Opportunity Information: Apply for DIGITAL 201510
Apply for DIGITAL 201510
- The National Archives and Records Administration in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Digital Dissemination of Archival Collections" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 89.003 National Historical Publications and Records Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 3, 2015 and posted on Jun 4, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 8, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education State governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) City or township governments County governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
Digital Dissemination of Archival Collections is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration, focused on getting historically significant U.S. records in front of the public online. The central goal is broad public access: the program funds the creation and online dissemination of digital surrogates of analog archival materials so that researchers, educators, students, and general audiences can use them without barriers. Projects can center on the papers of major figures in American life or document wider movements and themes across politics, the military, business, social reform, the arts, and other dimensions of the national experience. A key review lens is whether the records are of national significance and whether their anticipated public value and use are strong enough to justify the project costs.
The program is specifically about digitization of analog documentary source materials. Applications that do not include digitization of analog archival records are considered ineligible, which means proposals focused only on description, platforms, or outreach without scanning or imaging the original physical materials will not move forward. The announcement also draws a bright line between analog digitization and born-digital work: if the records are born digital, applicants are directed instead to NHPRC programs such as Access to Historical Records or State Government Electronic Records. Another firm condition is that the NHPRC will not consider proposals that charge for access; the resulting digital collections must be freely available to users online.
In terms of project scope, applicants may digitize a single collection or a set of related collections, as long as the materials will be published online with at least basic access to the collections. The program encourages collaboration among repositories, which can be especially helpful when collections are distributed across institutions or when partners can share infrastructure, expertise, or audiences. While basic online access is the baseline expectation, the announcement also allows more advanced descriptive or discovery enhancements when they are clearly warranted by the materials and user needs. Examples include transcription, tagging, or georeferencing, but these extras need to be justified as meaningful access points rather than added simply as technical embellishments.
Awards are available for one- to two-year projects, with funding ranging from $20,000 to $150,000. NHPRC anticipates making up to seven awards in this category, with total funding up to $500,000. The grant start date is no earlier than July 1, 2016, and the original competition timeline listed a posted date of June 4, 2015, with an application deadline of October 8, 2015 (and an archive date of November 7, 2015). Recipients are required to acknowledge NHPRC support in any publications, project websites, or other products created with grant assistance, which is a standard condition tied to federal grant visibility and attribution.
Eligibility covers a wide range of public-serving organizations that typically hold and steward archival materials. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and institutions (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits), colleges and universities (both public and private institutions of higher education), state and local government agencies (including state governments, counties, and city or township governments), and federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups (including federally recognized tribal governments). The opportunity is categorized under Humanities activities, and it is associated with CFDA number 89.003 (National Historical Publications and Records Grants).
Cost sharing is required and is a major structural feature of the program. The NHPRC generally provides no more than 50 percent of the total project costs for these digitization and online dissemination projects, so applicants should be prepared to cover the remaining share. The applicant contribution can come from multiple sources and formats, including direct expenses, allowable indirect expenses counted as part of cost share, in-kind contributions, non-federal third-party contributions, and program income earned directly by the project. However, there is an important restriction: NHPRC grant funds cannot be used for indirect costs (per 2 CFR 2600.101), meaning indirect costs may only appear on the applicant side of the match rather than being paid with federal funds.
On the application and compliance side, applicant organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting and must keep that registration active through the application and award period. A valid DUNS number must be included in the application (the announcement points applicants to SAM resources and user guides). The application package must be complete, and incomplete submissions are not considered. Required components include the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), a project narrative, a summary, supplementary materials, and a budget. Proposals deemed ineligible, including those that do not digitize analog archival records, will not be reviewed. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact is Jeff de la Concepcion, Grant Program Specialist, at 202-357-5022.
Digital Dissemination of Archival Collections (NHPRC) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Digital Dissemination of Archival Collections grant?
Digital Dissemination of Archival Collections is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration. It supports projects that create digital surrogates of historically significant U.S. archival records and publish them online for broad public access.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal is broad public access. Funded projects are expected to digitize analog archival materials and disseminate the resulting digital collections online so researchers, educators, students, and the general public can use them without barriers.
3) What kinds of materials or topics can a project focus on?
Projects may center on the papers of major figures in American life or document broader movements and themes across politics, the military, business, social reform, the arts, and other dimensions of the national experience, as long as the records are historically significant and of national significance.
4) What is a key factor reviewers consider?
A major review lens is whether the records are of national significance and whether the anticipated public value and expected use are strong enough to justify the project costs.
5) Is digitization required to be eligible?
Yes. This program is specifically about digitization of analog documentary source materials. Applications that do not include digitization of analog archival records are considered ineligible and will not move forward.
6) Are projects that focus only on description, platforms, or outreach eligible?
No. Proposals focused only on description, platforms, or outreach, without scanning or imaging the original physical materials, are considered ineligible under this opportunity.
7) Are born-digital records eligible under this program?
No. The announcement draws a clear line between digitizing analog materials and born-digital work. If the records are born digital, applicants are directed to other NHPRC programs such as Access to Historical Records or State Government Electronic Records.
8) Can a project charge users for access to the digitized collections?
No. The NHPRC will not consider proposals that charge for access. The resulting digital collections must be freely available to users online.
9) Can an applicant digitize a single collection, or must it be multiple collections?
