Grants

The Midwest Region offers grants up to $25,000 to organizations interested in the Library's mission to engage all Americans with the use of primary source material.

The Teaching with Primary Sources Midwest Region is no longer accepting proposals for the current funding cycle but anticipate additional funding in September 2026. The Midwest Region will continue to accept Notices of Intent from groups interested in pursuing grant funds in the next funding cycle. Submitting a Notice of Intent will ensure that TPSMR staff will reach out to you when funding becomes available with further instruction.

Applying for a grant

Please note that, currently, no proposed grant project activities may extend beyond May 31st, 2026. Please note that the grant activities and fiscal agent must be within the Midwest Region.

Notice of intent

Prior to the submission of a proposal, send a notice of intent to the director of your region to determine if your grant idea falls within the funding guidelines of the program. Once the regional director has determined that your proposal idea fits within the granting guidelines of the program, he or she will ask you to submit a proposal.

Proposal

Use the proposal format provided by the regional director to write a proposal giving information about the project for which you are seeking funding, The proposal must include a budget and a project timeline. When a grant isn’t needed or awarded, TPS Regional directors will offer advice and assistance to organizations who would like to incorporate TPS methods and materials into their programs, but do not receive funding.

Supporting links and documents

Evaluating a grant

A successful grant application will include a thorough description of the intended project, its audience, and content, as well as be supported by a timeline of activities, budget, and narrative. Evaluators also look for management supports and a sustainability plan.

TPS Regional directors make granting decisions within six weeks of submission.

Granting criteria

Following a grant award

To ensure the success and accurate completion of your grant, there are several items that must be completed at different times during the life of your granting project.

A complete list of items, as well as well as the timeline in which they must be completed is provided in the linked document below.

Post-award guidelines

Mini-Grants

Following the successful completion of a granting project, consortium members become eligible to receive mini-grants through the Midwest Region to help them continue granting activities or help disseminate the results of the project.

Mini grants