Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire — Project Guidelines

Guidelines published: January 5, 2026

Applications open for submission: January 5, 2026

Deadline for submission: 11:59 pm Central Time on March 27, 2026

Award notifications sent: June 2026

Apply online via our grants management platform
View a PDF of the application

Questions?

Before starting an application, we recommend that you carefully review the Project Guidelines below, read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and review a PDF of the application.

If you have additional questions, email the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045.

1. Project Overview and Background

In collaboration with The Pulitzer Prizes, the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to host Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire, a traveling exhibit that highlights the cultural legacy of The Pulitzer Prizes; connects new audiences with prize-winners and their work; and promotes the role of journalism, books, drama, and music in a democratic society.

Each year, The Pulitzer Prizes honor 23 remarkable achievements in journalism, books, drama, and music that portray our shared experiences, examine critical times, and expand our understanding of the world and each other. In 2023, The Pulitzer Prizes launched Pulitzer on the Road, a public programming initiative that seeks to celebrate prize-winners and their work with audiences around the country through live events, a podcast, and exhibits.

As part of the Pulitzer on the Road initiative, Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire will tour the United States for two years beginning in fall 2026. Eighteen public libraries will be selected through a competitive application process to host the traveling exhibit for an assigned six-week period in 2027 and 2028. Two additional host libraries will be selected by invitation to kick off the national tour in fall 2026.

During their host periods, host libraries are required to implement public programs related to the themes of the exhibit. Each site will receive a $3,000 programming allowance to support their public programming and related expenses.

2. Eligibility

Eligible institutions include public libraries (including tribal libraries and state libraries) in the United States and U.S. territories. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org if you have questions about eligibility.

Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

3. Benefits for Host Libraries

Each host library will receive:

A six-week, no-cost loan of Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire
- Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire will be a visually-driven traveling exhibit featuring mainly photojournalism along with a variety of other winning work (books, journalism, drama and music) — both historical and contemporary. The goal is to inspire and draw new audiences to the stellar work that wins Pulitzer Prizes each year, work that documents history, reflects American life, and captures the world in which we live.
- Through panel displays, digital interactives, and hands-on activities, visitors will experience prize-winning work, hear from prize-winners, and ultimately, learn about the important role of journalism, books, drama, and music in a democratic society.
  - NOTE: This exhibit is recommended for young adult and adult audiences (high school and above). While the exhibit will include a wide range of human emotion and experiences, a few of the included Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs may not be suitable for all audiences due to violence and other difficult subject matter.
  - Please review the exhibit overview, which includes a comprehensive list of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs under consideration, and consider legislation in your state before beginning your application to ensure that the exhibit is a fit for your library.
- Currently under development, the exhibit is expected to consist of six thematic sections (Introduction to The Pulitzer Prizes, Chronicling America, Bearing Witness in the World, Telling Stories, Making a Difference, and What Stories Would You Tell?) organized into two freestanding “Y”-shaped panels and a smaller freestanding feedback wall.
  - The exhibit overview shows the photographs that could possibly be displayed in each section. Please consider where each section would be displayed in your exhibit space before applying.
- The exhibit will require approximately 1,400 square feet of floor space (in either a 38'-by-38' square or a 24'-by-60' rectangle) for optimal display. Please review the approved layouts before applying. The full exhibit must be displayed in a single room. Note: For multi-branch library systems, the exhibit can only be displayed at one branch, although programs can be planned at multiple locations.
  - Minor alterations to the approved layouts are allowable, with approval, though interactives must be placed near their corresponding panels.
- There are five interactives in the exhibit. These include video and audio components, digital touchscreens, and low-tech activities (e.g., feedback wall, conceal-and-reveal activity). Access to a total of four standard duplex wall outlets is required to power the interactives.
- The exhibit does not include original artifacts; special lighting is not provided or required. Host libraries may be asked to provide extension cords, power strips, gaffer tape, computer monitor wipes, and electrical floor covers as needed.
- Host libraries are required to provide storage space to accommodate shipping containers during their host period.
- Exhibit shipping costs will be paid by ALA and The Pulitzer Prizes. The exhibit will be shipped via truck; a loading dock is not required.
- The exhibit will require two to four laypeople up to eight hours to set up. No special skills are required for assembly.
A $3,000 programming allowance
- The programming allowance may be used for exhibit-related programming, including speaker honoraria; the purchase of educational materials related to the exhibit; field trip transportation costs for high school students; marketing and publicity costs; event space rental; materials for displays; refreshments during exhibit-related programs and events; program supplies; childcare during adult programming; security; and printing.
- The programming allowance may not be used to pay for political contributions; insurance for the exhibit; or indirect costs.
- Upon conclusion of their host period, host libraries will be required to report on how the programming allowance was spent. This information will be submitted as part of a final report to ALA and The Pulitzer Prizes.
Customizable graphic materials for promotion
- Host libraries will receive access to a suite of graphic material template files (including posters, postcards, bookmarks, web and social media graphics, and more) to be used in promoting the exhibit and related programming.
  - NOTE: To ensure branding consistency across the tour, host libraries must use only the template promotional materials provided.
- The provided templates will require customization by the host library to add the host library’s logo, program dates and times, etc.
- Host libraries will be provided with a style guide for customized graphics. For host libraries with a graphic designer on staff, or access to a person with graphic design skills, the customizations may be completed in-house. Alternatively, if a host library does not have the capacity to undertake the graphic design, part of the $3,000 programming allowance may be used to pay for freelance graphic design costs. A list of vetted freelance graphic designers will be available to host libraries upon request.
- Prior to beginning their promotion, host libraries will be required to submit digital versions of their customized graphic materials to The Pulitzer Prizes and ALA for approval.
Support materials
- An online collection of Grant Support Materials will be provided. It will include shipping and receiving information, insurance requirements, and other logistical information; instructions on how to properly set up and take down the exhibit; parameters on programming requirements; allowable uses for the programming allowance; programming resources; and reporting requirements and instructions.
- A private, online discussion group in ALA Connect will provide conversation, support, and an exchange of ideas between host libraries.
Promotional/media training
- Host libraries will receive virtual training and support from a brand strategy and communications firm hired by The Pulitzer Prizes. The training will provide guidance to help libraries in developing and executing an effective promotional/media strategy.

