The National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) is inviting applications for its federally funded Matching Grants program. These grants support large-scale, complex film preservation, reconstruction, or restoration projects for single films or film collections of significant cultural, historic, or artistic importance. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit or public institutions with prior film preservation experience and the capacity to complete extensive preservation efforts. The grants provide funding between $20,001 and $75,000, which can be used for laboratory work, with a required match from the applicant of at least one-fifth of the total project costs. Applicants for this program may not simultaneously apply for a Basic Preservation Grant in the same funding cycle.

The program is open to public and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that have previously completed at least one NFPF grant and are capable of managing a large-scale preservation effort. Eligible projects must involve films that were made in the United States or by American citizens abroad and are not protected by commercial interests. Films originally created for television or video, including works produced with funding from broadcast or cable television entities, are ineligible. Grant funds can be used for the creation of new film preservation elements, public access copies, intertitle reconstruction for silent films, closed captioning, and audio descriptions for accessibility. The funds must be used exclusively for preservation work commissioned after the grant start date and cannot be applied toward staffing, operational expenses, or shipping costs, except for nitrate materials.

The application process involves several steps. Applicants must first identify an eligible film or collection for preservation, register with NFPF by emailing grants@filmpreservation.org with a project summary, and submit a formal proposal. The registration deadline is March 21, 2025. Proposals must be between four to six pages and should include a laboratory cost estimate. The proposal should discuss the film’s research significance, uniqueness, physical condition, proposed preservation work, and cost estimates. Applicants must document how their institution acquired the material, confirm the film’s rarity, and provide details on archival storage conditions. Additionally, the application must outline plans for public access, such as screenings, online distribution, and educational use. If preservation work involves collaboration with other organizations, a letter of affirmation from those institutions must be included.

Applications must be submitted by April 25, 2025, either via email in PDF or Word format to grants@filmpreservation.org or by mailing a hard copy to the National Film Preservation Foundation’s San Francisco office. Submitted proposals will be reviewed by NFPF staff and an external panel representing the NFPF Board of Directors. Applicants will be notified of grant decisions in July 2025.

Successful applicants are required to sign an agreement outlining their responsibilities and, if applicable, provide verification of their nonprofit status through an IRS determination letter. Matching funds from the institution must cover at least 20% of the total project costs, and applicants should outline a plan for securing these funds. The grant period runs from July 2025 through September 2026, during which all funded preservation activities must be completed.

For additional information, applicants can refer to resources such as The Film Preservation Guide: The Basics for Archives, Libraries, and Museums or contact the NFPF at their provided email address. The program aims to ensure that culturally and historically significant films remain preserved and accessible for future generations through proper archival storage, preservation, and public dissemination.