The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) recently issued proposed new guidelines that will make significant changes in its grant making process. In response to requests by affected stakeholders, the NHPRC has extended the comment period until March 31, 2014. More information can
be found at a blog on the NHPRC website: https://blogs.archives.gov/nhprc/
The blog includes an overview of each proposed program, a PDF of the Draft Grant Announcement, and information on how to submit comments on the proposal. The NHPRC has also created a “FAQ” page to answer basic questions about the proposal.
A number of National Coalition for History member organizations have already submitted comments which can be viewed on the NHPRC blog.
The
NHPRC has developed draft grant announcements in six categories:
- Access to Historical Records – projects to support preserving and processing primary source materials.
- Literacy & Engagement with Historical Records — projects to explore ways to improve digital literacy and encourage citizen engagement with historical records.
- Online Publishing of Historical Records – projects to publish historical records online, including, compiling, digitizing, transcribing, and annotating documentary source materials.
- Publishing Historical Records Online: Transition Support – projects to assist print-only documentary editions and documentary editions available only through paid subscriptions to complete their projects and/or provide free online access.
- State Board Programming Grants – projects by state historical records advisory boards to enhance access to historical records, increase citizen engagement with records, and provide learning and development opportunities for students, citizens and professional archivists.
- State Government Electronic Records — projects to accession, describe, preserve, and provide access to state government electronic records of enduring value.
If approved by the Commission, the changes begin in the next grants cycle, affecting project beginning in 2015. Deadlines vary among programs, but the first set has a deadline of July 8, 2014 and the second set has a deadline of October 8, 2014.