By Claudia French Deputy Director for Museums, IMLS Over the past six months we've featured dozens of stories from Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program on the AAHC Forum series in the IMLS UpNext Blog. The AAHC Forum series provides a platform for sharing examples of the great work being done with IMLS funding by museum professionals at African American museums and HBCU’s across the country. In Florida, Kansas, North Carolina, New York, Washington, and many other places you will find examples of the ways that IMLS funding supports and strengthens the African American museum community. The AAHC Forum blog is one way that we can share information about the program and encourage other African American museums and HBCUs to participate in the AAHC program. We know that these 35 blog posts have given us a following of over 500 participants and focused attention on ideas important to African American museums. We anticipate continuing our AAHC Forum blog series as newly funded grantees begin their projects. The application deadline for FY2014 is December 2, 2013. We encourage applicants to take advantage of many resources when considering a proposal; read some of the successful projects featured in the AAHC Forum blog series; participate in webinars scheduled for the fall; and discuss your projects ideas, issues of eligibility, and application requirements with IMLS program staff. From the launch of this program in 2006 through 2012, IMLS has awarded 80 grants to support projects in 25 states with $8,203,466 in federal funds and $10,319,970 in matching funds. In September, we will announce the next group of successful applicants and an additional $1,336,274 in funding. Your comments, suggestions, and ideas continue to provide valuable feedback and help strengthen the IMLS Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program.