Efforts to enhance staff development, conduct educational research and preserve cultural resources are all eligible for government grant support.
The federal government funds museum research through various grant programs. Like all government grants, the focus of grant opportunities varies according to the enabling legislation and the mission of the agency that administers them. Funding is available to support museum assessment projects, staff development events, curatorial research work and educational theory research. Generally speaking, museums themselves may apply for these opportunities, as well as state, local and tribal governments that maintain museums. Some opportunities are available to research institutions and various other private organizations.
Museum Assessment Program Grants
The Museum Assessment Program is a project of the Institute of Museum and Library Services that helps museums assess and evaluate their organizational capacity. The goal of this funding is to provide museums and related educational institutions with the resources necessary to develop an accurate picture of their performance and encourage greater efficiency in meeting their organizational mission. This funding helps individual museums research best practices and implement approaches that improve their operations. State and local governments, private nonprofits and institutions are eligible to apply.
Promotion of the Humanities Professional Development Grants
The National Endowment for the Humanities funds grant opportunities for research projects that inform and enhance museum staff development. The Promotion of the Humanities Professional Development Grant program primarily supports research events such as seminars, conference, institutes and workshops that help museum faculty share and improve their teaching methodology. This grant also supports projects for museum staff to deepen their knowledge of historical and cultural subjects related to their collections. State and local governments, tribal organizations, private nonprofits and other public institutions are eligible to apply.
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grants
The Department of the Interior funds projects that help inform and implement the preservation and restoration of Native American grave sites. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grant was created in 1990 in response to political concerns that Native American sacred sites and graveyards were at risk of destruction or loss due to public neglect. This grant opportunity funds research work by museums and archeological organizations to better document and protect these critical cultural sites. State and local governments, tribal organizations and museums that are actively involved in the management of Native American cultural sites and artifacts are eligible for funding.
NSF Education and Human Resources Grant
The National Science Foundation supports museum research, among other projects, through its Education and Human Resources Grant program. Research eligible for funding includes work in educational theory that supports the development of better teaching strategies in mathematics and the sciences. Staff development work and pilot implementation projects of new methods are also eligible for support from this grant opportunity. State and local governments, universities, research institutions, professional organizations, scientific academies and museums are all eligible to apply for this grant.
Tags: Native American, local governments, State local governments, eligible apply, State local, American Graves, American Graves Protection
