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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Museum Collections Management (L16AS00190)

What is the Museum Collections Management grant opportunity (L16AS00190)?

The Museum Collections Management grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L16AS00190) was a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (DOI-BLM). It focused on supporting the long-term care and professional management of archaeological and historical collections obtained from public lands administered by the Idaho BLM in eastern Idaho.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The core purpose was to provide curatorial services so archaeological and historical collections would be properly preserved, organized, and accessible over the long term. The goal was to keep these materials protected and usable for research, interpretation, and broader public benefit over time.

What types of collections were the focus of this opportunity?

This opportunity specifically focused on archaeological and historical collections that were obtained from public lands administered by the Idaho BLM in eastern Idaho.

Why does the opportunity emphasize long-term care and professional management?

The opportunity was designed around stewardship and compliance, aiming to ensure collections remain stable, well-documented, and responsibly accessible for future study and potential public-facing use. Long-term care helps protect the integrity of objects and records so they can continue to support research and interpretation without unnecessary risk or deterioration.

What does "curatorial services" mean in the context of this grant?

Based on the description provided, curatorial services refer to the work needed to keep collections preserved, organized, documented, and accessible in a way that aligns with required standards and supports continued research and public benefit.

What is meant by "compliance and stewardship" in this opportunity?

Compliance and stewardship refer to managing and caring for collections in a way that aligns with federal curation standards and responsible resource management expectations. The project was intended to ensure stable preservation conditions, clear documentation, and appropriate access practices for federally managed archaeological materials.

What standards were collections expected to align with?

The opportunity emphasized alignment with federal curation standards. In practical terms, the project was meant to support stable preservation conditions, clear documentation, and responsible access consistent with applicable federal requirements for curated archaeological and historical materials.

What type of award was this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This award was offered as a cooperative agreement. That structure typically indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency, meaning BLM and the recipient were expected to work cooperatively during the project.

What does a cooperative agreement imply for how the project would be carried out?

In this opportunity, cooperative work was expected to center on coordinating curation priorities, confirming applicable standards and procedures, and ensuring that collections care meets required policies for federally managed archaeological materials.

Which federal agency issued this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (DOI-BLM).

What geographic area did the project focus on?

The project focus was on collections from public lands administered by the Idaho BLM in eastern Idaho.

How does this opportunity relate to Idaho state policy?

The opportunity explicitly noted that it supports the State of Idaho's legislative direction to provide long-term curation for archaeological collections within the state. This signals an emphasis on durable, long-term repository solutions rather than short-term handling.

What public benefits were associated with this grant?

Proper curation helps safeguard objects and records so they can be used for research, interpretation, educational purposes, and potential exhibit display, while maintaining their integrity and long-term preservation.

What funding activity category was associated with this opportunity?

The funding activity category was Natural Resources.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was associated with CFDA number 15.224.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to different entity types (with the note that any additional limits could appear in an additional eligibility text field).

How much funding was available?

The anticipated funding level included a single expected award with an award ceiling of $10,000.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity indicated a single expected award.

Was this intended to be a large or long-term operational museum grant?

No. With a $10,000 award ceiling and a single expected award, the funding appears to have been a small, targeted investment with a well-defined scope rather than a large multi-year museum operations grant.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was created and posted on June 17, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was August 17, 2016. The original and current closing dates were the same.

Is this a current funding opportunity?

Based on the dates provided (posted in 2016 with an August 17, 2016 deadline), this was a 2016 opportunity rather than a current open solicitation.

What is the overall goal of the funded work?

The overall goal was to ensure that archaeological and historical materials from Idaho BLM-managed public lands in eastern Idaho are curated in a federally compliant manner, preserved for the long term, and kept available for research and public-facing uses.