Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
Forecasted
NEH grants help small to mid-sized institutions preserve humanities collections, especially those that haven't received NEH funding before.
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Funder: National Endowment for the Humanities
Due Dates: January 8, 2026 (estimated)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 (contiguous U.S.); up to $15,000 (non-contiguous states/jurisdictions); project period up to 18 months
Summary: Supports small and mid-sized institutions in preserving and caring for their humanities collections, with a focus on those new to NEH funding.
Key Information: No cost sharing required; strong encouragement for first-time NEH applicants and under-represented communities.
Description
This program provides grants to help small and mid-sized institutions—such as libraries, museums, archives, historical organizations, and colleges—improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections. The grant supports foundational preservation activities, including assessments, planning, policy development, training, and the purchase of preservation supplies or equipment. The program is especially intended for organizations that have never received NEH funding, as well as those representing or serving under-represented communities.
Eligible collections may include books, archives, manuscripts, photographs, moving images, sound recordings, art objects, textiles, artifacts, furniture, historical objects, and digital materials. Projects may involve hiring consultants, conducting preservation assessments, developing emergency preparedness plans, environmental monitoring, rehousing collections, and staff training.
