The National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) is accepting applications for the Avant-Garde Masters Grants, a funding opportunity dedicated to preserving significant examples of America’s avant-garde film heritage. These grants are made possible through a partnership with The Film Foundation and with funding from the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. The program provides financial support for laboratory work to preserve avant-garde films that are not maintained by commercial interests. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and public archives in the United States, including those affiliated with federal, state, or local government entities.

Avant-garde films are generally defined as those produced and distributed outside the mainstream film industry, often created by individual filmmakers or small teams as unique artistic expressions. The grant aims to support the preservation of films or collections from a filmmaker or group that has made a significant contribution to avant-garde film history in America. Works created in the last twenty years are not eligible. Applications must demonstrate the historical importance of the films, explain why preservation is necessary, and include plans for making the restored materials available to scholars and the public.

Grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 per project and can be used exclusively for preservation expenses. Funds may only be applied to new laboratory work commissioned after the grant start date. The grant supports the creation of new film preservation elements, including sound tracks when applicable, and two new public access copies—one of which must be a film print. Funding cannot be used for staffing or operational costs.

The application process begins with a required registration by May 9, 2025. Interested applicants must email the NFPF with details about their archive and project. If the project is deemed eligible, the applicant will be invited to submit a formal application, which must be completed by June 13, 2025. The application requires a detailed letter outlining the research significance of the films, the provenance and uniqueness of the materials, a description of the preservation work needed, cost estimates from a film laboratory, and plans for archival storage and public access. Nonprofit applicants must provide an IRS determination letter verifying their 501(c)(3) status.

Proposals will be evaluated by NFPF staff and external reviewers, with final decisions made by a grant panel representing the NFPF Board of Directors. Grant notifications will be issued by mid-August 2025. The grant period runs from August 2025 through October 2025. Successful applicants must sign an agreement confirming their responsibilities under the grant terms.

Applications can be submitted via email in PDF or Word format to grants@filmpreservation.org or by mail to the National Film Preservation Foundation in San Francisco. For additional information, applicants may contact the NFPF at agm@filmpreservation.org.