State Board Programming Grants | STATE 201806

Opportunity Information: Apply for STATE 201806

The State Board Programming Grants opportunity is a federal grant program run by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) within the National Archives and Records Administration. Its main goal is to strengthen the nationwide archival system by funding practical, statewide activities led by State Historical Records Advisory Boards (SHRABs). The program is designed to help state boards expand the preservation of historical records, increase online access to those records, spread and encourage best practices in archives and records stewardship, and create programs that connect the public with primary sources both locally and online. A major emphasis is also placed on building capacity in underserved communities by supporting institutional advancement and providing local repositories with the training, tools, and guidance they need to care for records properly.

Funding can support several types of state-level programming. One major eligible activity is operating state-based regrant programs, where the state board regrants funds to smaller organizations to preserve records and improve online availability. The grants can also fund educational and outreach work such as workshops, public programs, and other efforts that increase citizen and student engagement with historical records. In addition, the program supports scholarships, training opportunities, and other initiatives that help archives and repositories improve their long-term capabilities, with particular attention to organizations in underserved areas. Applicants may also propose collaborative projects with partners across a state, or even across a consortium of state archives, to tackle shared challenges or opportunities. Another eligible area is convening or participating in meetings and public forums on statewide or national archival issues. Across all these categories, NHPRC encourages projects that meaningfully involve the public, rather than limiting benefits to internal professional audiences.

Awards are relatively modest but flexible. Applicants may request up to $40,000 for a one-year project or up to $80,000 for a two-year project. NHPRC anticipated making up to 20 awards in this category, with total program funding up to $625,000. Funded projects were expected to begin no earlier than January 1, 2019. Recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in publicity, publications, and any products that result from the grant.

Eligibility is narrow and tied to state-level archival leadership. Only State Historical Records Advisory Boards (or the state agency responsible for the board, most commonly the state archives) can receive these grants. However, the application can be submitted by another state agency or by a nonprofit or university acting on behalf of the designated state agency. For purposes of this program, "states" also include Washington, DC, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and US territories. The opportunity is categorized under humanities/cultural affairs (CFDA 89.003), and the eligible applicant types listed include state governments, public and state-controlled higher education institutions, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, private higher education institutions, and other entities as clarified in the eligibility language above, as long as they are applying on behalf of the designated state board agency.

Cost sharing is required, and the federal share is capped. NHPRC will provide no more than 75 percent of total project costs, meaning the applicant must cover at least 25 percent through cash and/or allowable non-federal contributions. The match can include direct costs, allowable indirect expenses counted as part of the applicant contribution, in-kind support, third-party non-federal contributions, and program income earned directly by the project. At the same time, NHPRC funds cannot be used for indirect costs, so any indirect expenses must be covered by the applicant as part of the cost share. Applicants also need to pay attention to NHPRC rules on what is and is not fundable; proposals made up entirely of ineligible activities will not be reviewed, and NHPRC directs applicants to its published limitations list for guidance.

Administratively, applicants must be properly registered to receive federal funds. The applying organization must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application, keep that registration active throughout the application and award period, and include a valid DUNS number in the application (as required at the time of this notice). The original closing date listed for this opportunity was June 13, 2018, under Funding Opportunity Number STATE 201806, and the funding instrument type is a discretionary grant.

• 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 29, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 13, 2018. (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 20 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for STATE 201806

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