ATALM2026 Pacific Islander Delegate Application

PURPOSE 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has made a three-year commitment to support the Pacific Island Cohort as it builds connections, elevates Pacific Island voices, and strengthens long-term capacity and collaboration among Indigenous cultural institutions across the Pacific and beyond. 

GOALS OF THE PACIFIC ISLAND COHORT 

The Pacific Island Cohort is designed to strengthen long-term relationships, professional capacity, and visibility for Indigenous cultural institutions and practitioners across the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States.   The goals of the Cohort are to: 

  1. Build lasting professional networks: Connect Pacific Island cultural practitioners with one another and with peers across the ATALM community to reduce isolation and foster ongoing collaboration. 
  2. Increase Pacific Island representation and voice: Support Pacific Island delegates in sharing knowledge, perspectives, and practices through conference sessions, discussions, and future ATALM programming. 
  3. Strengthen institutional capacity: Provide access to practical training, peer learning, and resources that support archives, libraries, museums, and cultural centers in Pacific Island communities. 
  4. Create pathways for knowledge exchange: Encourage delegates to contribute sessions, panels, or workshops that reflect Pacific Island priorities, approaches, and innovations in Indigenous cultural stewardship. 
  5. Support sustained engagement beyond the conference: Establish a cohort that continues to connect before, during, and after ATALM2026 through virtual gatherings, shared projects, and future convenings. 
  6. Lay the groundwork for future collaboration and investment: Help ATALM better understand Pacific Island needs and opportunities, inform future programming, and strengthen the case for continued funder support. 

PROJECT DESIGN

To support participation at the 2026 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM2026) in Spokane, Washington from September 21-24, funding is available for up to 25 Pacific Islander Delegates. 

Delegate support includes: 

  • Roundtrip airfare (including reasonable layover expenses) 
  • Lodging 
  • Conference registration 
  • Local transportation 
  • Per diem 

This opportunity is made possible through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM). 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated. To ensure consideration, apply as early as possible and no later than March 2, 2026. 

ELIGIBILITY 

Applicants must work within an Indigenous cultural setting in one of the following U.S. Pacific Territories or Freely Associated States: 

  • American Samoa 
  • Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
  • Federated States of Micronesia 
  • Guam 
  • Republic of the Marshall Islands 
  • Republic of Palau 

DELEGATE EXPECTATIONS (IMPORTANT)

This delegate program is designed to support both attendance and contribution. Selected delegates are expected to: 

  • Engage in pre-conference and post-conference delegate gatherings via Zoom 
  • Advise on conference programming that serves the interests of the Cohort and the broader conference audience. Support is provided to assist delegates with proposal development if needed. 
  • Participate fully in the ATALM2026 Conference 

KEY DATES

  • December 17, 2025 – Application opens 
  • December 17 - February 10, 2026 – Submit session proposals to ATALM (optional) 
  • December - March 2, 2026 – Applications reviewed on a rolling basis 
  • March (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering to discuss programming (Zoom) 
  • May (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
  • July (TBD), 2026 – Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
  • August (TBD), 2026 – Preconference Delegate Gathering (Zoom) 
  • September 21–24, 2026 – ATALM Conference, Spokane, WA 

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