Application Information

The Semiquincentennial Grant Program supports the preservation of a broad variety of cultural resources associated with the founding of America as a nation in commemoration of the country’s Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) in 2026. For the purposes of this grant program, the “founding of the nation” is defined as the period ending December 31, 1800. This date corresponds to the election of 1800, as the peaceful transfer of power following the contested election between John Adams and Thomas Jeferson represents a hallmark of democracy and a pivotal moment in American history. The founding of the nation does not have a defined starting period.

Program Fact Sheet

A short summary of the Semiquincentennial Grant Program that has general information on funding priorities, project and applicant eligibility, and upcoming important due dates and deadlines.

Fact sheets are intended to provide an overview of the grant program. Full application details and requirements will always be outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted to grants.gov.

Who May Apply

• States governments and Territories

• Local governments including Certifed Local Governments

• Indian Tribes that meet the defnition in 54 USC 300309 and Native Hawaiian Organizations that meet the defnition in 54 USC 300314

• Non-proft Organizations and Institutions of higher education

Eligible Resources

• Resources must be listed in, or be determined eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a NationalHistoric Landmark either individually or as part of a district at the time of application.

• Buildings, structures, sites, districts, and objects considered signifcant for their association with or commemoration of people,places, or events between the earliest known resources and December 31, 1800 may be considered as associated with the“founding of the nation.”

What Is Funded

Pre-preservation Projects

• Pre-preservation projects may include the development of resource-specifc architectural plans and specifcations, historicstructure reports, studies, and related surveys. Archaeological and architectural surveys that seek only to identify sitesassociated with this period are not eligible.

• Grants for pre-preservation projects will range from $15,000-$75,000 Federal share. Non-Federal match is not required.

• Amendments or updates to the National Register nomination for the resource are eligible as grant supported activities if thedocument is out of date or does not adequately refect all areas of signifcance.

Preservation Projects

• Preservation projects fund physical preservation of a historic site to include historic districts, buildings, sites, structures, andobjects. Projects must comply with all applicable laws such as Section 106 and NEPA, and execute a preservation covenant/easement.

• Preservation projects must range from $75,000 to $750,000 in federal share, of which 20% may go toward pre-preservationcosts such as architectural or engineering services. Non-Federal match is not required.

• The repair and rehabilitation of historic properties must be conducted according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standardsfor Archeology and Historic Preservation.

• Amendments or updates to the National Register nomination for the resource are eligible as grant supported activities if thedocument is out of date or does not adequately refect all areas of signifcance.

What Is Not Funded

• Construction of new buildings, reconstructing historic properties (recreating all or a signifcant portion that no longer exists),or acquisition of collections or historic sites.

• Long-term maintenance or curatorial work beyond the grant period, work performed prior to announcement of award, orlobbying, or advocacy activities.

• Moving or work on moved historic properties that are no longer eligible for listing in the NRHP

• Cash reserves, endowments, revolving funds, fund-raising costs, miscellaneous costs, contingencies, reserves, overhead costs,or costs for work already completed or funded through other federal programs.

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

Selection Process

NPS personnel and qualifed 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 specifcally 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 Director of the National Park Service. 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.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Project descriptions must address, and applications will be rated on, each of the criteria listed below. NPS will evaluate and consider only complete applications that separately address each of the four criteria. You are required to provide a detailed narrative of these elements using the project description and budget justifcation worksheets.

1. Signifcance: Describe the association of the historic resource(s) in the proposed project to the founding of the nation andidentify whether they are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and/or designated at the state, tribal, or local level.

2. Need/Urgency/Threat: Describe the need, urgency, and threat the project addresses and how the activities are necessary andwill mitigate that threat. Discuss how the project is the next logical step toward the resource’s preservation.

3. Feasibility: Describe all tasks and their results. Discuss your timeline and budget justifcation to show that costs are necessary,reasonable, and allowable. Demonstrate how you will successfully complete the project within the given time frame (2-3 years)and with the given resources while meeting all federal requirements and guidelines. Briefy describe who will be involved incarrying out the project and their qualifcations, attach resumes/CVs as applicable.

4. Sustainability: Describe the impacts of the project after completion, including long lasting efects. Describe the public privatepartnerships and community engagement involved in the project and how these partnerships will sustain and continueto support the resources after the grant project is complete. For Preservation projects, describe the plan for continuedmaintenance. If previously funded, please describe the progress made to date.

Process and Deadlines

All applications must be made through Grants.gov. No paper applications will be accepted. Registration in Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and other federal systems can take up to four weeks, so please start early. To be notifed when the opportunity opens, please go to Grants.gov and subscribe to a saved search for CFDA 15.966.