National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) Grant Opportunity

Introduction

The NHPRC seeks archival projects that will significantly improve online public discovery and use of historical records collections. We welcome projects that engage the public, expand civic education, and promote understanding of the nation’s history, democracy, and culture from the founding era to the present day. The Commission encourages projects focused on collections of America’s early legal records, such as the records of colonial, territorial, county, and early statehood and tribal proceedings that document the evolution of the nation’s legal history.

Projects may preserve and process historical records to:

• Arrange or re-house and describe collections
• Convert existing description for online access
• Create new online Finding Aids to collections
• Digitize historical records collections and make them freely available online

All types of historical records are eligible, including documents, photographs, born-digital records, and analog audio and moving images.

The successful application will:

• demonstrate the value of the collections to public understanding of United States democracy and culture;
• outline a project that addresses archival best practices;
• be appropriately staffed with archivists;
• propose a budget that accomplishes the project in a cost-effective manner; and
• outline activities that bring researchers to the collections included in the project as well as the rest of the repository’s holdings.

For a comprehensive list of Commission limitations on funding, please see: What we do and do not fund .

Award Information

A grant is for one to two years and for up to $150,000. The Commission expects to make up to 14 grants in this category for a total of up to $1,400,000. The Commission requires that grant recipients acknowledge NHPRC grant assistance in all publicity, publications, and other products that result from its support. Grants are contingent upon available appropriated funds.

Eligibility

• U.S. nonprofit organizations or institutions
• U.S. colleges, universities, and other academic institutions
• State or local government agencies
• Federally-acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups

In order to ensure eligibility, applicants should first review the rules and regulations governing NHPRC grants under the Administering an NHPRC Grant section.