FY2025 FY2026 Historic Preservation Fund - Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program

The Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program is administered by the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund. This program is designed to support subgrant programs that focus on the rehabilitation of historic properties in rural communities. By channeling funds through eligible entities such as state governments, tribal governments, certified local governments, and nonprofit organizations, the program aims to stimulate economic development while preserving historically significant assets. The primary purpose of the program is to foster economic revitalization in rural areas by funding preservation projects for properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible activities include architectural and engineering services as well as physical preservation work. Projects are expected to not only stabilize and restore historic structures but also contribute to broader community development goals, including tourism, job creation, and cultural heritage recognition. There is also encouragement to align projects with national initiatives such as the America250 celebration, which highlights the nation’s history and cultural legacy. Funding is distributed through a competitive grant process with awards ranging from 200000 to 750000 dollars, and an estimated total program funding of 17000000 dollars. Approximately 20 awards are expected. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making the program accessible to a wide range of eligible applicants. Administrative costs are capped at 25 percent of total project costs, and lower administrative overhead is viewed favorably during evaluation. Eligible costs include rehabilitation, accessibility improvements, fire safety upgrades, and necessary administrative expenses, while ineligible costs include new construction, acquisition of property, and work completed prior to award. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments, tribal governments, special district governments, public institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must propose subgrant programs that will distribute funds to projects located in rural areas, defined according to USDA nonmetropolitan criteria. Additionally, funded properties must be within the applicant’s jurisdiction and must not be owned or controlled by the federal government. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as SF-424 and budget documentation, along with a detailed project narrative addressing four evaluation criteria: program objectives, need and urgency, feasibility, and sustainability. Each criterion is equally weighted. Applicants must also provide supporting documentation such as financial statements, program images, and letters of support where applicable. Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required prior to submission, and applicants are encouraged to begin registration early due to processing time. Applications are due by June 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Following submission, applications undergo eligibility review and a comprehensive merit review. Award notifications are expected approximately six months after the deadline. The anticipated project period begins October 1, 2026, and runs through September 30, 2030, providing a four-year performance window. For questions, applicants may contact the program via email at STLPG@nps.gov or by phone at 202-354-2020.

Prioritize clear alignment with rural economic development outcomes; minimize administrative costs to improve feasibility scoring; ensure strong justification of need and project urgency; demonstrate organizational capacity to manage subgrants and compliance requirements