Either approach is allowed. Applicants may digitize a single collection or a set of related collections, as long as the materials will be published online with at least basic access to the collections.
10) What level of online access is expected?
At minimum, projects should publish the digitized materials online with basic access to the collections. The announcement also allows additional descriptive or discovery enhancements when they are clearly warranted by the materials and user needs.
11) Are enhancements like transcription, tagging, or georeferencing allowed?
Yes, they may be included when justified. Examples mentioned include transcription, tagging, or georeferencing, but these additions should be presented as meaningful access points rather than technical embellishments.
12) Does the program encourage collaboration?
Yes. Collaboration among repositories is encouraged, particularly when collections are distributed across institutions or when partners can share infrastructure, expertise, or audiences.
13) How long can a funded project last?
Awards are available for one- to two-year projects.
14) What is the funding range for awards?
Funding ranges from $20,000 to $150,000 per award.
15) How many awards does NHPRC expect to make, and what is the total funding available?
NHPRC anticipates making up to seven awards in this category, with total funding up to $500,000.
16) What is the earliest possible grant start date listed?
The grant start date is no earlier than July 1, 2016.
17) What were the original key dates in the competition timeline?
The original timeline listed a posted date of June 4, 2015, an application deadline of October 8, 2015, and an archive date of November 7, 2015.
18) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes nonprofit organizations and institutions (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits), colleges and universities (public and private institutions of higher education), state and local government agencies (including state governments, counties, and city or township governments), and federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups (including federally recognized tribal governments).
19) What is the program category and CFDA number?
The opportunity is categorized under Humanities activities and is associated with CFDA number 89.003 (National Historical Publications and Records Grants).
20) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing is required and is a major feature of the program.
21) What portion of total project costs will NHPRC generally cover?
NHPRC generally provides no more than 50 percent of the total project costs for these digitization and online dissemination projects, so applicants should plan to cover the remaining share.
22) What forms of match are described as allowable?
The applicant contribution can include direct expenses, allowable indirect expenses counted as part of cost share, in-kind contributions, non-federal third-party contributions, and program income earned directly by the project.
23) Can NHPRC grant funds be used to pay indirect costs?
No. The announcement states that NHPRC grant funds cannot be used for indirect costs (per 2 CFR 2600.101). Indirect costs may only appear on the applicant side of the match rather than being paid with federal funds.
24) What registrations are required before applying?
Applicant organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application and must keep that registration active through the application and award period.
25) Is a DUNS number required?
Yes. A valid DUNS number must be included in the application.
26) What happens if an application is incomplete?
The application package must be complete. Incomplete submissions are not considered.
27) What forms and components are required in the application package?
Required components listed include the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), a project narrative, a summary, supplementary materials, and a budget.
28) Will ineligible proposals be reviewed?
No. Proposals deemed ineligible, including those that do not digitize analog archival records, will not be reviewed.
29) Are recipients required to acknowledge NHPRC support?
Yes. Recipients are required to acknowledge NHPRC support in any publications, project websites, or other products created with grant assistance.
30) Who can be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?
The listed contact for access issues is Jeff de la Concepcion, Grant Program Specialist, at 202-357-5022.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Literacy and Engagement with Historical Records Apply for LITERACY 201510 Funding Number: LITERACY 201510 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| State Government Electronic Records Apply for ELECTRONIC 201510 Funding Number: ELECTRONIC 201510 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions Apply for 20150813 RA Funding Number: 20150813 RA Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Media Projects Apply for 20150812 TD Funding Number: 20150812 TD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations Apply for 20150812 GE Funding Number: 20150812 GE Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Enduring Questions Apply for 20150910 AQ Funding Number: 20150910 AQ Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $38,000 |
| Dialogues on the Experience of War Apply for 20150915 AV Funding Number: 20150915 AV Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Digital Humanities Start Up Grants Apply for 20150916 HD Funding Number: 20150916 HD Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Red Cross Grant Apply for HQ0034 15 1 0002 Funding Number: HQ0034 15 1 0002 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $24,000,000 |
| Qamani Up the Coast, in My Mind, in My Heart Apply for P15AS00277 Funding Number: P15AS00277 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| Administrative History Booker T. Washington National Monument Apply for P15AS00325 Funding Number: P15AS00325 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $66,967 |
| HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY FOR WILLIAM FLOYD ESTATE Apply for P15AS00324 Funding Number: P15AS00324 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $74,797 |
| THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Midwest Archeological Center Administrative History THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Apply for NPS NOIP15AC01592 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC01592 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Ethnographic Overview and Assessment Apply for P15AS00377 Funding Number: P15AS00377 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NPS Heritage Initiatives knowledge transfer Apply for P15AS00378 Funding Number: P15AS00378 Agency: National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State and National Archival Partnership Grants Apply for SNAP 08 Funding Number: SNAP 08 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Advancing Knowledge The IMLS/NEH Digital Partnership Apply for 20080318 PK Funding Number: 20080318 PK Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Professional Development Grants for Archives and Historical Publishing Apply for PRODEVELOPMENT 08 Funding Number: PRODEVELOPMENT 08 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Publishing Historical Records Founding Era Apply for PUBLISHINGFOUNDING 08 Funding Number: PUBLISHINGFOUNDING 08 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Strategies and Tools for Archives and Historical Publishing Projects Apply for STRATEGIES 08 Funding Number: STRATEGIES 08 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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