Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Library of Congress, is offering a compelling chance for cultural institutions, universities, and archives to contribute to a vast digital archive of historic newspapers.
This initiative, open to nonprofits, accredited higher‑education institutions, and government agencies, encourages the digitization of historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963. The results of these digitization projects become part of a searchable, publicly accessible database, meticulously preserved at the Library of Congress.
Applicants chosen for this program can receive up to $325,000 in support, allowing them to span a two‑year project period. Winners will be notified in August 2026, in time for projects to begin on September 1, 2026. Funded organizations will play a vital role in expanding the scope and reach of the Chronicling America digital archive, ensuring that local and regional histories are preserved and made widely available online.
This program offers an opportunity not only to preserve newspapers but also to enhance institutional capacity. Recipients will contribute to a growing national repository, improving access to primary sources that reveal community voices, social transformations, and cultural developments across centuries. With this support, institutions can digitize rare or fragile newspapers, enrich public scholarship, and deepen their collective understanding of American history through the lens of local media.
Participation in this endeavor helps amplify diverse narratives from all corners of the nation, weaving local perspectives into a national tapestry of historical record. Institutions that join this effort not only safeguard heritage but also empower educators, researchers, genealogists, and curious minds everywhere to explore rich stories once trapped on brittle pages and fading microfilm.
Once ready, applicants can submit their proposals and help shape a digital heritage resource that spans centuries and spans the nation.
For mor information, visit NEH.
