Historic Preservation Fund – Tribal Heritage Grants
🏛 National Park Service (DOI-NPS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Federally-recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations to support cultural and historic preservation projects.
Applicants must be officially recognized by the federal government. The grant supports a wide range of preservation activities, including documenting oral history, protecting sacred sites, maintaining traditional skills, and establishing tribal historic preservation offices.
Projects cannot involve sites or collections owned or leased by the National Park Service. Geographic scope is national, covering all eligible tribal nations and organizations across the United States.
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Program description
The National Historic Preservation Act authorizes grants to federally recognized Tribes for cultural and historic preservation projects. These grants assist Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations in protecting and promoting their unique tribal heritage and traditions. The program focuses on what Tribes are most concerned about protecting including but not limited to: Traditional skills, oral history, plant and animal species important in tradition, documentation and preservation of sacred and historic places, and the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative describing preservation goals and activities
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Proof of federal tribal recognition or Native Hawaiian Organization status
- Letters of support from tribal leadership or governing body
Program contact
- 👤 National Park Service
- 📧 STLPG@nps.gov
- 📞 202-697-2035
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.904 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$5,000,000
-
$4,250,000
-
$2,178,979
-
$2,178,979
-
$2,178,979
-
$1,970,659
-
$1,970,659
-
$1,970,659
-
$1,869,150
-
$1,787,942
Top States by Funding
- NY 6 awards $10.4M
- IL 7 awards $9.9M
- SC 2 awards $9.3M
- MI 6 awards $8.5M
- CA 4 awards $8.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.904). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $86,540,815 | |
| 2020 | $98,269,149 | |
| 2021 | $92,560,917 | |
| 2022 | $104,708,882 | |
| 2023 | $140,910,324 | |
| 2024 | $132,084,997 | |
| 2025 est. | $120,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $119,999,999 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Federally-recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations are eligible. Your organization must meet the legal definitions in 54 USC § 300309, 300313, and 300314.
What types of projects does this grant support?
Projects preserving tribal heritage and cultural traditions. This includes documenting oral history, protecting traditional skills, preserving sacred and historic places, and establishing tribal historic preservation offices.
Are there any ineligible projects?
Yes. Projects involving sites or collections owned, leased, or held by the National Park Service cannot receive funding.
What is the funding range for awards?
Awards typically range from $15,000 to $100,000, depending on project scope and competition.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not a requirement for this grant program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project with the grant's focus: tribal heritage, traditions, and cultural preservation. Use specific examples of what your community wants to protect.
- Emphasize partnerships with tribal members and community input. Grants favor projects led by and accountable to the tribal community.
- Document the significance of your project to tribal identity and continuity. Explain how it supports long-term cultural preservation goals.
- If establishing a tribal historic preservation office, detail staffing, office structure, and how it will serve your nation's preservation needs.
- Submit a clear budget that breaks down costs by activity. Reviewers want to understand how funds will be used to directly support preservation work.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they lack clear community input or tribal leadership buy-in. Projects must address tribal priorities, not outside interests. Applicants often underestimate the effort needed to define preservation goals and document project outcomes—invest time in planning before applying. Applications referencing NPS-owned or leased sites are automatically ineligible.
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