Individuals and educational and cultural institutions who seek to imaginatively remix and reuse the Library of Congress’ digital collections and create projects centering one or more of the following groups, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color — are invited to apply to award opportunities through the Connecting Communities Digital Initiative.

The Connecting Communities Digital Initiative, part of the Library’s Of the People: Widening the Path initiative, focuses on the ways technology can enable storytelling and expose more people to the Library’s expanding digital collections.

The funding opportunities announced today include a program for Artists or Scholars in residence, Higher Education awards, and Libraries, Archives and Museums awards. The award amounts range from $70,000 to $90,000. The Higher Education and Libraries, Archives, and Museums award applications are now open and will be accepted through Sept. 7. Artist/Scholar in Residence applications will be accepted through Aug. 7.

Building on the previous award recipients, the initiative continues to create opportunities for the public to engage with the Library by developing creative takes on the digital collections. To see the past and current award recipients, visit https://www.loc.gov/programs/of-the-people/represent/

For more information on the Notices of Funding Opportunity and details on how to apply for the grants, visit loc.gov/of-the-people/apply

Please find more details below. Interested applicants are invited to view pre-recorded informational webinars on each grant opportunity by visiting:

Artist/Scholar-in-Residence
Higher Education
Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Additionally, potential applicants can join upcoming live Q&A sessions for each grant opportunity. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.

ASR Q&A webinar: Thursday, June 1, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)
HE Q&A webinar: Wednesday, June 7, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)
LAMs Q&A webinar: Thursday, June 8, 2023: 3-4 p.m. EST, noon PST (Registration link)

Higher Education: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to three awards to support students, faculty and staff in two-year and four-year minority-serving higher education institutions. The funds will support the creation of projects that facilitate teaching and learning with the Library’s digital collections for students, staff and/or community members and make significant and meaningful use of those digital materials. Projects must also center one or more of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color.

Library, Archives and Museums: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to three awards to libraries, archives or museums. The funds will support the creation of projects that demonstrate experience working with the community or group on which the project is centered and that makes significant and meaningful uses of the Library’s digital materials. Projects must also center one or more of the following groups: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and/or other communities of color.

Artist or Scholar in Residence program: In support of the Library’s digital strategy, this program will offer up to two Residence awards and will be supported with $90,000 for a one-year residency. The funds will support artists and/or scholars to undertake projects connecting their own expertise and research interests in technology with one or more of the following study areas: Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies or other area studies to the Library’s digital collections and services. The project should result in public-facing artistic work or scholarship that will expand imaginations both within and outside of the Library.

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