Digitizing Hidden Special Collections & Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices
Funds projects to digitize rare and unique materials, amplifying underrepresented histories in the US and Canada and promoting ethical, inclusive public access.
Funder: Council on Library and Information Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Initial application) | May 2027 (Final application)
Funding Amounts: $50,000–$300,000 per award; project duration: 12–36 months; projects must begin January 1, 2027 and be completed by December 31, 2029.
Summary: Supports digitizing rare and unique collections to amplify the histories and voices of underrepresented communities in the US and Canada.
Description
This grant program, administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and supported by the Mellon Foundation, funds projects to digitize rare and unique materials held by nonprofit collecting organizations in the US and Canada. The initiative’s core aim is to uncover and share the histories of communities whose experiences have been insufficiently recognized, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, Latine, and other People of Color; Women; LGBTQ+ communities; Immigrants; Displaced populations; Disabled people; and those who have been colonized, disenfranchised, enslaved, or incarcerated.
The program emphasizes five core values: public knowledge, broad representation, authentic partnerships, sustainable infrastructures, and community-centered access. Projects must be designed to make these hidden histories widely available, deepen public understanding, and foster ethical, sustainable, and inclusive access to digitized content.
