HBCU Grant Application Information

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How Do I Apply?

When applications are being accepted, visit grants.gov or the Apply page to begin an application for funding.

Who May Apply?

Accredited HBCUs are eligible to apply for this grant program, and eligible projects include physical preservation of sites listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. For a list of eligible institutions, please visit the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator database. If you follow the link provided, the College Navigator database will load with the list of HBCUs already displayed. You should confirm this by verifying that, in the lower left-hand corner, under the "Specialized Mission" dropdown menu, "Historically Black College or University" is selected. This menu is immediately above the large, blue "Show Results" button.

Please note that our eligibility requirements for this grant program have changed. The Historically significant buildings no longer have to be listed in the National Register to qualify for funding. If you would like to apply to our grant program for an unlisted building, then you must complete a National Register nomination to get the building listed as part of your grant project.

 

Sample Application Resources

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    Tags: historic preservation fund sample application

    National Register Eligibility Assessment Worksheet

    The eligibility requirements for this grant program have changed. A property does not have to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in order to be eligible for a grant under this program. The purpose of the worksheet is to document the current status of the resource as part of your application. The information in this table is designed to help you complete the application and submit the National Register Eligibility Assessment Worksheet.

    Is the resource: 

    • Listed in the NRHP or designated a NHL, or

    • Unlisted but determined eligible by the cognizant state/tribal historic preservation office for listing in the NRHP or designation as a NHL? 

    Resources which are not presently listed in the NRHP or designated a NHL must include the preparation and submission of a National Register nomination as part of the grant project and should be included in the application’s budget worksheets.

    The table below indicates the information the worksheet should address depending on the status of the resource.

    If the property (resource) is…

    then the worksheet should address…

    individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark

    how the individual resource is significant

    a contributing resource to a National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark district

    how the resource within the district is significant

    not yet individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark

    how the individual resource is significant; the project budget must also include the cost of completing a nomination

    not yet listed a contributing resource to a National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark district

    how the resource within the district is significant; the project budget must also include the cost of completing a nomination


    What is Funded?

    In general, grants must support pre-preservation and preservation projects.

    • Grants for preservation projects must request between $75,000 and $500,000 in federal share, of which 20% may go towards pre-preservation costs such as architectural or engineering services

    • Grants for projects that include only pre-preservation work must request between $15,000 and $50,000 in federal share
    • Preservation projects fund physical preservation of a historic site to include:
      • Historic districts
      • Buildings
      • Sites
      • Structures
      • Objects
    • Preservation projects must comply with relevant laws, such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, and include execution of a preservation covenant or easement.
    • HBCU grants can also fund pre-preservation studies, architectural plans and specifications, historic structure reports, campus preservation plans, and National Register nominations. All projects must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation.
    • Properties assisted by a grant for either preservation or pre-preservation work must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or designated a National Historic Landmark. Properties may be either listed individually or as part of a district.
    • All requirements as a condition of award, as applicable:
      • Project sign acknowledging the award
      • Preservation covenant/easement fees
      • National Register of Historic Places nomination or nomination amendment costs

    What is Not Funded?

    • Construction of new buildings

    • Acquisition of collections or historic sites

    • Long-term maintenance of curatorial work beyond the grant period

    • Reconstruction of historic properties, specifically: recreating all or a significant portion no longer extant

    • Moving an historic property or work on historic properties that have been relocated an are no longer eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places

    • Cash reserves, endowments, revolving funds, or fund-raising costs

    • Work performed prior to the announcement of grant award

    • Lobbying or advocacy activities

    • Costs for work already completed or funded through other federal programs

    • Administrative costs plus indirect costs may not be over 25% of the project budget

      • By law, the sum of indirect and administrative expenses for this grant program is limited to 25%. The Notice of Funding Opportunity posted to grants.gov describes this limitation in more detail.

    • Miscellaneous costs, contingencies, reserves, or overhead


    Selection Process

    NPS personnel and qualified Federal employees will review all complete proposals using the criteria outlined below. Reviewers’ evaluations are based solely on the material provided in the application. Additional materials not specifically required by the application, and materials sent separately from the application, will not be considered. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested after the grant process is complete.

    Panel recommendations will be made to the Secretary of the Interior who will select successful applicants and forward to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. NPS will conduct risk assessments on all projects prior to funding. Matching funds are not required but may be considered as part of the evaluation process.

    Last updated: November 15, 2022

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