How to Apply?
Applications for this program must be submitted through grants.gov. To apply, you should visit grants.gov and search for this grant program and review all information posted there. Complete application instructions are provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov.
National Register Eligibility Assessment Worksheet
In order to be eligible for a grant under this program, the grant-assisted resource (property) must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic (NRHP) or designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL). The purpose of the worksheet is to document the current status of the resource. Is the resource:
- Listed in the NRHP or designated a NHL, and
- listed for its association with equal rights, or,
- Unlisted but determined eligible by the cognizant state/tribal historic preservation office for listing in the NRHP or designation as a NHL for its association with equal rights?
Resources which are not presently listed in the NRHP or designated a NHL for their association with equal rights must include a letter of opinion from the cognizant state/tribal historic preservation office. We will not be making a determination of eligibility for listing in the NRHP on the state/tribal historic preservation office's behalf.
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 for its association with equal rights | how the individual resource is significant |
| a contributing resource to a National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark district for its association with equal rights | how the resource within the district is significant |
| individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark but not for its association with equal rights | how the individual resource is significant for its association with equal rights |
| a contributing resource to a National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark district but not for its association with equal rights | how the resource within the district is significant for its association with equal rights |
| not yet individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places or as a National Historic Landmark for its association with equal rights | how the individual resource is significant for its association with equal rights; 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 for its association with equal rights | how the resource within the district is significant for its association with equal rights; the project budget must also include the cost of completing a nomination |
Who May Apply?
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States and territories
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Federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaska native organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations
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Local governments, including Certified Local Governments
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Non-profit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) designation)
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Non-profit institutions of higher education
Organizations not in one of these categories must apply in partnership with an eligible recipient listed above.
What is Funded?
In general, grants must support pre-preservation and preservation projects.
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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.
- Eligible costs include: pre-preservation studies, architectural plans and specifications, historic structure reports, and the repair and rehabilitation of historic properties according to the Secretary of the Interior's Treatment Standards for Historic Properties
- 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?
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Construction of new buildings
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Acquisition of collections or historic sites
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Long-term maintenance of curatorial work beyond the grant period
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Reconstruction of historic properties, specifically: recreating all or a significant portion no longer extant
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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
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Cash reserves, endowments, revolving funds, or fund-raising costs
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Work performed prior to the announcement of grant award
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Lobbying or advocacy activities
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Costs for work already completed or funded through other federal programs
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Administrative costs plus indirect costs may not be over 25% of the project budget
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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.
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Miscellaneous costs, contingencies, reserves, or overhead
Selection Process
NPS personnel and qualified Federal employees will review all complete proposals using the merit review criteria outlined in the application instructions. 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, may not be considered. A summary of the review panel comments may be provided to the applicant if requested after the grant process is complete. Matching funds are not required, but may be considered as part of the evaluation process.
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.
Last updated: November 22, 2021