Opportunity Information: Apply for ENGAGEMENT 201710
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration, is offering the "Public Engagement with Historical Records" grant opportunity to support projects that help people interact with and use historical records in meaningful ways. The program is especially interested in efforts that expand public access to primary sources and encourage active participation, including through online platforms and newly developed digital tools. A key priority is funding projects that produce reusable models, methods, or technologies that other institutions can adopt freely, so the benefits extend beyond a single organization or community.
Competitive proposals tend to be collaborative and interdisciplinary, bringing together archivists, documentary editors, historians, educators, and community-based partners. The NHPRC emphasizes innovation in how primary sources are introduced and taught, particularly approaches that make historical records usable across multiple sites or contexts rather than limiting engagement to a single repository. In practical terms, the grant is meant to support programs that help people study, interpret, and apply historical records for institutional work, education, local history, civic understanding, or personal and family research.
The announcement provides several examples of the kinds of activities that fit the program. One major area is "citizen archivist" work, where volunteers help accelerate access to digitized records by identifying materials, adding tags, transcribing handwritten documents, annotating content, or otherwise enriching metadata so records become easier to search and understand. Another strong fit is educational programming for K-12 students, college and university classes, and community learners that teaches participants how to find, read, and analyze primary sources, whether those records already exist in repositories or are gathered through the project. The opportunity also supports community collecting initiatives, such as public events where people contribute documents, photos, recordings, or stories, paired with public discussions, exhibits, or websites that share what was collected and what it reveals. In addition, the NHPRC explicitly welcomes creative and artistic uses of historical records, including performances, visual art, audiovisual projects, or musical compositions that are grounded in or inspired by archival materials. Finally, the program encourages technology development that helps people share information about historical records, which can include tools or platforms that make discovery, interpretation, or public contribution easier.
Funding is provided as a discretionary grant, typically for project periods ranging from one to three years. The NHPRC expects to make up to three awards under this competition, with individual grant amounts generally between $50,000 and $150,000, and a total program allocation of up to $275,000. Projects funded under this notice were expected to start no earlier than July 1, 2018. Grant recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in any publications or products created with the grant.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) entities), colleges and universities (public or private), and state or local government agencies. Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups are also eligible. The funding opportunity listing also specifies eligible applicant categories such as state, county, and city/township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and federally recognized tribal governments.
A major condition of this program is cost sharing. The NHPRC will cover no more than 50 percent of total direct project costs in this category, meaning the applicant must provide the other share of support. Importantly, NHPRC funds cannot be used for indirect costs. However, an applicant can count indirect costs toward its cost-share contribution, along with direct expenses, in-kind support, non-federal third-party contributions, and income earned directly by the project. Applicants are also cautioned to review the NHPRC "What we do and do not fund" limitations, since proposals made up entirely of ineligible activities will not be considered.
To apply, organizations must meet standard federal registration and application requirements. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before applying, keep that registration active during the process, and include a valid DUNS number in the application materials. A complete application package must include Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance), Standard Form 424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs), a project narrative and summary, supplementary materials, and a detailed budget. Applications missing required components or that are deemed ineligible are not reviewed. The original closing date listed for this specific opportunity was October 5, 2017, under Funding Opportunity Number "ENGAGEMENT 201710" and CFDA 89.003.Apply for ENGAGEMENT 201710
- The National Archives and Records Administration in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Engagement with Historical Records" 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 Jun 09, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 05, 2017. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - NHPRC Public Engagement with Historical Records
What is the "Public Engagement with Historical Records" grant?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), to support projects that help people interact with and use historical records in meaningful ways. The program emphasizes expanding public access to primary sources and encouraging active participation, including through online platforms and newly developed digital tools.
What kinds of outcomes does the program prioritize?
A key priority is funding projects that produce reusable models, methods, or technologies that other institutions can adopt freely, so the benefits extend beyond a single organization or community.
What types of projects are a strong fit for this opportunity?
The announcement highlights several strong-fit activities, including citizen archivist work, educational programming around primary sources, community collecting initiatives, creative and artistic uses of historical records, and technology development that helps people share information about historical records.
What is meant by "public engagement" in this program?
In practical terms, the grant supports programs that help people study, interpret, and apply historical records for institutional work, education, local history, civic understanding, or personal and family research.
What is "citizen archivist" work?
Citizen archivist activities involve volunteers helping accelerate access to digitized records by identifying materials, adding tags, transcribing handwritten documents, annotating content, or otherwise enriching metadata so records become easier to search and understand.
Does the program support educational projects?
Yes. The opportunity supports educational programming for K-12 students, college and university classes, and community learners that teaches participants how to find, read, and analyze primary sources. These records may already exist in repositories or may be gathered through the project.
Are community collecting events eligible activities?
Yes. The program supports community collecting initiatives, such as public events where people contribute documents, photos, recordings, or stories, paired with public discussions, exhibits, or websites that share what was collected and what it reveals.
Does NHPRC fund artistic or creative projects connected to historical records?
Yes. The NHPRC explicitly welcomes creative and artistic uses of historical records, including performances, visual art, audiovisual projects, or musical compositions that are grounded in or inspired by archival materials.
Does the opportunity support building digital tools or platforms?
Yes. The program encourages technology development that helps people share information about historical records, including tools or platforms that make discovery, interpretation, or public contribution easier.
