PRESERVATION AND ACCESS EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Grant: Preservation and Access Education and Training
Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Division: Division of Preservation and Access
Deadline: May 1, 2013

Description: Preservation and Access Education and Training grants help the staff of cultural institutions, large and small, obtain the knowledge and skills needed to serve as effective stewards of humanities collections. Grants also support educational programs that prepare the next generation of conservators and preservation professionals, as well as projects that introduce the staff of cultural institutions to new information and advances in preservation and access practices.

Preservation and Access Education and Training grants support activities such as these:

• Regional preservation field services that provide a wide range of education and training (for example, through surveys, workshops, consultations, reference services and informational materials about the care of humanities collections), especially for staff at smaller libraries, museums, archives and other cultural organizations.
• Master's degree programs in preservation and conservation.
• Workshops that address preservation and access topics of national significance and broad impact, such as:
  • Collections care training for staff members who are responsible for the day-to-day care and management of humanities collections.
  • Preventive conservation and sustainable preservation strategies.
  • Disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
  • The preservation of and provision of access to recorded sound and moving image collections.
  • Digital preservation.
  • Best practices for enhancing and integrating access to collections in libraries, archives and museums.

Preservation and Access Education and Training grants are made to institutions and organizations that offer educational programs and services. Museums, libraries and archives that seek support to send their staff to preservation workshops should apply to Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions.

Fit for public broadcasting: This program funds training for staff members of cultural institutions who are responsible for the day-to-day care and management of humanities collections. Public broadcasters with experience digitally preserving recorded sound and moving image collections should consider applying.

Eligibility: Any U.S. nonprofit organization is eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Anticipated funding: Awards normally are for two years. Grants to regional preservation field service organizations may not exceed $175,000 per year. For all other applicants, the maximum award is $100,000 per year. Successful applicants will be awarded a grant in outright funds, federal matching funds or a combination of the two, depending on the applicant's preference and the availability of NEH funds. Matching funds are released when a grantee secures nonfederal gift funds from eligible third parties.

How to apply: Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact program officers who can offer advice about preparing the proposals, provide samples of recently funded projects and review draft proposals. If you wish to submit a draft proposal for comment, program staff recommends you do so at least six weeks before the deadline. You can contact a program officer by email, here.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the deadline.

Resources:
Program notice
NEH Division of Preservation and Access website
Preservation and Access Education and Training Frequently Asked Questions
Recently funded projects