Museum Assistance Grant Program

Project Challenge Grants

Project Challenge Grants support discrete projects and may address all elements of museum practice (collections management, educational programming, exhibitions, volunteer training, and marketing).  This competitive program offered once per year, is supported through an annual appropriation from the Maryland General Assembly.  The amount available for award is not known until the General Assembly adopts the State budget in early April.le for award is not known until the General Assembly adopts the State budget in early April.

To ensure that your proposal will be competitive, MHT strongly encourages applicants to discuss your project parameters and budgets with MHT staff before developing a proposal.  Applicants should closely read the application guidelines and instructions [hyperlink to document] prior to submission to ensure that your application is complete.

For further information, contact Mary Alexander, Director, Museum Assistance Program, at (410)-514-7622.

If you are a current grantee looking for information about reporting requirements, payment requests, contract questions, or other issues related to grant administration, please click here.

Eligible Activities

Eligible Activities

• Engaging an outside consultant to develop educational programs, exhibitions, or training programs for museum volunteers
• Designing new educational programs, including research costs and staff training expenses.
• Designing and installing exhibitions, temporary and permanent
• Adding audiovisual elements to exhibitions and educational programs
• Developing special programs for students, both in the museum and the classroom
• Creating museum programs in cooperation with teachers and administrators.
• Instituting museum special events
• Collections management activities, including computerization
• Collections care conservation treatments
• Cooperative activities with other museums and cultural organizations
• Website development and up-grades

Ineligible Activities

• Bricks and mortar projects of any kind.

See the current year’s application for a complete list of eligible and ineligible activities as well as for a list of current funding priorities.

Applicant Eligibility

Only nonprofit organizations and local jurisdictions may apply for MHT Museum Assistance Program grant funding. 

• Museums must have been open to the public on a regular basis for three years.
• Museums must have a current, board approved long range plan. 
• Nonprofit organizations must be in good standing with the State of Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, be qualified to do business in Maryland, and have the legal capacity and authority to incur obligations under the grant program.  Contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to determine your organization’s status.

Award Amounts

Project Challenge Grant awards range from $5,000-$25,000.

Matching Requirements

Matching funds are required; 75% of the match may be in-kind support with 25% in cash.  See application instructions of details.

Application Process and Timeline

Museum Assistance grant awards are made once annually.  A panel of Maryland museum professionals reviews and ranks applications and presents their recommendations to the MHT Board of Trustees.  The Board reviews the proposed awards and makes a recommendation to the Secretary of Planning for final approval of each grant. 
Specific dates for submission vary from year to year, but follow this general schedule:

• September – series of three grant workshops announcing availability of grants
• October – Grant applications available on the MHT website
• Early December – One page “Intent to Apply” Form due
• End of March – Completed applications due
• April –June – Applications are reviewed
• July – Award announcement made
• August—September – Development of grant agreement between grantee and MHT
• October – Project starts

Special Requirements

• Current, board approved long range plans are required of all applicants for all other Museum Assistance Program grants.
• Museums must complete the Maryland Cultural Data Project profile.