Opportunity Information: Apply for MAJOR 202305
The Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives grant is a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National Archives and Records Administration funding opportunity designed to substantially improve how the public discovers, accesses, and uses major historical records collections. It supports a wide range of record formats, including traditional paper-based documents, photographs, born-digital materials, and analog audio and moving image recordings. The program is aimed at projects that can make a noticeable difference at scale, particularly by bringing together significant collections and presenting them in ways that are easier for researchers, educators, and the general public to find and use. Subject-wise, projects can cover broad themes in U.S. history such as politics, law, social reform, business, the military, and the arts, or they can focus on the records of an individual or multiple important historical figures. NHPRC explicitly encourages projects that center the voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and it is also interested in efforts that connect to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by improving access to collections that explore the founding ideals of the United States and the long-running debates over those ideals up to the present.
A defining feature of this opportunity is that it is built for multi-institution collaborations rather than single-repository projects. To be eligible, a proposed initiative must involve multiple institutions working together and must pursue at least one of two main activities. The first eligible activity is to digitize and publish historical records online as a unified "virtual" collection organized around a shared theme, a particular organization, or one or more major historical figures. The second eligible activity is to create and test new tools, workflows, or methods that advance the archival field and expand public access, with particular emphasis on improving access to born-digital records. Projects that incorporate meaningful public engagement, such as community participation, crowdsourcing, educational components, or other ways for the public to be involved in the work, are described as more competitive. NHPRC also draws a boundary between this program and smaller-scale efforts: projects mainly designed to process collections or digitize smaller holdings are directed to the separate Archival Projects program, which operates under different requirements and typically supports projects up to $150,000.
Competitive proposals are expected to do several things clearly and convincingly. They should explain why the collections matter and what value they add to the historical record, scholarship, and public understanding. They should present a realistic work plan grounded in archival and digital best practices, including appropriate approaches to description, digitization quality, rights considerations, access, and preservation where relevant. Proposals also need to show that the project team has the right staffing and expertise to complete the work, and that the budget is practical and cost-effective for the scope proposed. In addition, NHPRC looks for outreach and use plans, meaning applicants should describe how the project will help bring researchers and other users not only to the featured materials but also to the broader holdings of the participating repositories.
Funding is offered as a discretionary grant in the humanities/cultural affairs area (CFDA 89.003). Awards run from one to three years, with an award range of $150,000 to $350,000 per project and an award ceiling of $350,000. NHPRC anticipates making up to five awards in this category, with up to $1,000,000 total planned across the program. For the cycle described, the original application closing date was May 3, 2023, and project start dates are no earlier than January 1, 2024. Grant recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in publicity, publications, and any other products that result from the funded work.
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, colleges and universities (public or private), state and local government agencies, and federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups. Applications must include required federal and program forms and attachments, specifically the SF-424, a project narrative, the NHPRC budget form, and supplemental materials; applications missing these required elements or that fail to meet the collaboration and activity requirements are not considered.
Cost sharing is mandatory. NHPRC will cover no more than 50 percent of the total project costs under this program, so applicants must provide the remaining share through a combination of allowable sources such as direct costs, in-kind support, eligible third-party contributions, project-generated income, and indirect expenses. A key budgeting rule is that NHPRC funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs; if indirect costs are included, they must be counted under the applicant's cost-share portion rather than charged to the federal award.
Finally, applicants must meet federal registration requirements. The applicant organization needs an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, must maintain that registration through the application and award period, and must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the application. Because SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations can take weeks to set up or reactivate, NHPRC advises organizations to confirm registrations and passwords well in advance and notes that it will not extend deadlines due to registration delays.Apply for MAJOR 202305
- The National Archives and Records Administration in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives" 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 Nov 29, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 03, 2023. (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 $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 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.
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Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives (NHPRC) Grant FAQs
What is the Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives grant?
The Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives grant is a funding opportunity from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration. It is designed to substantially improve how the public discovers, accesses, and uses major historical records collections.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program supports projects that make a noticeable difference at scale by bringing together significant historical records collections and presenting them in ways that are easier for researchers, educators, and the general public to find and use.
What types of historical records and formats are supported?
A wide range of formats is supported, including traditional paper-based documents, photographs, born-digital materials, and analog audio and moving image recordings.
What subject areas or themes are eligible?
Projects may cover broad themes in U.S. history (such as politics, law, social reform, business, the military, and the arts) or focus on the records of an individual or multiple important historical figures.
Does NHPRC encourage any specific perspectives or communities to be centered?
Yes. NHPRC explicitly encourages projects that center the voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
How does the program relate to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence?
NHPRC is interested in efforts that connect to the upcoming 250th anniversary by improving access to collections that explore the founding ideals of the United States and the long-running debates over those ideals up to the present.
Is this grant meant for single institutions or collaborations?
This opportunity is built for multi-institution collaborations rather than single-repository projects. To be eligible, the initiative must involve multiple institutions working together.
What activities are eligible under this program?
An eligible project must pursue at least one of two main activities:
- Digitize and publish historical records online as a unified "virtual" collection organized around a shared theme, a particular organization, or one or more major historical figures.
- Create and test new tools, workflows, or methods that advance the archival field and expand public access, with particular emphasis on improving access to born-digital records.
