The first two categories, Basic and Professional Assistance, are awarded non-competitively among eligible applicant tribal libraries. Enhancement grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and undergo a peer review process to determine funding. After an Enhancement grant application is received, it is evaluated by field reviewers and IMLS staff. Reviewers are selected on the basis of their general professional credentials in library and information science as well as experience with library services to Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages. All reviewers are required to complete a reviewer application form and provide a current resume.
IMLS staff checks all applications for eligibility and completeness.
Applications are then sent to panels of field reviewers consisting of approximately five members per panel. Each panel member reviews all proposals assigned to the panel. Field reviewers are instructed to evaluate proposals based on the criteria described in the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant guidelines, which include need, project design, management plan, personnel, evaluation, model project status, the budget, and technical knowledge, if applicable. Reviewers assign raw scores from 1-5. It is impossible to fully fund all proposals positively evaluated by reviewers.