The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has provided funds to the Institute of Museum and Library Services to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus…to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services” for the benefit of communities impacted by the public health emergency.
The IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries grant program invites project proposals that focus on preserving jobs, training staff, addressing the digital divide, planning for reopening, and providing technical support and capacity building for digital inclusion and engagement while prioritizing services for high-need communities. They encourage efforts to develop programs, tools, models, partnerships, and other resources that will address immediate concerns and have the potential to inspire and benefit museums and libraries throughout the nation.
To reflect the priorities outlined in the CARES Act, applicants are asked to address digital inclusion and related technical support needed by their communities or target audiences to design their projects using the following types of data:
- Economic Indicators, including but not limited to: Poverty rates, Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) participation rates, and Unemployment rates
- Broadband availability and adoption
Applicants may wish to explore the data for these and other variables posted by the United States Census Bureau (including COVID-19 Demographic and Economic Resources) as they develop their proposals.
None is available.