The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions program provides funding to help small and mid-sized organizations preserve and manage humanities collections. These grants aim to ensure collections' continued significance for various users, such as researchers, students, and source communities, by addressing preservation risks. The program supports foundational preservation activities, such as assessments, developing plans and policies, emergency preparedness, environmental monitoring, rehousing, format surveys, inventories, and training in collections management. Funding is available for projects involving consultants with expertise tailored to specific types of collections, ensuring professional preservation of materials such as books, manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, artifacts, and digital items.

The maximum award amount for organizations in the contiguous United States is $10,000. Organizations in non-contiguous states or jurisdictions may request an additional $5,000 to cover consultants’ travel and shipping costs. The period of performance is up to 18 months, providing flexibility for completing the proposed activities. Applicants are encouraged to focus on practical and foundational preservation needs. The program strongly supports applications from institutions that have never received NEH funding, including community colleges, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Native American tribes, and other organizations representing under-represented communities.

Eligibility extends to small and mid-sized institutions with humanities collections, including libraries, museums, archives, and cultural organizations. Applicants must propose projects that enhance their preservation capacity and may include consultations, training, assessments, and emergency planning. Institutions representing historically marginalized or underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants must select consultants with appropriate expertise for the collections’ specific preservation needs, such as paper, painting, or object conservation.

Applications require adherence to specific guidelines, including budgetary considerations outlined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200). These revisions, effective as of October 2024, affect budget items such as the de minimis rate. While updated guidelines will be released before the next application cycle, applicants can refer to current guidelines to prepare their submissions. Additionally, the NEH provides resources, including an informational webinar and examples of previously funded projects, to guide potential applicants.

The anticipated application period for the next cycle begins October 8, 2025, with a submission deadline of January 8, 2026. Notification of funding decisions is expected by August 31, 2026, and project start dates are set for either September 1 or December 1, 2026. The program maintains a 51% funding ratio, with an average of 61 awards made annually from approximately 122 applications. Applicants are encouraged to begin early to ensure compliance with all requirements.

For assistance or questions, applicants can contact the Division of Preservation and Access via email at preservation@neh.gov or by phone at 202-606-8570. The NEH also provides telecommunications relay services for applicants with disabilities.