Limited Submission Opportunities – Open Calls
Institutionally Coordinated Submissions
Welcome to the current listing of open limited submission opportunities available through the ORSD. These opportunities represent competitive funding programs in which the sponsor limits the number of applications an institution may submit. To ensure a fair and strategic selection process, ORSD coordinates internal reviews and nominations when necessary.
Each listing includes key details such as eligibility criteria, internal deadlines, sponsor deadlines, and links to full program guidelines. Faculty and researchers are encouraged to review these opportunities regularly and begin preparing proposals early.
If you are aware of a limited submission opportunity that is not listed, please email the RDTE%20Information%20Specialist to ensure it is reviewed and appropriately coordinated.
Open Calls
Institute of Museum and Library Services: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21)
Program – Community-centered Implementation
FOA Number:LB21-FY26
Thursday, February 16 through Thursday, February 26, 5:00 pm
Limit: One (1) applications per institution (Community-Centered Implementation Program
only)
NOFO: fy26-ols-lb21-NOFO
Community-Centered Implementation projects support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of current and future faculty or library and archives professionals by adapting existing models (practices, findings, tools, and/or partnerships) to a specific organizational context.
Proposed work must identify and align with an established model (standard, practice, toolkit, open-source software, or research finding). Projects should demonstrate how it is using or adapting the identified model.
Projects should share resources and lessons learned that can be used by library and archival professionals in other communities throughout the nation.
Program Announcement
Internal Competition Submission Form (USM)
Note: There is no limitation placed on proposals for the Planning, Forum, National Implementation, Applied Research, or Early Career Research opportunities, under the LB21-FY26 program.
IC: February 19-26, 2026
IC Notification: Week of March 2, 2026
Sponsor Deadline: March 13, 2026
National Endowment for the Arts
Research Grants in the Arts and Research Labs
February 23 - March 02, 2026, 5:00 pm
The National Endowment for the Arts offers the following two funding opportunities for research projects:
- Research Grants in the Arts support research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts in American life.
- NEA Research Labs funds long-term research agendas that include multiple empirical
studies and the dissemination of various products or services for promoting public
knowledge about the arts and their contributions to American life. Each Lab must include
an interdisciplinary team of researchers.
PIs may submit a proposal to both programs, but they must be distinctly different in scope. USM may submit ONE (1) proposal to each program for a total of two submitted proposals. However, NEA will make only ONE (1) award to the institution. If selected for an award, the institution will receive funding for either the Research Grants in the Arts or the Research Labs.
Program Announcement
Internal Competition Submission Form (USM)
Key Dates:
Proposal Submission Deadline (Grants.gov): March 23, 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline (NEA): April 02, 2026
Upcoming Calls
No upcoming calls at this time.