The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to publish online editions of historical records. All types of historical records are eligible, including documents, photographs, born-digital records, and analog audio. Projects may focus on broad historical movements in U.S. history, including any aspect of African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American history, such as law (including the social and cultural history of the law), politics, social reform, business, military, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience.
Projects 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 also invites 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.
The goal of this program is to provide access to, and editorial context for, the historical documents and records that tell the American story. Applicants should demonstrate familiarity with the best practices recommended by the Association for Documentary Editing (ADE) or the Modern Language Association (MLA) Committee on Scholarly Editions . Because of the focus on historical documentary sources, grants do not support preparation of critical editions of published works unless such works are just a small portion of the larger project.
This grant program does not support the production of film or video documentaries. For a comprehensive list of the Commission's limitations on funding, please see What We Do and Do Not Fund. Applications that consist entirely of ineligible activities will not be considered.
First Deadline
Funding Opportunity Number: EDITIONS-202505
- Draft (optional): February 18, 2025
- Final Deadline: May 7, 2025
NHPRC support begins no earlier than January 1, 2026.
Second Deadline
Funding Opportunity Number: EDITIONS-202511
- Draft: August 15, 2025
- Final Deadline: November 5, 2025
NHPRC support begins no earlier than July 1, 2026.
- U.S. nonprofit organizations or institutions
- U.S. colleges, universities, and other academic institutions
- State or local government agencies
- Federally-acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups
A grant is for one year and for up to $125,000 per year. The Commission expects to make up to 21 grants in this category for a total of up to $2,600,000. Grants begin no earlier than January 1, 2026. Grants are contingent upon available appropriated funds.
Cost sharing is not a requirement for this program and will not be part of the panel and staff review and evaluation process.
However, the applicant's financial contribution may be included on the NHPRC Budget form. Cost share may include both direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions, and any income earned directly by the project. Voluntary committed cost sharing does become a binding commitment and a part of the award’s terms and conditions.