4. Requirements for Host Libraries

Host libraries will be required to:

Sign a contract with ALA agreeing to programming, promotional, reporting, and other project requirements.
Display the exhibit, in its entirety, in one of the approved layouts, throughout the library's assigned host period.
Plan and present a minimum of four public programs/events related to the themes of the exhibit. Programs may include guest speakers, panel discussions, reading and discussion groups, high school field trips, or other types of events. Program ideas are subject to review and approval of ALA and Pulitzer Prize staff.
- NOTE: The Pulitzer Prizes may select one of your program ideas to become a marquee event on the tour, benefitting from additional resources and support.
Allow the public to view the exhibit and attend all programs free of charge.
Attend a virtual orientation workshop covering exhibit content, branding and communications, logistics, and programming requirements.
Attend two virtual meetings in advance of the library’s host period with the project team, including staff from ALA, The Pulitzer Prizes, and the brand strategy and communications firm.
Promote the exhibit and related programs to the community to reach the widest possible audience.
Agree to utilize only the approved graphic templates and to submit customized graphic materials to ALA and The Pulitzer Prizes for approval prior to use. Materials that do not meet the requirements in the provided style guide will need to be corrected and resubmitted.
Provide three reports throughout the project: a Pre-Exhibit Report describing program and promotional plans and insurance coverage; an Exhibit Condition Report detailing the condition of exhibit components; and a Final Report including exhibit and program attendance, feedback, and programming allowance expenditures. All three reports will be available online in ALA Apply.
Appoint one staff member as the Project Director for the exhibit project. The Project Director is responsible for attending the virtual workshop and meetings with ALA and The Pulitzer Prizes; overseeing programming and promotion; assuring that the exhibit is set up, displayed, and taken down according to project guidelines; and submitting required reports on time. Due to the expectations of hosting an exhibit, Project Directors are encouraged to identify additional staff and volunteers to support the project.
Add the exhibit to the library’s institutional insurance coverage or purchase an insurance rider in the amount of $150,000. The exhibit should be insured throughout the library’s host period, as well as the 10 days prior and 10 days after.
Be responsible for the condition of the exhibit. While normal wear and tear (and the occasional accident) happens, host libraries may be held responsible for excessive or unreasonable damage to the exhibit when it is under their control.
Provide secure storage space to accommodate empty shipping containers during the library’s host period.

5. Application Information (How to Apply)

ALA will accept applications for Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire from January 5, 2026 — March 27, 2026.

To apply, go to the online application. You may also wish to preview a PDF of the application before getting started.

Logging in / Creating an Account

To apply, you must have an account in ALA Apply, ALA’s grant administration platform.

If you already have an account in our grants management platform, please log in. You will be taken to the Local Information section of the application after logging in.

If this is your first time submitting an application in ALA Apply, you will need to create an account. To create an account, you will need:

Organization Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for your library, including your library’s Employer Identification Number (EIN)/Tax Identification Number.
User Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for yourself (the person submitting the application on behalf of the library).
Executive Officer Information: If you are not the library’s executive officer, you will be asked to provide contact information for that person.
Password: You will be asked to create a password for your account.

For Further Assistance

Technical help: For further technical support regarding ALA Apply, review How to Apply: Using ALA Apply, ALA’s Grant Management System or email publicprograms@ala.org.

Assistance for new applicants: ALA recognizes that libraries that most need financial support are often those with the least capacity to apply for grants due to inadequate resources and staffing. If you feel you need support in developing your application, please request a 20-minute phone consultation with a member of the ALA Public Programs Office staff by emailing publicprograms@ala.org so we may assist you.

6. Accessibility

If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.

7. Application Review Criteria

Applications for Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire will be evaluated according to the following criteria: clarity and completeness of the application; ideas and vision for exhibit programs; quality and comprehensiveness of programming and publicity plans; and institutional support for the project. Other factors that may influence the final selection of exhibit sites include geographic location, community size, and demographics.

8. Contact Information

If you have questions, contact:

Public Programs Office
American Library Association
(312) 280-5045
publicprograms@ala.org