OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

AUTHORIZATION:

Museum Library Services Act of 1996, Title II, Public Law 104-208.

OBJECTIVES:

To support the efforts of museums to conserve the Nation's historic, scientific, and cultural heritage; to maintain and expand museums and libraries educational roles; and to ease the financial burden borne by museums and libraries as a result of their increasing use by the public.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

To make grants to museum service organizations in the Professional Services Program (PSP). Through PSP, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) enters into contracts and cooperative agreements with professional museum organizations to enable them to undertake projects designed to strengthen museum services. For example, publications or training. Projects may not exceed 2 years without permission from the Director of the IMLS.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   For the professional services program, applicants must be private nonprofit professional museum service organizations, institutions, or associations which engage in activities designed to advance the well-being of museums.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Public nonprofit museums, private nonprofit museums, museum service organizations benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:   Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations also applies.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:   The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Applications are submitted directly to the Institute of Museum Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 609, Washington, DC 20506. Telephone: (202) 606-8539. For a Professional Service Program contract or cooperative agreement, museum service organizations must submit the designated application directly to IMLS.

Award Procedure:   Proposals are reviewed by a panels of experts to determine the contracts, or cooperative agreements awarded by IMLS to eligible applicants.

Deadlines:   Contact the Institute of Museum and Library Services for deadlines by telephone at (202) 606-8539.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   The range is approximately 2 months.

Appeals:   Appeals may be made in writing to the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Renewals:   The IMLS may extend contracts, or cooperative agreements at the discretion of the Director.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   45 CFR 1180. A Professional Services Program contract or cooperative agreement may not normally exceed $50,000 or 50 percent of the cost of the project.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   PSP contracts or cooperative agreements are awarded with phasing of assistance as required.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Professional Services Program recipients provide interim or final reports depending on length of project.

Audits:   Applicants for a Professional Services Program contract in excess of $20,000 must submit with their application its financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for which information is available.

Records:   Grant and contract recipients will be required to maintain standard and financial statements.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   59-0300-0-1-503.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 99 $650,000; FY 00 est $510,000; and FY 01 est $1,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   For fiscal year 1999, PSP cooperative agreements averaged $30,000.

PROGAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

For fiscal year 1999, the PSP program received 23 applications and funded 10 cooperative agreements.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Final regulations are codified in 45 CFR 1180.

INFORMATION CONTACTS: