Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks projects that will significantly improve public discovery and use of major historical records collections. 

All types of historical records are eligible, including documents, photographs, born-digital records, and analog audio and moving images. 

Projects may focus on broad movements in U.S. history, such as law, politics, social reform, business, military, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience, or on the papers of individual figure(s) in American history. 

Collections that center the voices and document the history of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are especially welcome.

With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaching, the Commission is especially interested in projects that promote discovery and access to collections that explore the ideals behind our nation’s founding and the continuous debate over those ideals to the present day. 

Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives must be collaborations among multiple institutions that undertake either of these two eligible activities to:

• digitize and publish as a “virtual” collection online historical records housed at multiple repositories but center on a common theme, organization, or important historical figure(s); or
• create and test new tools and methods for the archival field to enhance public access, especially for born-digital records 

Projects that actively engage the public in the work of the project will be more competitive. 

Deadlines:

• Draft Deadline: February 15, 2024
• Application Deadline:  May 8, 2024