Are born-digital records a priority?
They can be. The program places particular emphasis on advancing access to born-digital records, especially within the eligible activity focused on creating and testing new tools, workflows, or methods.
What makes a proposal more competitive?
Projects that incorporate meaningful public engagement are described as more competitive. Examples include community participation, crowdsourcing, educational components, or other ways for the public to be involved in the work.
Is basic processing or small-scale digitization a fit for this grant?
This program draws a boundary between major collaborative initiatives and smaller-scale efforts. Projects mainly designed to process collections or digitize smaller holdings are directed to NHPRC's separate Archival Projects program (which operates under different requirements and typically supports projects up to $150,000).
What are reviewers looking for in a competitive application?
Competitive proposals are expected to clearly and convincingly:
- Explain why the collections matter and the value they add to the historical record, scholarship, and public understanding.
- Provide a realistic work plan grounded in archival and digital best practices (including description, digitization quality, rights considerations, access, and preservation where relevant).
- Demonstrate the project team has appropriate staffing and expertise.
- Present a practical, cost-effective budget aligned with the proposed scope.
- Include outreach and use plans that help users discover the featured materials and the broader holdings of participating repositories.
How much funding is available per award?
Awards range from $150,000 to $350,000 per project, with an award ceiling of $350,000.
How many awards does NHPRC expect to make?
NHPRC anticipates making up to five awards in this category.
What is the total planned funding for the program?
Up to $1,000,000 total is planned across the program for this category.
How long can the project period be?
Awards run from one to three years.
What is the CFDA number and funding area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is a discretionary grant in the humanities/cultural affairs area with CFDA 89.003.
What were the key dates for the cycle described?
For the cycle described, the original application closing date was May 3, 2023. Project start dates are no earlier than January 1, 2024.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities, including:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Colleges and universities (public or private)
- State and local government agencies
- Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups
Are there minimum collaboration requirements?
Yes. A proposed initiative must involve multiple institutions and must meet the program's collaboration and eligible activity requirements. Applications that fail to meet these requirements are not considered.
What application components are required?
Applications must include required federal and program forms and attachments, specifically:
- SF-424
- Project narrative
- NHPRC budget form
- Supplemental materials
Applications missing required elements are not considered.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing is mandatory. NHPRC will cover no more than 50 percent of the total project costs, and applicants must provide the remaining share from allowable sources.
What sources can be used for the cost-share portion?
The applicant share can come from a combination of allowable sources such as direct costs, in-kind support, eligible third-party contributions, project-generated income, and indirect expenses.
Can NHPRC grant funds be used to pay indirect costs?
No. NHPRC funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs. If indirect costs are included in the project budget, they must be counted under the applicant's cost-share portion rather than charged to the federal award.
Are there federal registration requirements to apply?
Yes. The applicant organization must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, maintain that registration through the application and award period, and include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in the application.
Why does NHPRC emphasize early registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov?
SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations can take weeks to set up or reactivate. NHPRC advises organizations to confirm registrations and passwords well in advance and notes it will not extend deadlines due to registration delays.
Are recipients required to acknowledge NHPRC support?
Yes. Grant recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in publicity, publications, and any other products resulting from the funded work.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| ublishing Historical Records in Collaborative Digital Editions Apply for EDITIONS 202305 Funding Number: EDITIONS 202305 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| State Board Programming Grants Apply for STATE 202305 Funding Number: STATE 202305 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Fiscal year 2023 Competitive Grant Announcement Apply for O BJA 2023 171471 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171471 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $11,975,000 |
| NEH-Mellon Fellowships for Digital Publication Apply for 20230419 FEL Funding Number: 20230419 FEL Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Awards for Faculty Apply for 20230412 HB Funding Number: 20230412 HB Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Humanities Initiatives Apply for 20230509 AA AB AC AD AE Funding Number: 20230509 AA AB AC AD AE Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan Apply for 20230426 FO Funding Number: 20230426 FO Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| BJA FY23 The Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities Apply for O BJA 2023 171512 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171512 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Research and Development Apply for 20230516 PR Funding Number: 20230516 PR Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Second Chance Act Smart Supervision Program Apply for O BJA 2023 171505 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171505 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Invited to Apply- Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program Apply for O BJA 2023 171577 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171577 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $7,400,000 |
| Preservation and Access Education and Training Apply for 20230516 PE Funding Number: 20230516 PE Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants: Capital Projects Apply for 20230517 CHA Funding Number: 20230517 CHA Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| State and Jurisdictional Humanities Councils General Operating Support Grants Apply for 20230503 SO Funding Number: 20230503 SO Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Swift, Certain, and Fair (SCF) Supervision Program: Applying the Principles Behind Project HOPE Apply for O BJA 2023 171621 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171621 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program Training and Technical Assistance Apply for O BJA 2023 171622 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171622 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Collaborative Crisis Response and Intervention Training Program Apply for O BJA 2023 171627 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171627 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Community-based Approaches to Prevent and Address Hate Crimes Apply for O BJA 2023 171643 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171643 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| BJA FY 23 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program Apply for O BJA 2023 171642 Funding Number: O BJA 2023 171642 Agency: Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Digital Projects for the Public Apply for 20230614 MD MN MT Funding Number: 20230614 MD MN MT Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
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