Archives - Basic Projects
Grant: Archives – Basic Projects
Agency: The National Archives and Records Administration
Division: National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC)
Deadline: October 7, 2010. Optional draft deadline is August 2, 2010. NHPRC support begins no earlier than July 1, 2011.
Description: The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals for fundamental archival activities that promote preservation and use of America’s documentary heritage. Activities included under the Basic Projects grant program may be any one or combination of the following:
- Basic processing for projects that process and reveal collections that researchers cannot easily discover through online search engines. Basic processing includes identifying collections of manuscripts and records and describing them at the appropriate component level. Applicants must include plans to promote the use of their collections after completing this processing.
- Preservation planning for projects that focus on the preservation of collections as a whole. This approach of phased preservation often involves surveys of collections, assessment of environmental controls and risk assessment.
- Collections development for projects to improve collections development including documentation strategies, surveys, appraisal projects, records management projects with archival components, reappraisal and deaccessioning, and fieldwork and other collecting activities.
- Establishing archives for projects to establish new archives programs.
Proposals submitted for this funding will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- The importance of the records to be processed and described.
- The likelihood that the project will result in a sustainable program based on the applicant’s analysis of the field and its work plan.
- The ability to complete the project’s objectives.
- Effectiveness of the dissemination plans for the project’s results.
Fit for public broadcasting: Public broadcasting stations can use funds from this program to archive their collections and information. Disseminating results is an important requirement of projects funded by this grant so stations who plan to use these funds to process their records should clearly articulate how the processed collections will be available to the public. Stations who have more complex projects may want to consider applying under the Archives – Detailed Processing Projects program.
Eligibility: Archives and other repositories of historical documents are eligible if they are part of:
- United States nonprofit organizations or institutions.
- Colleges, universities and other academic institutions.
- State or local government agencies.
- Federally-acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups.
How to apply: Applicants must apply online at Grants.gov.
Anticipated funding: A grant normally is for one or two years and for up to $200,000. The Commission expects to make up to 25 grants in this category for a total of up to $1,750,000. The Commission provides up to 50 percent of a project’s costs. Applicants must financially contribute to the cost of the project through direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions or any income earned directly by the project.
Resources:
Program notice
NHPRC website
List of previously funded archives projects
Applicants are encouraged to submit a draft proposal to an Archives Program officer by August 2, 2010.
Applicants are encouraged to contact their State Historical Records Advisory Board about the proposal and seek the board’s advice.
