Archival Projects | ARCHIVAL 202210

Opportunity Information: Apply for ARCHIVAL 202210

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration, is offering the Archival Projects grant program to support archival work that meaningfully improves how the public discovers and uses historical records online. The core aim is to expand free, online access to collections that deepen understanding of United States democracy, history, and culture, from the founding era through today. The opportunity particularly encourages projects that engage the public and strengthen civic education, not just behind-the-scenes processing. There is also a clear thematic emphasis on early American legal records, including colonial, territorial, county, early statehood, and tribal proceedings, because these materials document the development of the nation s legal systems and governance over time.

The program strongly welcomes projects that center or elevate collections documenting the experiences and voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. In addition, with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaching, NHPRC signals special interest in projects that improve discovery and access to records that explore the ideals tied to the nation s founding, and the ongoing debate over those ideals across U.S. history. In practical terms, this means collections that help users understand how principles like liberty, rights, representation, and citizenship have been defined, contested, and reshaped in different periods and communities.

Fundable project activities focus on preservation and processing work that leads directly to better online access. Examples include converting existing collection description into formats suitable for online discovery, creating new online finding aids, and digitizing historical records and publishing them online for free public use. The program is open to many record types, including paper documents and photographs as well as born-digital materials and analog audio or moving image formats. Competitive applications are expected to make a clear case for the historical and informational value of the targeted collections, explain how the work will follow archival best practices, and show that qualified archival staff will carry out the project. Applicants are also expected to present a cost-effective budget and describe outreach or engagement activities that actively connect researchers and the public to the featured collections and, ideally, to the repository s broader holdings.

Awards are designed to support projects lasting one to two years, with a maximum federal request of up to $150,000 per grant. NHPRC anticipates making up to 10 awards in this category, with total program funding up to $1,000,000. Grant recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in publicity, publications, and any products created with grant assistance.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and institutions (including 501(c)(3) organizations), colleges and universities (public or private), state and local government agencies (including county and city or township governments), and federally recognized or acknowledged tribes as well as state recognized Native American tribes or groups. To be considered, a project must include at least one of the eligible activity types described in the program and must submit all required application components, including the SF-424, project narrative, NHPRC budget form, and required supplemental materials. Applications missing required elements or failing to meet activity eligibility are not reviewed.

Cost sharing is required, and NHPRC will pay no more than 75 percent of total project costs. This means applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the project total through matching funds or equivalent contributions. The match can include direct costs, allowable indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-federal third-party support, and project-generated income. A key budgeting rule is that NHPRC grant funds cannot be used for indirect costs; if the applicant includes indirect costs in the overall budget, those indirect costs must be counted under the applicant s cost share rather than charged to the grant.

Administrative requirements include registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before applying, maintaining active SAM registration throughout the application and award process, and providing a valid DUNS number in the application (per the opportunity text). The opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant in the humanities/cultural affairs area under CFDA 89.003, with the funding opportunity number ARCHIVAL 202210. The source notice lists a creation date of May 20, 2022 and an original closing date of October 6, 2022.

• The National Archives and Records Administration in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Archival Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 89.003.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 06, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for ARCHIVAL 202210

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