Alaska archives, libraries, and museums are eligible to receive recovery funding as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
The Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums, a division of the Department of Education and Early Development, has been allocated $2,159,309.00 through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for pandemic response and recovery.
Two types of grants are available: Easy ARPA Grants and ARPA Project Grants for larger projects.
Reflecting the IMLS's agency-level goals, the grant program outlines two goals. Each applicant should align their proposed project with one of these two goals and one or more of the associated objectives.
Strengthen the institutional capacity of museums, libraries, and related organizations to respond to community needs quickly, effectively, efficiently and responsibly.
Objective 1.1
Advance digital inclusion through approaches that may include, but are not limited to, improving digital platforms, online services, connectivity, and creating digital literacy programs, as well as creating new processes and procedures needed to sustain a robust online environment.
Objective 1.2
Support hiring new staff and training or retraining existing staff to ensure a workforce has the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Objective 1.3
Build community-focused partnerships, networks, and alliances with organizations such as other nonprofits, school systems, service organizations, community groups, governmental agencies, and institutions of higher education, with an emphasis on complementing, rather than duplicating, resources and services.
Increase the ability of museums, libraries, and related organizations to deliver programs and services that contribute to the well-being of families, groups, and individuals of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Objective 2.1
Support the creation and delivery of online and in-person educational, interpretive, and experiential programs and exhibitions for learners of all ages.
Objective 2.2
Provide trusted spaces for community engagement and dialogue to foster recovery and rebuilding.
Objective 2.3
Support efforts to collect, preserve, manage, and interpret documentary sources and tangible objects representing all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic experience.
LAMS in underserved communities are especially encouraged to apply for funding to meet digital inclusion efforts in Objective 1.1 above. The ARPA Project Grant application provides three measures indicating that a community is underserved on project narrative question I.
The Easy ARPA Grant application can be used to purchase services, supplies and equipment that respond to COVID-19 impacts.
The ARPA Project Grant application can be used for larger projects involving staff, collections, services, and other expenses that also respond to COVID-19 impacts.
You're required to provide a DUNS number on the grant application and agreement.
A DUNS number is a unique nine-character number used to identify an organization, issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Registering is free.
Please note that we have been informed by other states that the turnaround for a DUNS number is about 30 days.
