National Park Service · Department of the Interior
FY2025 & FY2026 Historic Preservation Fund- History of Equal Rights- Preservation Grants
In short: National Park Service expects to make 16 awards of $15,000 to $750,000. Open to many kinds of groups. See who can apply.
Key facts
- Deadline
- Next round: about Jun 11 – Jul 21, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder ?
The funder says: “Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET on the listed application due date.Applicants are held responsible for their proposals being submitted to the National Park Service....” - Award size
- $15K – $750K
- Total available
- $10M · about 16 awards
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Tribal organization, Tribal government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3), County government, City or town government, Private college or university, Public college or university, Nonprofit without 501(c)(3), State government
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Unicoi County (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 1
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
About this grant
The National Park Service"s (NPS) History of Equal Rights Grant Program (HER) will preserve sites related to the struggle of all Americans to achieve equal rights. HER 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. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match.
Who can apply, from the official notice
Eligible applicants are State governments, local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined by 54 USC 300300. Grants are not available for sites or collections owned or leased by the NPS, or in which the NPS holds a property interest.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/3b44ded3-d42c-4b90-82f4-da45ddf59904 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/08aeba79-14ad-4696-a798-d26a32a3699f
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
Writing the need statement? Unicoi County facts with citations.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
1 award to Tennessee groups in 1 county since 2025 · 0 in Unicoi County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee Development District | Alcoa, Blount County | $750K | 2026 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
More from National Park Service
- Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed · Due Nov 4, 2026 · 24 days left
- National Parks Business Plan Internship · Due Jan 4, 2027 · 85 days left
- FY2026 - Historic Preservation Fund- Annual State Historic Preservation Office Grants · Next round: about Apr 24 – Jul 31, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- 9/11 Memorial Act Grant · Next round: about Jul 6 – Aug 5, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- NPS Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (CESU) Master Cooperative Agreements · Accepts applications through Dec 31, 2027. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) Recurring Notice 5 Year · Accepts applications through Nov 1, 2030. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
About the federal program
Historic Preservation Fund Grants-in-Aid for Competitive Grants
Program number 15.966 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service · Grant
How applications are judged
Specific evaluation criteria are included in the funding announcements posted on Grants.gov. They generally include significance of the resource, threat to the resource, feasibility of the project, and sustainability after the federal investment.
Match
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), match is mandatory in a ratio of 60% federal to 40% non-federal (match). However, matching requirements can be variable and depend on the specific grant program. If a grant program requires matching, it will be included in the Congressional appropriations language and referenced in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: 1) Building Repairs and Structural Preservation - Grants are used to fix leaking roofs, crumbling chimneys, and damaged brickwork on historic buildings to prevent further deterioration; and the repair or replacement of original windows and doors to maintain historical accuracy while improving energy efficiency and safety.
2) System and Safety Upgrades - Projects include fire safety improvements including installing fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and emergency exits to meet modern safety codes; and accessibility enhancements including adding ramps, elevators, or accessible restrooms to ensure historic sites are inclusive and ADA-compliant.
3) Historic and Cultural Site Restoration - Funding is used to restore original finishes like plaster walls, wood floors, and decorative ceilings in historic interiors. Projects often focus on revitalizing historic educational or civic buildings for continued community use.
4) Documentation and Planning - Grants fund detailed assessments of historic buildings to guide future preservation work. Some projects aim to document and nominate properties for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Fiscal year 2026:...