National Digital Newspaper Program
🏛 National Endowment for the Humanities
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and institutions creating digital collections of historically significant newspapers. Eligible applicants include libraries, historical societies, museums, and universities with newspaper holdings. The program supports digitization of newspapers published between 1690 and 1963 from all 56 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Projects must contribute materials to the freely accessible Library of Congress database.
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Program description
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Collections and Infrastructure is accepting applications for the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP). The purpose of this program is to create a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963, from all 56 states and U.S. jurisdictions. The Library of Congress (LOC) maintains this freely accessible, searchable online database.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing newspaper collections and digitization plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support from project partners
Program contact
- 👤 National Endowment for the Humanities
- 📧 collections@neh.gov
- 📞 202-606-8204
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 45.042 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Libraries, museums, historical societies, and educational institutions with significant newspaper collections are eligible. Consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for complete eligibility criteria.
What is the deadline?
The application deadline is January 13, 2027. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What activities does the program fund?
Funding supports digitizing historically significant newspapers from 1690-1963. All materials must be contributed to the Library of Congress national database.
How much funding is available?
Awards range from $1 to $325,000. The total program funding pool is $3 million.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start by reviewing the Library of Congress NDNP guidelines to understand technical and metadata standards before drafting your proposal.
- Clearly document your institution's newspaper collections and prioritize materials of regional or national historical significance.
- Build relationships with local libraries, archives, and historical societies to strengthen your application and collection scope.
- Submit a detailed preservation and digitization plan that demonstrates technical capacity and sustainability.
- Include letters of support from stakeholders and community partners who benefit from public access.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing newspapers outside the 1690-1963 date range. Underestimating the technical requirements and staffing needed for quality digitization. Failing to align with Library of Congress metadata and technical standards.
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