Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund

The Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund Survey and Planning Projects program is administered by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) using federal disaster recovery funds allocated through the Historic Preservation Fund. While the funding originates from federal appropriations, this specific opportunity is issued, managed, and executed at the state level by DHR, which is responsible for application intake, project selection, and grant administration. The program is designed to address the impacts of Hurricanes Florence and Michael (2018) by supporting the recovery and long-term protection of historic and cultural resources in designated Virginia localities. The purpose of this grant program is to fund survey and planning activities that identify, document, evaluate, and protect historic properties that were damaged or are at risk due to disaster impacts. Eligible projects include architectural and archaeological surveys, documentation efforts, evaluation of historic significance, National Register of Historic Places nominations or updates, and preservation planning initiatives. The program emphasizes proactive mitigation strategies that reduce vulnerability to future disasters while promoting responsible stewardship of historic resources. Funding for selected projects is provided at 100 percent of project costs, meaning no financial match is required from applicants. However, applicants are responsible for facilitating local coordination, including notifying affected residents and property owners and organizing community engagement efforts when necessary. This ensures that funded activities are transparent, inclusive, and responsive to local preservation needs. Eligibility is limited to specific entity types located within designated disaster-affected jurisdictions in Virginia. Eligible applicants include local governments, tribal governments, planning district commissions, and nonprofit organizations operating within the 52 counties and independent cities identified under FEMA Major Disaster Declarations 4401 and 4411. Applicants may submit collaborative or joint proposals involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies, but each application must designate a single primary contact responsible for coordination. Applications must be submitted through DHR’s WebGrants system, which requires prior registration. The submission deadline for this funding round was November 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants are required to provide a detailed project narrative addressing evaluation criteria, including the clarity of proposed work, identification of threats, disaster mitigation approach, public benefit, demonstration of local government support, and plans for public participation. Each criterion is scored on a standardized scale to determine project competitiveness. DHR conducts the review and selection process but operates under oversight from the National Park Service, which must approve all selected projects before work can begin. DHR also manages procurement and contracting, including hiring qualified professionals who meet federal historic preservation standards. All funded activities must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards and applicable federal and state requirements. All awarded projects must be completed by March 2027, establishing a defined performance period. The program is tied to a specific disaster recovery appropriation and is not described as recurring. As such, this funding opportunity represents a targeted, time-limited investment in strengthening the resilience and documentation of historic resources in impacted Virginia communities.

Directly address each scoring criterion with specific evidence of need and impact; clearly demonstrate disaster mitigation outcomes and community benefit; include strong documentation of local support and stakeholder engagement