National Historical Publications and Records Commission: Strategies and Tools for Archives and Historical Publishing Projects

Project may also focus on techniques and tools that will improve the professional performance and effectiveness of those who work with such records, such as archivists, documentary editors, and records managers.

Projects concerning records may focus on methods of working with any format including born-digital records. Publishing of historical records must focus on methods of presenting archival records as primary sources. The Commission does not fund projects focused on artifacts or books.

Applications must:

-Present evidence for the need for improvement in current methods.
-Demonstrate that the project staff has the skills, educational background, and experience appropriate to the project.
-Describe which reliable research-and-development methodologies and techniques will be used to produce practical outcomes.
-Describe how the applicant will test the outcomes with practitioners.
-Explain how the applicant will document the costs and benefits of employing the new strategies or tools.
-Describe how the project will publicize the results and make them available to the appropriate professions at minimal or no cost.
The Commission expects to announce this opportunity twice this year, with the next round in the Fall 2008.

For applicants who wish to work with particular historical records or publications or who have professional development projects, please review the relevant grant announcements at http://www.archives.gov/nhprc/announcement/ and then contact the Commission staff with questions about which category is most appropriate for your proposed project.