PRINTALERT from SAM.gov: If you are registering a new entity in SAM.gov, you must provide an original, signed notarized letter stating that you are the authorized Entity Administrator before your registration will be activated. Read the FAQs to learn more about this process change.
The Preservation and Access Education and Training program supports the development of knowledge and skills among professionals responsible for preserving and establishing access to humanities collections. Thousands of libraries, archives, museums, and historical organizations across the country maintain important collections of books and manuscripts, photographs, sound recordings and moving images, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, art and material culture collections, electronic records, and digital objects. The challenge of preserving and making accessible such large and diverse holdings is enormous, and the need for knowledgeable staff is significant and ongoing.
Preservation and Access Education and Training grants are awarded to organizations that offer national or regional education and training programs that reach audiences in more than one state. Grants aim to help the staff of cultural institutions, large and small, obtain the knowledge and skills needed to serve as effective stewards of humanities collections. Grants also support educational programs that prepare the next generation of preservation professionals, as well as projects that introduce the staff of cultural institutions to new information and advances in preservation and access practices.
What's New for 2018
Mindful of the importance of preserving cultural heritage in regions affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as wildfires and mudslides in California, and recognizing the importance of planning, mitigation, and long-term recovery efforts, NEH encourages applications from and projects that support cultural institutions in federally designated disaster areas. Project activities can include training sessions related to recovery efforts, the development of regional mutual aid consortia, and workshops focused on emergency planning and response.
Program Statistics
In the last five competitions the Preservation and Access Education and Training program received an average of thirteen applications per year. The program made an average of six awards per year, for a funding ratio of 46 percent.
The potential applicant pool for this program is limited, since the program supports education and training programs of regional or national scope. On the one hand, this has resulted in a small number of applications each year. On the other hand, the applications have tended to be very strong, which has led to higher funding ratios historically.
The number of applications to an NEH grant program can vary widely from year to year, as can the funding ratio. Information about the average number of applications and awards in recent competitions is meant only to provide historical context for the current competition. Information on the number of applications and awards in individual competitions is available from preservation[at]neh[dot]gov.
Questions?
Program questions should be directed to NEH’s Division of Preservation and Access at 202-606-8570 or preservation[at]neh[dot]gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact NEH via Federal Relay (TTY users) at 800-877-8399.
