2026 Infinite Sums Rural & Small Libraries Cohort Grant Program

Check back September 1, 2025. Application will be open from 9/1–9/30/2025.

Grant Program Overview

The Infinite Sums Rural & Small Libraries Cohort Grant Program is supported by the Simons Foundation as part of its Infinite Sums national initiative and offered in partnership with SciStarter. ARSL is proud to offer this educational training experience and financial support to small and rural libraries across the U.S.

Fifteen library workers will be selected to host math inspired community-wide events for patrons of all ages on Pi Day, Infinity Day, and Fibonacci Day in 2026. Cohort members will attend monthly virtual training sessions and two in-person gatherings.

Seeking to inspire a collective of math ‘ambassadors,’ challenging existing ideas of who can and should lead math engagement efforts. The initiative will cast a spotlight on people from both rural and urban communities, parents and caregivers, artists and cultural influencers, and more. 

Infinite Sums will change the trajectory of how math is appreciated and pursued. Through memorable experiences, people will see the beauty in math’s infinite intricacies — and perhaps discover how they fit into the pattern.

Learn More! Program details will be presented at a Spark Talk at the 2025 ARSL Conference on Thursday, September 18, at 3:50 PM in the Exhibitor Hall.

Funding Details

Each of the 15 selected libraries will receive a $10,000 grant. Funds may be used for:

  • Administrative costs (e.g: grant planning, reporting, back-up staffing coverage and staff hours for participating in cohort activities)
  • Programmatic expenses (e.g: staff time, supplies, marketing, outreach, refreshments, equipment rental, incentives, books, and games)
    • Non-allowable expenses: presenter fees, capital expenditures, and technology
  • Travel expenses for attending the 2026 ARSL Conference in Montgomery, AL.

Note: Travel for the January 2026 convening in New York will be reimbursed separately by the Simons Foundation.

Program Requirements

  • All three math inspired community library events must be hosted on the following dates:
    • Pi Day – 3/14/2026
    • Infinity Day – 8/8/2026
    • Fibonacci Day – 11/23/2026
  • Applicants must be available to attend:
    • Simons Foundation's Convening in New York City: 1/25–1/26
    • ARSL 2026 Conference in Montgomery, AL: 9/17–9/19
  •  Monthly virtual cohort sessions held on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET (1 hour each)
    • Dec 9, 2025 – Kickoff Meeting
    • Feb 10, 2026
    • Mar 10, 2026
    • Apr 14, 2026
    • May 12, 2026
    • Jun 9, 2026
    • Jul 14, 2026
    • Aug 11, 2026
    • Oct 13, 2026
    • Nov 10, 2026
    • Dec 8, 2026
    • Program concludes – Jan 2027

Eligibility

  • This application is open to public libraries located in the United States.
  • 501(c)(3) status is not required.
  • ARSL membership is not required.
  • Libraries must serve small and/or rural communities.
    • As a guide, the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) defines a rural community as one that is more than, or equal to, ten miles from an urbanized area (defined as a town/city with a population of 25,000 or greater) and small communities to have a population of 25,000 or less.
    • Many rural libraries serve communities in their surrounding area and thus may have a total service population that is greater than 25,000. As long as there are no towns/cities in or within 10 miles of your service area with a population of 25,000 or more, it would be eligible.
    • If libraries are part of a single state-wide institution or are organized into regional/county systems, as long as the library or branch that is applying serves a small/rural population, it would be eligible.
    • Libraries are welcome to contact [email protected] to confirm eligibility prior to submission.

Reporting Requirements

  • Each awardee will be asked to provide a brief final grant report of the program outcomes including number of attendees and photos.
  • Awardees will not be required to provide receipts for expenditures.
  • A marketing release will be required. ARSL and the Simons Foundation may use program highlights for their websites, newsletters or social media.

Selection Process

About the Simons Foundation

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its Infinite Sums initiative. For more information, visit infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org.

The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science—whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through our initiatives, we work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science, and support environments that provide a sense of belonging. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.