Federal Government Initiatives
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) is a key player in preserving and making accessible U.S. historical records. Each year, the commission awards grants to state and local governments, archives, universities, and nonprofit organisations to support archival projects, historical records publishing, and state board programming.
Since its inception in 1964, the NHPRC has granted over 4,500 awards, funding projects that range from archival processing and digitization to education programs and outreach initiatives.
The commission offers three main types of grants:
- Archival Projects Grants: These support the processing, arrangement, description, and preservation of historical records collections to enhance their accessibility for research. For example, the University of Cincinnati Libraries received an NHPRC Archive Grant to process records related to a significant civil rights lawsuit.
- Publishing Historical Records Grants: These fund the preparation and publication of documentary editions, making historical records accessible to the public, including digital portals. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics was awarded up to $200,000 to digitize congressional archives and expand educational initiatives.
- State Board Programming Grants: These are awarded to state historical records advisory boards to promote archival and records management programs statewide, including educational outreach and training programs.
Applicants are required to submit detailed proposals outlining their projects' goals, methodology, budget, and the project's potential to increase access to historical records and benefit the public or scholarship. The NHPRC reviews proposals competitively and awards grants based on merit and alignment with its mission of preserving and publishing U.S. documentary heritage.
Grants can vary in funding amounts, typically ranging from tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars. A grant for publishing historical records can provide up to $125,000, while a grant from the NHPRC can last for one or two years, offering up to $150,000.
In addition to these core grants, the NHPRC also funds projects to publish documentary editions of collections of historical records and to ensure online public discovery and use of historical records collections. The grants are not limited to arranging or re-housing collections, converting descriptions, creating online finding aids, or digitizing collections. They can be used for a broader range of activities, including helping local organizations preserve their own website.
Moreover, grants are available for coordinating training opportunities for archivists and for state historical records advisory board projects, which are aimed at funding archival projects and supplies.
The NHPRC funds between 20 and 24 projects each year for projects that strengthen the nation's archival network. By supporting these grants, the NHPRC plays a crucial role in preserving and making accessible the nation's historical records for future generations.
In the realm of funded projects, the University of Cincinnati Libraries used an NHPRC Archive Grant to delve into records related to a significant civil rights lawsuit, thereby enhancing accessibility for research in the domain of social history. On the other hand, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics received a Publishing Historical Records Grant, which enabled them to digitize congressional archives and expand educational initiatives, bridging the gap between technology and medical-conditions history.
