FY2025 FY2026 Historic Preservation Fund- History of Equal Rights- Preservation Grants

The National Park Service administers the History of Equal Rights Preservation Grants under the Historic Preservation Fund, a federal funding program authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act and appropriations legislation. The program is designed to support the preservation of historic sites that are directly associated with the struggle for equal rights in the United States. As part of the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service oversees the stewardship of nationally significant cultural resources and uses this grant program to extend preservation efforts beyond federally owned lands to eligible public and nonprofit entities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support projects that preserve, rehabilitate, and document historic properties connected to civil rights and equal rights movements. Eligible projects include physical preservation work such as repair and rehabilitation, as well as pre-preservation activities such as architectural plans, historic structure reports, and preservation planning. The program uses the Civil Rights in America framework to assess project relevance and prioritizes properties listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to equal rights history and contribute to long-term preservation outcomes. Funding is provided through competitive grants with a total program allocation of 10,000,000 dollars and an expected 16 awards. Individual awards range from 15,000 dollars to 750,000 dollars depending on the scope of work. Projects focused solely on pre-preservation must fall between 15,000 and 75,000 dollars, while full preservation projects must range from 75,000 to 750,000 dollars. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, although applicants may include voluntary contributions as a competitive factor. Administrative and indirect costs combined cannot exceed 25 percent of the total project budget, and pre-preservation costs are capped at 20 percent for larger projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and both public and private institutions of higher education. However, properties owned or leased by the National Park Service or in which the agency has a financial interest are not eligible for funding. Projects must comply with federal requirements including Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, and must result in the execution of a preservation easement or covenant for a defined period based on funding level. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive set of forms and supporting documentation. Required components include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, project narrative and abstract, budget justification, financial statements, project images, and documentation of property eligibility. Additional materials such as letters of support or owner consent may be required depending on project circumstances. Applicants must also maintain active registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission, and should anticipate several weeks for application preparation. Applications are evaluated through a structured merit review process based on four equally weighted criteria: significance of the historic resource, urgency and threat to the resource, feasibility of the proposed work, and sustainability of long-term preservation outcomes. Each criterion is scored on a 25-point scale. Applications must clearly address each criterion in separate sections and demonstrate the capacity to complete the project within a two- to three-year period. Lower administrative costs and demonstrated readiness may improve competitiveness. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Award notifications are expected approximately six months after the deadline, with anticipated project start dates around November 2026 and completion by November 2029. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the National Park Service staff via email at STLPG@nps.gov or by phone at 202-354-2020. This grant is issued annually through appropriated funding cycles, supporting ongoing federal investment in preserving sites that reflect the history of equal rights in America.

Strongly align project with equal rights history; clearly demonstrate urgency and threat; ensure feasibility within 2-3 years; minimize administrative costs; provide clear long-term preservation plan