Final FY 22 Budget for History, Archival and Education Programs

President Biden is soon expected to sign into law an omnibus appropriations bill which will fund the federal government for the approximately last six months of fiscal year 2022. Click here to access a chart showing how programs of interest to our community fared. It includes the budget for FY 22 and compares it with FY 21 and President Biden’s original FY 22 budget request. Click here to see a second chart that provides funding trends over the past three fiscal years to gain some historical perspective.

When viewed from that time frame, the numbers show a general upward trend. Across the board, history, archival and education programs received small to moderate increases.

  • The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) received $388 million for operating expenses (OE), an $11 million increase from the FY 21 level of $377 million. $2 million is designated to fund the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board and $29 million is allocated for NARA to continue its records digitization initiative.
  • The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) received $7 million up from $6.5 million last year. However, the Commission received an additional $5.3 million in congressionally earmarked projects, bringing the total up to $12.3 million. This is the highest level of basic grant funding the NHPRC has received in its history.
  • The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) received $180 million, a $12.5 million increase from the FY 21 level.
  • K-12 history and civics programs at the Department of Education: The Presidential and Congressional Academies for American History and Civics received $3 million up from $2 million last year. The American History and Civics grants program received $4.75 million up from $3.25 million in FY 21. The total is $7.75 million up from $5.25 million. This is the highest amount the two programs have received since their establishment.
  • The Title VI/Fulbright-Hays International Education programs received small increases. Title VI (domestic programs) was increased by $2.5 million from $69.3 million to $71.8 million. Fulbright-Hays (overseas programs) was increased by $1 million, up from $8.8 million to $9.8 million. Together the programs received $81.6 million, up from $78.1 million last year.
  • The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) received an $11 million funding boost to $ 268 million. Library Programs remained level funded at $197.4 million, and Museum Programs increased by $7 million up to $47.4 million.
  • The National Park Services’ Historic Preservation Fund will receive $173 million this fiscal year, a substantial $29 million increase over FY 21. Within this amount $57.6 million is provided for grants to States and $16 million is provided for grants to Tribes. $28 million is provided for competitive grants to preserve the sites and stories of underrepresented community civil rights. The bill includes $10 million for competitive grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and $26.5 million for the Save America’s Treasures competitive grant program for the preservation of nationally significant sites, structures, and artifacts. The bill includes $27.1 million for the Heritage Partnership Program and provides $10 million for competitive historic preservation grants to revitalize properties of national, State, and local significance in rural areas. The American Battlefield Protection Program’s budget was level funded at $20 million. The bill allocates $8 million to support the ongoing work of the US Semiquincentennial Commission and $10 million for the Semiquincentennial grant program to support restoration of State-owned historic sites and structures that honor and interpret the country’s founding, including Revolutionary War battle and commemorative monuments. The commission continues its task of preparing for the commemoration in 2026 of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
  • The Library of Congress received a $36.7 million increase up to $794 million for FY 22.
  • The Smithsonian Institution’s budget was increased by $30 million, up to $1.062 billion. There was a shift of priorities with the Salaries and Expenses budget being increased by $34.2 million ($852.2 million total) and a decrease of $4 million total in the Facilities Capital budget down to $210 million.
  • The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars received $15 million, a $1 million increase from last year.