Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program

The Preservation of Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program is administered by the National Park Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior. This federal program was established under Public Law 109-441 and subsequent amendments to support the preservation and interpretation of sites associated with the confinement of Japanese Americans during World War II. The program reflects a national commitment to documenting and honoring this history, ensuring that these sites remain accessible and educational for future generations. It operates as a financial assistance program providing grants to eligible entities for projects that directly benefit historically significant confinement locations across the United States. The primary purpose of the program is to identify, research, evaluate, interpret, protect, restore, and acquire historic confinement sites. Eligible sites include the ten War Relocation Authority locations such as Manzanar and Tule Lake, as well as other recognized detention and assembly sites designated by the Secretary of the Interior. Projects funded under this program must clearly demonstrate a benefit to one or more of these sites and align with the broader goal of preserving historical memory and advancing public understanding of the confinement experience. Funding supports a wide range of project types, including capital improvements such as construction of interpretive facilities, documentation efforts like archaeological surveys and historical research, oral history collection and processing, educational programming, preservation and restoration of historic structures, and planning initiatives. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on funding completed projects, lobbying, fundraising efforts, long-term operational costs, and land acquisition outside specified sites. Real property acquisition is limited to select locations and requires compliance with statutory provisions. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement applies to all awards, requiring a 50 percent non-federal match. This match may include cash, in-kind contributions, materials, or services and does not need to be secured at the time of application but must be documented. The funding opportunity anticipates a total program allocation of over four million dollars, with individual awards ranging from small grants to substantial project funding depending on scope and available appropriations. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit entities such as state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and educational institutions. Applicants may submit up to three applications per cycle but may only receive up to two awards. Foreign entities and projects conducted outside the United States are not eligible. Applicants must also complete required federal registrations, including SAM.gov, prior to submission. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive package of federal forms, a project narrative addressing specific evaluation criteria, and a detailed budget justification. The project narrative must address need, impact, feasibility, sustainability, and support, and must adhere to formatting and length requirements. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process including eligibility screening, merit-based scoring, and final selection by the Secretary of the Interior. Review criteria emphasize project significance, public impact, feasibility, and long-term sustainability. Applications are due by June 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced in late spring 2026, with project periods generally lasting up to two years following award. The program is recurring and continues to support preservation efforts aligned with national historical priorities. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program directly via email at nps_jacsgrants@nps.gov.

Ensure project clearly demonstrates impact on preservation or interpretation; align closely with review criteria; provide strong justification for budget and match; include stakeholder support and detailed implementation plan