DISCOVERY AND ACCESS TO CONGRESSIONAL RECORDS COLLECTIONS

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks applications involving collaborative teams of archivists and other practitioners to develop and promote models for addressing key challenges in the processing, long-term preservation, discovery, access, and 2 research use of Congressional Records collections. In order to stimulate new models and long-term solutions that involve a variety of stakeholders, shared responsibility and resources, and serve or address long-term needs of the broader field, we especially encourage applications involving three or more repositories, research centers, and/or other archival entities holding Congressional Records collections who are actively working to seed field-wide improvements. Competitive proposals will focus on one or more of the following areas: State of the Field and Policy Studies ? To develop and disseminate best practices and policy objectives centered on electronic records, hybrid (mixed analog and born-digital) collections, and/or datasets derived from Congressional Records collections. Education and Training ? To provide education and training for archivists and other stakeholders on best practices, or to better understand existing processes and their purposes, and/or to discuss the historical significance and potential of Congressional Records collections for research, study, and teaching. ? To provide education and training for archivists on current electronic records systems and tools, and best practices for processing, preserving, arranging, and describing these and other born-digital Congressional records. Processing and Digitization Grants – (may include funds for essential preservation needs, such as shelving, archival furniture, equipment, and/or rehousing supplies) ? for Congressional Records Collections at underserved and under-resourced institutions ? for Congressional Records Collections of Members from underrepresented communities or groups Collaborative Initiatives for Discovery, Access, and Research Use ? To develop or expand existing model collaborative projects or consortia that support enhanced discovery, online access to, and expanded research use of Congressional Records collections housed at geographically-dispersed institutions, archives, and repositories. This could also include planning and related activities resulting in shared, long-term digital storage arrangements. Hybrid Congressional Records Collections ? Model projects that address challenges and develop replicable best practices for the preservation, management, sustainability, discovery, and responsible access to hybrid Congressional Records collections, including analog and born-digital records, and other complex digital objects. 3 ? Model projects for sustainable, long-term preservation, discovery, access to datasets derived from Congressional Records collections. ** If you have ideas for a possible application – whether involving one of the above suggested areas of focus, or another idea that advances the field of Congressional Records collections – we strongly encourage you to get in touch to discuss well before making your application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to submit draft materials for additional comment and feedback. (Drafts are due no later than August 15, 2024.) Award Information Discovery and Access to Congressional Records Collections grants are for up to three years and may range from $100,000 to $350,000. The NHPRC expects to make up to seven grants in this category for up to $1,000,000. Project funding begins no earlier than July 1, 2025. Eligibility Eligible applicants: ? US nonprofit organizations or institutions ? Colleges, universities, and other academic institutions ? State or local government agencies ? Federally-recognized or state-recognized American Indian tribes or Alaska Native entities. ** Eligible applicants may NOT "undertake an archival project centered on the papers of an appointed or elected public official who remains in major office, or is politically active, or the majority of whose papers have not yet been accessioned in a repository." 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. In order to ensure eligibility, applicants should first review the rules and regulations governing NHPRC grants under the Administering an NHPRC Grant section. Cost Sharing The total costs of a project are shared between the NHPRC and the applicant organization. 4 Cost sharing is required. The applicant’s financial contribution may include both direct and indirect expenses, in-kind contributions, non-Federal third-party contributions, and any income earned directly by the project. Indirect costs must be listed under the applicant’s cost sharing contribution. NHPRC grant recipients are not permitted to use grant funds for indirect costs (as indicated in 2 CFR 2600.101). Indirect costs must be listed under the applicant’s cost sharing contribution. The Commission provides no more than 75 percent of total project costs for the Planning and Implementation Grants. Total project costs comprise the total grant funds and the total cost share pledged. For example, a request of $100,000 in NHPRC grant funds means the applicant institution must provide at least $33,000 in cost share. Other Requirements Applicant organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application, maintain SAM registration throughout the application and award process, and include a valid Unique Entity ID in their application. To register or request a Unique Entity ID, go to https://sam.gov. Already manage an entity that does business with the federal government? You may want to consult this article on the transition from DUNS to the Unique Entity ID. Ensure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations and passwords are current. It may take up to one month to register or reactivate your registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. NHPRC will not grant deadline extensions for lack of registration.