State Board Programming Grants | STATE 202206

Opportunity Information: Apply for STATE 202206

The State Board Programming Grants opportunity is a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) program, administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, that funds state historical records advisory boards (and the state agencies that support them) to strengthen archival and historical records work at the state and local level. The core idea is to help state boards run practical programs that preserve important historical records, expand online access to those records, and connect the public with primary sources that deepen understanding of US history, democracy, and culture. The program also places clear emphasis on civic education and public engagement, including projects that help communities interact with records both in-person and online.

A major thematic priority highlighted in the announcement is work that ties into the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. NHPRC is particularly interested in projects that use historical collections to explore the ideals associated with the founding of the United States, and how those ideals have been interpreted, challenged, and debated over the last 250 years. In addition, the program strongly encourages projects that center the voices and document the histories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, reflecting a broader goal of ensuring that the archival record and the benefits of archival investment reach communities that have often been underrepresented in traditional collecting and funding.

Funded activities are meant to be programmatic and service-oriented, supporting the ongoing work of state boards rather than one-off isolated efforts. Examples of eligible work include operating state-based regrant programs that help repositories preserve records and make them available online; running traveling archivist programs that provide onsite technical assistance and follow-up guidance to local repositories; offering educational workshops and outreach activities that increase citizen and student engagement with historical records; providing scholarships, training, and other professional development opportunities that build capacity within records repositories, especially those serving underserved communities; coordinating collaborations among organizations to address shared records challenges within a state or across multiple states; and convening or participating in meetings and public forums focused on statewide or national archival issues. Both proven, traditional approaches and well-designed innovative approaches are welcomed, as long as the proposal clearly explains what will be done and why it is likely to work.

Competitiveness is tied to alignment with NHPRC strategy, with several tactics called out as especially important. Strong applications are expected to prioritize institutional advancement for small and underserved archives and repositories, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, other Minority-Serving Institutions, and tribal entities. They are also expected to develop outreach approaches that connect with collections documenting the perspectives of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, and to support professional development pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color pursuing archival careers. Another competitiveness factor is offering workshops (often in partnership with multiple sponsors) that help potential applicants understand project design and how to apply to NHPRC. Proposals should also include a concrete plan for staying in contact with program participants (such as regrant recipients, scholarship recipients, or workshop attendees) to document benefits, and an evaluation process to measure effectiveness and adjust programming over time.

Funding is offered in two tiers. Level I awards support one-year projects up to $12,000. Level II awards support either one-year projects up to $40,000 or two-year projects up to $80,000. Applicants must choose either Level I or Level II for a given application, not both. NHPRC anticipated making up to 30 awards in this category, totaling up to $800,000. For this cycle, projects were scheduled to start no earlier than January 1, 2023, and recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in publicity and products produced with grant assistance.

Eligibility is limited in practice to state historical records advisory boards, the state agency responsible for the board (most often the state archives), or another eligible entity applying on behalf of the designated state agency (such as another state agency, a nonprofit foundation, or a university). The definition of "states" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and US territories. Projects must include at least one of the eligible activities described in the program, and applications must include required components (including the SF-424, a narrative, the NHPRC budget form, and supplemental materials). The notice also points applicants to NHPRC rules on what it does and does not fund, warning that proposals consisting entirely of ineligible activities will not be considered.

Cost sharing is mandatory. NHPRC will cover no more than 75 percent of total project costs under this program, meaning applicants must provide at least 25 percent through a mix of allowable sources such as direct or indirect expenses, in-kind support, non-federal third-party contributions, and project-generated income. A key budgeting detail is that NHPRC funds cannot be used for indirect costs; if indirect costs are included, they must be covered entirely as part of the applicant's cost share. The example provided in the announcement notes that a request of $40,000 in federal funds would require at least $13,334 in cost share to meet the 75/25 split.

Finally, the opportunity includes several administrative requirements that can affect readiness to apply. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and maintain that registration through submission and award, and they must include a valid DUNS number in the application materials (reflecting the identifier requirements in place at the time of the notice). The posted source data also identifies the opportunity as discretionary, with a grant instrument, in the humanities/cultural affairs area (CFDA 89.003), issued by the National Archives and Records Administration, with an original closing date of June 8, 2022, and an award ceiling of $80,000 consistent with the Level II maximum.

• The National Archives and Records Administration in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State Board Programming Grants" 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 19, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 08, 2022. (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 $80,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 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.

Apply for STATE 202206

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