The National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Collections and Infrastructure is soliciting applications for the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership with the Library of Congress to digitize historically significant newspapers published between 1690 and 1963 from all 56 U.S. states and jurisdictions, with applications due January 13, 2027.
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public and private accredited institutions of higher education, state and local governments, and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments. No cost share is required. NEH anticipates awarding approximately $3,000,000 through approximately 11 cooperative agreements, with individual awards up to $325,000 inclusive of direct and indirect costs. The period of performance is up to two years, with start dates between September 1, 2027, and September 1, 2028.
Award recipients must establish an advisory board to select newspapers in the public domain, digitize approximately 100,000 newspaper pages from microfilm according to Library of Congress technical specifications, conduct copyright status research, produce title essays (approximately 500 words each) for each digitized title, update bibliographic records in WorldCat, and disseminate materials. Recipients must attend mandatory annual program meetings in Washington, D.C., in February 2028 and February 2029, or participate virtually. Applications must include a 15-page narrative, work plan, staff resumes, consultant and advisory board information, and detailed budget. Travel funding must accommodate two team members for Library of Congress attendance.
Peer reviewers evaluate applications on understanding of state newspapers, institutional capacity for digital projects, dissemination effectiveness, staff qualifications, and budget reasonableness. NEH prohibits use of funds for political or religious promotion, DEI/DEIA initiatives, environmental justice activities, advocacy, and social science research. The CFDA number is 45.042. Award announcements are anticipated in July 2027.