What kinds of proposals are typically competitive?
Competitive proposals tend to be collaborative and interdisciplinary, bringing together archivists, documentary editors, historians, educators, and community-based partners. The NHPRC emphasizes innovation in how primary sources are introduced and taught, particularly approaches that make historical records usable across multiple sites or contexts rather than limiting engagement to a single repository.
How many awards are expected, and what is the typical award size?
The NHPRC expected to make up to three awards under this competition. Individual grant amounts are generally between $50,000 and $150,000, with a total program allocation of up to $275,000.
How long can projects last under this program?
Project periods typically range from one to three years.
What is the earliest project start date mentioned for awards under this notice?
Projects funded under this notice were expected to start no earlier than July 1, 2018.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) entities), colleges and universities (public or private), and state or local government agencies. Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups are also eligible. The listing also specifies categories such as state, county, and city/township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and federally recognized tribal governments.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes. A major condition of this program is cost sharing. The NHPRC will cover no more than 50 percent of total direct project costs in this category, meaning the applicant must provide the other share of support.
Can NHPRC funds be used for indirect costs?
No. NHPRC funds cannot be used for indirect costs under this program.
Can indirect costs count toward the applicant's cost share?
Yes. Even though NHPRC funds cannot be used for indirect costs, an applicant can count indirect costs toward its cost-share contribution.
What types of contributions can be used to meet the cost share requirement?
The announcement indicates that cost share can include indirect costs, direct expenses, in-kind support, non-federal third-party contributions, and income earned directly by the project.
Are there funding limitations applicants should pay attention to?
Yes. Applicants are cautioned to review the NHPRC "What we do and do not fund" limitations. Proposals made up entirely of ineligible activities will not be considered.
What registrations are required before applying?
Organizations must meet standard federal registration requirements. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before applying and must keep that registration active during the process. The application must also include a valid DUNS number.
What are the required components of the application package?
A complete application package must include Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance), Standard Form 424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs), a project narrative and summary, supplementary materials, and a detailed budget.
What happens if an application is missing required components?
Applications missing required components or that are deemed ineligible are not reviewed.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this listing?
The original closing date listed for this specific opportunity was October 5, 2017, under Funding Opportunity Number ENGAGEMENT 201710 and CFDA 89.003.
Is there an acknowledgement requirement for funded projects?
Yes. Grant recipients must acknowledge NHPRC support in any publications or products created with the grant.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ENGAGEMENT 201710) also looked into and applied for these:
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|---|
| Archives Leadership Institute Apply for LEADERSHIP 201712 Funding Number: LEADERSHIP 201712 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Access to Historical Records: Archival Projects Apply for ARCHIVAL 201710 Funding Number: ARCHIVAL 201710 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Educational Civic Engagement Apply for P17AS00434 Funding Number: P17AS00434 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| National History Day Student Special Prizes and Teacher Theme Books - 2018 Apply for P17AS00443 Funding Number: P17AS00443 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| Access to Historical Records: Major Initiatives (Preliminary) Apply for PRELIM 201801 Funding Number: PRELIM 201801 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Access to Historical Records: Major Initiatives Apply for MAJOR 201807 Funding Number: MAJOR 201807 Agency: National Archives and Records Administration Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Chinese American Public History, Community Outreach & Engagement Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0092 Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0092 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $44,000 |
| Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Apply for H98210 BAA 17 0001 Funding Number: H98210 BAA 17 0001 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Cold War Era Official National Park Service Handbook Apply for P17AS00604 Funding Number: P17AS00604 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $49,972 |
| Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program events and activities Apply for H98210 BAA017 0001 Funding Number: H98210 BAA017 0001 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,250,000 |
| Design - Repoint Brick Masonry Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0127 Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0127 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $77,605 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Museum Property Processing and Curation Apply for BOR GP 17 N006 Funding Number: BOR GP 17 N006 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $49,870 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Inadvertent Discoveries and Site Visits Apply for BOR GP 17 N001 Funding Number: BOR GP 17 N001 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $46,222 |
| Long-Term Curation of Reclamation-Controlled Collections and Archaeological Fieldwork for Unanticipated Discoveries of Property Under Reclamation Jurisdiction and Archaeological Fieldwork for Unanticipated Discoveries Apply for BOR GP 17 N008 Funding Number: BOR GP 17 N008 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $82,739 |
| Establish Southeast Regional Accessibility Program through Partnership Apply for P17AS00726 Funding Number: P17AS00726 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $98,000 |
| Ethnohistory of the President’s House Site in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, PA Apply for NPS 17 NERO 0211 Funding Number: NPS 17 NERO 0211 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $95,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Competition, Paraguay. Apply for SPA100 18 GR 001 WHA 10302017 Funding Number: SPA100 18 GR 001 WHA 10302017 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Paraguay Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2018 Large Grants Competition, Paraguay Apply for SPA100 18 GR 002 WHA 10312017 Funding Number: SPA100 18 GR 002 WHA 10312017 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Paraguay Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $975,000 |
| U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Apply for DOS NGA PD ABV FY18 001 Funding Number: DOS NGA PD ABV FY18 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Nigeria Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Nigeria: U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation - Large Grants Apply for DOS NGA PD ABV FY18 002 Funding Number: DOS NGA PD ABV FY18 002 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Nigeria Category: Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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