> 00:36:10.280
attempts at resolving it.

761
00:36:11.080 --> 00:36:14.716
Failure to have active SAM.gov
or Grants.gov registrations by

762
00:36:14.716 --> 00:36:18.469
the application deadline is not
an excuse for submitting a late

763
00:36:18.469 --> 00:36:20.639
application, so, again, start
early.

764
00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:25.354
There are many components to the
application, and the Narrative

765
00:36:25.354 --> 00:36:27.600
as an essential and critical
part of the package.

766
00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:31.089
Peer reviewers – museum
professionals from all types of

767
00:36:31.089 --> 00:36:34.227
museums – will be selected by
IMLS to read each application

768
00:36:34.227 --> 00:36:37.052
and provide constructive and
critical comments on the

769
00:36:37.052 --> 00:36:39.720
strengths and weaknesses of the
proposed projects.

770
00:36:40.200 --> 00:36:42.759
They also base their reviews
only on the information

771
00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:44.160
contained in the application.

772
00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:48.533
So don't assume that a reviewer
or IMLS will know something

773
00:36:48.533 --> 00:36:50.920
about your museum or your
proposed project.

774
00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:54.269
To help make sure your narrative
is as clear and complete as

775
00:36:54.269 --> 00:36:57.674
possible: Revisit the Inspire
Notice the Funding Opportunity,

776
00:36:57.674 --> 00:37:00.200
and follow the narrative outline
it provides.

777
00:37:01.040 --> 00:37:04.302
Be sure to consider the review
criteria associated with each

778
00:37:04.302 --> 00:37:05.640
section of the Narrative.

779
00:37:06.160 --> 00:37:08.954
Use headings, subheadings, or
numbered sections in your

780
00:37:08.954 --> 00:37:11.400
Narrative to make it easy for
reviewers to read.

781
00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:14.880
Avoid generalities, acronyms,
and jargon.

782
00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:17.971
The people who will review your
application are museum

783
00:37:17.971 --> 00:37:20.825
professionals, but they may not
be totally familiar with your

784
00:37:20.825 --> 00:37:22.159
particular field's shorthand.

785
00:37:22.160 --> 00:37:26.120
Make it easy for them to
understand what you mean.

786
00:37:26.680 --> 00:37:29.560
An advantage to start on your
application early is that you

787
00:37:29.560 --> 00:37:32.296
can ask a colleague to review
everything with fresh eyes

788
00:37:32.296 --> 00:37:33.160
before you submit.

789
00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:37.039
Ask them to act like a reviewer
who's seeing this for the first

790
00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.280
time.

791
00:37:38.080 --> 00:37:40.980
Here are a few important dates
relating to Inspire

792
00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.720
applications.

793
00:37:42.040 --> 00:37:46.446
Applications must be received
through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM

794
00:37:46.446 --> 00:37:49.120
Eastern Time on November 15th,
2024.

795
00:37:50.160 --> 00:37:51.720
The date is non negotiable.

796
00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:55.864
The time stamp is auto-generated
by the Grants.gov system, and we

797
00:37:55.864 --> 00:37:57.680
have no ability to override it.

798
00:37:58.320 --> 00:38:01.520
We will say this repeatedly, to
start early and submit your

799
00:38:01.520 --> 00:38:02.480
application early.

800
00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:06.528
That way, if you encounter a
difficulty of any kind when

801
00:38:06.528 --> 00:38:09.942
submitting your proposal, you'll
have some time to resolve the

802
00:38:09.942 --> 00:38:11.079
problem and resubmit.

803
00:38:13.120 --> 00:38:14.680
After the application deadline,

804
00:38:14.680 --> 00:38:17.992
IMLS staff will review your
application for completeness and

805
00:38:17.992 --> 00:38:21.414
eligibility, and you will hear
from us via e-mail if there are

806
00:38:21.414 --> 00:38:22.120
any problems.

807
00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:26.981
Next, we will select experienced
and knowledgeable peer reviewers

808
00:38:26.981 --> 00:38:30.200
to read your applications and
provide scores and comments

809
00:38:30.200 --> 00:38:33.829
based on the criteria outlined
in the Inspire Notice of Funding

810
00:38:33.829 --> 00:38:36.947
Opportunity. IMLS staff will
examine your budget, your

811
00:38:36.947 --> 00:38:40.123
financials, and your track
record with past and current

812
00:38:40.123 --> 00:38:40.520
grants.

813
00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:44.367
We then prepare materials for
the IMLS Deputy Director for

814
00:38:44.367 --> 00:38:46.080
Museums and the IMLS Director.

815
00:38:46.640 --> 00:38:49.874
By law, the IMLS Director is
charged with the authority and

816
00:38:49.874 --> 00:38:52.838
responsibility to make final
award decisions, and this

817
00:38:52.838 --> 00:38:54.240
typically happens in July.

818
00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:59.753
In early August to 2025, we will
notify you by email of the award

819
00:38:59.753 --> 00:39:03.814
decisions and provide the scores
and comments created by the

820
00:39:03.814 --> 00:39:04.479
reviewers.

821
00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:08.452
Inspire projects must be
scheduled to start on the first

822
00:39:08.452 --> 00:39:09.800
day of September 2025.

823
00:39:12.040 --> 00:39:15.301
As you read through the NOFO and
prepare your application,

824
00:39:15.301 --> 00:39:18.840
additional questions may arise
before the application deadline.

825
00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:22.407
We can help you with learning
more about the Inspire Grant

826
00:39:22.407 --> 00:39:25.652
Program or other grant programs
at IMLS, address any specific

827
00:39:25.652 --> 00:39:28.688
concerns with the various
application components, or help

828
00:39:28.688 --> 00:39:30.520
you understand the review
process.

829
00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:34.240
You may contact IMLS program
staff by e-mail or phone.

830
00:39:34.720 --> 00:39:38.377
Contact information is listed on
the grant program landing page

831
00:39:38.377 --> 00:39:39.520
on the IMLS website.

832
00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:43.530
You may also schedule a
counseling call to meet directly

833
00:39:43.530 --> 00:39:44.440
with program staff.

834
00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:48.685
Use the links found on the grant
program landing page to find an

835
00:39:48.685 --> 00:39:50.840
available time slot on our
calendars.

836
00:39:51.760 --> 00:39:54.618
You will then receive an email
with a calendar invite and a

837
00:39:54.618 --> 00:39:56.000
Microsoft Teams meeting link.

838
00:39:57.920 --> 00:40:01.157
Thank you very much for your
interest in IMLS and the Inspire

839
00:40:01.157 --> 00:40:03.560
Grants for Small Museums funding
opportunity.

840
00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:06.697
I hope you found the information
in this applicant webinar

841
00:40:06.697 --> 00:40:07.080
helpful.

842
00:40:07.320 --> 00:40:10.033
Good luck and we look forward to
seeing your application in

843
00:40:10.033 --> 00:40:10.440
November.