FY2021 Battlefield Interpretation Grants

The American Battlefield Protection Program supports the identification, research, evaluation, interpretation, and protection of historic battlefields and associated sites on a national, State, and local level.

Under this new Funding Opportunity, grant funds will be awarded for projects that deploy technology to modernize and enhance battlefield interpretation and education at Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War battlefield sites eligible for assistance under the battlefield acquisition grant program established under 54 U.S.C. §308103(b). Grants require a non-Federal cost share of at least 50%. State, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

Successful projects should:

include expertise in content, interpretive and educational methods, and integration of technology at all stages of the project;
convene a project team with a diversity of perspectives and sources of knowledge (disciplinary, cultural, experiential, etc.) – to better understand and interpret the past, projects should not rely on a single subject matter expert;

incorporate recent and high-quality scholarship on the historical, social, and/or natural contexts of battlefields and associated sites;
undergo clear, collaborative, and comprehensive scoping with both subject matter specialists and technical specialists prior to technical production;
use technology in ways that foster effective communication with the intended audience(s) - projects may combine multiple forms of technology or traditional interpretive media, and grants may fund stakeholder consultation and audience research to ensure that appropriate platforms and technologies are selected;
ensure accessibility for people with disabilities (e.g. through subtitles and audio description of videos, or wheelchair-accessible exhibit areas), following Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as applicable (see https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm);
define appropriate metrics and strategies for evaluating the project’s effectiveness during and after implementation; and
plan for technological and institutional sustainability.

To encourage a collaborative approach to project development and efficient use of Federal funds, two categories of grants are available for projects in different stages:

Scoping grants are available to fund early stages of project development, such as research and content creation, consultation with stakeholders, exploration of available technologies, audience research, and development of technical proposals. The federal share for these grants should range from $20,000-$50,000 and have a period of performance of 1-2 years.
Implementation grants are available to applicants who have completed interdisciplinary scoping prior to application and can provide draft content and design plans. The federal share for these grants should range from $50,000-$200,000 and have a period of performance of 2-3 years.

It is not necessary to receive a scoping grant before applying for an implementation grant, but the application must show that equivalent preparatory work has been completed. On a case-by-case basis, amounts and periods of performance may differ from the above recommendations. Applicants may contact the NPS American Battlefield Protection Program with questions about developing an application.

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, NPS ABPP encourages projects that promote and expand preservation as well as enhance our understanding of the origins of the United States. Special thematic priority will be given to applications that preserve and interpret historic sites associated with the American Revolutionary War as a living part of community life and development.