Historic Preservation Fund- African American Civil Rights- History Grants
Can you apply?
This grant is for documenting and preserving African American Civil Rights history sites and stories. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and federally recognized Indian tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations. Projects must focus on history, preservation, and civil rights sites using the NPS Civil Rights in America framework. Sites owned or leased by the NPS are ineligible.
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 history projects including: survey and planning, research and documentation, education, and collection conservation. 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 historical 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 $24,000,000 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/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Statement of Historical Significance
- Documentation of organizational eligibility
- Letters of support or partnership agreements (if 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?
State/local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and federally recognized tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
What types of projects are funded?
Physical preservation, historical research, documentation, surveys, education, and collection conservation related to African American civil rights history.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No, non-Federal match is not required for these grants.
What is the deadline and funding range?
Deadline is July 14, 2026. Individual grants range from $15,000 to $100,000.
Are there separate announcements for different project types?
Yes. P25AS00495 is for physical preservation; P25AS00496 is for history/research/documentation projects. Apply under the correct opportunity number.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project directly to the NPS Civil Rights in America framework to strengthen competitiveness and relevance.
- Ensure your site or collection is not owned, leased, or held by the NPS before applying.
- Determine which funding announcement matches your project type: preservation or research/documentation.
- Include clear documentation of historical significance and community impact in your proposal.
- Demonstrate how your project preserves or advances understanding of African American civil rights history.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Projects fail when not aligned with the NPS Civil Rights framework or when sites are NPS-owned. Applicants apply to the wrong funding opportunity number for their project type. Weak historical documentation or unclear civil rights relevance weakens proposals.
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