Apply

For an overview of the Museums Connect program and application process, download the November 2012 audio conference (MP3).

Phase I - Profile and Partnering

Museum Profile

All U.S. and non-U.S. museums must submit a museum profile form before proceeding to Phase II. The profile form provides basic information about the museum and initial project ideas. Museums may submit a profile year round to express interest in applying; new submissions will be posted online on a weekly basis.

Profile forms are accepted for the 2013 cycle through January 14, 2013. Submissions received after this date will be eligible for the 2014 cycle.

Download the museum profile form.

Partnering

Museums also identify a partner during Phase I. Partnerships consist of at least one U.S. museum and at least one non-U.S. museum and may be formed through existing relationships or through the museum's efforts to find a new partner. Museums searching for a new partner may do so through their own research or by contacting museums that have submitted Museums Connect profile forms.

View profiles of interested U.S. and non-U.S. museums.

Phase II - Statement of Intent to Propose and Embassy Endorsement

After museums have partnered and submitted profile forms, staff at the U.S. and non-U.S. museums work together to develop a 3-5 page statement of intent to propose. The statement describes the project idea and how it relates to the cycle's themes and outlines potential community partners, methods for engaging audiences and expected outcomes and outputs.

U.S. museums submit statements of intent to propose on behalf of their partnerships. Following receipt of the statement, Museums Connect staff provides written suggestions for strengthening the proposal and schedule a conference call for further discussion. The statements are nonbinding and are not subject to competitive review.

Statements of intent to propose are accepted on a rolling basis through January 31, 2013; museums are encouraged to submit them as early as possible to receive feedback from Museums Connect staff.

Upon receipt of the statement, Museums Connect staff works with the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest the non-U.S. museum(s) to request endorsement for the project. Embassy staff acts as allies, helping with visa procurement, project promotion, and communications as necessary. Endorsement is at the discretion of the post; projects that do not receive endorsement are not eligible for an award.

Download the statement of intent to propose template.
View sample statements of intent to propose.

Phase III - Final Proposal

The final proposal consists of a narrative describing the project, a budget, a calendar of activities and an outcome-based assessment model.

U.S. museums submit final proposals on behalf of their partnership by April 8, 2013.

Successful final proposals demonstrate a clear sense of how the project builds on the missions and strengths of the museum partners to pioneer a new international collaboration that reaches beyond their walls to involve local communities and that strengthens the relationship between citizens of the participating countries.

Download the final proposal instruction packet.
Download Final Proposal: Appendix I.
Download Final Proposal: Appendix II.
View sample final proposals.

Additional Resources

Eligibility and requirements
Application tips
Find a partner
Themes
Selection and next steps