On May 27, 2021, the Biden administration released its detailed proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. Click here to access a chart showing how programs of interest to our community fared. It includes the Biden proposed budget for FY22 and compares it with the FY21 and FY20 budgets.

When viewed from that time frame, the numbers for history, archival and education programs were either level funded or received small increases. However, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) would see its first significant increase (7 percent) in many years. Likewise, the budget for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) would increase 46 percent, from $6.5 million to $9.5 million. Over the past two years, NCH has prioritized advocacy for increased NARA and NHPRC funding.

Here are the highlights:

• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) would receive $403.6 million for operating expenses (OE), a $26.6 million increase from FY21. Two years ago, NARA’s OE budget was $367 million.
• The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) would receive a $3 million increase up from $6.5 million the past two fiscal years.
• The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) would receive $177.5 million, a $10 million increase from the FY 21 level of $167.5 million.
• K-12 history and civics programs at the Department of Education: Federal K-12 history and civics programs would be level funded under President Biden’s budget proposal. The Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics received $2 million, and the American History and Civics grants program received $3.25 million, for a total of $5.25 million.
• The Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education programs would be level funded. Title VI (domestic programs) would receive $69.3 million, and the Fulbright-Hays (overseas programs) $8.8 million. Together the programs would receive $78.1 million under the Biden plan.
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) received a $8 million funding boost up to $265 million. Library Programs were level funded at $197.4 million. Museum Programs would increase by $6 million ($46.4 million total). The $6 million increase includes $4 million for new museum grants for American Latino History and Culture, and an additional $2 million in grants for African American History and Culture ($5.2 million total).
• The National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund will receive $152 million this fiscal year, an $8 million increase over FY 21. National Recreation and Preservation programs would see a $1 million increase up to $75 million. The administration would provide $8 million to the US Semiquincentennial Commission which is coordinating activities commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026.
• The Library of Congress would receive a $43.7 million increase, up to $801 million for FY 22.
• The Smithsonian Institution received a $70 million increase up to $1.102 billion. The Salaries and Expenses budget increased by $54 million ($872 million total), and the Facilities Capital budget saw an increase of $16 million ($230 million total).
• The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars received $14 million, level funding from last year.