Museums Empowered (2023) | ME FY23

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Museums Empowered (2023)

1) What is Museums Empowered (2023)?

Museums Empowered (2023) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It is offered as a special initiative within the broader Museums for America program and is designed to fund projects centered on professional development and staff training that lead to lasting, systemic improvements in museums.

2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The core purpose is to strengthen museum staff capacity through professional development and training in ways that produce organization-wide, long-term benefits. The emphasis is on building sustainable skills, practices, and systems rather than supporting one-time workshops or isolated skill building.

3) How does this opportunity define "systemic improvements" in museums?

Based on the information provided, the opportunity prioritizes staff development that changes how a museum operates over time. That includes strengthening the people and practices that shape daily operations, public service, and the museum's ability to adapt and improve using durable approaches rather than temporary fixes.

4) Is Museums Empowered (2023) part of a larger IMLS program?

Yes. Museums Empowered (2023) is described as a special initiative within the broader Museums for America program.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is open to a range of eligible applicants, listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details provided in the full notice. The information provided also notes that it supports museums of different types and sizes.

6) What types of projects does this grant fund?

The program funds projects that center on professional development and staff training, organized across four project categories: Digital Technology, Diversity and Inclusion, Evaluation, and Organizational Management. Each category focuses on building staff capacity to drive institutional change.

7) What are the four project categories under Museums Empowered (2023)?

The four categories are:

• Digital Technology
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Evaluation
• Organizational Management

8) What does the Digital Technology category support?

The Digital Technology category supports staff training that helps museum teams integrate digital tools into day-to-day operations. This can include skills and workflows related to digital content, online engagement, collections-related technologies, or other operational uses of technology that improve how the museum functions and reaches audiences.

9) Does the Digital Technology category focus on long-term capacity or one-time tech purchases?

Based on the description provided, the focus is on equipping staff to use technology strategically and sustainably, rather than treating digital tools as add-ons. The emphasis is on long-term staff capacity and operational integration.

10) What does the Diversity and Inclusion category support?

This category funds professional development that strengthens staff ability to provide inclusive services and experiences. It includes improving service for people across diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic communities, as well as improving access and engagement for individuals with disabilities.

11) What kinds of outcomes are expected from Diversity and Inclusion projects?

Projects are generally intended to embed inclusive practices into museum programming and service delivery. The goal is for staff to develop knowledge, competencies, and organizational habits that make inclusion consistent and meaningful rather than occasional or symbolic.

12) What does the Evaluation category support?

The Evaluation category supports training that builds staff capability to use evaluation as an ongoing tool for learning and improvement. This includes strengthening the ability to collect and use evidence to shape programs, assess outcomes, and make better-informed decisions.

13) How is evaluation positioned in this opportunity?

Evaluation is framed as more than a compliance step or afterthought. The intent is to strengthen a culture where museums routinely test assumptions, learn from visitors and communities, and adjust programs based on evidence of what works.

14) What does the Organizational Management category support?

The Organizational Management category supports professional development that reinforces staff as the foundation of a resilient organizational culture. It can include strengthening internal management practices, leadership capacity, and the systems that help a museum remain stable and effective during change.

15) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $250,000.

16) What is the funding instrument for Museums Empowered (2023)?

The funding instrument is a grant.

17) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ME FY23.

18) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 45.301.

19) What area does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under arts and humanities-related cultural affairs.

20) When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on August 15, 2022, and the original closing date was November 15, 2022.

21) How many awards did IMLS anticipate making?

IMLS anticipated making around 22 awards.

22) What types of museums can benefit from this grant?

The information provided indicates that the opportunity supports museums of different types and sizes, with the central requirement being that proposed work is focused on staff professional development and training intended to produce lasting organizational benefits.

23) What is the key distinguishing feature of this opportunity compared to basic training support?

The key distinction is the focus on lasting, systemic improvements. Rather than supporting isolated skill building, the program emphasizes strengthening staff capacity and institutional practices that shape operations, public service, and long-term adaptability.

24) Is this grant aimed at improving museum services to the public?

Yes. The opportunity is described as investing in staff development to improve how museums operate and serve the public, with the broader goal of measurable organization-wide benefits that improve services and help museums meet community needs over the long term.