Historic Preservation Fund- African American Civil Rights- Preservation Grants
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to preserve and document African American Civil Rights historic sites and stories. Eligible applicants include state governments, local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. Properties must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The NPS does not fund sites owned, leased, or where it holds a property interest. Two separate funding tracks exist: physical preservation projects and history/research/documentation projects with different opportunity numbers.
Program description
The National Park Service”s (NPS) African American Civil Rights Grant Program (AACR) will document and preserve the sites and stories of the full history of the African American struggle to gain equal rights, from transatlantic slave trade forward. The program funds history and preservation projects using the NPS report, Civil Rights in America, A Framework for Identifying Significant Sites, as a guide in determining the appropriateness of proposed projects and properties. AACR grants are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the NPS, and will fund a broad range of preservation projects for historic sites including: architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and physical preservation to structures. Properties must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places to be eligible for grant funding. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match.There are separate funding announcements for physical preservation projects and for history research/documentation projects. Funding announcement P25AS00495 is for physical preservation of historic sites only; P25AS00496 is for history/research/documentation/survey/nomination projects. Please ensure you apply under the correct opportunity number for your project.FY2025 Public Law 119-4 provides $24 million total for the AACR Grant Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative describing the preservation project and Civil Rights significance
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Proof of National Register of Historic Places listing or eligibility documentation
- Letters of support from property owners and stakeholders
- Historic preservation plan or architectural documentation (as applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Park Service
- 📧 STLPG@nps.gov
- 📞 202-697-2035
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.966 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,990,620
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
Top States by Funding
- GA 13 awards $8.6M
- AL 3 awards $4.5M
- PA 8 awards $4.5M
- SC 5 awards $3.7M
- MS 5 awards $2.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State and local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible. Properties must be listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. This grant does not require non-Federal match or cost-sharing. You can receive full funding with no local contribution required.
What activities does this grant fund?
Two tracks are available: physical preservation (architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and repairs) and history/research/documentation (survey, nomination, and archival projects). Ensure you apply under the correct opportunity number.
What is the funding range?
Individual grants range from $15,000 to $750,000. The total program has $24 million in FY2025 funding available through a competitive process.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 14, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling. Plan your application timeline accordingly to meet the single annual deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your project on documenting or preserving sites connected to African American Civil Rights history. Use the NPS "Civil Rights in America: A Framework for Identifying Significant Sites" as a guide.
- Confirm your property is listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places before applying. Ineligible properties will be rejected regardless of project quality.
- Choose the correct opportunity number: P25AS00495 for physical preservation or P25AS00496 for history/research/documentation. Applying under the wrong track wastes your effort.
- Build strong partnerships with property owners, local historical societies, and preservation professionals. This strengthens competitiveness and credibility.
- Start writing early. A July 14 deadline means you should begin planning by spring at the latest. Competitive federal grants require thorough preparation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying for a property not listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Submitting under the wrong opportunity number (physical vs. history/research tracks). Proposing work on NPS-owned or NPS-controlled properties, which are explicitly ineligible.
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