Laura Bush 21st Librarian Program

US Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration

Funding through the Implementation Pathway will help communities and regions devise and implement long‑term economic recovery strategies through a variety of construction and non‑construction projects to address economic challenges in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued in 2023 and 2024.

Funding through the Industry Transformation Pathway will help communities and regions devise and implement long‑term economic recovery strategies through large, multi‑component initiatives to transform regional economies in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued in 2023 and 2024.

Funding through the Readiness Pathway will help communities and regions devise and implement long‑term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non‑construction projects to build capacity for future recovery in areas where a Presidential declaration of a major disaster was issued in 2023 and 2024.

Funding life‑saving prevention, recovery and wellness programming across Appalachia and beyond - but heavily focused in Central Appalachia (Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, East Tennessee and western Virginia). Additionally, Hope in the Hills funds music therapy and festival outreach around the region.

Housing is a key component of economic mobility yet housing affordability continues to be a challenge for many residents. NACo’s Counties for Housing Solutions (C4HS) program provides free three‑month technical assistance sprints to address this challenge. In partnership with Smart Growth America, NACo has designed these fast‑paced sprints to be high‑intensity and implementation‑focused with solutions that draw upon recommendations made by NACo’s 2023 Housing Task Force.

Applications are currently open for NACo's third sprint, which will provide free virtual technical assistance to help counties assess and update their zoning codes to increase affordable housing development and overall housing supply. Participating counties are expected to be on track to formally adopt an amendment to their zoning code at the conclusion of the sprint.

Qualified private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) intermediary organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program of financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.

The recipients will, in turn, provide programs that will support their communities (beneficiaries). The intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the RCDI grant.

Single Fixed Date

Supports projects that provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals; develop faculty and information leaders; and recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals.

March 13, 2026 12:00 AM

Anticipated date of notification of award decisions:
August 2026 (subject to the availability of funds and IMLS discretion). Anticipated start dates for new awards: projects must begin on September 1, 2026. Anticipated period of performance:
September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2029. Project activities may be carried out for one to three years, based on the selected project type.

$

1000000

Other

US